United does something really unique, and I was genuinely surprised by it five years ago at launch. Instead of picking their own corporate charities, and asking you to support their efforts with your miles, they allow charities to solicit miles directly. You actually decide which causes to support. That way your miles align with your values.
Monthly Archives
Monthly Archives for December 2024.
Southwest Airlines ‘Pillow Fight’: Gate Agent Called It A Bag, But The Passenger Held Their Ground
A Southwest Airlines passenger tried to board their flight with a travel pillow. The gate agent had a problem with this – because they already had a carry-on and a personal item, and this was a third “bag.” From the photo though they eventually prevailed. Usually they’re right, personal items aren’t always counted as personal items! But there’s ambiguity.
Loyal Delta Flyers Watch As First Class Seats Sit Empty: Gate Agents Refuse Last-Minute Upgrades
The airline has gotten very good about merchandising premium seats – and is willing to sell them very cheap, especially as upsells to infrequent flyers. They want to take a few tens of dollars from a once a year customer rather than upgrading a very frequent flyer who spends tens of thousands of dollars. Delta is also most likely to skip processing upgrade lists at the gate of the major airlines.
‘I’ll Film Your Tandoori A’: LAX Karen’s Racist Outburst At Indian Family Leads To United Airlines Ban
After a United Airlines flight from Cancun to Los Angeles, a passenger hurled racist insults at an Indian American family while enroute to the terminal from a bus gate. She also insulted Taufiq about… Indian food?
What’s Really Happening in Airline Cargo Holds? Workers Keep Getting Caught In The Act [Roundup]
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Top Rated Carry-On Bags For Every Budget: Get The Best Value For Your Money
I’m not interested in the best at any price, or the cheapest. What I’m interested in is your thoughts on the best value overall – combination of quality and price – for someone who travels quite a lot. On many issues I have firm opinions. Here I will share my tentative thoughts.
TSA’s ‘Fix’ Is A Mirage: Are We Just Settling For Long Lines And 95% Failure Rates?
There’s a growing elite consensus that the TSA has been fixed and is no longer a problem. I think that the narrative is misleading. TSA pays screeners more, so it doesn’t have a problem hiring screeners. That’s made a difference in security lines at some airports. But that’s the only dimension along which they’ve seemed to improve. It’s also the one most visible to travelers, so they’re getting too much credit.
New Bask Bank Offer: Earn 60,000 Miles Without Spending Money
Bask Bank is one of the best ways to earn miles without actually spending money.
The Hidden Advantage Of Airline Middle Seats
Middle seat passengers get both armrests. They are closer to the window and to the aisle. Some airlines give prizes or bonus miles to middle seat passengers. But there’s another, hidden benefit to airline middle seats that I had never considered before.
Passengers Forced To Wait For Bathroom As Southwest Pilot Reportedly Spends 10 Minutes Flirting With Flight Attendant: FAA Rules Ignored?
After 9/11, the cockpit gets blocked off when the door is opened. A pilot goes to the lavatory, and no one can approach the front of the aircraft. That makes sense, but the flipside is that this should be reserved only for the pilot’s important needs. Here, a Southwest Airlines pilot flying from Dallas Love Field to Los Angeles reportedly spends a part of the flight chatting up a flight attendant, while passengers are forced to wait to use the lavatory. That seems like bad judgment to me – and actually illegal!