Even if it can be a bit cumbersome to use, I have found ANA’s award search tool to be the single most accurate source of Star Alliance award availability for several years. Singapore Airlines space has been problematic–ANA automatically...
Why I Went to Afghanistan When I Did
Things in Afghanistan are going downhill…to put it lightly. The latest headline is Taliban Attack on Kabul Restaurant Rattles Close-Knit Expat Community in which we learn: KABUL—Shock spread through Kabul’s close-knit expatriate community after the Taliban killed 21 people, including...
Politicians, Twitter, and United Airlines
Two former United States Senators have sounded off on Twitter today against United Airlines, including a six-tweet diatribe by former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) regarding a lost first class seat on a flight to the Dominican Republic....
Scavenging for the New United Amenity Kits
I flew from Washington Dulles to Frankfurt in United BusinessFirst yesterday and was pleased to receive one of the new special edition amenity kits. I was hoping for either the DC or LAX tins and received the DC one, which...
The Food I Won’t Leave the Country Without!
I am currently 35,000 feet in the air crossing the Atlantic ocean, on my way to Germany for an extended stay. Most of my trips to Germany are short–just one to two weeks in length–but this time I will...
Delta Adds Complimentary Meals on Transcon Flights for Economy Comfort Passengers
Delta really is marching to the beat of a different drum. After another incredible Skymiles devaluation on Friday, today the carrier announced a new buy-on-board menu on its premium transcon flights between New York Kennedy and Seattle/San Francsico/Los Angeles...
Delta Restricts Lounge Access, Will United and AA Follow?
Because gutting the Skymiles program twice without notice just was not enough, Delta Air Lines used this fine Friday to announce a major devaluation of its Sky Club lounge access policy. Oh, you have a guest? That will be $29....
"Get Mile High" Ad Campaign by Spirit Airlines
Americans over the age of 21 are now permitted to buy marijuana legally in Colorado for recreational uses. From the airline that took advantage of the U.S. Secret Service prostitution scandal by advertising “More Bang for your Buck” flights to...
My Day Trip to Washington to be an Escort
My family and friends know me as the guy who loves to fly, so I get a lot of requests for travel tips and sometimes even more. Like yesterday, where I spent my entire day between consecutive late-night transcon...
Why I Am Keeping my American Express Platinum Card
When I took advantage of a 100,000 point sign-up offer to obtain an American Express Platinum Card last year, I planned to collect the sign-up bonus, use it for a year, take advantage of the $200 in airline credit...
A Salute to Darren Booth (Frequently Flying)
When Darren Booth first began his Frequently Flying blog, he turned to me often for advice—he said I was one of the bloggers who had inspired him to blog and we chatted frequently about blogging, award travel, and our...
Last Day to Book Under Old Hyatt Award Chart
A new Hyatt Gold Passport award chart goes into effect tomorrow, 07 January 2014, and the changes are bad for the most part, particularly for high-end Park Hyatt properties. If you are planning on using your Hyatt points for...
How NOT to Deal with a Flight Attendant who Tells You to Extinguish Your Cigarette
It’s bad enough to smoke on an airplane, but the truth is you can usually get away with a few puffs if you play dumb and extinguish the cigarette immediately when instructed to do so. What you cannot get...
Special Edition Amenity Kits from United Airlines
Through 01 March 2014, United Airlines is offering customers in BusinessFirst and Global First special edition tin amenity kits that highlight its seven U.S. mainland hubs. These special edition amenity kits will be available on longhaul international flights departing...
United Eliminates Free Alcohol in Transpacific Economy Class
Effective 01/01/14, United Airlines has quietly eliminated free alcoholic beverages on transpacific flights. This comes just days after Delta Air Lines’ recent announcement that it will expand its free beer and wine offerings on all longhaul international routes to cover spirits...
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Top 10 Airline Award Redemptions for January 2014
With the new year here and many changes negatively affecting airline loyalty programs now in effect or shortly taking effect, there are still a number of superb deals available. Here are my top ten award travel bright spots for...
Additional Business Class Saver Award Space for Elite Members of United MileagePlus Program
United is massively devaluing its award chart at the end of the month and has instituted a minimum-spend requirement for elite qualification in 2014. With deep cutbacks to the domestic front cabin product and few flights with internet, questioning...
Travel Restraint or Status Quo in 2014?
While my travel patterns have remained largely unchanged over the last three years and even the last decade, 2014 will usher in a substantial change in the way I travel and think about travel. Reaching MillionMiler status on United...
Myanmar, Melbourne, Malta, Micronesia, & MillionMiler: My Magnificent 2013
2013 flew by incredibly fast—just incredibly fast. Looking back at the year I marvel at what was accomplished and think about how the airline industry and my own livelihood has changed. When I started law school, I had every...
The TSA Presents: The 12 Banned Items of Christmas (Humor)
I love intelligent humor that not only draws a laugh, but makes a deeper point–perhaps a reflection on an pertinent political issue or on society at large that invites contemplation and discussion. A new video out poking fun at...
