While not a widely published benefit, Turkish Airlines offers extended transit passengers in Istanbul the choice of a free hotel room or free tour of Istanbul during their wait. In order to take advantage of this, you must be...
Mark Schwab New Star Alliance CEO
Hot off the press, Star Alliance has named a replacement for departing CEO Jaan Albrecht. Mark Schwab, former Senior Vice President of Alliances at United Airlines, will continue his close work with Star Alliance, now as the head of...
Singapore Airlines, Egypt Air, and Air China Awards Now Bookable on Continental.com
Already the best Star Alliance award search engine, Continental has added the ability to search for and book Singapore Airlines, Egypt Air, and Air China awards on continental.com Already this year Continental has added a number of carriers to...
Aeroplan Adds Fuel Surcharges to Lufthansa Awards Without Notice
The hits keep on coming for Aeroplan members. First, a devaluation of the award chart in June. That was followed by a recent decision to discontinue booking the domestic legs of business class tickets in first class. Now, arguably...
Austrian Airlines Award Availability Now on Continental.com
The Continental Airlines award search tool is very handy. Quickly and easily, you can search for Star Alliance award space and at least get a general sense of what is available using your Star Alliance frequent flyer miles. The...
The Lufthansa First Class Terminal Experience
For the all times it has been mentioned on Live and Let’s Fly and on the UPGRD Network, I realized that I have never written a post describing the First Class Terminal experience in Frankfurt. After a rather amusing...
World’s Largest Lufthansa Lounge Opens July 5th in Frankfurt
Coming soon to Terminal B at Frankfurt International Airport: a new Senator Lounge that will also become the largest Lufthansa lounge in the world. Today I received the following e-mail from Lufthansa: Dear Mr. Klint, Here is some terrific...
Free Star Alliance Silver Status – Free Checked Bags on United, Continental, and US Airways
British Midland (bmi) is offering new members of their Diamond Club frequent flyer program free silver status. No strings attached. Simply join through this link (Update 3/15: dead again! 3/14: Tip of the hat to Gary and his readers)....
British Midland (bmi) Diamond Club Will NOT Integrate with Lufthansa’s Miles & More Program in 2011
Hot off the press from bmi Diamond Club: Now that bmi is a part of the Lufthansa group of airlines, we are evaluating being part of Miles & More in the long term. A final decision has not been...
New 12-Hour Mandatory Hold Rule on United Mileage Plus Star Alliance Award Bookings?
Some on Flyertalk are reporting that United reservation agents are quoting a new 12-hour mandatory hold rule when booking a Star Alliance award. But United, an airline I love to call consistently inconsistent, doesn’t seem to be strictly enforcing...
Air New Zealand Acquires Partial Ownership of Virgin Blue
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is not about to let Virgin Blue and Air New Zealand merge, but NZ turned some heads today after declaring plans to purchase a 14.99% stake in Virgin Blue. NZ says it is...
From Lufthansa First to Lufthansa Economy?
After a fabulous flight in Lufthansa first class from Frankfurt to New York last Saturday, I wasn’t exactly thrilled about flying in Lufthansa economy from Los Angeles to Frankfurt yesterday afternoon. I was booked on a rather pricey economy ticket...
Frankfurt to Denver in Lufthansa First Class
In July 2009, I journeyed to Israel and Egypt with my brother and uncle. My uncle and I traveled together in first class and the trip report below will highlight some of the flights we sampled. New York to...
Cairo to Frankfurt in Lufthansa First Class
In July 2009, I journeyed to Israel and Egypt with my brother and uncle. My uncle and I traveled together in first class and the trip report below will highlight some of the flights we sampled. New York to...
Turkish Airlines: Valentine’s Day Specials from Istanbul
For the second year in a row, Turkish Airlines if offering some attractive companion fares in business class during the week of Valentine’s Day. Exceptional values, in particular, are available to Southeast Asia and China. Southeast Asia and China (BKK/SGN/SIN/CGK/HKG/PVG/PEK)...
Singapore First or Lufthansa First + First Class Terminal?
What would you choose, Singapore First or Lufthansa First and a few hours in LH’s famed First Class Terminal in Frankfurt? This may not even be a decision I have to make, but I want to be prepared should...
New York to Zürich in Swiss International Air Lines First Class
In July 2009, I journeyed to Israel and Egypt with my brother and uncle. My uncle and I traveled together in first class and the trip report below will highlight some of the flights we sampled. New York to...
A Change in Venue Coming for Live and Let’s Fly in 2011
Happy 2011! The New Year is upon us and another adventure is drawing near. I recently accepted a job with Star Alliance and will be moving to Frankfurt, Germany later this month to work. The assignment is set to...
Departing on My Asia Award Trip Today!
This afternoon I will be departing on my long-anticipated award trip to Southeast Asia and China. First, my final trip of the year to Chicago on United, followed by an overnight trip on Lufthansa to Munich. I’ve got over...
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Star Alliance CEO Jaan Albrecht Addresses Consolidation, Latam, Gulf Partners, and Russia
Star Alliance CEO Jaan Albrecht sat down with Business Traveler this week after a Star Alliance board meeting (in beautiful Queenstown, New Zealand) to discuss a wide-variety of topics. Here are some of the highlights: On consolidation: Consolidation is...
