If you’ve ever wondered why some preachers need a private jet, you’re not alone. Thankfully the answer is now a little clearer. You may just want to skip my commentary and go right to the video at the...
United CEO Oscar Munoz Receives Heart Transplant!
United CEO Oscar Munoz, who suffered a heartback and was forced to temproraily step down just weeks into his tenure, recevied a heart transplant on Wednesday. United isssued the following statement: Our president and CEO, Oscar Munoz, underwent a...
New "Economy Plus Essentials" and "Economy Plus Enhanced" Bundles on United
Airlines are in the business of profiting from ancillary fees and both Delta and American have already introduced bundled packages for economy class passengers that include perks like extra legroom, lounge access, checked baggage, and priority security and boarding....
New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner at Park Hyatt Goa
As I mentioned yesterday, my wife and I rang in the new year in Goa at the Park Hyatt, a lush resort complex nestled in a very picturesque part of India. As is the case with many resorts over...
A Premature Evaluation of 2015
It is the last day of 2015 but I think it is still too premature to evaluate the year. Award Expert and this blog continue to grow, I appeared on TV three times, was quoted in several publications, spoke at...
Are the Etihad First Class A380 Apartments Worthwhile?
Etihad has released a generous amount of first class award space on its A380 Abu Dhabi to New York Kennedy flight. Etihad’s trend-setting “First Apartments” on this flight certainly set a standard for spaciousness in a first class seat....
2015 Airline Christmas Videos
Merry Christmas from Germany! I am spending my first ever Christmas away from Los Angeles with my wife’s family. There is something magical about being in Germany for Christmas and I am looking forward to relaxing and recharging for...
LAX TSA Chorus Sings Christmas Carols
A volunteer cadre of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents at Los Angeles International Airport has assembled into a singing group, called the LAX TSA Chorus. And they’re not bad either…not too bad… I took the videos below five years ago...
Last Day to Purchase Discounted Alaska Miles
We’ve seen a renaissance of attractive mileage sales this season and one of the leaders in hawking points has been Alaska Airlines, which has a great loyalty program with attractive redemption partners like Emirates and Cathay Pacific. The current...
American Airlines Won’t Proactively Waive Telephone Booking Fee
American Airlines has a number of award partners that are not bookable on aa.com. A call to AA Reservations is necessary to book this space and reservations made over the phone carry a $40 booking fee. This fee was...
Refusing to Transport Israelis, Kuwait Airways Suspends New York to London Flight
Politics is the oddest of sports and the decades-long conflict in the Middle East is manifested in strange ways — like some nations not recognizing Israel while simultaneously vowing to eliminate it. Kuwait is one of those nations and...
SAS Releases Business Class Award Space
One of the more elusive airlines to obtain premium cabin award space on is SAS, the flag carrier of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. The carrier has an impressive new business class product, but releases very little transatlantic award space....
Big Metal Bird: A New Show About United Airlines
United Airlines has introduced a new in-house show “that takes you inside how we get up in the air and down to business” called Big Metal Bird. The 3-4 minute program is lighthearted but instructive at the same time,...
Final Hours to Book Aeroplan Awards Before Next Devaluation
With five hours left before closing time at midnight ET, this is your last chance to take advantage of the current Aeroplan redemption chart before new rates kick in tomorrow. If you’re going to Europe in the next year...
Using American Airlines Miles to Book oneworld Premium Economy?
Premium Economy is coming to American Airlines and many AA frequent flyers are rightfully concerned about what this will mean for upgrades – will systemwide upgrades only be eligible for upgrades from Economy to Premium Economy? We will soon...
Dealing with Obnoxious Hotel Guests
My wife and I were at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach over the weekend for FTU – where it was great to meet many of you. If you saw me on Sunday, though, you would have noticed some...
United Will End Dubai Service on 23 January 2016, Blames Emirates and Etihad
When I wrote that United’s departure from Kuwait City was predicated upon expulsion by the Kuwaiti government, my insider source also mentioned offhandedly that Dubai would be shut down soon after because of stiff competition from Emirates. With United denying my...
United is Bringing Free Snacks Back to Economy Class!
United Airlines is bringing back complimentary snacks back to economy class on flights within North and Latin America beginning in February 2016 and it will be more than pretzels! Building on news that illy coffee will be brewed onboard...
FAQs: Premium Economy on American Airlines
American Airlines announced a new Premium Economy product today, becoming the first U.S. carrier to offer an economy product that is truly more than just extra legroom. Q: What is the difference between Premium Economy and Economy? A: Premium...
New British Airways Award Search Interface
British Airways Executive Club has again updated the interface of its award search engine, though functionally the tool remains unchanged. The only advantage to the new search tool is a more prominent display of which travel days are “peak”...
