Although there will be plenty of business travel, with the exception of my upcoming final 747 and Qatar QSuite trips, I am voluntarily suspending new “review” trips until next August. That doesn’t mean I will not be traveling on...
Co-Terminal Standby on Award Travel
Co-terminal standby travel is possible on award travel. Recently I booked an ANA first class award from Chicago to Tokyo Narita with a connection on Thai Airways from Narita to Bangkok in business class the following afternoon. I was...
The Five Best British Airways Avios Redemptions
With news that American Express points once again transfer at a 1:1 ratio to British Airways, I want to highlight my five favorite redemption options. Hint: It’s all about shorthaul. For years, I talked up the amazing rate between Boston and Dublin...
How to Use Your Miles for Qatar’s New QSuite Business Class
Qatar Airways unveiled its next generation business class product today, dubbed QSuite. It is set to premiere on 777-300ER flights between Doha and London this June, but will expand to all 777s and A350s. Here’s your guide to using...
Top 10 American Airlines Award Redemptions
After a substantial devaluation last March, American Airlines AAdvantage miles are not worth what they once were. Nevertheless, there are still sweet spots on the award chart (mostly premium cabin) that are worth taking advantage of. Here are my...
Star Alliance Iceland Stopover Now Much Easier
Iceland fascinates me. Not only does it contain immense natural beauty, it offers Northern Lights in the winter and midnight sun in the summer. I’ve been before and had a great time — now I want to take the family....
Flying Blue Now Lets You Book Award Travel One Year in Advance!
Traditionally, Air France/KLM Flying Blue only allowed award bookings 10 months in advance. Now you can book up to 12 months in advance! I was working on an award to Tel Aviv this morning for an Award Expert client...
Here’s How to Eliminate Risk When Booking a United Award
Earlier today I wrote about phantom SWISS award inventory appearing on united.com. The result of this inaccurate award space can be dramatic: hundreds of thousands of orphaned miles in United. Here’s how to eliminate risk when booking a partner award with United...
Caution: Lots of Phantom SWISS Award Space on United
If you have been searching united.com for award space lately, you may noticed something that was once as elusive as a four-leaf-clover: SWISS business class space. Be careful, though, before you transfer points over — some of the space...
My Garuda First Class Award is Ticketed!
Wow, talk about about a close call! It came down to the wire, but a generous act of goodwill by a reader of this blog saved me a trip to Asia and saved my trip in Garuda Indonesia First...
A Trick for Finding Hidden Award Seats
Earlier today I wrote about married segments, attempting to explain them, their purpose, and how to use them to your advantage. Just like in real life, however, sometimes marriage is not the answer. While married segments and “direct flights”...
A Primer On Married Segments
Airlines are increasingly using “married segment logic” in the allocation of revenue and award seats, which can create more difficulty in booking, but at the same time opportunity. Explaining Married Segments When two segments are married it means you can...
