During a recent trip to Manchester, England, we flew American Airlines from Philadelphia. We had a rolling delay that lasted three hours, but the worst part was how they handled it. Why can’t American Airlines get out of their...
Amateur Travel Week Is Upon Us – Plan Ahead
In the United States, the day before Thanksgiving is the busiest of the year. This year is forecasted to be busier than ever. Here are some things to avoid this week if you can as frequent flyers travel amongst...
A Year As United 1K and American Executive Platinum
Following a status match last year from American Airlines Executive Platinum to United 1K, I flew both side-by-side. My personal experience was surprising and foretells where I will spend my time next year. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for...
Houston: Destination Restaurant Review – Corkscrew BBQ
I spend a lot of time in Houston, everyone has a BBQ joint they swear is the best. I have had dozens and this is the only one I have ever chosen to review for publication on Live And...
Airline Revenue Opportunity: Sell Empty Middle Seats
Airlines continue to find more and more ways to build their bottom lines as any business should. While I don’t want to create new problems for myself, this is one airline fee I’d be happy to pay when stuck...
Today Is Single’s Day in China – What?
Single’s Day is a new “holiday” started by students at a Chinese University in 1993. It’s held every November 11th and while it was originally meant to be an alternative to loved-up Valentine’s Day, now it is the Chinese...
IHG Finally Has Hotels Worth Booking
Following a few acquisitions, IHG has improved the value of their points by improving the quantity of their top-end properties. Is it enough to justify loyalty to IHG? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please...
Elite Status Is About More Than Upgrades
As the year closes, some elite travelers book unnecessary trips or hotel nights to maintain or “level up” their status. Some argue that status is just priority boarding and upgrades that don’t clear, causing irrational expenditure. But elite status...
Sneak Peek: Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh
Kimpton Hotels are stylish and contemporary in the heart of major cities. The Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh fits the mold, but some of their design choices weren’t for me. I’ve included the photos, you decide. If you are considering booking...
Moving Flights From Britain Due to Brexit
Britain is still slated to leave the European Economic Region (Brexit) and that could have a big effect on travelers like me, who may want to move their flights away from Britain to maintain EU 261/2004 protection. If you...
Why Do The Smallest Airports Employ Pedantic TSA?
I took a quick work trip to Meridian, MS on an adorable CRJ-200. I was loving the tiny airport, personal service, single-serve everything. But when I met TSA on the departure, that all changed. If you are considering booking travel or signing...
Reasons to Embrace Hyatt’s Category 8 Redemptions
The party line for travel bloggers and point enthusiasts is that any potential devaluation is a bad thing, but I am not so sure that in Hyatt’s case it’s true. I have some reasons to embrace Hyatt’s coming Category...
Review: Excursion Duffel by Moral Code
We love luggage and we try to review a few new items every year. Moral Code sent us a pair of items to review, their Excursion bag was so luxurious I refused to give it up and it is...
United Has Every Right To Demand Customers Pay For Hidden-City Tickets
I previously wrote the counter-position to this post which states that United has no right to come after customers for buying hidden-city tickets. In this post, it’s clear that United has every right to pursue customers who abuse the...
United: Hidden-City Customers Don’t Owe You A Dime
Last week No Mas Coach reported that a reader received a letter instructing them that they had performed 38 Hidden-City journeys (getting off before the last stop) and owe United Airlines more than $3,000. No, they don’t. In this...
The Holidays Are The Best Time To Go Abroad
The Holidays present the gainfully employed with extended periods of days off from work. But don’t go home for the holidays, go abroad and stay abroad for a really long time. Here’s how to turn three vacation days into...
Southwest Companion Pass Loses Luster, Value
I have written before about the valuable Southwest Airlines Companion Pass (pass holders can take another passenger with them for free). But its value proposition has lost its luster, we find ourselves using it so rarely because the value...
I Found A Needle In My Hotel Room
I stay in hotels often – as many as 200 nights every year – and I thought I had seen everything. Until the day I found a needle in my hotel room. What would you do? If you are...
Affordable: A Year In Bali On Points
Hotel and airline loyalty programs offer beautiful destinations for little to nothing out of pocket. They also offer some destinations for very few points, but rarely do the two converge. In the case of Bali, however, they do. Here’s...
Airline Ticket Rules Are Inequitable Contracts
Airline tickets are contracts between the passenger and the carrier, but it’s the airlines that hold all the cards. From setting the rules to changing them after purchase, passengers are nearly helpless and that’s not right. If you are...
