I hesitate to generalize, but I have spent some time in China and one thing is clear — the rich and the powerful live by a different set of rules. I suppose that is true in any nation. That...
Final Hours to Transfer Chase Points to Amtrak
In just a few hours, the ability to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Amtrak Guest Rewards will no longer be possible. If you are considering an Amtrak redemption in the coming months, now is the final call to...
Will United Airlines’ Million Miler Program Go From Best to Worst?
United Airlines has a pretty sweet Million Miler program right now — Compared to American and Delta, it is quite generous (with lifetime Star Alliance Gold status at 1MM for the member and a companion) but perhaps that is...
United Quietly Eliminates Award Holds and Why It Matters
United Airlines rolled out a new website earlier this year that offered customers the ability to hold award space if they had insufficient miles, a tremendously helpful feature to eliminate the risk of buying or transferring miles. Despite assurances...
A Suggested Revision to "These Germans" Lufthansa Commercial
Lufthansa has a great commercial poking a bit of fun at the stereotypical German character trait of punctuality in a way that effectively sells the brand– But seeing that Lufthansa has dealt with more than a dozen strikes over...
A Thanksgiving Resolution
nce upon a time there was a boy who loved to fly around the world using his miles and points. Around the globe he flew, visiting the far corners of the world; meeting new people and surveying new lands....
Ordering Emirates Chauffeur Service Less Than 48 Hours Prior to Travel
One of the great benefits of flying business or first class on Emirates is the ability to order complimentary chauffeur service to take you to and from the airport. This service is available at both your origin and destination...
Brussels Shuts Down and State Department Travel Warning
Brussels is essentially shut down for a third day — public transportation has ground to a standstill, shops are closed, and tanks roll down empty boulevards. Parisians look around each corner furtively, with images of carnage permanently ingrained and...
Hilarious United Airlines Holiday Video
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and Christmas is not too far off. United is getting a jump start on the holidays this year with a video that is both hilarious and touching: Seriously, I love this video. I...
Why United Airlines Should Bring Back Cappuccino and Espresso
Yesterday United introduced illy as its new coffee partner and paradoxically, included this picture in its press release— You see, United does not offer cappuccino or mocha onboard its flights. Not that it couldn’t, mind you. Much of...
United Airlines Chooses illy as New Coffee Provider
United flyers can finally breathe a sigh of relief — the despised coffee currently found onboard and in United Clubs is on the way out and Italian coffee maker illy is on the way in. Starting next month we...
Take That Air New Zealand!
Hey Air New Zealand…you’re finally going to have a little competition! (Imagine me sticking out my tongue at them) You see, I have very mixed emotions concerning New Zealand’s flag carrier. Air New Zealand has a great onboard product...
How To Get Arrested on a Plane
Many are tense now with recent terrorist attacks in Paris and Beirut still a vivid memory as is the downing of a Russian jet in Egypt. With that heightened fear, I can only imagine what passengers onboard a British...
American Airlines Finally Guts Award Chart
I’ve been predicting it for months…years actually…and the time has finally come: AA announced a huge devaluation of its AAdvantage award chart today. The only question has been how bad it would be and for those who like premium...
Chase Will Restrict Ultimate Rewards Transfers Starting November 15, 2015
Chase is changing the way you can transfer Ultimate Rewards points starting tomorrow, 15 November 2015. Currently, rules restrict the transfer of points to only your own accounts or the account of a spouse. Starting tomorrow, you can transfer...
Another Terrorist Attack in Paris
I had a light-hearted post scheduled for publication this evening, but with tragedy in Paris still unfolding — more than 100 dead in multiple terrorist attacks around the French capital — the post would have simply been out of...
New Coffee Coming to United Airlines
While I love a good cappuccino, I rarely drink plain coffee — why drink an addictive beverage that stains your teeth and keeps you up at night? I realize I am in the minority here, particularly among the traveling...
Helmut Schmidt and Lufthansa 181
November 11, 1918 was no happy day for Germany. The Armistice had been signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month and the “war to end all wars” was over — Germany had lost. As...
Air Berlin Business Class Award Space on New Routes to Boston, Dallas, San Francisco
Air Berlin has announced three new longhaul routes to North America from its Dusseldorf hub; Dallas, San Francisco, and Boston. The new longhaul routes will commence next spring and feature fully lie-flat seats in business class. Schedules have been...
Etihad Airways Nanny Service
Ever since I watched Alfred Hitchcock’s 1956 remake of The Man Who Knew Too Much many years ago, I have been mortified at the thought of babysitters. In the film, the hotel-arranged babysitter ends up kidnapping the child while...
