As Father Time prepares to hand over the reigns to Baby New Year, allow me to offer a few reflections on 2014.This was not the year I imagined it to be, with the beauty of married life and unplanned...
Breaking: AirAsia Flight from Surabaya to Singapore Missing
In a year in which two Malaysian Airlines aircraft have tragically been lost, another airliner has sadly lost contact with air traffic control this evening. The AirAsia Indonesia A320 was (hopefully is) carrying 155 passengers and seven crew members. An...
I’ll Be Home For Christmas!
Happy Christmas to all and may I just say that it is great to be home in Los Angeles! After a marathon visa process, including an unexpected month in South Africa, the visa finally arrived and Heidi and I...
Woman Spends Weekend in Jail for Changing Seats on United
When I was thrown off a United Airlines flight for taking a picture of my seat, many were quick to attack — blaming me for being over-entitled and concluding that I was wrong to even question the FA’s confusion...
United Airlines Fantasy Flights 2014 (Video)
I first wrote about United’s Fantasy Flights five years ago and I am thankful that this wonderful Christmas tradition has not been one of the cutbacks of the post-merger United. In fact, the program has expanded to 12 airports...
Personal Thoughts on Travel and a New Era of US-Cuban Relations
It was seven years ago that President George W. Bush announced his Administration was doubling down on its bid to isolate the communist Cuban regime. More travel restrictions and more money restrictions, all with the end goal of bringing...
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...
Air New Zealand to Start Auckland to Buenos Aires Route
For Star Alliance flyers trying to connect between Australia or New Zealand and South America, options are not just limited — there are no flights at all. Connecting via North America or Africa is required, adding hours to an...
New Greeting for AA Phone Reps
This is totally an airline nerd thing, but I spend a chunk of my day each day (sometimes a huge chunk) on the phone with various airlines booking awards. The bulk of my clients are based in North America...
Hyatt Updates 2015 Gold Passport Award Chart
Hyatt has announced its annual update to the Gold Passport award chart and thankfully changes are limited for 2015–here is what you need to know: 70 Hyatt properties are changing categories 22 hotels are moving up a category 48...
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...
FTU Dallas Tickets Now on Sale
Tickets to FTU and FTU Advanced in Dallas, from 17-19 April 2015, are now on sale at FTUniversity.com. I will be doing my usual talks on United Airlines, but will also be talking miles and exotic travel at this...
United Airlines Now Processing Lufthansa GPU Upgrades Electronically
United Airlines and Lufthansa were both founding members of the Star Alliance and have maintained a close relationship as both codeshare and joint venture partners over years. United’s top-status 1K flyers receive six GPUs (Global Premier Upgrades) each year...
FTU Dallas Tickets Go On Sale Thursday!
Tickets to the next Frequent Traveler University go on sale Thursday at 11:00AM ET / 8:00AM PT at FTUniversity.com. Tickets for the Advanced seminars at the last three events sold out very quickly, so be warned if you want to attend....
Business Class Partner Awards on United Airlines Pricing for 115K instead of 140K RT!
I am loath to post many mileage deals that appear to be mistakes on this blog because airlines do read blogs and respond quickly – I may not have the readership of The Points Guy, but it is no...
5 Great Uses for your 50,000 Bonus US Airways Miles
The US Airways MasterCard from Barclays is going out in style with a 50,000 mile sign-up bonus offer after your first purchase on the card. This offer and credit card itself is available for a very limited time and...
The Homeless Population of Frankfurt Airport
Recall that I spent a year working inside Frankfurt Airport and one thing that I noticed, but never really thought much of until I saw the video below, was that there were a lot of familiar faces that were...
Cyber Monday Bonus: 125% Bonus on Purchased Avianca LifeMiles
Avianca LifeMiles is in the midst of a 100% bonus on purchased miles promotion but is offering a 125% bonus special today only for Cyber Monday. Bottom line: you can buy up to 66,000 miles for $2,178.00 (1.47 cents each) and...
Update: Still Not Too Late to Register for American Express Small Business Saturday
Earlier today I posted about American Express Small Business Saturday, noting that no further sign-ups were available (AMEX capacity controls the number of sign-ups). A short time ago AMEX re-opened sign-up: it is still not too late! Click the...
Today is American Express Small Business Saturday
Hopefully you have all registered your American Express cards for Small Business Saturday today, an annual event on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in which American Express offers a cash-back incentive in order to boost small business. This year’s offer...
