I live just a flew blocks from Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station when I am in Philadelphia and conveniently for me, United Airlines has codeshare service with Amtrak out of ZVF to Newark Airport, allowing me to easily make my...
50,000 Point Sign Up Offer for American Express Business Gold Rewards Card
UPDATE: Offer has expired. The American Express 50,000 point sign-up bonus with no annual fee during the first year has returned from hiatus. Earn three points per dollar on airfare and double points on gas purchases (in the USA)....
Tip: Avoid San Francisco International Airport on Weekends
My trip to Philadelphia last night was not as smooth as I had hoped it would be: San Francisco International is a great airport and I enjoy connecting through it, but when the fog and wind roll in, expect...
How to Book Travel to Cuba from the USA
Even before Jay-Z and Beyonce made headlines for their recent trip to Cuba, an On the Spot column by Los Angeles Times travel writer Catharine Hamm caught my attention – Question: What are the travel requirements for going to Cuba?...
Pay-to-Play VIP Treatment on Delta and American, but not United
Scott Mayerowitz has a piece out today on how three of the legacies are offering extra special VIP treatment for select guests, namely “true” VIPs and those willing to slap down some cash. American Airlines built a private check-in lobby in Los Angeles...
US Airways Agent: "Since we acquired American, we are sticking with Star Alliance" (humor)
I have a confession to make. If I am ever feeling down or just need a good laugh, I call US Airways to book an award trip. I’ve shared about two recent experiences with the call center and had...
Los Angeles/San Francisco – New York (Newark) for $198 r/t on Virgin or United
Virgin America recently launched non-stop service between Los Angeles/San Francisco and Newark and is offering some very attractive promotional fares, with round-trip travel starting at $198. Travel from 3 September – 30 October on Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday at this low...
Flying Blue Makes Africa Redemptions Easier?
Flying Blue, the loyalty program of Air France, KLM, and Kenya Airways, is an oft-overlooked American Express transfer partner, but one that I have been particularly critical of on this blog. Customer service is poor and booking awards can...
Tales from the SFO Intra-Terminal Shuttle Bus
With a delay in opening the remodeled E-Concourse at SFO, United Airlines is stuck using several gates in Terminal 1 in addition to its main operation in Terminal 3 and the International Terminal. That means a free airport tour...
The Solution to United Airlines’ Woes
United Airlines has taken a beating lately, and rightfully so. From me being thrown off a flight for snapping a picture of my seat to a flight diverting after parents questioned the appropriateness of an in-flight movie for children,...
Will U.S. Airlines Ever Charge Passengers Based on Weight?
Air Samoa made headlines this week with its new policy of charging passengers based upon their weight (personal + baggage). Many are wondering if such a policy could ever hit airlines in the United States. The answer is not...
Loud Crew = No Sleep
First, the good news. I’ve earned over 965,000 lifetime flight miles on United Airlines and what happened on my redeye flight last night has never happened before. For that, I consider myself fortunate. Now onto the story. Last night...
Family Thrown Off United Flight for Complaining About In-Flight Movie
A family claims to have been thrown off a United Airlines flight for complaining about the in-flight movie. The Atlantic prints their letter here, but my executive summary is below– Legacy United crew / A230 / DEN-BWI / 02 Feb 2013 Parents...
British Airways Florida Call Center to Close
British Airways has announced the impending closure of its Jacksonville call center, displacing 280 jobs. Sadly, this is not an April Fools’ joke. The news broke last week, but a conversation I had today with a British Airways call...
Showers at Newark United Club
Earlier in the week I shared that showers are now available for all United Club guests in Chicago and São Paulo including united club pass holders. A couple of you wondered what the showers actually look like in United Clubs...
Shower Access for All United Club Guests at Chicago O’Hare and São Paulo
One notable hole in the United Airlines lounge system is the dearth of showers in the United States. United had showers in Chicago, London, São Paulo, and San Francisco available only to arriving first and business class full-fare passengers (as...
White House Tours and Paris Hotel Bills
My life wasn’t always centered around travel. My undergraduate studies were in political science and U.S. history and my first post-graduation job was in the White House Press Office. That kept me busy enough M-F, but there was just...
Dog Flies from Newark to Phoenix via Dublin on United
When I took my island-hopper flight last week from Honolulu to Guam on United Airlines, the same intro and safety video was played six times–every time the aircraft took off. Ironically, it was the cargo intro (below) that that...
How to Obtain a Saudi Arabian Transit Visa
11/2013 UPDATE: Numerous reports suggest that Saudi Arabia has suspended the issue of transit visas in the United States. Contact your nearest Saudi consulate or the Saudi Embassy in Washington if you are in need of one. Case-by-case exceptions...
New Star Alliance Gold Commercial
Star Alliance’s marketing department is savvy and I don’t just say that because I know the folks in it… Take a look at the latest Star Alliance Gold advertisement– What I love about this commercial is that it simply...
