Australia is looking to curb credit card costs to help businesses but that comes at the cost of frequent flyer points and Qantas bottom line. A Push to Lower Costs for Businesses The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is...
Review: Park Hyatt Sydney
The Park Hyatt Sydney remains a top-tier hotel with a superb location, excellent service, decadent breakfast, and pleasant accommodations. Park Hyatt Sydney Review With six years having elapsed since I first offered a review of the Park Hyatt Sydney,...
Best Beaches In The World In 2023
TripAdvisor released its reader’s choice Best Beaches in the World list for 2023 and there are a few in the United States. Here’s where to go. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please...
Canadian Border Reopening Close, Australia Further
It appears there is finally a reopening date for the US-Canadian border and it’s close, Australia… not so much. 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...
Review: Goldbelly Brings Destination Eats to You
I ordered from Goldbelly for the first time this week to try out the service (and an American Express Platinum benefit) and this was my experience. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please...
Qantas Signs Own Death Warrant With COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement
Qantas, the Australian flag carrier, announced this week that they would require all travelers on its flights to have a COVID-19 vaccine. A move that would surely be Qantas’ undoing. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a...
Review: United Airlines 787-9 Business Class Sydney To Los Angeles + Lounge Hopping In SYD
After a fairly mediocre flight to Sydney, my return flight was a far better overall experience, even with an inferior seat. After arriving in Sydney from San Francisco a bit late, I had two hours before my “connection” back...
Review: United 777-300ER Business Class San Francisco To Sydney
Here’s a rundown of the first half of my whirlwind journey to Sydney, Australia in United Business Class in order to achieve 1K status for 2020…and of course for a proper cup of coffee. I’ve outlined the reason for...
Swede Busted In Australian Airport With Lethal Drugs In Lining Of Suitcase…
A Swedish man was caught trying to smuggle over $8 million worth of drugs into Australia using the lining of his suitcases. The man had originated in Turkey and was traveling with two suitcases. Officials pulled him aside for...
Review: Virgin Australia 737-800 Business Class
While perfect for domestic short hops, I found Virgin Australia’s 737-800 Business Class product a bit constraining for a six hour journey to Bali. I understand that Bali is a leisure destination for Australians and most are far more...
Review: Plaza Premium Lounge Brisbane (BNE)
Since waiting for the Virgin Australia Lounge in Brisbane is like Waiting for Godot, I occupied my long layover in BNE by relaxing in the Plaza Premium Lounge. The Virgin Australia Lounge in Brisbane has been delayed almost as...
Review: Virgin Australia 777-300ER Business Class
I may not have slept well, but I liked everything else about my Virgin Australia 777-300ER flight in “The Business” from Los Angeles to Brisbane. In one of the rare sweet spots on the Delta award chart, I booked...
United Slashes Flights To Australia
United Airlines will reduce its Los Angeles and Houston flights to Sydney during the Australian winter. Citing lower demand during the northern summer season, United will serve Sydney four times weekly from Houston and three times weekly from Los...
Review: Singapore Airlines 777-300 Business Class Sydney to Singapore
This review recounts my daytime flight aboard Singapore’s fairly-dated regional 777-300 from Sydney to Singapore. As I metioned in my Rydges hotel review, we cut it far too close and arrived at the airport with mere moments to spare...
Review: Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel
With an early flight to Singapore the following morning, we chose to spend our final night in Sydney at the on-site Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel. My stay took place after the hotel first opened in June 2013. But if...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: March 25, 2018
Spring began in Los Angeles this week with one more rainstorm, a fitting end to a rather meager winter. I’m still here, further extending my record of time in the last decade I have not stepped onto an airplane....
Vivid Sydney, A Spectacular Light Show
My stay at the Park Hyatt Sydney happened to coincide with Vivid Sydney, a spectacular annual light show. Vivid Sydney is an “annual outdoor lighting festival with immersive light installations and projections in Sydney.” It began in 2009 as...
Review: Park Hyatt Sydney (Opera View Deluxe)
This Park Hyatt Sydney review covers my upgraded Opera View Deluxe room. For a full review of the property, its restaurants, and amenities, you can read my earlier review. The upgrade was unexpected: thank a broken thermostat in my original...
Where to Eat Near Park Hyatt Sydney
Earlier today I published my review of the Park Hyatt Sydney, a tremendous waterfront hotel in Sydney. But I know many of you are like me: you love nice hotels using points, but don’t want to spend the money...
How I Scored an Amazing Upgrade at Park Hyatt Sydney
It was a dark and stormy night in Sydney. We had checked in late to the Park Hyatt Sydney after our train ride from Canberra and were cold. Small problem. Our heater in the room didn’t work. And the...
