A flurry of commentary has poured forth today over the 4-mile United Airlines First Class award redemptions to China available briefly yesterday on united.com. As a frequent traveler who has cashed in on many “mistake” fares in the past...
Qatar Airways – United Airlines Partnership Ending Early?
Yesterday I was working on a client award redemption to Hyderabad, India and found a really nice business class itinerary on Qatar Airways using United miles. I placed the reservation on hold for final approval from the clients, who...
British Airways 100,000 Avios Sign-Up Offer from Chase Ends Next Week
I cannot tell how you how often I cringe when prospective clients contact me for help using their points, fully expecting to go to Europe in first class with their 150,000 Capital One (or similar) points that in reality...
Beautiful Pictures from Ireland
As you know, I spent the weekend in southwestern Ireland and had a great time–here’s a few pictures from my trip:
Playing the Standby Game on Lufthansa
The airline employee standby game is fun, but it can be frustrating too. Unlike standing by as a revenue passenger with top tier elite status on United, where you can generally count on being accommodated on whatever flight you...
A Weekend on the Emerald Isle
With an overwhelming response from the New York Times’ coverage of my Award Expert service and a busy week in Frankfurt, I have been “dark” for the last four days–a first for this blog. With little sleep and an ever-growing...
Independence from the British…and the Germans?
For the second year in a row, I am spending 04 July–the American Independence Day–in Frankfurt, Germany. Today while thinking about the American Revolutionary War that followed the signing of the Declaration of Independence, I recalled that Frankfurt played...
Lost Luggage Benefits from Chase Sapphire Preferred
Rarely do I check bags and my trip to Germany last week demonstrated once again why. Whether the blame falls on United, US Airways, or Lufthansa I know not, but I do know that my bag was lost for...
Epic Fail: Pakistan International Airlines 1979 NYC Ad Campaign
Do you ever look at an old advertisement and shake your head, knowing that while harmless at the time the ad has taken on a new meaning in light of changing events? Pakistan International Airlines must have had one...
An Excellent Flight in US Airways Envoy Class
In some ways, I am happy my United Airlines oversell fiasco did not work out at LAX earlier this week because it gave me a chance to fly US Airways transatlantic Envoy (business) class for the first time. The...
Your Seat Does Not Recline Any Further…
Have you ever sat behind a passenger who is convinced that if he keeps trying, he can get his seat to recline even further? I had the pleasure of sitting behind one on my Los Angeles-Chicago United flight yesterday....
Meltdown at LAX: “United Business Isn’t Our Business”
It turned out that my flight to Chicago this morning on United Airlines was oversold and three volunteers were needed. After some negotiation, I offered to give up my seat, despite the meager $250 in compensation being offered. But...
Return to Germany!
The last two months have been great—only two airplane trips in early June and most of the time spent at home in Los Angeles with family and friends. Still, I have not been in Germany since March and boy...
Richard Branson, The Politician
I’ve got to hand it to Richard Branson–he’s smoother than Mitt Romney and Barack Obama combined (which some will argue is not saying much…). An anti-global warming crusader named Craig Rucker recently caught up with environmentalist Branson at the...
TSA: Groping is Okay, Unless it is One of Our Agents
Carol, a former Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screener, arrives at the airport security checkpoint in Ft. Myers, where she’s on her way to a funeral Cleveland. She is chosen for additional screening. A screener collects her belongings and leads...
Free Wi-Fi Coming to LAX in July
After years of gouging–yes, gouging–customers wishing to access internet at Los Angeles International Airport, T-Mobile’s reign ends next month and the LA City Council has voted to make internet free for all passengers. LA City Council’s Trade, Commerce, and...
Avianca, TACA and Copa Join Star Alliance
Star Alliance has grown again today, with the addition of Avianca/TACA and Copa to the alliance. With TAM’s future in the alliance in question, Star has ensured that it maintains a vital presence in the growing Central and South...
Review: Park Hyatt Zurich
Disclosure: I was one of a small group of writers invited to attend the 2011 Masters of Food and Wine event in Zurich. My stay at the hotel was complimentary. Nothing like tarnishing a review like admitting I did...
At Least Someone Cares at United Airlines…
I was encouraged to read on Flyertalk about a recent exchange between a United Airlines 1K member and a legacy United customer service agent: Last week my phone rang. It was a lovely female agent from the Premier line....
Another Crate of Bad Apples at the TSA – Bribery at PHL
Gary brings us the latest example of how the TSA is keeping us safe: bribery and falsifying results on proficiency exams. Whodathunkit? An investigation has revealed that seven employees at Philadelphia International Airport were involved in a bribery scandal...
