For the last several years I have traveled home to Los Angeles, either from Germany or the East Coast, for Thanksigiving. Last year, I scored a bump on my Washington – Los Angeles flight and this year I was...
2012 Thanksgiving Reflections
Thanksgiving has arrived in the U.S. once again and the year has been another memorable one. My decline in blogging the last several months has been irksome, but Award Expert has grown tremendously this year and required the bulk...
The Megabus Saga Continues…
First off, sorry I’ve been blogging about Megabus and Amtrak lately–it just so happens that traveling between Washington and Philadelphia has become a regular ritual and I still cannot make up my mind about which is the better option...
No More Holds on United Airlines Revenue Fares
Since the merger, United Airlines has offered a handy little trick for holding revenue tickets that has finally vanished. I’m frankly surprised it took so long to remove it, but I will sure miss it. United actually had two tricks–a...
Sorry Megabus, I’ve Switched to Amtrak
For months I have been threatening to switch from Megbus to Amtrak for my frequent trips from Philadelphia to Washington. In the end, I always ended up booking with Megabus because tickets were always significantly cheaper. But after my...
Free Gogo Inflight Internet Giveaway
Tech Trebuchet points out Gogo is upgrading its inflight internet capacity with plans to triple its maximum speed. That’s good news for the traveler and here’s better news–I am giving away a handful of free Gogo inflight wifi passes...
Argo: A Cool Movie for the Airline Enthusiast
British Airways’ retro livery at Washington Dulles International Airport. Check. Green-screen check-in systems that look just like…SHARES on United Airlines today. Check. A Swiss Air 747-200 screeching down the runway at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport as Revolutionary Guards race...
Earn Five Miles Per Dollar on Everyday Purchases
There’s always a tendency to hold back on the very best deals in hopes that they will last a little longer, but I cannot help but to share with you a tremendous way to earn five (5) Chase Ultimate...
No Upgrade Tonight!
I have not had to sit in the “back of the bus” on a United Airlines transcon flight since the merger, but tonight I will break my perfect upgrade record…by choice. Tomorrow will be a full day of work...
Avoiding Fuel Surcharges to Europe on Air France/KLM Flying Blue
Last time Air France/KLM offered a promotion for purchased miles in their Flying Blue loyalty program, I outlined some strategies for avoiding costly fuel surcharges when redeeming your points. Nothing has changed, but I just want to point out again that Flying...
Double Elite and Double Award Miles on American Airlines through 12/31/2012
Delayed and cancelled flights, angry pilots and FAs, and the doldrums of bankruptcy have all worked against the consumer for the last several months over at American Airlines. About a month ago, I predicted that AA would bring back...
Weathering Hurricane Sandy
Greetings readers. I have missed you the last several days and hope all of you in the Northeast have weathered the storm nicely. After three days of trying, I have finally made it back to Philadelphia on United. I...
So. Cal. – New York Mileage Run on United Airlines: $165 r/t – Fly the 787!
United Airlines has dropped transcon fares between the New York market (EWR, JFK, LGA) and Ontario, California (a distant suburb of Los Angeles) to levels I have not seen in years: return trips available for as little as $162!...
Alitalia Quickly Voids Discounted Tickets
Who says Italians don’t work on weekends? Someone was working overtime on Sunday because every ticket issued with a point of origination outside of Japan using the $320 discount promotion was summarily cancelled Sunday morning. Did Alitalia move fast...
"Don’t Tell Me How to Do My Job!"
Every airline call center is unique in its own way. US Airways’ agents are geographically ignorant. Delta agents have great trouble searching for partner award space. You can always tell whether you are speaking to an ex-Continental agent or...
$320 Discount from Alitalia = Free Flights Within Europe!
Use coupon code PROMOJP to take $320 (¥25,000) off most Alitalia flights! You have to: Book immediately (the promotion goes till 26 October, but it will be gone by Monday…count on it) Travel between 05 November and 07 March (but the...
My Letter to Swiss Int’l Air Lines, RE: RGN Cancellation
Another week has passed and the Swiss Int’l Air Lines Burma fare discrepancy remains unresolved. I am not in a rush–my trip is not till next June–but I do wish to resolve the matter quickly and have sent my...
Flying Across the USA in International Business Class
Friday was a long day for me, but it was a fun one. A bulk of it was spent at airports–6.5 hours in the air and 5 hours in two United Clubs, but I ended up flying from Newark...
Adventures on Greyhound
I took advantage of a $188 r/t Washington Dulles – Los Angeles fare over the weekend on American Airlines, which meant I had to find my own way up to Philadelphia this morning after my overnight redeye flight from...
Swiss Int’l Air Lines Cancels RGN Tickets
Last week, inexpensive business and first class fares originating out of Yangon, Burma popped up again to many Canadian destinations and were bookable for about 6 days (from 21-26 September 2012). Many were able to take advantage of the...
