I was dismayed to read about Lucky’s dismal meal last week from Tokyo to Seoul last in United’s three-cabin international first. United has worked hard the last few years to upgrade the premium cabins on all its international 767 and 747...
Who needs United First when you have a LH Senator Lounge?!
Last week, for the second time since United’s UDU program started, I missed an upgrade. It was a Thursday afternoon IAD-DEN (hub-hub) flight on a 757 and I was traveling on an S-fare, so it wasn’t a big surprise...
Another reason I love United: NBA Finals on Channel 9
While I was hoping for a bump on UA595 Thursday evening, UA’s inventory management is just too good. As an LA native, I not only was seeking a $400 voucher, but I wanted to watch game 7 of...
My first experience with United’s "enhanced" meal service
Last week, UA announced changes to their premium class meal service on North American flights. I had a chance to try out some of the changes earlier this week. SFO-IAD, UA792, departing 2300 For years, UA has offered a...
A return to airline regulation?
Some members of Congress are worried about what the CO-UA merger will mean for the consumer and are considering introducing a bill to restore airline regulation if the merger goes through. Deregulation has been credited with making airline travel affordable...
ANA restricts ability to search for Star Alliance awards
After performing my daily search for LH award space from FRA-NRT last night, I was surprised this morning to find this message today: The Partner Flight Award search function is not available for passengers who do not have any...
Convenience or Potential VDB?
A VDB is the holy grail for any self-respecting mileage runner. Usually, I will go out of my way to seek them and plan my trips around cities and routes that have tend to be more overbooked than others....
New United Mileage Plus website is here: book Star Alliance awards online (sort of)
Last week, I shared an e-mail I received from United about a new Mileage Plus website coming soon. Much to my surprise, when I logged on to UA this afternoon I saw this: I am amazed that this happened...
So much for flying in F on LH’s A380…
I am starting to plan a trip to Thailand/China/North Korea/Japan for August and my goal was to snag a First Class seat on LH’s new A380. Looks like I’ll have to look into other options. "The [FRA-NRT] flight is...
United’s new sales pitch: upgrade for cheap(er) NOW
Always looking for a way to make a few dollars (and I certainly cannot blame them), United is now hawking paid upgrades when you buy your ticket. I bought this ticket a few days ago and received this “special...
I let a SWU expire!
I’ve always kept a close watch on my upgrade balance in the past, but since United’s unlimited domestic upgrade (UDU) program started earlier this year, I have not had the need to use any of my banked upgrade instruments....
Coming Soon: New United Mileage Plus Website
I received the following e-mail from United today: My first thought was what redesign? I didn’t even know there was a Mileageplus.com website. Turns out there is, sort of–the web address takes you to the Mileage Plus portion of...
Delta Upgrades Regional Jets
As regional jet travel continues to proliferate, Delta is adding First Class cabins on many regional jets and hopes to offer two-cabin service on flights over 750 miles this fall. Once upgrades are completed, 50 routes that feature Delta...
United & Continental Pilots Moving Closer to New Contract
Some good news for a change on the labor front: United and Continental airlines are on course to wrap up a new contract with their pilot unions by fall, a critical step if their megamerger is to deliver the...
United Express Pulls Out of Oxnard
Another LA airport bites the dust. First Palmdale, now Oxnard. With diminishing traffic and lack of profits, Skywest/United Express ceased operations at Oxnard Regional Airport (OXR) this week. Skywest, linking OXR to LAX, had used a 50-seat turboprop for...
The End of Mileage Running on United
Yesterday, I mentioned that I was saddened by a change to United’s fare rules that will radically transform (literally) the way I travel domestically. Basically, United has eliminated the ability to add multiple connections for no additional charge. Lucky sums...
Changes to North American Premium Class Meal Service on United
Changes are coming to domestic First and Business Class meal service on United, and overall, I’d say they are good changes. Here’s the new meal service descriptions: United First® Flights between one and two hours in length (a distance...
Route through Chicago if you want a bump this summer?
Continuing on the theme of bumps, Chicago O’Hare (ORD) might be a wise airport to connect in this summer if you are looking for a bump. It also might be the airport you want to avoid if you are...
Airlines Work to Update Technology
…[I]f you’ve ever been stranded at an airport during a raging thunderstorm, chances are you will end up standing in a long line watching a gate agent typing furiously on an outdated computer. Isn’t that the truth? Here’s the...
Eating Humble Pie After “Incident” at SFO Security Checkpoint
I had to cut short my trip to the Bay Area this weekend and fly home to attend the funerals of two family friends who died this week. For the first time in years, I purchased a walk-up ticket...
