At Star Alliance Gold check-in at Frankfurt earlier today, the smiling female Lufthansa agent glanced at my passport, pulled up my ticket, then asked, “Have you ever been to our First Class Terminal?” For a brief moment, I thought...
US Airways 100% Bonus on Dividend Miles Purchased Through June 30th
After a long hiatus, the 100% bonus offer on purchased miles from US Airways has returned. If you have ever considered purchasing miles before, this is the time to do it and this is the program to invest in....
Next Stop: The City of Lights (Paris)
Well, actually I am already in Paris. It was all the way back in 2006 when I was last here and it is nice to be back in this bustling hub of French commerce. The flight over, a quick...
United Shuns Continental and Reinstates Zone Boarding
Finally, a United policy wins out! During my travels in the United States last month I witnessed the birth of United’s “new” boarding policy, which could only be described as chaotic and inefficient. Mimicking Continental, UA began boarding military...
Hawaiian Flying on United Airlines
I enjoyed four Hawiian flights on United Airlines last month and provide this brief review of each flight to demonstrate that onboard amenities have improved since I compared United and Continental between Los Angeles and Honolulu last year. Flight...
Frankfurt to Washington Dulles in United Economy Plus
With 1K status now in the bag (in fact, I was surprised to see that I have banked over 120K EQMs already this year after all the flights credited), my travel on United for the year may be over....
Up to €20 Off Your Next Lufthansa Flight from Germany
While not as generous as the Lufthansa promotion in March, Lufthansa is offering 20 EUR voucher codes for use on Lufthansa flights departing from Germany. Simply click on this link, provide your name and e-mail address, and you will quickly receive...
Why Soldiers Should Not Board First on United Airlines
It is Memorial Day today in the United States, a day in which America honors those soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of their country. What started out as Decoration Day in 1865, when freed...
On the Matter of Flight Attendant Professionalism
I utilize public transportation to get to and from work at Frankfurt International Airport and run into a LOT of uniformed airline personnel, particularly from Lufthansa and United. United has a crew base in Frankfurt and therefore has a lot...
Delta Flight Diverted After Flirting Man Pulls Out "Poisonous" Gas
A guy name Bryan Sisco finds his Delta flight from Dallas to Atlanta is delayed and heads to the bar, where he consumes a few too many–but is not visibly hammered. Though the midst of going through a messy divorce with his...
A Weekend in Finland and Estonia
Hello from Helsinki. My travels around Europe continue and this weekend I am in the Baltics after a smooth flight on Lufthansa from Frankfurt this morning. Today I am going to head down to Tallin, Estonia and spend the...
Remarkably Efficient and Friendly Service from United Reservations
Much to my delight, I have been up late the last few nights booking awards for people and have been on the phone with United quite a bit. Without any equivocation, I have to admit that the every single phone call...
The Door to Cuba Has Opened for Americans
While some snobby Canadians and Europeans will no doubt be dejected by this news, I am happy to report that the United States has further loosened travel restrictions to Cuba, making it possible for almost any American now to visit the communist island...
Singapore Airlines Plans Long-Haul Budget Carrier
When Air Canada announced plans for a new low-cost subsidiary last month, many were left scratching their heads. In a climate of high oil prices and an industry trend of cutting capacity, what would motivate such a move–especially with the high failure rate of...
United Enforcing E-Certificate Expiration Dates
Watch those expiration dates on your United e-certificates because all of a sudden UA seems to be enforcing them. For the last few years, UA’s e-certificates, issued for service problems experienced onboard or on the ground, have had expiration...
New Role for the TSA: High School Prom Guards
Coming soon to a high school near you: the Transportation Security Administration. Two girls at a New Mexico high school recently sued their school district, claiming that they were "groped" on their way into their prom earlier in the...
My First Bump on Lufthansa!
I do not always blog about my weekends, but if I am not traveling overseas I am usually traveling around Europe. Last weekend, I had a trip planned to London, departing Friday evening and returning early Monday morning to get me...
United Eliminates Pillows in Domestic First Class
For an airline that claims to be transforming itself into “world’s leading airline,” you have to question the recent decision to remove pillows from domestic first class flights. Yet that is exactly what United has done this week, following the model of their...
"You’re Flying from Washington to Chicago via Brazil?"
You should have seen the face of the United Airlines agent at Sao Paulo last week when I asked for a seat assignment change (moving to an open center section of five seats at the last minute) and she pulled...
Systemwide and Regional Upgrade Reciprocity Coming to Continental/United this Summer
Good news for holders of confirmed upgrades instruments on United and Continental: your upgrade options will soon widen. This morning I received the following e-mail from United: We understand how important upgrades are to you. Currently, elite members of...
