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...
Review: Coral Lounge Don Muang International Airport, Bangkok
My credit cards give me a membership in the Priority Pass program which allows me to use lounges all over the world. But Don Muang International in Bangkok, the discounter hub is not where you’d expect to find one....
Restaurant Review: Gaggan – Bangkok, Thailand
Winner of two Michelin stars and winner of the best restaurant in Asia, Gaggan is a progressive Indian restaurant in Bangkok’s Embassy district. Despite an outcry from the public, the restaurant will close forever in August of 2020. Here...
When The Hotel Concierge Comes Through
On a recent visit to Bangkok Thailand, we stayed in a number of hotels at a variety of price points. It was a pair of concierges at the Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit that made all the difference for our...
Review: Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit – Suite
After decades of just a single property in Bangkok, Hyatt has added three in the last two years, the Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit the most recent addition. We frequent the Big Mango and have stayed at more than a...
Review: Grand Hyatt Bali – Executive Suite
During a long trip through Southeast Asia, we tried a number of hotels we haven’t stayed in before. One of which was the Grand Hyatt Bali, a mega-resort in Nusa Dua. We were treated to a Globalist suite upgrade...
What’s An Appropriate Remedy For Vigilante Korean Agent Incident?
Last week I recounted an exchange I had with a vigilante Korean Air lounge attendant that attempted to downgrade me from paid business class to coach on her own accord despite substantial evidence I bought the correct ticket. Many...
Spirit Airport Booking Is My Favorite Travel Hack
Spirit is the king of a la carte fares. They promise cheap seats on direct flights but everything is extra, even paying for your ticket incurs a $15-20 convenience fee when you buy online. We decided we don’t want...
Bragging: Child Behaves Perfectly In Lounge Defying Expectations
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...
