Hong Kong is one of my favorite cities in the world and still a favorite for us now traveling as a family. Some may not immediately see the appeal of this destination as a family getaway, but traveling there before having a child created a yearning to return again and again and again. Bringing Lucy […]
His Excellency Defends Qatar Atlanta Service in New Interview
Protests have sprung up in the Atlanta area over Qatar Airways new service to Doha including a string of protests, radio/tv attacks, and full-page newspaper ads condemning the Gulf carrier. CEO. Trying to reassert control over the matter, Qatar CEO Akbar Al Baker (“His Excellency”) has made himself available to local press in Atlanta, attempting to […]
My Plan for Fixing Aeroplan
I was going to title this post “An Indictment Against Aeroplan” but I don’t think anyone wants to read another list of gripes about Aeroplan’s shortcomings. So Aeroplan, consider this my free consultation for how you can bring yourselves into the 21st Century and offer customers a dramatically better experience. 1. Aeroplan Call Center Must […]
Last Day to Burn Your AA Miles Prior to Devaluation!
Monday, March 21, 2016 is the final day to use your AA miles at prevailing rates. On March 22nd a massive devaluation kicks in for premium cabin awards in nearly every region, making your AA miles much less valuable. But there is still time — one more day — to take advantage of some great […]
United Airlines Shuffles Board as Oscar Munoz Readies Return
Two news items from United Airlines. First, Oscar Munoz will be back soon. Second, three new independent members to the Board have been appointed. Is there a link? Munoz is already back in a decision-making capacity but will resume his CEO role on a full-time basis on March 14, 2016. In a press release he […]
Delta Now Shows Only Four Award Booking Classes
Delta Air Lines removed award charts without notice last year, downplaying the need for them by insisting that delta.com would accurately price awards. That news foreshadowed more dynamic award pricing and an aggressive use of fare logic to price awards segments cumulatively rather than as what had traditionally been a single maximum price between an […]
Last Day to Purchase Discounted Alaska Miles
We’ve seen a renaissance of attractive mileage sales this season and one of the leaders in hawking points has been Alaska Airlines, which has a great loyalty program with attractive redemption partners like Emirates and Cathay Pacific. The current sale is targeted by individual with a discount of either 35%, 40%, or 50% on purchased […]
Southwest Companion Pass – The Best Deal in Travel for Family Flights
This post was written in December 2015 but as of December 2018, it still holds true today. Southwest Airlines’ Companion Pass is the best deal for traveling families. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today. Why Southwest Ever? […]
Aer Lingus Adds Flights to Los Angeles, Newark, and Hartford
Aer Lingus is accelerating its international expansion with newly announced service to Los Angeles, Newark, and Hartford in 2016. New USA Routes Propel Aer Lingus International Expansion Thus far, we only have details about the Los Angeles route, which will operate five days per week on an Airbus A330-200 with 23 lie-flat business class seats and […]
Analysis: A Letter from United’s New CEO Oscar Munoz
United named Oscar Munoz as CEO today, tapping another insider to head the company. In a letter to employees, Munoz laid out the news and his leadership vision. Here’s my analysis of it. Dear fellow employees: No more “co-workers”? The employees all say thanks. Today we are announcing a series of executive changes, which are effective […]
Reader Question: Airline Loyalty – Which to Choose
If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today. Here at UPGRD.com we get emails from readers and from time to time we publish them (edited by blogger for brevity and privacy). This one is from reader VC: I […]
Goodbye to Sun Trust, Goodbye to Delta
For those of you who have been following my previous posts regarding debit cards, this is the most up-to-date post regarding the Sun Trust Delta Debit card. If you are just researching this for the first time please check out previous articles (first post, second post, third post, fourth post). If you are considering booking travel or signing […]
Next FTU Advanced Announced: Newport Beach, CA
I’ve written over and over about Frequent Traveler University, a dynamic weekend of learning and fellowship that is a must for anyone who wants to efficiently master the points and miles game. Back to the West Coast by popular demand, the final FTU Advanced of 2015 will be held from 04-06 December at the Hyatt […]
Special Report: Delta’s Secret Skymiles Devaluation
When Delta Air Lines depublished its Skymiles award charts in February, we were told that we no longer needed charts because the online pricing system would tell us how many miles were required for any given trip. The problem was the system did not seem to be working correctly: trips were pricing higher than the […]
American Airlines $450 Business Class Fare to China Update
American Airlines issued business class tickets to China for $450 as part of a mistake fare. This post is an update in regards to that mistake fare. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today. New Information I intended […]
Exciting New Business Class Experience Arriving on Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus is not only introducing a new fully lie-flat business class seat, but also a totally redesigned business class experience. I had a chance to learn more about the product and test out the new seat at a recent event in the Bay Area and I am very excited about the new service, which […]
A tour of Hyatt Hotels
If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today. After many years of wallowing around in the mire of other programs, I have become a fully-fledged Hyatt enthusiast. I tried SPG, Hilton, IHG and even Club Carlson. They all […]
Comprehensive Redemption Guide for 2015 Delta SkyMiles Program
2015 has brought new and exciting changes to the way your redeem your Delta SkyMiles including a new five-tiered award chart and one-way awards at half the price of a round-trip tickets. Read on for more about these changes and details on how to maximize your Delta miles: Straightforward One-Way Award Redemptions Delta has joined […]
Mileage Earning Debit Cards Revisited
If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today. After lots and lots of emails and comments from a post written over 10 months ago, it seems like it is time for an update. But before we get […]
Exclusive: SPG Opens An Opulent New Milanese Property
I had a chance to tour the brand new Excelsior Gallia Hotel in Milan, Italy before it opened and it is stunning! Check it out. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today. Recipe For an Amazing Property Here […]
