After avoiding it for years, I will be flying Ryanair today from Frankfurt Hahn to Pisa, Italy. My brother is in town this week and we have never explored Tuscany or Rome so we’re off for an Italian adventure....
Putin Offers United States "Visa-Free" Travel to Russia
One of the highlights of my journey around the world in 2007 was my three day stop in Russia. Moscow and St. Petersburg are great cities and I’ve often wanted to go back, especially now that I am relatively...
How I’ll Earn 40,000 United Award Miles Flying from Seattle to Newark
Last night a friend alerted me via e-mail that something fishy was going on with Continental flights between Seattle and Newark. While CO usually limits connections to one or two at most (and those connections are usually restricted to...
Free Star Alliance Silver Status – Free Checked Bags on United, Continental, and US Airways
British Midland (bmi) is offering new members of their Diamond Club frequent flyer program free silver status. No strings attached. Simply join through this link (Update 3/15: dead again! 3/14: Tip of the hat to Gary and his readers)....
Save Money with Deutsche Bahn’s Schönes-Wochenende Tickets
I’m off to Luxembourg today! The plan is to travel by train to Luxembourg, spend five or six hours there, then travel back to Frankfurt, perhaps stopping in Trier, Germany if time permits. I’m taking along my brother and...
Japan Devesated by Earthquake…Flights Halted
All Nippon Airways, a leading Japanese airline and member of Star Alliance, has been in touch with my office in Frankfurt all day concerning the massive 8.9 earthquake that struck Japan late this afternoon. Over 100 deaths are already...
Lufthansa Awards Now Bookable Online from United
United’s website is suddenly evolving at a rapid pace. Just a day after allowing the online redemption of electronic certificates for Continental flights, you can now book award tickets on Lufthansa flights online using your United miles. As you...
New Gourmet Menu in Economy Class on Virgin Blue
As Virgin Blue continues to move away from the low-cost-carrier model, the airline has introduced a new menu in economy class that looks downright tasty. Designed by Chef Luke Mangan, the menu will include bundles like a panini served...
*Sigh* Another Rail Strike in Germany
The sun is not even up and I am already preparing to leave for work. I don’t have to report to the office for another three hours, but the trains aren’t running this morning throughout much of Germany, including...
United E-Certs Now Valid on Continental Flights!
Although United has cut back on compensation, recently halving the amount offered for service issues on domestic flights, they remain the most generous legacy carrier in the United States when it comes to making amends. I anticipate that will change...
Amtrak Throws Out the TSA
Watch and weep: Yes, that’s the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) performing security checks at the Amtrak station in Savannah, Georgia. Never mind the fact that they were screening passengers as they got off a train. Never mind the fact...
Texas Lawmakers Attempt to Ban TSA Full Body Scanners
A posse of Lone State lawmakers has a message for the TSA: Don’t mess with Texas. Republican State Representative David Simpson has introduced two bills targetting the TSA. Here are the highlights: HB 1938 …(b) An airport operator may...
Virgin Atlantic Lounge Masseuses Sue Airline
In typical tabloid fashion, we read about the plight of two Virgin Atlantic lounge masseuses: Beauty therapists Jayne Evans, 40, and Michelle Hindmarch, 35, each developed chronic muscular strain – including pain in their shoulders, upper back and wrists...
Hyatt Unveils Second Quarter Promotion – Up to 60K Gold Passport Points
Gold Passport Concierge, Hyatt’s representative on Flyertalk, announced Hyatt’s eagerly anticipated second quarter promotion today: We’re excited to announce details of the Hyatt Gold Passport promotion! Starting 4/1, members who stay 5 eligible nights at any Hyatt worldwide will...
Transfer Miles Freely and Enjoy Elite Status on Both Continental and United
Nick sums up today’s announcement that United and Continental miles can be freely transferred between accounts and elites can enjoy status with both airlines perfectly–I have only my own two cents to add. Word came this morning from Scott O’Leary,...
Kobe Bryant, the Armenian Genocide, and Turkish Airlines
I have been a big fan of Kobe Bryant since his NBA rookie year in 1996. Although I haven’t followed any sort of professional sport closely while living in Philadelphia or Frankfurt the last couple years, as a Southern California...
Should United Start Taking Meal Orders from Front-to-Back like Continental?
A raucous debate is going on right now on amongst frequent flyers regarding how meal orders should be taken in premium cabins of the combined United/Continental. Currently, Continental takes meal orders from front-to-back on all flights, regardless of fare...
TSA Wants To Charge You for Carry-On Bags!
In a Capitol Hill hearing this week, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano complained that extra carry-on bags brought through TSA checkpoints due to high airline checked-baggage fees are costing the agency an additional $260MN each year, forcing security...
Continental Eliminates Free Snacks in Economy Class
If you are a big fan of pretzels or biscoff cookies while flying on Continental Airlines, you better bring your own. On Tuesday, the carrier eliminated these free treats on all routes that do not feature BusinessFirst seating. Among the...
As it Considers a Makeover, TSA Lets Man Slip Onto Plane with Three Box Cutters
Washington, DC is my favorite city in America and other than family and friends, that is the thing (well, place) I miss most as I enter my third month in Germany. DC is a bustling city filled with great...
