I truly was looking forward to a week at home between the holidays. No travel, just catching up on a number of projects I have neglected, including Live and Let’s Fly. Then I noticed I ended the year with...
Do You Pilfer from Airline Lounges?
On my way back to Philadelphia Sunday afternoon, I noticed a man with a large plastic bag walking toward the food in the United Club at LAX. With some amusement, I watched him stuff about 20 packaged cheese slices...
Protecting Your Upgrade on United Airlines
Tomorrow is a big day and I could really use a flat bed tonight to fly across the country. The problem: United’s international-config 757s have only 16 seats in BusinessFirst and 153 in economy class, a bad ratio for...
United Will Again Prioritize Meal Orders by Status for 1Ks
Back in the “good old days” legacy United FAs would sort meals orders by status, giving preference to full-fare passengers and top-tier elites. Continental FAs would simply move from front to back, without regard to OnePass status or fare...
Will I Make the Flight?
I was amazed, actually. Rocky writes about his post-Thanksgiving travels and my trip back to Philadelphia was also very smooth. I showed up at the gate for my Los Angeles – Denver flight on Monday afternoon about 20 minutes...
Today Only! 10% Off All Purchases at UnitedShop.com
Enjoy a Cyber Monday discount of 10% off all purchases at United Airlines’ online store, UnitedShop.com. Simply use promo code unitedholiday12. The sale ends at midnight central time tonight (11/16/2012). There’s a lot of junk there that is almost...
A Curiously Quiet Thanksgiving Eve Travel Experience
For the last several years I have traveled home to Los Angeles, either from Germany or the East Coast, for Thanksigiving. Last year, I scored a bump on my Washington – Los Angeles flight and this year I was...
No More Holds on United Airlines Revenue Fares
Since the merger, United Airlines has offered a handy little trick for holding revenue tickets that has finally vanished. I’m frankly surprised it took so long to remove it, but I will sure miss it. United actually had two tricks–a...
Earn Five Miles Per Dollar on Everyday Purchases
There’s always a tendency to hold back on the very best deals in hopes that they will last a little longer, but I cannot help but to share with you a tremendous way to earn five (5) Chase Ultimate...
No Upgrade Tonight!
I have not had to sit in the “back of the bus” on a United Airlines transcon flight since the merger, but tonight I will break my perfect upgrade record…by choice. Tomorrow will be a full day of work...
Weathering Hurricane Sandy
Greetings readers. I have missed you the last several days and hope all of you in the Northeast have weathered the storm nicely. After three days of trying, I have finally made it back to Philadelphia on United. I...
So. Cal. – New York Mileage Run on United Airlines: $165 r/t – Fly the 787!
United Airlines has dropped transcon fares between the New York market (EWR, JFK, LGA) and Ontario, California (a distant suburb of Los Angeles) to levels I have not seen in years: return trips available for as little as $162!...
Flying Across the USA in International Business Class
Friday was a long day for me, but it was a fun one. A bulk of it was spent at airports–6.5 hours in the air and 5 hours in two United Clubs, but I ended up flying from Newark...
Upgrading a Held Reservation on American Airlines
I finally bit the bullet and booked my first flight on American Airlines–it was either standby on United or a remarkably great $187 r/t ticket on American for my trip from Washington to Los Angeles this weekend. But it...
United.com Restores "Expert" Mode
After intense pressure from frequent flyers, United Airlines backed down and agreed to restore the ability to view upgrade availability online last week. Today, that functionality is back. Similar to the way it was for the pre-merger united.com, however,...
United Improves Upgrade Transparency…Kind Of
United Airlines has taken a step in the right direction in introducing a new upgrade display that at least allows you to see that you are on the complimentary upgrade list for a flight. No, I’d prefer to call…...
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...
Flying Non-Rev Standby on United Airlines
Traveling just got much cheaper. And much more stressful… A friend of mine offered me a large quantity of United buddy passes, so my travel for the foreseeable future–if I so choose–will be cheap and likely in premium cabins...
The Real Reason United Removed Online Upgrade Inventory
Yesterday, I posited three theories seeking to explain why United removed the display of upgrade inventory from united.com. I have a fourth one–and my experience today demonstrates why it is most likely the correct one. The reason is not...
United’s Foolish Attempt to Shield Online Upgrade Inventory
Count me as one of the angered ones over United Airlines’ recent decision to no longer display upgrade fare buckets online. The move was shortsighted and will quickly prove itself counterproductive. Shannon Kelly, UA Insider on Flyertalk and MilePoint,...
