Happy Fourth to my U.S. readers, as we celebrate Independence Day across this great land. Declaring Independence from Great Britain, colonial leaders resolved to sacrifice their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor” in furtherance of “life, liberty, and the pursuit...
The Significance of American Airlines’ Starwood Transfer Bonus
As the mantra goes, miles and points are a depreciating asset and are better burned than stored for future use. American Airlines is offering a generous 20% transfer bonus on points from Starwood Preferred Guest. Essentially, that means instead...
My Two Hour Visit To A German Emergency Room
Lucky had a pretty bad experience at a German hospital earlier this week so I thought I would provide a different perspective. Unfortunately, I’ve had experience with German hospitals as well and you can rest assured that not all...
Rimowa Roaring 20s Ad Campaign Starring Alessandra Ambrosio
I am one of those people who swear by Rimowa luggage. It’s expensive, but you do get what you pay for and it is absolutely the best luggage I have ever used. And the company is classy too —...
JetBlue Will Expand Mint Business Class to Boston
JetBlue announced an expansion of its popular Mint lie-flat business class service to Boston with service starting next year. In March 2016, JetBlue will commence three daily flights between Boston and San Francisco and add Boston – Los Angeles...
June 2015 New York City Miles and Points Meetup
There’s another New York City meetup this Tuesday evening. Join other frequent flyers in Manhattan at the next Reach for the Miles on June 23, 2015 from 6pm to 9pm in the Lower East Side. RSVP now for the...
Was the Muslim Passenger Who Accused United FA of Bigotry Lying?
Truth is a funny thing — it is immutable, but it can hide. History is written by the victors and beyond the trite but accurate cliche that there are two sides to every story, sometimes we should all be...
United Airlines Leaves JFK, Moves p.s. to Newark
Big news for New York City travelers, as United announced plans to move its premium service (p.s.) flights from JFK to Newark and discontinue service to JFK starting on October 25, 2015. United cuts p.s. because it was not...
A Secret Trick for Securing Business Class Award Space to Europe is Exposed
Brussels Airlines award space is again bookable on united.com…the secret trick to dependable business class award space to Europe has been exposed. Brussels Airlines space has played cat and mouse games on united.com over the last few years, appearing...
Delta Responds: Mixed Cabin Rewards Remain…Sort Of
Lucky noted (from a post by René) a disturbing change to the wording of delta.com yesterday — it appeared that without notice Delta eliminated mixed-cabin awards, which would have signalled another elephantine Skymiles devaluation. I reached out to Delta and was...
FA Who Told Muslim Passenger She Could Not Have Unopened Soda Can for Security Reasons is Sacked
Another week, another drama at United Airlines. This time on a United Airlines Express flight operated by Shuttle America. Let’s review the situation: Tahera Ahmad, Director of Interfaith Engagement at Northwestern University who was also wearing a hijab,...
Fly to Europe in a 44-Seat Business Jet Using Your Miles!
SAS launched service between Houston and Stavanger, Norway last summer using a 44-seat jet featuring an all-business class configuration. Operated by PrivatAir on behalf of SAS, the flight operates six times per week and features an outdated “angle lie-flat” business...
Aer Lingus to Join oneworld: No Irish Luck for Me!
In January I wrote a piece entitled IAG Group Moves Closer to Aer Lingus Acquisition and speculated that Aer Lingus would rejoin the oneword alliance if the acquisition by British Airways’ parent company IAG was successful. Today, the Irish government announced plans to...
Memorial Day 2015: A Call to Selflessness
For my annual Memorial Day post this year, I want to quote a passage from President Woodrow Wilson’s Memorial Day Address 101 years ago on 30 May 1914: A peculiar privilege came to the men who fought for the...
A Day in the Life of a Weary Road Warrior…And Some Humor
Let me tell you about my latest trip. I still wonder sometimes why I do this to myself, but am thankful that I still find fun in flying for the sake of flying. I hope you find this “Dear...
Family Should Apologize for Forcing United Airlines Diversion
The trending story of a family thrown off a United Airlines flight from Houston to Portland beckons us to consider how airlines should compassionately and effectively accommodate disabled travelers while balancing concerns of safety and the comfort of other...
New Beta Edition of United.com Available to All
I have been testing the beta version of the new united.com for over a month now via special invitation but now United has opened its beta site to everyone, with a planned launch date of the “new and improved”...
FOIA Request from U.S. DOT Arrives over United Danish Kroner Mistake Fare
After the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) sided with United Airlines, allowing the carrier to rescind super-cheap first class fares that exploited a pricing glitch on its Danish website, I was curious to see how cozy the relationship...
DOT Suspends Consumer Protection for Purchased Airline Mistake Fares but Opens New Loophole
As expected, the U.S. Department of Transportation has rolled back its explicit mandate that airlines honor mistake fares but in doing so has opened up a new loophole that may give carriers an even bigger headache when they inevitably...
Fighting Cancer with Delta Jet Drag
At FTU Dallas last month, Ed Pizzarello from Pizza in Motion casually asked if I would like to pull a jet in Atlanta to raise money for the American Cancer Society. With plans to be in Atlanta already for the Freddie Awards,...
