I am not loyal to the IHG chain, but when I saw Crowne Plaza had opened a new hotel in Vientiane, Laos I had to check it out. There are many cheaper options, but this hotel is a wonderful oasis...
The TSA May Soon Examine Your Books!
The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) is testing out a new program in which all books would need to be removed from carry-on baggage and subject to closer inspection. Is this 1984? With proliferating fees for checked and larger cabin baggage, travelers...
Review: Lufthansa Premium Economy Frankfurt to Los Angeles
How about the flight back? I already published a detailed review of my outbound Los Angeles to Frankfurt flight. How would the return flight, also in premium economy, compare? I enjoyed a nice breakfast in the Senator Lounge prior to...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: June 25, 2017
It has been a scorcher in Los Angeles this week, but I’m hunkering down at home before an extended trip to Germany next month. In the news this week: tipping comes to Uber, Qatar’s unexpected acquisition of American Airlines common...
Review: Lufthansa A380 Premium Economy Los Angeles to Frankfurt
Last month I had the chance to fly round-trip from Los Angeles to Frankfurt in Lufthansa’s Premium Economy product. I previewed the flights already, but here is the full review of the outbound flight. My inbound flight review is...
Why It Matters: 24hr Free Cancellation on AA Award Tickets
American Airlines now lets you refund your award ticket up to 24 hours after purchase, as long as travel is more than two days away. Both United and Delta allow complimentary changes and cancellations within 24 hours, so AA...
First Look: Beautiful InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown
Yesterday marked the ribbon cutting of the beautiful new Wilshire Grand Center in downtown Los Angeles, home to the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown. Although I was not a guest at the hotel, I spent most of the day there and...
More Promising Changes to United Onboard Dining Menu Next Month
It’s not just pizza that is coming to United Airlines next month. The airline will also introduce additional buy-on-board items that refresh its Bistro on Board menu. New items include: Protein Bowl Breakfast Flatbread Thai Style Chicken Ciabatta Sandwich Refreshed...
United’s New Taxi Ad Campaign: Newark is Closer
Keep an eye out for yellow cabs in New York City with electronic timers on them: it is part of United’s new ad campaign. United Airlines wants to “dispel the myth” that a ride to JFK is quicker than a ride...
Here’s What the UNO Pizza on United Looks Like
United Airlines is introducing UNO Pizza to its onboard menu next month. The big question: will it be good and how will United keep it from being soggy? Pizza, like hamburgers, tends to be a crowd-pleaser. It’s simple comfort food that...
Not too Late! Link: 20K Sign-Up Bonus for AMEX Blue Business Plus Card
It’s still not too late to get the 20K sign-up bonus on the Blue Business Plus Card from American Express. Here’s the link. We’ll see how long it lasts… I woke up this morning to a post from Lucky reporting...
The Most Addictive Airline Meal
When you’re loyal to one airline, you tend to the run into the same meal often. Sometimes that is a curse, sometimes that is a blessing. In the case of United Airlines, the cheeseburger continues to be a blessing....
American Airlines CEO’s Disingenuous Response to Qatar Outreach
One Mile at a Time shares a letter to employees from American Airlines’ CEO Doug Parker concerning news that Qatar Airways wants to buy up to 10% stake of AA. Read the letter first. I add my thoughts below. As you...
Join Me for Frequent Traveler University Chicago!
Frequent Traveler University is coming to Chicago, this time with a brand new format and an extended lineup of speakers. I’ve spoken at Frequent Traveler University for several years now because I love to help others do what I love....
First Impression: Air Serbia BEG-JFK Business Class
As promised, I flew Air Serbia this week from Belgrade to New York in business class. Would Air Serbia live up to its high expectations? Yes! I had a wonderful flight. While the flight was not flawless, the onboard...
Analysis: Why Qatar Airways is Buying a Stake in American Airlines
Qatar Airways is acquiring a 3.5% stake in American Airlines with plans to acquire up to 10% of the company. Why would Qatar Airways want to invest in a company that is quick to vilify it? Note this is not a...
Review: Iberia A330-200 Business Class from Madrid to Los Angeles
Iberia, Iberia. I have separated this report into two parts: the flight itself, and what happened after the flight. You’ll read why I walked off the plane disenchanted, but the flight itself was honestly very pleasant and exceeded expectations....
Nine Passengers in Hospital After Severe Turbulence on United Flight
I’ve been on some very rough flights over the years, but never the sort of horror story flights where passengers end up hospitalized. Nine passengers and one crew member were not so fortunate after severe turbulence on a flight to...
A Disappointing Relief: Tipping Officially Comes to Uber
If you live in Seattle, Minneapolis or Houston, you can now tip directly in the Uber app. By the end of July, tipping will be rolled out across the USA. That’s a disappointing relief. My views on Uber tipping...
How I Saved $150 By Booking Connecting Flight Separately
Sometimes booking two flights separately ends up saving you a lot of money out of pocket. This week I am flying from London to New York via Belgrade on Air Serbia. I used Etihad Guest points (transferred from American...
