Last week, for the second time since United’s UDU program started, I missed an upgrade. It was a Thursday afternoon IAD-DEN (hub-hub) flight on a 757 and I was traveling on an S-fare, so it wasn’t a big surprise...
Another reason I love United: NBA Finals on Channel 9
While I was hoping for a bump on UA595 Thursday evening, UA’s inventory management is just too good. As an LA native, I not only was seeking a $400 voucher, but I wanted to watch game 7 of...
My first experience with United’s "enhanced" meal service
Last week, UA announced changes to their premium class meal service on North American flights. I had a chance to try out some of the changes earlier this week. SFO-IAD, UA792, departing 2300 For years, UA has offered a...
Interrogated by DHS in Montreal for sounding "foreign"
Yesterday I shared about my experience with Canadian border authorities while trying to enter Montreal. Sadly, my border travails were not over and I had more problems returning to the U.S. yesterday. After clearing security at YUL, I found...
Detained at Canadian Immigration in Montreal
Remind me not to take any more one-night trips to Canada. This week, I took advantage of a great fare from ONT-YUL on United to spend a couple days mileage running and one day in Montreal. I have taken...
A return to airline regulation?
Some members of Congress are worried about what the CO-UA merger will mean for the consumer and are considering introducing a bill to restore airline regulation if the merger goes through. Deregulation has been credited with making airline travel affordable...
ANA restricts ability to search for Star Alliance awards
After performing my daily search for LH award space from FRA-NRT last night, I was surprised this morning to find this message today: The Partner Flight Award search function is not available for passengers who do not have any...
American Airlines adds "Your Choice" service, i.e. pay for what used to be free
American Airlines has a new "Your Choice" program that is nicely sugar-coated to make you think that you are saving money. The initial "Your Choice" offering is a "Boarding and Flexibility Package" that: Places you in Group 1 of General...
House Made of 747 Scrap Parts
Check out this house. [Architect David Hertz] built a green house for his client, Francie Rehwald, using scrap parts from more than 230 feet long, 193 feet wide, and 60 feet tall, Boeing 747 jumbo jet. In order to make the house,...
Convenience or Potential VDB?
A VDB is the holy grail for any self-respecting mileage runner. Usually, I will go out of my way to seek them and plan my trips around cities and routes that have tend to be more overbooked than others....
New United Mileage Plus website is here: book Star Alliance awards online (sort of)
Last week, I shared an e-mail I received from United about a new Mileage Plus website coming soon. Much to my surprise, when I logged on to UA this afternoon I saw this: I am amazed that this happened...
So much for flying in F on LH’s A380…
I am starting to plan a trip to Thailand/China/North Korea/Japan for August and my goal was to snag a First Class seat on LH’s new A380. Looks like I’ll have to look into other options. "The [FRA-NRT] flight is...
More capacity to Australia courtesy of Qantas’ A380s
After starting A380 service between Los Angeles and Australia last year, Qantas will soon be doubling A380 flights on its Los Angeles-Melbourne route. Right now, QF uses an A380 to fly from Los Angles to Melbourne three times a week....
United’s new sales pitch: upgrade for cheap(er) NOW
Always looking for a way to make a few dollars (and I certainly cannot blame them), United is now hawking paid upgrades when you buy your ticket. I bought this ticket a few days ago and received this “special...
I let a SWU expire!
I’ve always kept a close watch on my upgrade balance in the past, but since United’s unlimited domestic upgrade (UDU) program started earlier this year, I have not had the need to use any of my banked upgrade instruments....
More Encroachment by the TSA
Yeah, I’m going to get political again. Remember this post over a month ago? After the Faisal Shahzad incident I warned that the TSA would soon be taking over the passenger watchlist. Now this from the TSA blog: Secure Flight...
Coming Soon: New United Mileage Plus Website
I received the following e-mail from United today: My first thought was what redesign? I didn’t even know there was a Mileageplus.com website. Turns out there is, sort of–the web address takes you to the Mileage Plus portion of...
Delta Upgrades Regional Jets
As regional jet travel continues to proliferate, Delta is adding First Class cabins on many regional jets and hopes to offer two-cabin service on flights over 750 miles this fall. Once upgrades are completed, 50 routes that feature Delta...
United & Continental Pilots Moving Closer to New Contract
Some good news for a change on the labor front: United and Continental airlines are on course to wrap up a new contract with their pilot unions by fall, a critical step if their megamerger is to deliver the...
British Airways’ CEO Turns Down Huge Bonus
Times are tough for British Airways, but I have a lot of respect for Willie Walsh. British Airways’ chief executive Willie Walsh has turned down a six-figure bonus for the second year as the carrier struggles with losses and...
