Buona sera from Milano. I’m in the midst of a fast-paced business trip through Italy. I’ll provide some detail on it in the days ahead…it will not be a typical trip report. It was a fairly light week of blogging and the coming week will be no different as I continue to travel in Europe […]
The 10 Least Expensive Cities in the World
Yesterday I shared the 10 most expensive cities in the world. Today, we’ll explore the 10 least expensive cities in the world. Each year The Economist publishes a list of the most and least expensive cities in the world. Figures are derived from the metrics I outline below. Here are the 10 cheapest cities in […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: March 11, 2018
Another week spent entirely on the ground…this is really something out of character. But I’ve cherished the time spent with my wife and son lately: the little one is growing up so fast. I hope to finish up my 2013 Australia trip report in the week ahead. Here’s a hint: I had a very bad […]
The Airline in Which Pilots and FAs Are Too Afraid to Come to Work
Times are grim for Kam Air, the main private airline in Afghanistan. Fearing for their safety, foreign workers are fleeing the country, forcing the carrier to cancel the majority of its flights. Last week a deadly terrorist attack rocked Kabul. Masked gunmen stormed the Intercontinental Kabul (not part of IHG), killing 22 people. Nine of […]
What You Need to Know About New USA Travel Ban
The White House has released new travel restrictions, indefinitely banning travel and emigration from several countries and severely restricting it from others. From the NY Times— Starting next month, most citizens of Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Chad and North Korea will be banned from entering the United States, Mr. Trump said in a proclamation […]
How to Obtain a Visa on Arrival in Tajikistan
There is a lot of conflicting information on the internet about whether you can obtain a visa on arrival in Tajikistan. If you’re flying into Dushanbe International Airport (DYU), the answer is YES. I am shocked at how much misinformation lurks on the internet concerning Tajikistan visas. Even some of the top google search results […]
Which Countries Are Covered by T-Mobile International Plan?
Kyle wrote a great piece yesterday on why he is sticking to T-Mobile despite its flaws. I share in his assment, even as I spend this week in two countries that are excluded from T-Mobile’s international “Simple Choice” plan. Which countries are covered under T-Mobile’s international plan? Here’s a list of countries, grouped by region, […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: July 30, 2017
Greetings from Southern California. My family is now re-united in LA and I’m happy to remain on the ground this week as I prepare for my next big trip. My RTW trip report stalled this week — the photos have taken an extraordinary amount of time to edit and organize. But it will pick-up again […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: June 04, 2017
Although it has been a relatively quiet week, I find myself tired on this beautiful spring Sunday. I’m trying to rest up because travel picks up later this week and then again next week. I hope to see some of you at the Frequent Traveler University (FTU) in Minneapolis next weekend (June 9-11th). There are still tickets available […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: March 4, 2017
Hello from Santa Monica, CA. I dined with some very dear clients who have become friends last night. Not knowing LA traffic, I hedged my bets and left early. Thankfully, traffic moved much better than my GPS suggested and I made it early. So now I’m writing the week in review in my car as I wait. I […]
United Loosens Award Routing Rules Between North America and Africa
Fearing that United Airlines had further tightened up award routing rules to Asia based on a new and restrictive revision of the fine print, I warned in May that if enforced, United’s draconian new routing rules would mark a stealth devaluation of the MileagePlus program. Though the new rules remain in effect (published), they have thankfully […]
A Comprehensive Worldwide Guide to Tipping
In celebration of my recent birthday, Heidi and I spent the weekend in Vienna, Austria. More on that in future posts including a great stay at the brand new Park Hyatt Vienna, but I once again encountered a problem that I have faced often in the 100+ countries I have visited – to tip or […]
Snowden Onboard Aeroflot Flight to Havana?
The whole Edward Snowden issue is a mess and I am not going to weigh in on my own feelings about him here. But his saga to seek asylum is inextricably linked to travel and after spending two weeks camped out in the transit zone of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo (Шереметьево) Airport, it seems that he may have […]
Dilemma Solved: How I Burned 330K British Airways Miles in Two Hours
Just a few days ago I speculated that I would likely save my British Airways miles rather than burn them on trips I really did not need to take purely for the sake of flying. Brad rightfully questioned my decision in the comments section, but I still did not see a compelling need to fly […]
€20 Off Your Next Lufthansa Flight with Oktoberfest Voucher
In celebration of Oktoberfest, Lufthansa has made available €20 vouchers (or the equivalent in local currency) on a complimentary basis through this link. The voucher can be redeemed through 16 December 2011 for travel through 13 March 2012. You must choose your origin country and the list is quite extensive, though it does not cover […]
Continental Airlines: Lisbon-Caracas for $440 r/t
Continental Airlines has misfiled a V-class (Economy) fare from Lisbon, Portugal to Caracas, Venezuela. Rather than $550 o/w, it is only $55 o/w. With taxes, fees, and fuel surcharge, the lowest a/i fare is $440 r/t. Sample Itinerary: LIS-LHR-IAH-CCS, departing August 4 (LIS-LHR operated by BA) CCS-IAH-LHR-LIS, departing August 19 (LHR-LIS operated by BA) There […]