Have you ever heard the old adage, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater?” That’s what Alaska Airlines just did in its latest Mileage Plan devaluation. Alaska Airlines now blocks partner redemptions on Cathay Pacific and JAL within...
Why You Encounter Errors on Aeroplan Website
Have you ever wondered what is going on when you encounter an error when trying to book an award using your Aeroplan miles? In almost all cases, the culprit is two words: married segments. I’ve outlined before, in great...
Booked: Vietnam Airlines A350 Business Class
Last week I asked you how I should get home from Ho Chi Minh City. Votes were fairly divided between JAL, Korean Air and Vietnam Airlines/Virgin Atlantic. After weighing the options, I decided to try Vietnam Airlines in business...
How the East Coast Storm Ruined My Weekend in Sunny LA
A horrific storm pummeled the East Coast last week, bringing commercial aviation to a standstill. As airlines continue to dig themselves out of the backlog, let me tell you about my weekend. At Award Expert, we don’t just book...
Aeroplan Plan of Attack: DOT First, Lawsuit Later
Aeroplan apparently won’t honor the SWISS First Class award tickets issued last week. I say apparently because Aeroplan still hasn’t contacted me directly concerning my ticket and the reservation still shows intact if I login to my Aeroplan account....
Aeroplan: We Won’t Honor SWISS First Class Award Tickets
Just 11 minutes after publishing a cautiously optimistic post on the Aeroplan/SWISS First Class award issue, the other shoe dropped…Aeroplan is throwing in the towel. Here’s the update from Aeroplan– A small number of first class bookings were made...
SWISS First Class Update: No News is Good News?
I’ve received over 50 emails the last two days asking for an update on the Aeroplan/SWISS First Class issue. Thus far, I’ve only been advised to be patient. At this point, we know that SWISS is the culprit for...
Let’s Help Aeroplan Take the Moral High Ground (RE: SWISS First Class Awards)
Yesterday, after learning that my SWISS First Class tickets from Zurich to Los Angeles had been cancelled, I quickly issued a legal threat. My point was not to be unnecessarily combative, but to underscore the seriousness of this matter and...
50% Off Turkish Airlines Awards to Eastern Europe and Balkans
Turkish Airlines is discounting awards by 50% from its Istanbul hub to destinations in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Through May 31, 2018 all tickets to the following destinations are 50% off in economy or business class. Bookings must...
How to Beat Fuel Surcharges on Emirates Using JAL Miles
Japan Air Lines (JAL) has just added massive fuel surcharges to Emirates award redemptions made using JAL miles. While it is little consolation to those wanting to start their trip in the USA, there are a few ways to...
SWISS First Class Award Space Wide Open
Earlier today I wrote about SWISS First Class award space popping up on Aeroplan. This space is now bookable for other Star Alliance carriers as well. We’ll eventually find out…maybe…if SWISS meant to release this space or not, but...
New Trick for Booking JAL Award Space with AA Miles
There’s a new way to book Japan Airlines (JAL) award space with your American Airlines miles. Use this guide to successfully book JAL award space with AAdvantage. After more than three years of preparation, JAL migrated from its own Passenger...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: November 19, 2017
I really enjoyed FTU this weekend. Not only was it fun to meet many readers, but it was a great crowd–I hope all who attended enjoyed it. I’m happy to report that I have no more (planned) airline trips...
Three Cool Awards I Booked Before United Devaluation
The dust has settled and new pricing is in effect at United MileagePlus. I dragged my feet in booking and ended up with three award reservations at the last minute. I won’t keep them all, but I’d rather pay...
My Favorite New United MileagePlus Redemption
Among the many higher prices rolled out today on the United Airlines MileagePlus award chart comes one superb reprieve. Direct flights 800 miles or less outside North America now cost 8,000 miles in economy class. In many cases, that’s...
Last Call: These Five United Awards Will Be More Expensive Tomorrow
In June United announced an award devaluation effective November 01, 2017. While a relatively modest devaluation as far as devaluations go, there are still five awards you should book today if you have no already done so. > Read...
I Screwed Up. Don’t Ever Hesitate in Booking an Award Ticket.
In my quest to try out as many business class products around the world, I thought I had a great trick up my sleeve to try out Middle East Airlines. I did, in fact. But I hesitated too long....
How to Book Delta Flights Online Using Virgin Atlantic Miles
Using Virgin Atlantic miles to book Delta flights often represents an incredible value. While you can always phone Virgin Atlantic to book your ticket, most flights can be booked online. But Virgin Atlantic does not make it easy. Here’s...
18K Points for a Transcontinental Flat-Bed Flight: Still Wide Open
Yesterday, One Mile at a Time noted an exceptional redemption deal for Delta’s premium transcontinental service. By combining an attractive transfer bonus from American Express to Virgin Atlantic and unusually excellent award space from Delta, transcon flights could be booked...
