Mbabane’s finest hotel may not be much, but I enjoyed our night at this family-run property and recommend it for a break from Swaziland while you are in Swaziland. Allow me to explain. I talked about driving through Swaziland...
Driving through Swaziland
As we drove out of Kruger National Park, my wife had one thing on her mind and I had another. The sun was precipitously dropping over the rolling green hills and Heidi’s concern was where we would stay the...
Woman Thrown Off Alaska Flight After Anti-Trump Rant
First a pro-Trump voter before the election, now an anti-Trump voter after. A woman was thrown off an Alaska Airlines flight from Baltimore to Seattle on Saturday after berating a Trump supporter in a conversation she initiated. As I witnessed,...
Review: Nkambeni Safari Camp
We pulled into Kruger Park with no reservation, hoping to find lodge accommodations inside the park. Unsurprisingly, there was no room. On the way in (via the Numbi gate) we had noticed a lodge just outside the park grounds...
UA Christens First 777-300ER “New Spirit of United”
United Airlines has christened its first 777-300ER the “New Spirit of United”, a name meant to highlight UA’s optimism it is turning the corner from a stormy past. Indeed, CEO Oscar Munoz added– This special aircraft represents not a commemoration of the...
What is World’s Most Powerful Passport?
I tend to spend far too much time reading the Daily Mail, and came across a story a few days ago ranking passports. Passport Index is a great resources for passport information and each years ranks countries based upon visa-free...
A Safari in Kruger National Park
What trip to Africa is complete without a safari? Though Heidi had been to Kruger National Park outside of Nelspruit, South Africa on three past occasions, I had never been and she suggested we check it out. The trip...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: January 21, 2017
Good evening from Washington, DC. I’m still here and getting back to LA may be just as much an adventure as getting to LA. Note to self: it is difficult to get home when flights are full. Book early...
Missed Flight, 3hrs on Uber, and the 58th Presidential Inauguration
The plan was simple enough. Fly to the inauguration and then fly back. But hastily-arranged, last-minute trips a rarely turn out smoothly. This trip was no exception. Award space opened up at the last minute from Los Angeles to...
United Announces Final 747 Flight
UDPATE: Final United Boeing 747 Flight Will be SFO-HNL on November 07, 2017 Scott Kirby promised a proper send off for the Queen of the Skies and with United’s schedule update, it appears that will be on October 29, 2017. Retirement...
Everything You Need to Know About Turkish Airlines’ Free Transit Hotel
Turkish Airlines wants you to connect through Istanbul. To encourage this, Turkish provides free hotel rooms for transit passengers with long layovers. But be careful: the rules for who can and cannot receive a hotel room are confusing. Criteria...
I’m On an Uber from Newark Airport to Washington, DC…
Maybe the inauguration wasn’t such a good idea after all… United Airlines has a serious problem with its intra-terminal bus transport system at Newark Liberty. Long story short, we missed our connection to Washington National this morning because of...
How to Obtain a South African Police Report
If you recall, the whole point of our trip to South Africa was to secure one document, a South African Police Report, so that my wife could immigrate to the USA. While this can be requested via mail, the...
Enroute to Washington, DC for Trump Inauguration
Let’s start with a disclaimer: this is a non-partisan blog and attending the inauguration of the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, should not be interpreted as an endorsement of him or his policy positions. I...
Setting Up Shop in Pretoria
Heidi made arrangements for us to stay at an Airbnb in Pretoria for our first few nights in South Africa. This would allow us time to request the police clearance certificate in person and become acclimated to the new...
Minneapolis to be Launch Market for United Basic Economy
In a call with investors yesterday, United Airlines President Scott Kirby announced that United will begin selling Basic Economy tickets next quarter and Minneapolis (MSP) will be the launch market. Kirby stated MSP will be the launch city because it...
Review: Lagos to Johannesburg in South African Airways Economy Class
The question of getting to South Africa from North America using Star Alliance is a challenge if you want to use your miles and fly in business class. United Airlines does not serve South Africa, and South African rarely...
The Cheeseburger is Recommended: EWR-IAH UA663 in United First
Earlier this month I wrote that cheeseburgers are back on the United economy class BOB menu in January. I mentioned how much I enjoy them and for this installment of Matthew’s Meal of the Week I will explain why....
Review: Gabfol Lounge Lagos (LOS)
I escaped the Oasis Lounge due to poor internet connectivity, hoping the Gabfol Lounge would be better. It was. Approaching the entrance, I first thought this was a South Africa Lounge. In fact, I presented my economy class boarding pass...
Must JetBlue Honor the $150 Off Deal?
A few days have passed since many (myself included) took advantage of the JetBlue deal in which you could save $150 off a domestic hotel + flight package. There were no restrictions, originally at least, meaning that if your...
