As I continue to re-qualify for Starwood Preferred Guest Platinum (and as a result, matched over to Marriott Platinum) my tour of SPG properties continues from coast-to-coast. This property, the Westin Alexandria located just outside of Washington DC, ran...
Lifemiles Award Chart Changes Good & Bad
Avianca sent out an email this week announcing upcoming award chart changes. While Avianca is a smaller airline, they frequently sell their points inexpensively and many readers hold Lifemiles as part of their point portfolio. The changes included many...
American’s Business Extra Awards Suddenly Worthwhile Again?
American Airlines Business Extra corporate booking incentive program became less valuable over the last few years as award availability has dried up on the world’s largest carrier. Has a shift in availability returned Business Extra to relevancy? If you...
Hotel Upgrades Remain Elusive Without Insistence
This year I am traveling more than ever, giving Ryan Bingham a run for his money. As such, I find myself in many hotels some of which honor elite benefits regarding hotel upgrades, and others that do not. Instead...
United Could Easily Improve IRROPS
Businesses should not be measured by how they operate when things go right but rather how they react when things go wrong. United Airlines absolutely fell apart on a recent trip that experienced irregular operations before a dedicated employee...
My Unlikely Love Affair with Spirit Airlines
Despite holding status on other carriers, I find myself flying Spirit Airlines and loving it. Why would I willingly give up a shot at free first class seats, meals, free bags, and other perks? Because Spirit is very good...
Airport Restaurant Catering on United Flight: Compliment or Complaint?
Flying United Airlines out of Pittsburgh in 2018 has meant no breakfast 75% of the time this year for my travels. When catering let me down again, someone came through from United, but I can’t decide if it’s an...
Chinese ‘Ghost Cities’ Create Instagram Haunts
On my quest to visit some of China’s Ghost Cities, I found three near Shanghai, perfect for my trip. I expected to find empty cobblestone streets and block after block of empty and under construction Tudor-style homes. What I...
Review: Le Méridien New Orleans – Suite
During a business trip to the Big Easy, I stayed at the Le Méridien New Orleans, upgraded to a corner suite. It was one of the best experiences I have had as a Platinum SPG member and an excellent...
Why Are Miles & Segments Still Required?
Over the last five years, airlines have changed the requirements for reaching elite status from a certain number of miles flown to that component plus revenue from tickets. The airlines have all made clear that they want to reward...
Review: Magnolia Hotel Houston, Tribute Portfolio
Looking for a downtown Houston hotel near the convention center, I stumbled upon an independent brand I didn’t know SPG had acquired, Magnolia. The boutique brand commanded a premium when it was independent with midwestern locations in Omaha and...
Second Crash This Year Claims 65
If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today. Just six weeks into 2018 and the second commercial...
Upside.com Wooing Businesses With Elaborate Gifts
I have used Upside.com for business trips in the past with mixed results. I was shocked and amazed at what they sent me to remind me of why I should book business travel with them. Can you believe what...
Hyatt Underpaying Remote Reps, Lawsuit Claims
Hyatt employees have been notified about a class-action lawsuit that concerns remote-based employees. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram,...
The Bahamas’ Zone Taxis Hurt Bahamians
I wrote a few weeks ago about the airport Taxi touts in Panama but this is not that story. In the Bahamas, taxi zones are in place and are especially expensive for short distances. While you might think this will...
Where Are My Rollover Nights, IHG?
As a road warrior, hotel status is very important to my travel experience and day-to-day business operations. Some programs like Intercontinental Hotels Group Rewards Club (IHG) allow guests who have over-qualified for their status to rollover excess nights to...
Review: Grand Hyatt Baha Mar – Amenities
Prior to this post I reviewed a suite at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in the Bahamas. This second post examines the amenities of the property including the pools, dining and property more broadly – but frankly, mostly food. If you are...
Review: Grand Hyatt Baha Mar – Suite
The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar (and the entire resort complex) has been hotly anticipated since its originally scheduled opening in 2011, delayed until just six months ago. The hottest new destination in the Bahamas lived up to its legend...
Review: W Hotel New Orleans – French Quarter
The W Hotel New Orleans French Quarter was a mixed bag. The property is well located if you want to be close to Bourbon Street but still able to sleep at night, less than ideal if you’d prefer to...
Confirmation That Elites Are Leaving Hyatt
Hyatt changed their very popular loyalty program in 2017 and may have upset their best customers. Hyatt has made a series of changes to the program that walked back some of the restrictions keeping elites from qualifying for the...
