Now that I have lost most of you with such a boring title, let me tell you a little about my day. Days actually. It has taken two weeks to get an infant ticket issued for a client and...
Double Elite Mile Promotion Coming to American Airlines?
This is purely speculation, but as each day goes on and the number of disruptions and delays at American Airlines increases, I have to think another double elite qualifying miles promotion is just around the corner. AA has already...
United.com Restores "Expert" Mode
After intense pressure from frequent flyers, United Airlines backed down and agreed to restore the ability to view upgrade availability online last week. Today, that functionality is back. Similar to the way it was for the pre-merger united.com, however,...
United Improves Upgrade Transparency…Kind Of
United Airlines has taken a step in the right direction in introducing a new upgrade display that at least allows you to see that you are on the complimentary upgrade list for a flight. No, I’d prefer to call…...
Vindictive United Supervisor vs. Professional United Supervisor
Sometimes people can just be downright vindictive. I admittedly have a tendency to crave revenge, though I pray I will never turn out like the United Airlines reservations supervisor I dealt with earlier this week. One of my best...
A Thoughtful Conversation with the TSA in Honolulu
I have passed from the “rage” stage to the “education” stage when it comes to dealing with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents at U.S. airports. I used to get so worked up over their rudeness, their lack of common...
Flying Non-Rev Standby on United Airlines
Traveling just got much cheaper. And much more stressful… A friend of mine offered me a large quantity of United buddy passes, so my travel for the foreseeable future–if I so choose–will be cheap and likely in premium cabins...
Maximizing Air France/KLM Flying Blue Award Miles
With three days left to take advantage of the 35% Air France/KLM Flying Blue transfer bonus offer from American Express, there is still time to benefit from this bonus. I used to think the Air France/KLM Flying Blue program...
35% Transfer Bonus from American Express Membership Rewards to Air France Flying Blue – Four Days Left!
UPDATE: This offer has expired. I realize I am a bit late to the game for this promotion, but I want to bring it to your attention just the same, as the Air France/KLM Flying Blue loyalty program has...
Remembering United 93, 11 Years Later
It becomes almost trite to look back on the attacks of September 11, 2001 each year, but I cannot help but to think about that fateful day upon each anniversary. It was a transformative event in U.S. history and...
The Real Reason United Removed Online Upgrade Inventory
Yesterday, I posited three theories seeking to explain why United removed the display of upgrade inventory from united.com. I have a fourth one–and my experience today demonstrates why it is most likely the correct one. The reason is not...
United’s Foolish Attempt to Shield Online Upgrade Inventory
Count me as one of the angered ones over United Airlines’ recent decision to no longer display upgrade fare buckets online. The move was shortsighted and will quickly prove itself counterproductive. Shannon Kelly, UA Insider on Flyertalk and MilePoint,...
How to Deal with the Lufthansa Strike
For those of you set to fly Lufthansa today or in the coming days, I feel your pain. A strike is in the air and both sides are doubling down on their positions. This gridlock will lead to more...
Did Qatar Screw Up or United Screw Up?
Just moments before heading out to the gym this evening, I received a frantic message from one of my clients, stating– Lot of problems in Houston, Qatar says there is no reservation for [name removed] both ways. PLEASE HELP! With...
Long Delay but a Humorous Captain
My quick hop up to Philadelphia today turned into a grueling three-hour journey thanks to bad weather. But it could have been much worse. At least there were pretzels. Stale pretzels. We pulled out of the A Concourse at...
Lost Baggage on MegaBus
You know that sinking feeling you get when you are waiting at the baggage carrousel for your bag, the same bags are going around over and over, and no new bags are coming off the belt? Been there. Last...
Labor Day Weekend in Hawaii
I am on my way to Hawaii today (Friday) for a long weekend in Honolulu. It will be my first time back to the Islands since March 2011 and my first multi-day stay in Honolulu since 2004. Each year,...
The Faux Allure of a Cheap MegaBus Ticket
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me 15 times, I must be an idiot. I had to journey from Philadelphia to New York City tonight and had two options—Amtrak for $50 and...
No More Bumps on United Airlines for Me
My United redeye flight to Philadephia Monday turned out to be oversold. But I did not take a bump. It simply wasn’t worth the effort, a stark change in the post-merger world. Overnight bumps used to be an incredible...
United’s Retro Boarding Pass
When a portion of United Airlines’ computer network crashed today, gate agents were left to improvise. Most just waited out the 2hr, 20min outage, but some got creative–check out this boarding pass from #moiraforbes: It’s like 1955 all...
