If you’re like me, you need a hotel suite upgrade and don’t really care what room you get on a short business stay. My only really strong preference is not to have a connecting room, those don’t tend to isolate sound very well, and what I want most is a quiet room. Most of the time my elite status gets me into club lounges, and ‘club level’ upgrades are nearly meaningless. With most city hotels I don’t much care about the views. My work-related stays are generally short. But traveling for leisure, I’m generally not alone, the stays are often a bit longer, and I really enjoy an upgraded room. A hotel suite upgrade matters. Some people don’t share me feelings in valuing that, and that’s cool, they think “I’m on vacation and I’m not…
About Gary Leff
British Airways Website Showing Phantom US Airways Award Space
Sep
24
2015
One of the best ways to check availability on oneworld airlines (which are partners of American Airlines) is to use the British Airways website. That’s because BA.com shows the most partners online — including Japan Airlines flights that are not available on the other good site for award searches, Qantas.
Unfortunately the British Airways site is given to ‘break’. It will either not show entire airlines (for awhile US Airways flights didn’t show there but fortunately those show at AA.com!) or will show ‘phantom’ award space, it will appear as though awards are available but in the end the space isn’t bookable and will error out at BA.com (or if you call a partner airline, you’ll be told the space isn’t available).
Why Airports Want So Much Expensive, High Volume Retail (Families Beware!)
Sep
23
2015
Reacting to the news that the moving walkways on United’s C concourse at Chicago O’Hare are being removed after the walkways in DFW’s D terminal were taken out in order to encourage more retail shopping, David B. e-mails,
“[Moving walkways are] already gone from Terminal C in Newark, makes traveling with the three kids much worse. And as much as foodies love the new restaurant selection in Newark, it’s terrible for families, expensive, slow, and not the sorts of food kids want to eat.”
Here’s why.
Repeat After Me: You Don’t Get If You Don’t Ask
Sep
23
2015
The four most important words in travel are Hang Up, Call Back.
But seven words line up right behind those: You don’t get if you don’t ask. Sometimes you just need someone to help you get something you’re entitled to or at least not unentitled to. Other times you need someone to bend the rules, or go out of your way.
Great Mileage Deals on a Rental Car and Credit Card and a Very Strange Airport Story
Sep
23
2015
I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Are Coach Passengers Subsidizing the Pope’s Business Class Entourage?
Sep
23
2015
I took great umbrage at a very silly column by Christopher Elliott suggesting that coach passengers were ‘subsidizing’ the comfort of business class passengers.
There’s one flight, though, for which Elliott could be right: the Pope’s charter!
Alaska Airlines Brings Back Icelandair Partnership (One of the Best of All Time)
Sep
23
2015
Alaska Airlines and Icelandair have brough back their partnership (which ended June 2013).
It’s usually best to buy tickets to Iceland rather than using miles. (And not even just when there’s a mistake fare.) Delta’s flight is almost always too many miles. Other frequent flyer programs mean a lot of extra flying via Europe. And the flights themselves can price reasonably. This gives us interesting new options.
Rapper Desperate to Get Off Delta Flight Shoves Past Passengers, Melts Down on Video
Sep
23
2015
Rapper Azealia Banks wanted off her Delta flight. Apparently she tried to weave past everyone, but a French couple blocked her way. She tried to squeaze past them. The man put his hand in front of her. She allegedly spit on him, and punched his face.
A flight attendant grabbed her bag, and hijinks ensued. Naturally there’s video (courtesy of the all-knowing, all-seeing TMZ).
Pope Francis Flies American Airlines. And the Pope is Infallible.
Sep
22
2015
Just like Prince William (whose allegiance even extends to the US Airways Shuttle, the Pope chooses American Airlines. And the Pope is infallible.
The burning question though is whether his chartered Boeing 777-200 has been reconfigured with American’s new business class seats or not? I’ve got answers.
Get Pseudo Lounge Access Just for Joining a oneworld Frequent Flyer Program
Sep
22
2015
Sign up for airberlin topbonus, a oneworld partner of American and part-owned by Etihad, and you’ll receive a voucher for access to their “Exclusive Waiting Areas.” Have your family and friends sign up too in order to obtain more vouchers.
