As a traveling parent, assumptions are made about my child before she even enters a room and how we will respond. Eyes turn towards families then roll with disgust as a child sits down at a lounge or in...
Vigilante Korean Air Lounge Agent Attempts to Downgrade Paid Business Ticket, Degrades Customer
Due to a schedule change by Korean Air, our flight path changed and so did our experience. Our great deal in business class was apparently too good and a one vigilante lounge agent personally tried to stop us from...
Hotwire, OTAs Make Schedule Changes Unbearable
Hotwire ran a fare sale with Korean Air last summer which brought us back to the third-party booking service after years without booking on one. We were reminded just how difficult managing reservations can be through OTAs when airline...
United Listening To Customers, Your Move American
United recently announced a number of fleet changes that will be welcome news to elites at the 1K and Global Services level, clearly listening to customer feedback. Will American follow suit? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a...
Relax: Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal Won’t End Air Travel
Last week, Freshman Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez released an FAQ to accompany her co-sponsored Green New Deal. Among the many dramatic and far-reaching statements was that the Green New Deal would make air travel unnecessary. But you can relax, it’s...
American Airlines Loses Revenue By Restricting Systemwide Upgrade Availability
American Airlines previously offered excellent availability of their eVIPs or systemwide upgrades (SWUs) distributed to elite Executive Platinum flyers. Restricting access to premium space and halving the number of eVIPs given out should lead to more cash with fewer...
2019 Will Be A Country Count Duel
At some point, the student becomes the teacher, and in our families, we often play the role of teacher for all things travel, miles and points. One of our disciples has crept his country count up on us and...
Sharing a Business Class Seat
Some passengers book one business class seat or use an upgrade and trade use of the seat, splitting time between coach and business class. Is this right? Fair? Is it wrong? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a...
Oculus Go May Be The Perfect Airplane Inflight Entertainment
The Oculus Go is a Virtual Reality headset that may just be the best inflight entertainment device a passenger can bring on an airplane. But that doesn’t mean you will want to use it. If you are considering booking travel or signing...
Frequent Traveler University Seattle – Come See Us!
Frequent Traveler University is a seminar-filled weekend with some of the best experts in the business divulging the secrets of the frequent traveler lifestyle. From loyalty program insider access to manufactured spending and travel trends, there is something for...
Confirmable Suite Upgrades Places Hilton Diamond Status Above Peers
Hilton has been trialing a new Honors Diamond perk, confirmed suite upgrades. If Hilton adds the perk to their program permanently, Honors would be the hotel loyalty program to beat and Diamond status the best in the business. If...
American Airlines Award Availability Abides Abysmally
American Airlines has been stingy with award availability specifically since the merger with US Airways management. They say things have gotten better, but how do they explain wide open flights, 300 days in advance with no premium saver seats?...
Rumors of TSA Shutdown Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
Due to political wrangling and an unprecedented case of brinkmanship, parts of the US government have been shut down for nearly a month. As a result, TSA employees are not being paid currently (they will be) but mainstream media...
Review: The Principal Hotel Manchester (Kimpton)
Returning to Manchester, England after living there for many years has made us picky hotel guests. We couldn’t wait to stay at the newly acquired Principal Manchester, now a Kimpton (IHG) property. The property, the staff, everything was perfect. ...
Rebuttal: Matthew Should Feel Safer in Thailand than Saudi Arabia
Matthew wrote a post earlier this week discussing how he would feel more comfortable in Saudi Arabia than he would in Thailand following an incident with a Saudi national refugee transiting Bangkok to seek asylum. I see it differently....
Leaving Marriott/SPG “Bonvoy?” Here’s Where I’d Move
The Marriott/SPG merger has not gone swimmingly for so many loyal members and some have suggested they are leaving. Where should they stay instead of the world’s largest hotel chain? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new...
Review: Ritz-Carlton Resort Grand Cayman
As a result of the Marriott/SPG merger, some high-level hotels are priced lower than they will be in the future. Taking advantage of this limited window, we tried the Ritz-Carlton Resort Grand Cayman and secured an Oceanview King. If...
Have You Traded a Welcome Amenity?
Some hotels treat their most frequent guests to a welcome amenity waiting for them in their room. But they don’t always suit their audience. You should never look a gift horse in the mouth, but what about trading one...
Review: Kimpton Seafire Grand Cayman – Junior Suite
One of the most impressive properties inside both Kimpton and, thusly IHG, is the Kimpton Seafire Resort in Grand Cayman. I have been excited to try it from the moment it was announced that IHG Rewards Club points could...
Manila City of Dreams Entertainment Complex
As part of my stay at the Hyatt City of Dreams in Manila, I perused the entertainment complex that comprises the property. Shopping, food, a casino and even a mini-theme park for kids hold guests interest. If you are...
