Back in the “good old days” legacy United FAs would sort meals orders by status, giving preference to full-fare passengers and top-tier elites. Continental FAs would simply move from front to back, without regard to OnePass status or fare...
Will I Make the Flight?
I was amazed, actually. Rocky writes about his post-Thanksgiving travels and my trip back to Philadelphia was also very smooth. I showed up at the gate for my Los Angeles – Denver flight on Monday afternoon about 20 minutes...
Winners of the Gogo Inflight Wi-Fi Passes
Congratulations to the following readers who were chosen at random to recieve a complimentary Gogo Inflight Wi-Fi pass, good thru 12/31/2012! If you are the one of the winners, look for an e-mail from me with your code– Jim...
Today Only! 10% Off All Purchases at UnitedShop.com
Enjoy a Cyber Monday discount of 10% off all purchases at United Airlines’ online store, UnitedShop.com. Simply use promo code unitedholiday12. The sale ends at midnight central time tonight (11/16/2012). There’s a lot of junk there that is almost...
Last Day to Enter Contest for Free Gogo Inflight Wi-Fi Passes
Last call for those who wish to enter my gogo in-flight wi-fi giveaway. Tomorrow I will use random.org to select five winners to receive a wi-fi pass good for use on a number of airlines. If you have not...
Small Business Saturday is Today – Save $25 with AMEX
For the third year in a row, American Express is supporting small businesses across America today by offering a $25 account statement when you spend at least $25 at a small business today using your AMEX card. Enrollment is...
A Curiously Quiet Thanksgiving Eve Travel Experience
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...
