I truly was looking forward to a week at home between the holidays. No travel, just catching up on a number of projects I have neglected, including Live and Let’s Fly. Then I noticed I ended the year with...
More Starnet Blocking by US Airways
Every savvy points aficionado has a love-hate relationship with US Airways Dividend Miles. After all, with essentially no routing rules, a very attractive award chart, and an abundance of cheap miles made available through perpetual 100% bonus offers, you...
An Afghan Christmas in 2012
Christmas is upon us and I realize that I have been conspicuously absent this month. An odd day to resurface, perhaps, but as you pause today to spend time with family and friends or at least enjoy a day...
New Interface for British Airways Avios Online Redemption
At 2am after working the last 16 hours with only a break to workout, I am too tired to go into detail right now, but I was pleasantly surprised tonight to find what appears to be a positive enhancement...
Chilling in the Kingdom
Visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been near the top of my travel list for years, though getting there is not easy. There is no such thing as a tourist visa in the KSA and even obtaining a...
Do You Pilfer from Airline Lounges?
On my way back to Philadelphia Sunday afternoon, I noticed a man with a large plastic bag walking toward the food in the United Club at LAX. With some amusement, I watched him stuff about 20 packaged cheese slices...
Protecting Your Upgrade on United Airlines
Tomorrow is a big day and I could really use a flat bed tonight to fly across the country. The problem: United’s international-config 757s have only 16 seats in BusinessFirst and 153 in economy class, a bad ratio for...
United Will Again Prioritize Meal Orders by Status for 1Ks
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...
