When does a first class downgrade equal a first class upgrade? Read on to find out. Sunday, I was scheduled to fly from Burbank to New York JFK via San Francisco. “Premium Service” transcon flights feature three-cabins of service...
The Perfect End to a LAX Mileage Run
I mentioned last week that I had to take a last-minute year-end mileage run from LA to Boston on December 30th in order to secure the 5K miles necessary to push me over the 150K EQM mark. The trip...
Great Fares to Istanbul on Turkish, Delta and United Airlines (under $400!)
Quite frankly, I have no idea how Turkish Airlines makes any money. The carrier constantly runs fares sales to destinations around the world, including to a number of U.S. cities, at price levels that bely rationality and prevailing market...
Non-Rev Adventures on United Airlines, Part III
If you missed it, Part I and Part II New York was fine. We did about half of what I wanted to accomplish, but my friend did find a new pair of UGG boots for about 40% less than...
Non-Rev Adventures on United Airlines, Part II
Check out Part I here. Decisions, decisions. New York via Chicago or a non-stop flight to Washington and skip New York? I had a room booked for two nights at the Millenium Hilton that could not be cancelled, but...
The Painful Yearend Mileage Run
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,...
