Monthly Archives

Monthly Archives for January 2016.

2 Quirks About British Airways Upgrades: I Steal Premium Cabin Space From Elites

by Gary Leff

Jan 03 2016

Yesterday I wrote about snagging a first class upgrade on British Airways. I have an upcoming paid business class roundtrip from the ‘deal of the year’ airfare sale. And British Airways even lets discount business class tickets upgrade with miles (and most discount economy and premium economy tickets as well). There are no cash co-pays.

British Airways may be hesitant to release first class upgrades, when it would make sense for other airlines to do so, since they don’t have separate upgrade and award buckets. But if they do, I’m likely to score the upgrade even with a full business class cabin of folks who would have a higher priority than me on another airline.

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British Airways First Class Upgrades Still a Great Use of Avios

by Gary Leff

Jan 02 2016

British Airways had amazing business class fares that allowed use of stackable discounts this fall. Some people were booking business class tickets between the US and Europe for less than $500 in cash (plus points), for instance.

With British Airways devaluing its points back in April upgrades became more expensive from premium economy to business class for flights 2001 miles or or longer. But for upgrades from business class to first class you’re still paying what a coach award ticket would cost in miles for the flight with no cash co-pay. And even deep discount business class fares are upgradeable.

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These Were the Most Important Things I Wrote in 2015

by Gary Leff

Jan 01 2016

I am terrible at guessing what readers are going to be interested in. Usually I don’t try. I write for myself, whatever seems interesting to me at the time. I am grateful that anyone wants to read it. I’m always surprised, though, by what does get read the most… what’s socially shared… what people keep coming back to over and over.

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Legendary Punk Rock Club Finds Afterlife as Mediocre Newark Airport Restaurant

by Gary Leff

Jan 01 2016

CBGB’s was a legendary punk rock music club in New York’s East Village that opened in the 1970s. It ultimately shut down after a rent dispute and lease renewal in 2005. It was an important stop for the B-52’s, Blondie, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, and the Talking Heads.

Now CB’s is a restaurant in Newark airport’s terminal C where you can have a bacon cheeseburger or turkey club while waiting for your United flight

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