My wife and I recently attended the 2018 Freddies Awards for loyalty programs. The winners and losers were both predictable and confounding depending on the award. Some made perfect sense while others left the room gasping. Which ones made...
OneJet Continues Growth, Acquires Ultimate JetCharters
This week Pittsburgh-based carrier OneJet acquired Ultimate JetCharters and Ultimate Jet Shuttle to expand footprint and size up their fleet. What will the new airline look like? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card...
The Problem With Never Turning Off The Seatbelt Sign
Before Matthew published his recent post on a man that helped himself to the bathroom before takeoff while the seatbelt sign was on, I had penned the following post. On a flight to the Freddies from Chicago Midway to...
Review: Westin at the Woodlands (Houston) – Suite
I stay in Houston often, and as I continue to expand my footprint, I try new properties whenever I can. On this trip, business took me to the Woodlands where I tried out a Starwood property and secured an...
Marriott/SPG Devaluation: Fears Confirmed at Freddies
A few days ago I posted my suspicions about Marriott/SPG’s overwhelmingly positive reception. One Mile At A Time posted that there were some great new values in the new award chart that probably wouldn’t last. Friends, readers, strangers –...
Hyatt Offering Quasi-Variable Priced Awards – Good and Bad
Some Hyatt hotels have recently started to issue prices above their Category award level by using some clever trickery. While increase prices are never good, this may not be all bad. You decide. If you are considering booking travel or signing...
Review: Conrad Cartagena – Ocean View Suite
During our spontaneous trip to Colombia, we had a chance to try the Conrad Cartagena. Just the second Conrad in South America, this resort offered a ton of amenities and friendly service, but it’s not quite the whole package...
What Are you Hiding SPG/Marriott?
With yesterday’s announcement of the new merged loyalty program for Marriott and Starwood the reviews are in and they are mostly positive. But I remain suspicious… If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please...
Upgrading on Spirit Fails to Deliver Separation from Common Class
Spirit Airlines Big Front Seats are the key to deriving a guaranteed positive experience. For elite flyers, the Spirit experience can be a struggle, unless you find a way to separate yourself from the rest. If you are considering...
JetSmarter Offers New, More Attainable Membership
JetSmarter, the private jet membership club, has come out with a new offer to entice different customers into the business. Now offering family plans which can reduce the cost of membership to up to four users, it may be...
Free Agent Is The Best Status to Hold
After years of chasing status (I still do), sometimes being a Free Agent when it comes to choosing your travel product is the most liberating of all. While I still hold elite status, on a recent trip my family...
Review: Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort
Navigating the Orlando hotel scene can be a challenge, even when presented with a limited set of parameters. I had a chance to review the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort on a recent Disney trip and was pleased with...
Review: Aloft Houston by the Galleria
Hotels in Houston can be a difficult nut to crack, it’s all about location and convenience. The Aloft Houston by the Galleria is well positioned, offers premiums that other full-service hotels do not, and a reasonable price point for...
Review: Westin Alexandria – Suite Upgrade
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...
