Even seasoned travelers need a reminder once in awhile that it simply does not pay to argue with an airline agent. I’ll admit it. I argued with an airline call center employee yesterday. It happens to the best of...
Introduction: Australian Holiday on Singapore Airlines
Welcome to my next trip report, a classic. I’m caught up on current trip reports and making a conscious effort this year to clear the queue before embarking on new adventures. I’ve outlined all the “classic” trip reports you...
Analysis: Delta’s Tax Break (Subsidies) Threatened by NRA Stance
See what happens when you wade into politics… Yesterday, I wrote about the backlash Delta was facing over its convoluted stance on the National Rifle Association. In response to the recent Florida school shooting, Delta removed its group discount...
Airbnb’s Secret Plan to Launch an Airline: Fact vs. Fiction
The Times of London ran a deliciously click-bait headline entitled, “Airbnb founder Brian Chesky reveals secret plans to launch airline.” But what’s actually possible? Quite a bit, actually. Like many of his contemporaries, Airbnb founder and CEO Brian Chesky is...
Lufthansa Doesn’t Like its New Livery
Lufthansa will be tinkering with its new livery once again, just days after revealing its new design to great fanfare. In an internal memo (in German) posted on a German frequent flyer talkboard, Lufthansa concedes the livery appears too...
In Eliminating NRA Discount, United and Delta are Taking a Stand
United Airlines and Delta joined rental car companies in eliminating discounts for National Rifle Association (NRA) members over the weekend. This, folks, is taking a stand. It is not a neutral position. Whether you want to celebrate this move...
United Solves its Ice Cream Bowl Crisis
Paper or plastic? United Airlines finally has a permanent solution for its ice cream bowl issue…plastic. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, read here. In a nutshell, United’s glass ice cream bowls were cracking, prompting the...
Model Brings “Emotional Support Casserole” on American Airlines Flight
What does a biting dog, peacock, and casserole have in common? All three serve in an emotional support capacity for the traveling public. Remember model Chrissy Teigen? She’s the one who tweeted about the 8hr ANA flight from Los Angeles...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: February 25, 2018
Hello from the American Express Lounge at San Francisco International Airport. I’m on my way home from FTU after a great weekend in Seattle. It was an honor to meet many readers. Remember, there are four upcoming Frequent Traveler...
Review: Hyatt Centric Santa Barbara
Los Angeles is a great place to live, but one of the blessings of living in Southern California is weekend trips out of LA. One of my family’s favorite getaways is a two hour drive north to Santa Barbara....
The Paradox of Aeroplan’s Survivalist Mentality
Aeroplan will lose its largest partner, Air Canada, in 2020. While the program may continue to survive in some form, many predict parent-company Aimia is already preparing for the worst. As in au revoir. From what I hear, the decision...
How Qatar Airways Promises to Combat Jet Lag with A350-1000
Qatar Airway’s latest aircraft, the A350-1000, entered service today between Doha and London. The new aircraft is equipped with several measures to combat jet lag and thereby maximize passenger comfort. But are these gimmicks or game changers? Qatar Airways...
Did You Hear About the New Hyatt Promo? (Humor)
Let me say at the outset, this is meant to be a light-hearted rather than a critical post. A little insider info from the world of blogging. There are these things called embargoed news releases. Generally, these are earned...
Fly Qatar Airways Qsuites for Less Than $2K R/T
You can fly over 26 hours in Qatar Airways’ latest Qsuite Business Class for less than $2,000. One Mile at a Time notes an incredible round-trip fare from Muscat to New York. Return fares start at just $1783.71 r/t....
When Will We Learn? Dog Bites Child on Southwest Flight
As debate continues over emotional support animals onboard airplanes, we must ask ourselves this question: how can we ensure a dog doesn’t attack a child onboard a plane? That’s exactly what happened onboard a Southwest Airlines flight on Wednesday...
Airline CEOs Plead: Stop Raising Our Taxes!
Last week I wrote about the Trump Administration’s proposed FY2018 budget that proposes raising airline taxes used to fund airport security, passport control, and customs. Not surprisingly, airlines have expressed strong opposition. Airlines for America, the lobbying arm of...
United FA Compels Passenger to Change Seats: Ridiculous or Justified?
My brother Andrew commutes weekly between Southern California and the Bay Area. Since United Airlines brought mainline service back to Burbank, he has switched his business from Southwest to United. He shared this story with me from his flight yesterday. As...
Why Latest United Airlines Promo May Not Make Sense for You
United Airlines is running an attractive promotion on award redemptions to four incredible destinations. But before you jump on the bandwagon, make sure you practice due diligence. Now through March 2, 2018 you can save 20% on economy class...
Questionable Upgrade Advice on Virgin Atlantic
While I’m not totally dismissing it, I’m certainly quite skeptical about the Virgin Atlantic upgrade advice offered by Bloomberg. Bloomberg is in the midst of a “high-end travel hacks” series featuring “notable” names in food, wine, fashion, cars, real estate. This story...
Air Italy: Qatar’s Plan to Destroy Alitalia
Air Italy wants to be the flag carrier of Italy, taking over beleaguered Alitalia’s long-held dominant position. Air Italy is actually already Italy’s #2 carrier, still flying under the Meridiana name. Last year Qatar Airways acquired a 49% stake...
