Jeff Smisek assumes the “good cop” role in a letter to United Airlines pilots concerning ongoing contract negotiations. Still, the United CEO does not dance around the highly contentious, primary issue of dispute: the scope clause. Dear Pilots: I...
$60 Off Lufthansa, United, Austrian, and Air Canada Flights ex-USA
Save $60 on your next Lufthansa ticket originating in the United States by requesting a free voucher here. Note the highlights of the fine print: The voucher can be redeemed between 25/05/2012 and 31/05/2012. Travel must be between 12/08/2012...
Final Week to Burn bmi Diamond Club Miles for Star Alliance Awards
As we enter the final week to redeem bmi Diamond Club miles for Star Alliance Awards, I want to review how you can effectively use your miles and share some of my recent redemption success stories. First off, you...
United Airlines Security Breach
This is not another post attacking SHARES, United’s Passenger Service System (PSS). But it is a reminder that the system still has kinks in it, some of which should cause United far greater concern than the many upgrade irregularities...
Winning Over a Cranky Flight Attendant
Have you ever had a flight attendant from hell who turned out to be an angel in disguise? I did on a recent United Airlines flight. Kind of. I was flying from Los Angeles to Philadelphia on a recent...
Why Leaving United Airlines is Going to be a Lot Harder Than I Thought
Last week I shared about my decision to redirect much of my travel to American Airlines this fall. That remains my goal, but I quickly realized today that old habits die hard. I had a United e-certificate set to...
United Airlines CFO Labels Certain MileagePlus Elites as "Entitled"
Many are up in arms over recent comments about certain MileagePlus elite members made by United Airlines CFO John Rainey at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Transportation Conference last Thursday. I am yawning. While not very savvy, his...
20% Off All Alitalia Flights This Weekend
Alitalia is offering 20% off economy and business class tickets through Monday (at noon CET) using the code SPECIAL20IT. This week you reserve an offer not to be missed. Buy online between 12:00 on 18 May at 12:00 on May 21,...
Top up your bmi Diamond Club Miles with a 20% bonus
With just under two weeks left to redeem Diamond Club miles for Star Alliance flights, bmi has sweetened the incentive to burn your points now with a 20% bonus on purchased miles. If you are just short of another...
An Open Letter to Ex-Continental Flight Attendants and Pilots
17 May 2012 My Dear Friends from Continental Airlines, A simple question for you: what is wrong? What is it that is truly bothering you? I have been a steady United Airlines customer since 2004 and I grew to...
American Airlines Here I Come!
I consider myself a savvy traveler and have turned much of the lemons created by United Airlines’ 03 March system integration debacle with Continental Airlines into lemonade. I’ve run into a fair number of problems and a great deal...
Star Alliance Celebrates 15 Years
Happy 15th Anniversary to Star Alliance! What began at a small office near Los Angeles International Airport in 1997 as a union between five airlines hoping to better cooperate has become a global force to be reckoned with; the...
American Airlines Hints at Potential Merger with US Airways
After weeks of repeated denials that it was even considering a merger with US Airways, American Airlines has agreed to “study” the prospects of a marriage between America’s third and fifth largest air carrier by traffic. American Airlines says...
Sacramento Opts Out of TSA Screening
After months of exploration, Sacramento International Airport has decided to replace federally-employed Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport screeners with private contractors. This is an opt-out I support. As a compromise to House Republicans over a decade ago, language in...
I Love United Airlines’ Indian Call Center
I doubt that it has ever been said before, but I am happy to say it here: I love United Airlines’ Indian Call Center. Allow me to explain. I was putting together a relatively straight forward award ticket today...
United Airlines Pulls a "Newark" at SFO
Responding to robust demand and added flights to Newark, Cleveland, and Houston, United Airlines has pulled a “Newark” on us at San Francisco International Airport. To understand what it means to “pull a Newark” you must be familiar with...
Israeli President Flies Air Canada over El-Al
If you are flying with oxygen, you might want to stay away from El-Al, the national carrier of Israel. Israel’s national airline has apologized to President Shimon Peres after attempting to charge him nearly $5,000 to bring an oxygen...
The Secret Story of American Airlines’ AAirpass Program
When I am in California, the Los Angeles Times is a critical component of my breakfast each morning. This morning, I was pleasantly surprised to find a fascinating article on American Airlines’ fight against alleged abusers of their AAirpass...
An Update on the Burma Business/First Class Fare Sale
The dust has now settled a bit in the latest airfare pricing extravaganza, but the fun has just begun. For those just joining the party, on Tuesday and Wednesday fares originating in Burma to just about anywhere in the...
Great Fare Sale! Burma to Many U.S. Cities for Under $300 in Business Class
Burma has opened up again and whether this is a currency conversion problem or just a good deal like the old ex-Colombo, Sri Lanka fares, there are some great prices available this afternoon. Think business or even first class...
