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...
United Airlines’ 4-Mile First Class Fares: The Spirit Versus the Letter of the Law
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...
