More are reporting that their Air China award reservations booked with United MileagePlus miles are being cancelled and United is finally waking up to the problem. Still, there is no solution in sight. You should be vigilant in monitoring...
See you in Seattle at Frequent Traveler University!
The opening fesitivities of Frequent Traveler University (FTU) Seattle are about to begin: a reception this evening and then a full day of seminars tomorrow and Sunday. I will be be delivering a presentation tomorrow afternoon called “Hacking United Airlines.”...
New, Stricter United MileagePlus Routing Rules for Travel Between USA and North Asia?
A report on FT suggests that United has imposed new, stricter routing rules on travel between the USA/Canada and North Asia. Thus far, my research points to a case of a mistaken agent. Still, the following new rules, apparently effective today,...
Mysterious Cancellations of Air China Award Travel Booked with United MileagePlus
Be warned if you currently are holding a confirmed award ticket issued by United Airlines that includes flights on Air China: reservations are mysteriously being cancelled. The number of reported cancellations is rising and there seems to be common...
50% Off Drinks in United Clubs – Today Only
In honor of tax day in the USA, enjoy 50% off all alcoholic beverages in “participating” United Clubs. Imagine that, half off what was free last year! To be fair, United has introduced some top-shelf stuff that wasn’t...
Dear Airlines, Why Aren’t You Honest With Us?
First things first. Airline loyalty programs are here to stay–they are too lucrative. With airlines beholden to credit card companies, who purchase points en masse and distribute them to their customers, the possibility of loyalty programs going away is...
Monorail and Runway Closures at Newark Liberty International
Newark Liberty International Airport is a fortress United hub but also one of the most annoying major airports in the United States. I used Newark often when I lived in Philadelphia, preferring to depart Philadelphia from Amtrak’s 30th St...
United Airlines Releases Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Seat Map
United Airlines has released the seatmap on its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, set to enter service in late October on the new Los Angeles – Melbourne route. Slightly larger than the 787-8, the new aircraft will have more...
United’s Baggage Cutoff is 45 Minutes at LAX, but no less than 40
Oh me! Oh life! As much as I love Los Angeles, its unpredictable traffic and my penchant to cut things close resulted in quite a screw-up today. First off, I really need to settle. As much as I love the...
End of an Era: United Pulls 747s from Australia Routes
The Boeing 747 has the graced the skies for more than four decades and is inextricably linked with the exotic heydey of global air travel. United Airlines has a been a prominent operator of the 747 and maintains a...
US Airways is a Huge Loss for Star Alliance
US Airways’ upcoming departure from Star Alliance on March 30, 2014 is a huge loss for the airline alliance and a particular burden for North American flyers using United MileagePlus miles. My most-requested award redemptions are business class to...
United Cuts Special Meals on Premium Transcon Routes Between Newark and Los Angeles & San Francisco
There was no formal announcment, but in fine print on the United Airlines North American premium cabin dining webpage, the following has appeared: *Effective May 1, 2014, we no longer offer special meals on flights between New York/Newark and...
Report: Malaysia Airlines 777-200 Crashed in South China Sea
A Malaysia Airlines 777-200 flight from Kuala Lumpur bound for Beijing has crashed in the South China Sea off the coast of Vietnam according to reports breaking now from both Vietnamese and Chinese state media. The flight was carrying...
New Numbers Show the Route Network is Not Saving United Airlines
United Airlines has released its 2014 Quarter One investor guidance and the figures are ugly. United blames the weather, the late Easter holiday, and the reduction of its regional jet fleet, but the signs point to a more ominous...
United’s Strict New Carry-On Policy or Business as Usual?
Word leaked last month that United Airlines would begin to strictly enforce its carry-on policy on March 1, 2014 and new carry-on sizers began popping up around the gate areas of many United stations. MileagePlus members received e-mails outlining...
United Airlines Eliminates Canadian Staff
United Airlines’ CEO Jeff Smisek is on a mission to cut $2BN in annual spending and is slashing anywhere and everywhere to meet that goal. The latest casualty is the United Airlines’ employees in Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto. CHICAGO...
United Releases Award Space on New Los Angeles – Melbourne Route!
United formally announced new service between Los Angeles and Melbourne yesterday. The route will operate 6x weekly, utilize a Boeing 787-9, and be operated by ex-Continental crews. On Wednesday, I noted– United has indicated that the flight will be...
United Airlines to Launch 787-9 Service Between Los Angeles and Melbourne on 26 October 2014
Word has leaked that United Airlines will soon announce new six-times-weekly non-stop service between Los Angeles and Melbourne to begin on October 26, 2014. The flight will be operated by the new Boeing 787-9 aircraft, be staffed by legacy Continental...
Brussels Airlines Award Space Returns to united.com
Shielded from the user-friendly united.com, Brussels Airlines has been one of the hidden secrets of my award booking business for several months. Award space is generous in both economy and business class and Brussels Airlines serves both Washington Dulles...
United’s Team USA Olympic Videos
U.S. companies are never hesitant to remind us of their support for Team USA in the biennial winter and summer Olympic games. Olympic logos tend to appear near the corporate logo and special ads are taken out as the...
