More are reporting that their Air China award reservations booked with United MileagePlus miles are being cancelled and United is finally waking up to the problem. Still, there is no solution in sight. You should be vigilant in monitoring...
See you in Seattle at Frequent Traveler University!
The opening fesitivities of Frequent Traveler University (FTU) Seattle are about to begin: a reception this evening and then a full day of seminars tomorrow and Sunday. I will be be delivering a presentation tomorrow afternoon called “Hacking United Airlines.”...
New, Stricter United MileagePlus Routing Rules for Travel Between USA and North Asia?
A report on FT suggests that United has imposed new, stricter routing rules on travel between the USA/Canada and North Asia. Thus far, my research points to a case of a mistaken agent. Still, the following new rules, apparently effective today,...
Mysterious Cancellations of Air China Award Travel Booked with United MileagePlus
Be warned if you currently are holding a confirmed award ticket issued by United Airlines that includes flights on Air China: reservations are mysteriously being cancelled. The number of reported cancellations is rising and there seems to be common...
What the Teen Jet Stowaway Tells Us About Airport Security
Boy wants to fly to Hawaii. Boy sees Hawaiian Airlines jet parked at San Jose Airport. Boy jumps fence and hides in the wheel well. Boy miraculously survives, making once again a mockery of our so-called airport security. I’ve...
A Hijacking Joke Gone Bad
Tensions are high in the aftermath of the likely pilot hijacking of MH370 and even more than 12 years after the 9/11 attacks, the mentality of fear surrounding aviation security remains ingrained. With that in mind, I would recommend...
50% Off Drinks in United Clubs – Today Only
In honor of tax day in the USA, enjoy 50% off all alcoholic beverages in “participating” United Clubs. Imagine that, half off what was free last year! To be fair, United has introduced some top-shelf stuff that wasn’t...
TSA Prohibits Mute Stroke Victim from Flying Because She Can’t Speak Name
The TSA always finds a way to top itself when it comes to controversy, negative publicity, and most importantly, a degradation of human dignity. This time, it was by telling an elderly, disabled woman who lost her speech after...
Racism Charge Hits Lufthansa
I think the term racism is thrown around far too flippantly, but in a letter entitled “Dear Lufthansa, are your racist?” a Korean writer questions Lufthansa’s treatment of a group of Korean reporters who missed their flight to Seoul–...
Italian Court Says Emirates Must Suspend New York – Milan Route
An Italian Court handed Dubai-based Emirates a stinging defeat yesterday, holding that the carrier could not operate its Fifth Freedom Route between New York and Milan. It all boils down to this–there is a very real (and valid) fear...
Dear Airlines, Why Aren’t You Honest With Us?
First things first. Airline loyalty programs are here to stay–they are too lucrative. With airlines beholden to credit card companies, who purchase points en masse and distribute them to their customers, the possibility of loyalty programs going away is...
Monorail and Runway Closures at Newark Liberty International
Newark Liberty International Airport is a fortress United hub but also one of the most annoying major airports in the United States. I used Newark often when I lived in Philadelphia, preferring to depart Philadelphia from Amtrak’s 30th St...
Dishonesty and Myopia at American Airlines
Last night I figured something was up when award ticket prices appeared to vary based on day of travel and my prediction was correct–AA announced a substantial devaluation to its AAdvantage loyalty program today, effective immediately. US Airways also...
Variable AAnytime Awards on American Airlines?
While American Airlines has not formally announced a devaluation of its award chart, the consensus is it is only a matter of when, not if. Tonight, AA.com is either acting up or gives us a preview of what a...
Spin-Off of Thai Smile Another Blow to Star Alliance
Thai Airways will spin-off its Thai Smile Air unit into a separate subsidiary that will not participate in Star Alliance. Created in mid-2012 as a low-cost division of Thai Airways, Thai Smile has now obtained its own air operators’ certificate (AOC)...
United Airlines Releases Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Seat Map
United Airlines has released the seatmap on its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, set to enter service in late October on the new Los Angeles – Melbourne route. Slightly larger than the 787-8, the new aircraft will have more...
New Nostalgic Ad Campaign from Air France
Air France has released a beautiful new ad campaign that plays up the stereotypical glamour and nostalgia for France and highlights the carrier’s refreshed product. Ads emphasize the comfort of the A380, the new La Première (first class) and fully lie-flat...
A Meaningless Supreme Court Decision on Frequent Flyer Miles
While nearly all the national focus on Wednesday morning was on the U.S. Supreme Court’s bitterly divided 5-4 decision on campaign fiance reform, McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, the Court also handed down a unanimous verdict affecting our old friend Binyomin Ginsberg,...
Incredible Business Class Summer Airfare to Europe on United and Air Canada: $1468+ Round-Trip
Earlier this week several carriers ran a summer promotion sale in which business class seats were essentially the same cost as economy class seats for travel during the summer months from North America to Europe. United Airlines and Air...
Forcing Lufthansa into Submission Over Cancelled Flight
I hope that most of my friends, family, and clients would attest that I am a nice guy. I’m very mild-mannered, slow to anger, and try to be pleasant to all people. Sure, I could be a bit more...
