Another terror attack in London and the Hague sparked concerns for my family and raised the question of whether or not acts of terror alter our travel choices. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit...
Has American Airlines Turned The Corner?

American Airlines has had a rough couple of years, but after a decent performance in the third quarter and some management “changes” has the carrier finally turned the corner? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new...
Hyatt’s “Surprise and Delight” Does Just That

Hyatt began running a “surprise and delight” campaign for Globalist members of the hotel chain’s World of Hyatt program. The promotion is accomplishing its stated goal. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please...
Keeping United 1K Status via Honolulu

Maintaining my United 1K Status is very important to me and my family. For the last year, distance flown matters more than just money spent (and segments) which means I have one more true mileage run, this year via...
Bonvoyed: Deceptive Redemption Prices Frustrate, Annoy

Marriott’s new Bonvoy program has not been the success CEO Arne Sorenson has suggested it is. Bonvoy’s award redemption nights don’t just deceive members, they also frustrate and annoy them. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a...
Evaluating Inspirato, a Luxury Travel Subscription

A few readers have asked what I thought of Inspirato, a luxury travel subscription service. I did some investigating and found that for a very narrow audience it may present value but most won’t. If you are considering booking travel or signing...
Hertz is Worse Than Spirit, RyanAir

I am fairly loyal to National Car Rental for a few reasons but until I had to rent from Hertz, I had no idea just how good I had it. By comparison, Hertz is worse than Spirit and RyanAir....
Bonvoyed: SPG Members Leaving Marriott, Data Suggests

Marriott Hotels purchased Starwood and replacing the beloved Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) with a new combined program, Bonvoy. Three data points suggest that SPG members haven’t stayed with the new Bonvoy program. If you are considering booking travel or signing up...
Employee Groups Wage Proxy Boeing Fight for Southwest

The Boeing 737 MAX is a very delicate issue. Airlines are owed for down time but getting passengers back on the planes may be tough. Southwest employee groups are effectively fighting Boeing for Southwest by proxy. If you are...
Lifetime Status: My Pursuits and Results

After traveling for an extended period of time, annual qualifications become a forgone conclusion, but lifetime status overtakes the annual goal. Here are my hotel and airline lifetime progressions and why I seek them. If you are considering booking...
American Airlines Flight Attendants Refuse to Fly the 737 MAX, Southwest Pilots Sue Because They Can’t

Boeing’s 737 MAX has been a divisive issue amongst airlines employees and the traveling public. American Airlines flight attendants refuse to fly it while Southwest pilots sue Boeing because they can’t. What?!? If you are considering booking travel or signing up...
CIBO OTG Taking Over Airport Hubs

If you’ve traversed many of the nation’s largest airports, you’ve encountered been inundated by CIBO or OTG food vendors and restaurants. Increasingly, it seems every restaurant in the airport is one or the other – how did this happen? If...
Review: Chicago Athletic Association (Hyatt Unbound)

The Chicago Athletic Association is a new hotel to the Hyatt family but not a new property in downtown Chicago. Since joining Hyatt, this was our first chance to try the property and we loved it – with one...
Recreating Breakfast at Tiffany’s for our Daughter

Our little Lucy is a huge Audrey Hepburn fan. This year we have set out to recreate some of Hepburn’s iconic moments and the first on the list was Breakfast at Tiffany’s. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for...
Could the 737 MAX Grounding Bury Boeing?

Boeing’s 737-MAX has been grounded for the better part of a year with no end in sight. But with clearance out of their control, is the aircraft manufacturer helpless against mounting losses? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for...
US Bank Lets Me Down Again, and Again, and Again

I have had a mixed relationship with US Bank over the last few years but they have proven time and again, they are simply not a good partner in our banking relationship. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for...
Counterpoint: United Changes Better For Flyers

United Airlines announced some unpopular changes to their frequent flyer program, Mileage Plus. While most met the changes with criticism and contempt, it may actually be better for flyers. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit...
United, Delta Short-Haul Aircraft Better Than American Mainline

As Delta further invests in the customer experience of smaller jets and United rolls out CRJ550s they have surpassed the American mainline fleet. When will management learn? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click...
What An Airport Auction Is Like

Pittsburgh International Airport announced their annual auction and I have always wanted to attend. This is what an airport auction is really like. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If...
American Airlines Management Shuffle, The Emperor Has No Clothes

American Airlines announced a handful of senior leadership changes this week ahead of quarterly earnings reports at the end of the month. But few left or even changed departments, does Emperor Parker have new clothes? If you are considering booking...