Yesterday I blogged about a LA Times story bemoaning the fact that more passengers are being bumped off of flights. Just an hour after posting, I got a bump of my own. My Sunday evening IAD-PHL flight was zeroed...
Russian Visa Confusion Nearly Curtails My Mileage Run on United Airlines
I showed up at PHL early this morning to check in for my trip to Moscow because I had a future ticketing issue to take care of. It’s a good thing I did: I nearly missed my first flight....
United Airlines <3 Continental Airlines: My Take on Glen Tilton’s Merger Prediction
Mike beat to me it, but I too want to address Glen Tilton’s interview with the Chicago Tribune about the “inevitability” of another airline merger in the next two years. Listeners to our podcast know that I believe a...
United Adds Chicago to Port-au-Prince Flights to Aid in Earthquake Relief
United is stepping up to help relief efforts in Haiti. Starting Wednesday [yesterday], United Airlines plans to begin relief flights that will ship water and other badly needed supplies to earthquake-ravaged Haiti and return, red-tape permitting, filled with far more precious...
mySmoothie: My New Favorite Drink on United
United has really improved their BOB offerings over the last year. Adding tasty salads and sandwiches, vegetarian options, enhanced snack boxes, and premium alcohol has made UA the leading domestic legacy carrier when it comes to onboard dining in...
UA Agent Says United Doesn’t Fly to Los Angeles!
I stopped by the United counters at PHL this afternoon to book a couple tickets and happened to pick up on a conversation to my right as the agent assisting me was trying to figure out how to book...
My $671 Mileage Run on United
Against my better judgment (and the advice of Lucky), I booked a MR on United from Philadelphia to Moscow next weekend—out Saturday via Dulles, two hours on the ground in Moscow, and right back to Philadelphia. I am sitting...
Maximizing Your Chances to Effectively Use Your Miles
Scott McCartney has a decent Middle Seat column today in the WSJ on how to maximize your chances to redeem frequent flyer miles. A couple sections particularly caught my eye: On the airline side, road warriors suggest checking alliance...
United Returns to Anchorage this Summer from Denver, Chicago, and San Francisco
United announced today they will be returning to ANC this summer from three of their hubs: SFO, DEN, and ORD. Weekly Saturday service from Chicago will resume on May 22. From June 9 – August 30, UA will offer...
I’ve Found a Star Alliance Lounge (Spanair) Worse than United’s!
While waiting for my Lufthansa flight from Madrid to Frankfurt this morning, I had a chance to sample the Spanair Lounge. I will post pictures in my upcoming trip report, but I was shocked at the total lack of food...
Great Mileage Run Deals Available Now from United, American, US Airways
For those of you looking to get started on elite status re-qualification right away, there are some great deals available right now. Below are a few examples. United SEA-LAX-DEN-ORD-DSM-ORD-DEN-LAX-SEA –> $189 a/i LAX-IAD-RDU-IAD-LAX –> $191 a/i [same-day turn available]...
You Might Want to Avoid Connecting in Denver if You are Traveling in United First
I grimaced when I saw this thread on FlyerTalk today: The FDA has changed the classification of LSG Sky Chefs’ Denver facility from “Approved” to “Provisional” based on an inspection that turned up some real stomach turning findings, such...
Travel Goals for 2010
Note: Sorry this is one day late. I hate some issues with finding a wi-fi connection in Algecias, Spain last night. I am currently sitting in a train station in Tangier, Morocco waiting for my overnight train to Marrakech. A...
Year in Review (and what a great year of travel it has been!)
It is currently 0250 on New Year’s Day in Lisbon and I just got back to my hostel (rather early because of my morning bus trip) from New Year’s festivities near the waterfront. It’s late and I don’t want...
Christmas Greetings and a Salute to United’s Fantasy Flight
I used Thanksgiving day to express my thanks to particular people at United for their hard work and dedication throughout the year and I want to use this Christmas Day post to commend United for their annual Fantasy Flight...
Kicking Myself for Rookie Mistake—Live from 40K Feet
I am currently 40K feet above the ground en route from JFK to SFO, just finished Inglorious Basterds (didn’t like it), and I thought I’d try out United’s GoGo internet service. I’m impressed. My 1100 flight was oversold and...
Recap: Two Bumps, SilverKris Lounge, and the SFO Red Roof Inn
I reported yesterday that I scored a bump on my Sunday SFO-PHL flight and was rebooked in First Class on a non-stop flight this morning. The flight was oversold again and I happily gave up my seat for another...
Another $600 Bump
And my SFO-PHL flight is oversold again today. More details later.
Wish I was Traveling on UA Today
For all you folks traveling to IAD today: I am jealous. Talk about the holy grail of VDB opportunities… It appears United is handling the situation well. I applaud the employees who are volunteering to put in some extra...
When Standby Doesn’t Pay Off on United
I’m in a bit of a bind this weekend thanks to the winter storms that will be hitting the East Coast tomorrow. I booked a Sunday morning return from Burbank to Philadelphia via SFO because it was half the...
