An update on my story earlier this week on No Fuel Surcharges on British Airways Awards with US Airways Miles: as expected, a memo went out today to Dividend Miles agents today instructing them to include fuel surcharges on British...
Thoughts on 2014 Freddie Award Winners
A highlight of my year is the annual Freddie Awards ceremony, in which airlines and hotels are recognized by millions of consumer voters for their programs and promotions. The 2014 Freddie Awards took place on April 24, 2014 at...
Transparent Airfares Act of 2014 is Anything But Transparents
Less than two years after the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) mandated that airlines and online travel agencies display all-in pricing at all stages of the airfare search, the House of Representatives is considering a bill called the Transparent Airfares...
The Trust Deficit at United
With United Airlines posting heavy losses this quarter while its competitors reported healthy profits, the blame game has begun to escalate. “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain” no longer seems to be working, as CEO Jeff...
This Commercial Made Me Laugh
I’ve been on some rather unsafe planes over the years, from a rickety old TU-134 in Russia, to a poorly-maintained 727 in Bolivia, and a battered ATR-42 in Cuba, but nothing all that bad, nothing out of a horror...
Book SriLankan Airlines Award Space Online with British Airways Avios
SriLankan Airlines is now a member of the oneworld alliance and that opens up more several new options for redeeming your miles–particularly using points from US Airways, American Airlines, and British Airways. Perhaps most attractive of all is British Airways...
Airfare Pricing Insurance through Level Skies
A new startup, Level Skies, promises to provides price protection for your next airline trip. You enter your trip details and how long you wish to lock in the best price guarantee (between 1 to 4 weeks). They then...
No Fuel Surcharges on British Airways Awards with US Airways Miles
Since US Airways joined oneworld, the carrier has not imposed fuel surcharges on British Airways award flights. Considering fuel surcharges run more than $800 r/t for Europe and much more if you continue on to Asia or Africa, this...
May New York City Frequent Flyer Meetup
Mike is organizing another Reach for the Miles meetup in New York City. This one will be held Tuesday, 06 May at Professor Thom’s in the Lower East Side. Come mingle and meet others from the travel industry, have...
Update on Air China Award Booking Cancellations
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...
