Hi surf49,
My garden guide shows "small spots of dead tissue at leaf tips and between leaf veins" as a potassium deficiency. It also shows "dieback from tips of young leaves" as calcium deficiency. This was not specific to palm
plants.
I've also heard that overwatering causes dying/brown leaf tips because the
plant roots cannot breathe. They basically drown just like a person would if they were constantly under water. It's true that's why good soil is important. But what happens is when people see brown tips they immediately think the
plant is dying from lack of water, so add more, thereby worsenng the problem. Have you been overwatering thinking the
plant is dying?
Hope that helps.