I’m embarking on a quick trip from Los Angeles to New York…via London, Cairo, Beirut, Istanbul, and Kiev! Why? Aeroplan and a cheap business class ticket. This trip was born of a cheap business class fare on Ukraine International Airlines back...
A Love Affair with United Airlines
It began when I was four years old on a preschool field trip to Burbank Airport. United Airlines hosted us and although I don’t remember much, I remember receiving a set of United wings and proudly wearing them around...
Which United Clubs Have Showers?
The beautiful new United Club at LAX has opened and although it has received great praise, many are disappointed that it does not offer shower facilities. Say you are flying from Melbourne to LA and then on to Washington. You...
And Now Comes the Great Leap Forward
With the prodigal son home, now comes the hard part. If this blog is to work, if this blog is to gain traction, it must produce fresh, frequent and fascinating content. Life is already busy and if I focused...
A New Home for Live and Let’s Fly
Once upon a time, a 24-year old law school student created a blog to impart his love for travel and frequent flyer miles to a like-minded audience. This young man loved traveling in first class and staying in fancy...
First Look at the Super Cool New United Club at LAX
I had the privilege of attending a special opening ceremony of United’s brand new United Club at LAX yesterday. Underscoring the significance of this event, both CEO Oscar Munoz and President Scott Kirby were present and their remarks were noteworthy....
Should a Vocal Trump Supporter Have Been Kicked Off My United Flight?
We are (hopefully) just a day away from the end to one of the most bitter presidential contests in U.S. history. As polls and statisticians predict a victory for Hillary Clinton, one die-hard Donald Trump supporter tried to make...
Huge Hyatt Gold Passport Changes and Other News
I’ve been “off the grid” for a while and this post is not to apologize for my lack of recent posting. Augustine is fussy like I am and a light-sleeper like my wife is: the combination has been lethal...
How to Beat United’s Draconian New Routing Restrictions
I am going to get into a lot more detail below, but will first offer a summary of the recent changes to the United MileagePlus program that sadly constitute a massive devaluation of your United miles. Award searches must...
And Baby Makes Three
Early in her pregnancy, my wife Heidi and I had many spirited debates over what to name our son. We knew he was a boy and so I (naturally) suggested we name him Matthew Klint Jr, so that we...
Sneak Peek at United Polaris!
Last night United Airlines hosted an event in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco to highlight its new Polaris (Business Class) product that will begin to rollout later this year. On December 01, 2016 a new soft product including...
Modobag Introduces World’s First Motorized, Rideable Carry-on Bag
For those of you too lazy to walk but too prideful to use a wheelchair, a company called Modobag has the perfect solution — world’s first motorized, rideable carry-on bag. Here’s the premise: sometimes we are running late or...
Plenty of Award Space on New Austrian Airlines LAX Route
Austrian Airlines will begin service between Vienna and Los Angeles starting next April, adding another Star Alliance destination in the heart of Europe for LA travelers. The new schedule effective April 10, 2017: OS81 Vienna (VIE) to Los Angeles...
How to Remember 9-11-01 Today
We’ve come a long way in the last fifteen years. So far that a mattress store in Texas felt this was an appropriate ad– and a Florida Walmart set up a Coca-Cola display like this– I think that sort...
American Airlines Adds Service from Dallas to Rome and Amsterdam
American Airlines is adding flights to Rome and Amsterdam from its Dallas-Fort Worth hub, with seasonal service set to begin in May 2017 on both routes. What we know about the new American Airlines DFW to FCO/AMS Flights Boeing...
United Airlines Boasts of Its Great Summer
United Airlines claims it just had its “best summer every in company history” for on-time performance. To demonstrate, it presents this infographic: (click to enlarge) And indeed, the numbers look great. In my own United flying I encountered few...
Can You Use United Miles to Cuba?
On November 29, 2016 United will resume service to Havana, with daily non-stop service from Newark Liberty and weekly service (Saturdays) from Houston. The new flights are already bookable on united.com and prices are very reasonable, with business class...
Photo Tour: Turkish Airlines Lounge Washington Dulles
Turkish Airlines is celebrating the grand opening of its Washington Dulles lounge today. My brother Andrew happened to be flying through IAD today and provided the following feedback: The lounge is great! A bubbling Turkish man warmly welcomed me...
United Gate Agent Caught Stealing $130K Worth of Passenger Jewelry
He’s no Frank Abagnale, Jr. A United Airlines gate agent in Denver has been charged with felony theft for stealing $130K of jewelry from a passenger’s bag, including a pearl encrusted bracelet and diamond earrings. The passenger was traveling from...
My Advice to KLM
Dear KLM, You’ve got a new ad-campaign out called “KLM — It’s An Airline” that seeks to be light-hearted and humorous while introducing your airline to some who think your brand is a tennis shoe or ice cream company. ...
