A new pricing scheme kicked in for Air France/KLM Flying Blue award redemptions on June 1st. Figuring it out has been like trying to figure out the writing of Faulkner. But I’ve been able to make a few general...
Analyzing Three Recent Changes at Hyatt
Hyatt recently announced three policy changes that implicate breakfast, upgrades, and early check-in. What is Hyatt trying to achieve with this mid-year tinkering? 1. Breakfast only for World of Hyatt members who book directly with Hyatt Hyatt trialed removing...
Which Hyatt in Germany is Best?
There are seven Hyatt hotels in Germany. Which one is best? The seven properties include: Hyatt Regency Cologne Grand Hyatt Berlin Hyatt Regency Dusseldorf Hyatt Regency Mainz Park Hyatt Hamburg Hyatt Place Frankfurt Hyatt House Dusseldorf For purposes of...
Last Chance to Register for FTU New York (+ $20 Discount Code)
Frequent Traveler University is coming to Manhattan this weekend. There’s still time for you to attend. I always enjoy FTU events and look forward to this one for two reasons. First, it will be in the heart of New...
British Airways Class Action Settlement: Why I’m Taking Cash Not Avios
British Airways has agreed to pay up for its obscene fuel surcharges levied on transatlantic travel. I’m taking cash over Avios. In a nutshell, this lawsuit contends that British Airways’ fuel surcharges were disproportionate to the price of fuel...
Why Airlines DON’T Want Doctors Onboard
When a medical emergency occurs onboard a flight, what do airlines do if there is no doctor onboard? As it turns out, often the same thing they do when there is a doctor onboard: consult with professionals on the...
Review: Hyatt Regency Mainz
There is no Hyatt I stay at more than this hotel. Over the years, I have come to consider this hotel a second home and the staff part of my extended German family. It’s not the best Hyatt, but...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: June 03, 2018
I’m convalescing in LA this evening after catching a nasty virus from one-year-old Augustine earlier this week. For those of you who sent me email that has gone unanswered, please be patient. This week we learned more about Delta’s...
Hamburg Airport Evacuated, Shut Down
Hamburg Airport remains closed this evening after losing power this morning. Thus far, engineers have been unable to restore even partial power. Around 1oam this morning (CET), an electrical short-circuit lurched Hamburg (HAM) into darkness. Both passenger terminals were evacuated....
Oil & Airfare or How To Cook a Frog
Oil prices are climbing up from a deep price recession that began in November 2014. Even with more fuel-efficient aircraft, something has to give. Will the cheap fares go first, or the carriers offering them? If you are considering...
With Whom Is Frontier Airlines Competing?
Frontier and other airlines offer impossibly inexpensive prices. Frontier is so much cheaper than other carriers it’s unclear with whom they are competing. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support...
My Travel-Worthy Favorite Foods
One of the best parts of traveling to new places is sampling new cuisines. Traveling to a place to eat something exotic is nothing new. Foodies from all over the world are flooding the feeds of Instagram and Anthony...
Review: Hyatt Regency Dusseldorf (Suite)
In my review of the Hyatt Regency Dusseldorf yesterday, I mentioned I received a suite upgrade on my final evening. A Regency Suite King will be the focus of this review. For a detailed review of the hotel’s amenities...
Massive Fuel Surcharges Return To Air Europa Award Bookings With Flying Blue
I had a feeling it was too good to be true… Earlier this week I wrote about Flying Blue no longer collecting fuel surcharges on Air Europa flights. Well, the fuel surcharges are back. Suddenly, taxes/fees that were $100...
United Airlines Wants JFK Slots Back
In 2015, United sold its 26 New York Kennedy (JFK) slots to Delta. Three years later, it wants them back. Last year, I wrote about United President Scott Kirby conceding it was a mistake for United to abandon New...
Pictures: Delta’s $1.86BN Investment at LAX
Delta is investing nearly $2BN to modernize Terminals 2 and 3 at LAX. Yesterday, the project moved one step closer to completion. I’ve written about Delta’s investment at LAX before, but yesterday Delta CEO Ed Bastian, Los Angeles Mayor Eric...
Flight Diverts Due To “Unbearable Stench Of An Unwashed Man”
What happens when you place one man who smells like he has not bathed for weeks in the middle of a full Boeing 737? Answer: an emergency landing. A Transavia flight from Amsterdam (AMS) to Gran Canaria (LPA) diverted to Faro,...
Review: Hyatt Regency Dusseldorf
Dusseldorf is a perfect city for a long weekend trip. The three days spent in this charming capital of North Rhine-Westphalia were marvelous. They were also comfortable, thanks to the Hyatt Regency Dusseldorf, now one of my favorite Hyatts in...
Pictures from New United Polaris Lounge in Newark
United Airlines unveiled its new Polaris Lounge in Newark today. The 27K square foot lounge will seat 455 passengers and represents a significant upgrade for premium longhaul Star Alliance passengers departing from Newark. I was unable to be present...
My Park Hyatt St. Kitts Dilemma…
The Park Hyatt St. Kitts is offering an incredible deal right now. It is also a resort I’ve talked about visiting for more than a year. Yet I’m struggling over whether to book it. At around $255 night with...
