UPDATE: This offer has expired. The American Express 40% transfer bonus to British Airways Executive Clubis back! Now through September 27, 2012, American Express Cardmembers will receive 40% more Avios when transferring American Express Membership Rewards points into British Airways Executive Club....
Once Again, A Change in Travel Plans = No Problem!
After all the time I spent securing an upgrade on my Los Angeles-Denver dinner flight this afternoon, it turns out I did not take the flight. No bumps, no drama–I just had too much work to do and could...
Did I Screw Up the Upgrade Queue on My LAX-DEN United Flight?
After posting about the intrigue surrounding United Airline’s complimentary upgrade process yesterday, reader Dan left this insightful comment: It’s very simple — there is someone ahead of you in the CPU queue who has a ticket ‘out of sync’...
Understanding How Complimentary Premier Upgrades Work On United Airlines
I suppose it is rather sad that it has taken me so long to figure this out, but my flight to Denver on Monday has finally helped me to understand how Continental’s United’s complimentary elite upgrade system works. In...
United Announces Additional 787 Routes
Although United Airlines, with great fanfare, announced that the Boeing 787 would operate the carrier’s new Denver-Tokyo Narita route next year, that will not be the first route we will see United’s newest fleet addition on. Today, United filled us...
Flying Home One Day Early on United Airlines
One of the positive post-merger changes on United Airlines is the ability to confirm an earlier flight up to 24 hours before your scheduled flight, even if it is the day before. I took advantage of that today—and it...
Three Hours Left! Chase Sapphire Preferred Card with $2K Minimum Spend
Chase informed us this morning that they are pulling their recently announced offer of 40,000 Ultimate Reward points after $2,000 in spending within three months on the Sapphire Preferred Card. I suspect the offer will be back this fall,...
United Wins My Loyalty…Again
After what was perhaps the best summer of my life, I have left Germany and returned to Philadelphia. The one upside to being back in Philadelphia is that my domestic travel has now resumed, and that is something I...
Hey British Airways: It’s Japan Airlines, not Japanese Airlines!
British Airways is tinkering with their online Executive Club award booking search engine and right now it is not possible to book online award flights with Japan Airlines (JAL), or as BA calls it: Japanese Airlines. I have to...
Relaxing in Thessaloniki
After a rather stressful but fascinating (wait for the trip report) trip through the Balkans, my arrival in Thessalonki, Greece yesterday was most welcomed. I have sought refuge at the Hyatt Regency Thessalonki for a couple nights and plan only...
Why I Won’t Be Going to Venezuela Anytime Soon
My readers know that I am up for an adventure. I’ve been to some messy parts of the world and am bolder than most in choosing a travel destination. But there are some places that even I will not...
In the Heart of the Balkans
I am writing this in a very Soviet-style hotel room in Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro. Yes, I am deep into the Balkans now. The last several days have been quite picturesque–Dubrovnik and Budva were spectacular. Belgrade and Sarajevo...
US Airways is Growing on Me
I may rave about a good flight on US Airways here and there, but most of my dealings with US Airways come over the phone. So many of my European clients have discovered the tremendous benefits of purchasing discounted...
An Op-Up, Yet a 500EUR Cash Voucher Eludes Me on Lufthansa
There are few things worse for flexible frequent travelers than finding out when it is too late that you missed out on a bump, the opportunity to give up your seat in exchange for compensation. I’m now in Belgrade,...
Turkish Airlines: Not All Star Alliance Golds Are Created Equal
I really do love Turkish Airlines. Their catering is tops, longhaul aircraft new, and their world-class lounge in Istanbul is quite likely the best Star Alliance Gold Lounge on the Earth. Yet getting to that lounge at Istanbul’s Attaturk...
Standing Up to Cab Drivers in Istanbul
For the few readers who have wondered about my absence the last several days, I just returned from a wonderful trip to Istanbul. Istanbul is a fascinating city–where east meets west like no other place in the world. This...
When It Hurts to Miss the Bus
Iceland was great, though by no means a destination for the budget-conscious traveler. The hard-hit Icelandic Krónur has rebounded nicely, and your Dollar or Euro doesn’t go all that far, when compared to purchasing power in other parts of...
An Escape to Iceland
The last week has been quite stressful, so I wanted a change of pace this week. I’ve been in Frankfurt this month, which is great, working 16 hours a day, which is not so great. An opening in my...
United Waited Too Long to Cancel the 4-Mile Hong Kong Award Tickets
A few days ago, I wrote about the uneasy tension I was experiencing over United Airlines’ 4-mile round-trip deal to China. After taking advantage of nearly every major “mistake” fare over the last several years, I suddenly found myself...
My Upgrade to "Business Class" on Singapore Airlines
I know many of you recently took advantage of the temporary glut of Singapore Airlines business and first class award space available to destinations around the world. From the dining room of my B&B in Dingle, Ireland I did...
