The brand new Waldorf-Astoria Bangkok has opened and it’s incredible. Our suite upgrade and status gave us an experience that we can’t wait to repeat. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support...
Avianca Award Changes Model Pricing Variability
Avianca announced positive changes to their award chart for domestic United States awards with some variability, It is a perfect model for how US airlines, like American, can avoid throwing out award charts but still adding value to both...
Scammed: Citi American Airlines Credit Card
A reader recounted their story of how their Citi American Airlines Credit card fell victim to a fraud scam due to convenience features of Citi’s payment system. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click...
Restaurant Review: Lhong Tou Bangkok Thailand
Though we have been to Bangkok, Thailand more times than we can count, my family continues to search out new places to eat and are rarely disappointed. On this occasion, we found Lhong Tou and enjoyed their dim sum menu. ...
FTU Chicago Discount and Hotel Expertise
Frequent Traveler University offers guests the opportunity to hear from and interact with some of the most experienced voices in the travel and loyalty game. At FTU Chicago, frequent hotel guests will learn about all of the major programs....
United Is Pretending This First Class Meal Isn’t A Snack Box?
United Airlines’ first-class food on some flights is a “cheese plate” on where a full meal service was previously available. But it’s rather obvious that this is essentially the same as the snack box sold in economy for less...
Does Airport Commute Affect Your Home Buying?
My wife and I were recently considering moving. As frequent flyers, the distance from the airport factors into our decision-making. How much does your airport commute affect your home buying decisions? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a...
American Airlines Will Probably Switch to Dynamic Awards But Shouldn’t
With US flag carriers, it’s monkey see, monkey do as they tend to match dramatic moves to align with each other. While American Airlines has not yet announced a switch to a dynamic award chart it’s all but certain...
United, Delta Dynamic Awards Hurt Loyal But Infrequent Flyers Most
This week, United joined the ranks of Delta in removing their award chart and switching to dynamically (variably) priced award redemptions. While in some cases consumers may benefit from the change, infrequent but loyal flyers are hurt the most....
United Can’t Get The Upsell Right
United Airlines offers several upsell options when they sell airline tickets to passengers. Despite logging in with total access to my customer profile, they continue to fail at the upsell. Why? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a...
Affordable Trans-Atlantic Fares Will Remain Despite WOW Air Failure
This week Icelandic discount carrier, WOW Air, folded. Passengers, aircraft, and employees were left stranded across destinations when the airline ceased operations. While WOW Air was part of the cheap Trans-Atlantic flight revolution, it won’t go away simply because they did. If...
Iberia Bungled My Avios Balance, Risk It or Leave It?
As part of Iberia’s excellent Avios promotion, I earned 90,000 Avios for less than $400. However, despite following the promotion, I have a negative balance and a booked trip. I can’t decide if I should leave it negative or...
The Power of Points Is Freedom, Not Just Savings
The true power of miles and points is not in saving travelers money, but in offering them freedom. On a recent trip, we made a change in plans and decided on a whim to visit the Cayman Islands for...
Review: Sofitel Luang Prabang – Garden Suite
This is a year of renewed discovery for our family and we had yet to visit Laos after countless trips to Southeast Asia. We selected the Sofitel Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage protected site – it was stunning....
I’m Not Flying Southwest to Hawaii Even With Companion Pass
Southwest Airlines has started flights to Hawaii, initially offering limited availability as cheap as $99 round-trip. But even with the Companion Pass, I won’t take Southwest to the islands. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit...
24 Hours in Luang Prabang, Laos
During a recent trip to Southeast Asia, my family wanted to visit one of the more mysterious countries we have left unexplored. This guide will help you plan a productive 24-hour visit to beautiful, Luang Prabang, Laos. If you...
Nearly Botching the Equinox – Dzibilchaltún, Mexico
We love visiting Mérida, Mexico and found out that a temple nearby was purpose-built for the equinox. We visited in the fall, but as we struggled to find information prior to our experience, it seemed prudent to post about...
American Airlines Partnership With Hyatt Ruffles Feathers But Should It?
American Airlines and Hyatt Hotels announced a partnership that will allow elites from each program to earn while flying or staying with the other. But some aspects of the partnership are one-sided, leaving Hyatt members upset, but maybe they...
Leaving Your Job? Take a Vacation!
Work transitions can be tough but as counterintuitive as it may be, it’s the best time to take a vacation (especially with miles and points). If you’re leaving your job, take a vacation. If you are considering booking travel or signing up...
Marriott’s Loyalty Program Is So Bad, “Bonvoy” Is a Derogatory Verb
Many lines of prose have been written about the bungling of Marriott Bonvoy, their loyalty program transition. Now that the program has been re-launched, many loyalists are using the peculiar name of the botched program, “Bonvoy”, as a derogatory verb. If...
