Delta is giving up on Guam, ceding the Tokyo Narita to Guam route to United and JAL. It is also cutting service between Narita and Shanghai. The Narita hub keeps getting smaller. In January I wrote about Delta ending...
How to Obtain a Tourist Visa to Uzbekistan

Last month I traveled to Uzbekistan with One Mile at a Time. I was traveling with a U.S. passport and a visa was needed prior to arrival. Ultimately, I had to go through some interesting hoops to get one....
Review: Saudia 777 First Suite Riyadh to Jeddah

Even though Riyadh to Los Angeles is sold as a direct flight and there is no way to purchase the Riyadh to Jeddah portion alone, I am going to break up the review into two parts. Note that even...
Prime Minister: Canada Will NOT Buy Boeing Jets

Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau has declared that Canada will not do business with Boeing, threatening to look elsewhere to supply Canada’s next generation of fighter jets. Speaking at a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Theresa May,...
Booked! Last United 747 Flight

When I saw the news yesterday that United Airlines would retire its 747 with a special Hawaiian-themed celebration to recreate its first flight, I resolved to be part of the flight…no matter the cost. I braced myself for the...
Hit and Run: My Car Was Damaged in Hotel Parking Lot

I spent a few nights at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands last week and came home with an unexpected souvenir…a damaged front bumper. What do you do when your car gets damaged at a hotel? Of course the immediate answer...
Final United Boeing 747 Flight Will be SFO-HNL on November 07, 2017

After 47 years, United Airlines is retiring the Boeing 747 from its fleet. The final international flight will be on October 29, 2017 from Seoul to San Francisco. Today, United announced the final domestic flight: San Francisco to Honolulu...
Review: Saudia Business Class Lounge Riyadh (RUH)

Earlier today I reviewed the Saudia First Class Lounge in Riyadh (RUH). During my long layover, I also had time to check out the business class side of the Alfurshan lounge. The lounge is subdivided into the following sections: Surprisingly, the business...
Useful Trick: Iceland + Miles = Cheap Trip to Europe

On Saturday I outlined how to take advantage of stopovers in Europe using United Airlines miles. Today, I will outline a way for you to reach fairly remote cities in Europe cheaply using Iceland as your launchpad. This trick...
Review: Saudia First Class Lounge Riyadh (RUH)

The first class section of the Saudia Alfurshan Lounge in Riyadh (RUH) proved to be a very comfortable place to spend a 7.5hour layover between flights. To reach the lounge, simply follow the signs for “Alfurshan Lounge”. You will...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: August 06, 2017

A pleasant Sunday evening to you. It has been a quiet week for me that included a nice trip with my family to Carmel, CA. I’ll have a full report on the Hyatt Carmel Highlands in the weeks ahead....
Moral Conundrum: JetBlue’s Cheap Florida Flights

In response to Hurricane Irma JetBlue is offering inexpensive flights to Florida. First, the carrier capped the cost of these flights to evacuate residents and visitors out of harm’s way but now the carrier is trying to get Floridians...
US Travelers Deserve Better Airfare Protection

Europe has been a model citizen for protecting consumer rights when it comes to air travel. The US led the world in protecting customers just a couple of years ago but has since gone away from recent reforms. With...
Review: Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Tour – Hilo

Helicopter tours of the tropical Hawaiian islands is one of those once-in-a-lifetime things visitors do if they have the chance. During our trip to the big island of Hawaii, we had a chance to try Blue Hawaiian Helicopter tour...
How to Stopover in Iceland Using United Miles

Earlier this week, United announced it would begin service to Iceland starting next May. The new route creates a great opportunity for an Iceland stopover on your way to Europe or back if using United miles. Last year, United...
Review: Saudia 777-300ER First Class Dubai to Riyadh

The quick two-hour flight from Dubai to Riyadh was merely long enough to whet my appetite for the 19hr Riyadh to Los Angeles longhaul to come on the same aircraft. We checked in a few hours before the flight...
Richard Quest Explores United Polaris

United Airlines and CNN’s Richard Quest have been working for three years on the latest edition of Business Traveler. The program tracks United’s Polaris Business Class from its birth to takeoff. I think this three-part video is 24 minutes...
Whew! Qsuites Booked from New York to Doha

When I took advantage of the incredible $672 Qatar Airways business class fare in July, I had a strategic choice to make. My outbound is next month and my return is in January. For review purposes, I like daytime...
I’m Feeling Stupid for Messing up a Suite Upgrade

Sometimes my carelessness is nothing short of amazing, and not in a good way… I’m spending a few days in beautiful Carmel, CA at the Highlands Inn, a Hyatt Residence Club property. I booked the trip months ago and...
Beware of the Basic Economy “Gate Service Fee”

Delta Basic Economy fares permit a larger carry-on bag, so the focus of this story is on American Airlines and United. If you think you can slip by undetected with you rollerboard, be prepared to pay up and lose...