After facing a barrage of media criticism for an agent’s decision to confiscate a cupcake from a woman’s carry-on baggage at New York La Guardia airport on Christmas Eve, the Transportation Security Administration dug in and defended the action....
Crisscrossing the World: 33K Miles of Travel to Begin 2012
Hello from the Turkish Airlines Lounge in Istanbul–I’ve still got 21 hours of flying ahead of me today and tomorrow, but the end is in sight. I like to get a jump start on status requalification each year and...
25% Discount on United/Continental Economy Class Award Tickets to Europe and Southern Africa
I wouldn’t call this the sale of century, but if you are planning an economy class award redemption to the lower half of Africa or Europe (not recommended–go in business or first), you can save 20-25% off the published...
Chase Adds Southwest Airlines as Ultimate Rewards Partner
Just months after becoming an American Express transfer partner, you can now use your Chase Ultimate Rewards points for travel on Southwest Airlines. Although Southwest Airlines does not appeal to me due to their lack of an international route...
United Airlines Confirms Continued Use of "Rhapsody in Blue"
Lap it up as small victory in the “war of influence” (a war over whether Continental or United will emerge as the true post-meger airline), but United confirmed today it will keep “Rhapsody in Blue” as its signature theme...
Air China Demonstrates Why I’ll Never Take Online Check-In for Granted Again
Yesterday was quite a day. I had a great tour of the DMZ–which is a story in itself and will be the subject of a couple upcoming posts–but was faced with a quandary: the tour ended at 17:30 and...
Police Storm my United Flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco
Minutes prior to push-back this morning, three uniformed LAX Airport Police officers boarded my United flight to San Francisco. I was sitting in row two and heard their conversation with the purser. Police: We need to speak to a...
Around the World in 2012 – A Look Ahead
The last two weeks have been great–I’ve caught up on a lot of work and spent quality time with friends and family. But I haven’t traveled outside of California, and I am getting restless. With 2012 upon us, though,...
A Review of 2011: 42 Countries, 60 Lounges, 87 Hotels and One Iranian Island
What a wonderful year of travel this has been. 42 counties, hundreds of cities, and an amazing array of sights, sounds, and smells. One year ago, I stated: I plan to fully explore Europe and hopefully the Middle East...
Last Day to Transfer Continental Miles to Amtrak
In early November, I blogged about Amtrak-Continental partnership changes set to take effect tomorrow, 01 January 2012. As a friendly reminder, today is your last day to transfer Continental OnePass miles to Amtrak Guest Rewards and vice-versa. Elite status...
New Year’s Resolution for Aspirational Travel in 2012
As we look forward to 2012, the possibilities for travel are endless. For those with a half-decent credit score, chances are you can do it for very cheap as well. If you have not already done so, start thinking...
Brussels Airlines Returns to New York JFK
It has been one decade since the Belgian flag carrier served New York City, but starting this summer Brussels Airlines, a Star Alliance member, will resume service between New York Kennedy and Brussels. SN0501 - DEPART BRU 10:20 ARRIVE...
Free Kingfisher Silver Elite Status = Free Checked Bags on American Airlines
Kingfisher Airlines will soon join the OneWorld Alliance and is offering free silver elite status to select MasterCard holders: To register, you should have an eligible MasterCard (Platinum, World, Titanium Credit Cards or a Premium Debit Card), and you...
Free Hilton HHonors Gold Status
As reported by Gary, Hilton HHonors is giving away instant free Gold status through 31 May 2013 to Visa Infinite cardholders. Benefits of Hilton Gold status include: Complimentary room upgrades Executive Lounge access and/or daily continental breakfast for two...
A Christmas Remembered: 25 December 1941
Let’s go back in time today 70 years to Christmas Day, 1941. Just a few weeks earlier the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor and the United States found itself officially at war with Germany and Japan. An airline industry...
An Interactive Guide to Airline Livery
Gracing the Skies recently expressed her disgust at some airlines for sporting such boring paint jobs. I gently disagreed, arguing that a sleek, smooth design is preferable to a tacky eye-grabbing paint job that some airlines resort to (think...
$31,313 or 240,000 miles? Maximizing your Frequent Flyer Miles
People often ask me how they can squeeze the most value out of their frequent flyer miles. I begin my answer by stating that maximizing monetary value and actual value are two very different things and ultimately there is...
US Airways Star Alliance International Awards Frequently Asked Questions
Even though it is becoming easier to search for award flights with the addition of Singapore, EgyptAir and Air China to Continental.com there still remains a myriad of rules that might confuse you. In addition to booking awards through...
Photo Tour: Turkish Airlines Star Gold/Business Class Lounge in Istanbul
I’ll cut to the chase: the newly-renovated Turkish Airlines lounge in Istanbul is amazing and easily the best business class and best Star Alliance Gold lounge I have ever been in. The last two months I have connected in...
KLM Matchmaking Service: Pick Your Seatmate on Facebook
Have you ever had a morbidly obese, chain-smoking, McDonald’s-loving, shower-hating seatmate next to you on a six hour transcon? Or the guy who won’t stop talking about his work? Or granny who feels the need to retell her family...
