I have not blogged too much about the trip I recently returned from, but I was fortunate enough to spend some time exploring Vancouver, Lisbon, Marrakech, Madrid, and Copenhagen. A full trip report (nine flights) is coming–and I brought...
My $671 Mileage Run on United
Against my better judgment (and the advice of Lucky), I booked a MR on United from Philadelphia to Moscow next weekend—out Saturday via Dulles, two hours on the ground in Moscow, and right back to Philadelphia. I am sitting...
British Airways to Upgrade First Class Cabin
For all the talk recently about the dire financial straits facing BA and rumors that they were on the verge of axing their First Class cabin, it comes as a surprise–a welcome surprise–that BA has announced it will be...
Maximizing Your Chances to Effectively Use Your Miles
Scott McCartney has a decent Middle Seat column today in the WSJ on how to maximize your chances to redeem frequent flyer miles. A couple sections particularly caught my eye: On the airline side, road warriors suggest checking alliance...
United Returns to Anchorage this Summer from Denver, Chicago, and San Francisco
United announced today they will be returning to ANC this summer from three of their hubs: SFO, DEN, and ORD. Weekly Saturday service from Chicago will resume on May 22. From June 9 – August 30, UA will offer...
Don’t Waste Your Money on US Airways Power-Nap Sack
A few months ago I purchased a US Airways Power-Nap Sack (overnight kit) on a redeye flight from LAS-PHL. It cost $7 and included: an inflatable neck pillow earplugs eye shade fleece blanket $10 off SkyMall coupon for purchases...
When Pilots Sound Familiar
Do you ever sit down on an airplane and hear your own voice coming from the flight deck? Yesterday evening I got on my BUR-SFO flight, settled in, and started reading a magazine when suddenly I thought I heard...
Picture of the Week #8: LAX-SYD in Qantas First Class for $1200 r/t
Note the original $1243 a/i price for this fare, which booked tickets into First Class on Qantas codeshares. I am usually really good at monitoring the Mileage Run Deals forum on flyertalk and have taken advantage of quite...
Improved US Airways Meal Service
The last time I was on a US Airways dinner flight, I was offered this dismal meal. Last night, I flew on US Airways in First Class from Washington Dulles to Phoenix and was impressed with the dinner service....
Pickpocket Steals €4,000 on Air France Flight
PARIS – French police are investigating whether a pickpocket stole thousands of euros from passengers as they slept on an Air France flight from Tokyo to Paris. "There is an investigation under way," a spokesman for the border police...
I’ve Found a Star Alliance Lounge (Spanair) Worse than United’s!
While waiting for my Lufthansa flight from Madrid to Frankfurt this morning, I had a chance to sample the Spanair Lounge. I will post pictures in my upcoming trip report, but I was shocked at the total lack of food...
"Explosive" Honey Shuts Down California Airport
A golden substance found in the checked baggage of a man traveling from Bakersfield, CA to Milwaukee, WI that tested positive for TNT and TATP (plane go boom) led to the evacuation and closure of BFL for several hours. Turns out the...
Great Mileage Run Deals Available Now from United, American, US Airways
For those of you looking to get started on elite status re-qualification right away, there are some great deals available right now. Below are a few examples. United SEA-LAX-DEN-ORD-DSM-ORD-DEN-LAX-SEA –> $189 a/i LAX-IAD-RDU-IAD-LAX –> $191 a/i [same-day turn available]...
You Might Want to Avoid Connecting in Denver if You are Traveling in United First
I grimaced when I saw this thread on FlyerTalk today: The FDA has changed the classification of LSG Sky Chefs’ Denver facility from “Approved” to “Provisional” based on an inspection that turned up some real stomach turning findings, such...
Another Perk of Traveling: Improve Your Communication Skills
A bit of pontificating from Dr. Klint One of the perks of traveling is the chance to improve your communication skills. I’ve been forced to use my German twice this week in communicating with others who spoke no English...
UPDATE: TSA Serves Subpoenas to Two Bloggers for Disclosing Latest Security Directive
Earlier this week I blogged about the TSA serving subpoenas to Chris Elliott and Steven Frischling, demanding that the two men reveal how they got their hands on the TSA security directive that went into effect after the Christmas Day terrorist...
Travel Goals for 2010
Note: Sorry this is one day late. I hate some issues with finding a wi-fi connection in Algecias, Spain last night. I am currently sitting in a train station in Tangier, Morocco waiting for my overnight train to Marrakech. A...
Year in Review (and what a great year of travel it has been!)
It is currently 0250 on New Year’s Day in Lisbon and I just got back to my hostel (rather early because of my morning bus trip) from New Year’s festivities near the waterfront. It’s late and I don’t want...
Stuck in Lisbon: What it Feels Like to Have No Status
I was scheduled to take a bus from Lisbon to Algericas, Spain today and showed up at the bus station at 0830 for my 0900 departure. As I waited in line to pick up my ticket, I noticed that...
TSA Serves Subpoenas to Two Bloggers for Disclosing Latest Security Directive
I know, I know: another attack on the TSA. But after reading this, I hope you agree another post was warranted. Chris Elliot, a travel blogger, Washington Post columnist, and MSNBC contributor asked the TSA to clarify its new...
