Thai Airways no longer flies to Bangkok non-stop from Los Angeles, its only U.S. destination, but does provide service via Seoul and starting next year, via Osaka as well. With the new flights just loaded into the schedule, Thai...
Singapore, My 100th Country
I never got around to posting that I recently surpassed the 100-country threshold in my quest to explore as much of this world as humanly possible. Last month Singapore became my 100th country visited, as I spent about 28...
Award Space: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
My award booking service is all about helping clients effectively use their points to realize their family vacations, romantic getaways, business trips, or anything in between. The goal is always to find a combination that best blends schedule, points required,...
Book Alitalia Award Space on Delta.com
Booking Alitalia award space just got a lot easier using Delta Skymiles with the rollout of online booking at delta.com. Even yesterday I had to call Delta to book an Alitalia award and let me tell you–it was never...
US Airways Call Center Humor
If US Airways and American Airlines do end up merging, I hope the good folks at the US Airways call centers do not lose their positions. I depend on them to get my jollies… I just have to share...
More Sleaze by Air France-KLM Flying Blue
Sleazy ˈslē-zē also ˈslā- (adjective): carelessly made of inferior materials; marked by low character or quality. I do not use the term “sleazy” lightly, but I can think of no adjective more apt for the Air France-KLM Flying Blue loyalty program. I’ve bemoaned the...
Splitting a Record Is Always Possible
In booking award tickets on a daily basis, I often encounter situations in which I must split a record before ticketing. Put simply, say there are two people on an award reservation and they want to use their own...
New Interface for British Airways Avios Online Redemption
At 2am after working the last 16 hours with only a break to workout, I am too tired to go into detail right now, but I was pleasantly surprised tonight to find what appears to be a positive enhancement...
Avoiding Fuel Surcharges to Europe on Air France/KLM Flying Blue
Last time Air France/KLM offered a promotion for purchased miles in their Flying Blue loyalty program, I outlined some strategies for avoiding costly fuel surcharges when redeeming your points. Nothing has changed, but I just want to point out again that Flying...
Adding an Infant Ticket to a Virgin Australia Delta SkyMiles Award
Now that I have lost most of you with such a boring title, let me tell you a little about my day. Days actually. It has taken two weeks to get an infant ticket issued for a client and...
Vindictive United Supervisor vs. Professional United Supervisor
Sometimes people can just be downright vindictive. I admittedly have a tendency to crave revenge, though I pray I will never turn out like the United Airlines reservations supervisor I dealt with earlier this week. One of my best...
Maximizing Air France/KLM Flying Blue Award Miles
With three days left to take advantage of the 35% Air France/KLM Flying Blue transfer bonus offer from American Express, there is still time to benefit from this bonus. I used to think the Air France/KLM Flying Blue program...
35% Transfer Bonus from American Express Membership Rewards to Air France Flying Blue – Four Days Left!
UPDATE: This offer has expired. I realize I am a bit late to the game for this promotion, but I want to bring it to your attention just the same, as the Air France/KLM Flying Blue loyalty program has...
How to Deal with the Lufthansa Strike
For those of you set to fly Lufthansa today or in the coming days, I feel your pain. A strike is in the air and both sides are doubling down on their positions. This gridlock will lead to more...
US Airways is Growing on Me
I may rave about a good flight on US Airways here and there, but most of my dealings with US Airways come over the phone. So many of my European clients have discovered the tremendous benefits of purchasing discounted...
Qatar Airways – United Airlines Partnership Ending Early?
Yesterday I was working on a client award redemption to Hyderabad, India and found a really nice business class itinerary on Qatar Airways using United miles. I placed the reservation on hold for final approval from the clients, who...
Plentiful Qatar Airways Award Availability on United.com
United Airlines has added Qatar Airways to its online award search, making MileagePlus truly one of the most comprehensive and robust complimentary ways to check for award seats on nearly 30 airlines. Even better, Qatar Airways has made ample...
Best Strategies for Burning Your bmi Diamond Club Miles
With bmi poised to leave Star Alliance next week, those sitting on a mountain of Diamond Club miles would be wise to burn as many possible before 18 April. Even if British Airways transfers Diamond Club miles into Executive...
Phantom Lufthansa First Class Award Space on StarNet
I became excited today while working on a client award request when some first class availability popped up on Lufthansa–it has been very rare lately, especially more than a few days before travel. One client was using Air Canada...
One Upside to the United Merger: Elite-Only Saver Awards in Business and First Class
With the exception of the expanded route network and ability to search for Star Alliance partner awards online (which actually hurts my award consulting business), I cannot point to many changes I like in the new world of Continental...
