Effective 01/01/14, United Airlines has quietly eliminated free alcoholic beverages on transpacific flights. This comes just days after Delta Air Lines’ recent announcement that it will expand its free beer and wine offerings on all longhaul international routes to cover spirits...
Top 10 Airline Award Redemptions for January 2014
With the new year here and many changes negatively affecting airline loyalty programs now in effect or shortly taking effect, there are still a number of superb deals available. Here are my top ten award travel bright spots for...
Additional Business Class Saver Award Space for Elite Members of United MileagePlus Program
United is massively devaluing its award chart at the end of the month and has instituted a minimum-spend requirement for elite qualification in 2014. With deep cutbacks to the domestic front cabin product and few flights with internet, questioning...
Travel Restraint or Status Quo in 2014?
While my travel patterns have remained largely unchanged over the last three years and even the last decade, 2014 will usher in a substantial change in the way I travel and think about travel. Reaching MillionMiler status on United...
Myanmar, Melbourne, Malta, Micronesia, & MillionMiler: My Magnificent 2013
2013 flew by incredibly fast—just incredibly fast. Looking back at the year I marvel at what was accomplished and think about how the airline industry and my own livelihood has changed. When I started law school, I had every...
The TSA Presents: The 12 Banned Items of Christmas (Humor)
I love intelligent humor that not only draws a laugh, but makes a deeper point–perhaps a reflection on an pertinent political issue or on society at large that invites contemplation and discussion. A new video out poking fun at...
Reminder: New Aeroplan Award Chart Takes Effect on 01/01/14
Aeroplan is updating its award chart on January 01, 2014 and the changes are both good and bad. The Good: One-way awards at half the round-trip cost Right now Aeroplan charges 67% of the r/t price for a one-way...
3:1 Avianca Lifemiles Today Only
A targeted e-mail went out to Avianca Lifemiles members this morning with a 3:1 mileage purchase offer: buy 1,000 miles and get 2,000 free, today only. 1,000 miles costs $30 + tax, so you’re getting miles for one cent, pre-tax....
The Night Before Christmas: United Airlines Edition
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the air,The United executives stirred in despair;The stock had grown on the NYSE with fanfare,In hopes that great profit soon would be there;The Chairman was nestled all snug in his bed;While...
Singapore Airlines Accuses United Airlines of Lying About Pulled Online Award Space
Last week, United announced that it would no longer offer online searchability for Singapore Airlines award space. United stated this was a “mutual” decision but implied that Singapore had requested that United remove the space. Hi everyone, I wanted...
Generous Lufthansa First Class Award Availability between Tokyo Haneda and Frankfurt
When Lufthansa recently announced new service between Mexico City and Munich as well as Toronto and Munich, premium class award seats were released on every flight. Even first class, which is normally only released to Star Alliance partners two...
US Airways-American Alliance Update: Best of Both Worlds
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. US Airways Moves to oneworld A reader received what I considered to be an...
Star Alliance Should Pursue Alaska Airlines
For all the complaints about US Airways being a “low-cost carrier” or offering an inferior in-flight product, the carrier has been a valuable member of Star Alliance that will be missed tremendously. With a healthy European route network and...
Air India Again Positions Itself for Star Alliance Membership
When I worked for Star Alliance in 2011, the politics surrounding Air India’s failed bid to join the Alliance were fascinating. I am bound from disclosing the nitty gritty details, but the situation opened my eyes to how much...
Hitting the Million Miler Mark on United Airlines
My first United Airlines flight was from Los Angeles to Denver in the winter of 1995, but I did not start seriously flying United until 2005, the year I decided I did not want to sit behind the curtain...
Delta Actually Improves Skymiles Program with Attractive Upgrade Options
Delta Air Lines has led the U.S. airline loyalty industry in duplicity and penny-pinching for several years running (even with a commendable challenge from United last month) so a day in which positive news is announced is quite rare....
Video: WestJet’s Heartwarming Christmas Surprise
Several airlines have released holiday-themed videos this month, but WestJet’s “Christmas Miracle” film brought a big smile to my face. The simple message–that it is more blessed to give than to receive–is not a trite expression, but a truism that...
Higher Airline Fees in Congressional Budget Compromise
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin), Chairman of the House Budget Committee, and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Washington), Chairwoman of the Senate Budget Committee, have unveiled a compromise plan to fund the U.S. federal government for the next two years, eliminating the spectre of...
United: US Airways Award Flights Bookable through March 30, 2014
United Airlines released an update concerning its future relationship with US Airways– As you’ve undoubtedly seen, American Airlines and US Airways closed their merger today. While our partnership with US Airways will be ending on March 30, 2014, it’s still...
Frequently Asked Questions About the American Airlines – US Airways Merger
American Airlines and US Airways have officially merged, but for practical purposes, the airlines remain separate entities and will maintain separate operations for several months. Business will continue as usual, with separate check-in, gates, loyalty programs, and policies: like...