I first wrote about United’s Fantasy Flights five years ago and I am thankful that this wonderful Christmas tradition has not been one of the cutbacks of the post-merger United. In fact, the program has expanded to 12 airports...
Personal Thoughts on Travel and a New Era of US-Cuban Relations
It was seven years ago that President George W. Bush announced his Administration was doubling down on its bid to isolate the communist Cuban regime. More travel restrictions and more money restrictions, all with the end goal of bringing...
Air New Zealand to Start Auckland to Buenos Aires Route
For Star Alliance flyers trying to connect between Australia or New Zealand and South America, options are not just limited — there are no flights at all. Connecting via North America or Africa is required, adding hours to an...
New Greeting for AA Phone Reps
This is totally an airline nerd thing, but I spend a chunk of my day each day (sometimes a huge chunk) on the phone with various airlines booking awards. The bulk of my clients are based in North America...
Hyatt Updates 2015 Gold Passport Award Chart
Hyatt has announced its annual update to the Gold Passport award chart and thankfully changes are limited for 2015–here is what you need to know: 70 Hyatt properties are changing categories 22 hotels are moving up a category 48...
FTU Dallas Tickets Now on Sale
Tickets to FTU and FTU Advanced in Dallas, from 17-19 April 2015, are now on sale at FTUniversity.com. I will be doing my usual talks on United Airlines, but will also be talking miles and exotic travel at this...
United Airlines Now Processing Lufthansa GPU Upgrades Electronically
United Airlines and Lufthansa were both founding members of the Star Alliance and have maintained a close relationship as both codeshare and joint venture partners over years. United’s top-status 1K flyers receive six GPUs (Global Premier Upgrades) each year...
FTU Dallas Tickets Go On Sale Thursday!
Tickets to the next Frequent Traveler University go on sale Thursday at 11:00AM ET / 8:00AM PT at FTUniversity.com. Tickets for the Advanced seminars at the last three events sold out very quickly, so be warned if you want to attend....
Business Class Partner Awards on United Airlines Pricing for 115K instead of 140K RT!
I am loath to post many mileage deals that appear to be mistakes on this blog because airlines do read blogs and respond quickly – I may not have the readership of The Points Guy, but it is no...
5 Great Uses for your 50,000 Bonus US Airways Miles
The US Airways MasterCard from Barclays is going out in style with a 50,000 mile sign-up bonus offer after your first purchase on the card. This offer and credit card itself is available for a very limited time and...
The Homeless Population of Frankfurt Airport
Recall that I spent a year working inside Frankfurt Airport and one thing that I noticed, but never really thought much of until I saw the video below, was that there were a lot of familiar faces that were...
Cyber Monday Bonus: 125% Bonus on Purchased Avianca LifeMiles
Avianca LifeMiles is in the midst of a 100% bonus on purchased miles promotion but is offering a 125% bonus special today only for Cyber Monday. Bottom line: you can buy up to 66,000 miles for $2,178.00 (1.47 cents each) and...
Update: Still Not Too Late to Register for American Express Small Business Saturday
Earlier today I posted about American Express Small Business Saturday, noting that no further sign-ups were available (AMEX capacity controls the number of sign-ups). A short time ago AMEX re-opened sign-up: it is still not too late! Click the...
Today is American Express Small Business Saturday
Hopefully you have all registered your American Express cards for Small Business Saturday today, an annual event on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in which American Express offers a cash-back incentive in order to boost small business. This year’s offer...
Is the Elimination of Stopovers on United MileagePlus Awards Inevitable?
Delta Air Lines has announced that free stopovers will not be part of the 2015 Skymiles program and it seems likely that the combined American and US Airways AAdvantage program will also not offer complimentary stopovers. That would leave...
Thankful for Travel Companions
I recently had the opportunity to experience Lufthansa First Class with my German wife Heidi — just wait till you read her account of the flight — and it reminded again that flying is so much more fun with...
Three Tips to Get Home for Thanksgiving
A storm has dumped massive amounts of rain and snow along the Eastern Seaboard today, leading to over 500 cancelled flights and endangering the Thanksgiving travel plans of many. But even at this evening hour, you can still better...
United Airlines Announces Service to Venice, Additional Service to Dublin and Paris
United Airlines announced three new Summer 2015 routes today, including new service from Newark to Venice and Chicago to Dublin as well as a second daily flight from Washington to Paris. Newark to Venice The 767-400 scheduled on this...
Sunday Morning to LHR on London Underground
You would think that at the world’s busiest airport for international passengers, London Heathrow, with flights around the clock, there would be reliable subway service early enough in the morning to catch the hundreds of dawn departures. Not so...
More Devaluations for United MileagePlus in 2015
Christmas gifts have arrived early from United Airlines and like last year, we’ve all received lumps of coal. As United continues to dismantle what was once the world’s best airline loyalty program, several more changes have been announced, all...
