Apr 07 2015

I don’t usually like using points for non-travel awards, but there are two exceptions–to keep points from expiring, and when there’s the opportunity to use a big travel company or bank’s contacts to get access to the kind of life events you can’t possible set up on your own.

Starwood has a new set of experiences that you can use your points for starting this morning, including luxury suites at a series of venues and intimate concerts at their hotels. Definitely worth seeing if there’s something that matches your interests, and you have my permission to use your Starpoints for something other than transfers to American, Alaska, or Japan Airlines miles….

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Apr 06 2015

The TSA is about to make big changes to PreCheck that may prevent you from getting expedited screening. You’ll never believe why they’re doing it, and what you might have to do to keep it.

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Apr 06 2015

Air France KLM’s Flying Blue program has been giving US members a hard time when they transfer Amex or Citibank points into their account and redeem awards. There have been account audits and shutdowns. And frequently members have been told they’re only allowed to issue awards by going to an Air France airport ticket counter.

This doesn’t work, and the US representatives of the program would like your help to fix it. Read on…

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Apr 06 2015

Often there are great posts on other blogs worth being aware of. Folks are writing up deals that I may not have much to add to, so I share what you need to know that’s being discussed elsewhere and link to some interesting or unique news articles about travel, miles, and points.

Today we’ve got two programs about to devalue — here’s what you need to know, and what you need to *do*. We have an analysis of some travel deals you may want to jump on. And more, so read on..

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Apr 06 2015

Many hotels in Venezuela, especially smaller and boutique properties, are asking guests to bring their own toilet paper and other essentials. Even that isn’t fool proof, as the government appears to be confiscating toilet paper from those traversing the country. Here’s why the TP situation has gotten this dire. Read on…

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Apr 05 2015

There really are consolidators who can save you money on international business and first class tickets. Some are a scam. Here’s how to know the difference, and find the ones who will save you big money.

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Apr 05 2015

Seats have been the biggest premium cabin innovation, with a huge leap forward in business class that limits the quality difference with first class. For instance, Singapore Airlines first class is four seats across in the cabin — and so is business class. That leaves only so many places to go as airlines compete for lucrative high yield passengers. So what’s next? From The Onion: …the airline’s most valued customers should ignore the escape path lighting along the aisle and instead follow the green lighting on the first-class seatbacks to a secret hatch just behind the forward lavatory. “For your convenience, in the event of an emergency, a bulkhead will automatically close and seal off the first-class cabin from the economy cabin, giving you ample legroom while deplaning. In addition, should we experience a sudden…

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Apr 05 2015

News and notes from around the interweb: 2250 Bonus American Miles from the AAdvantage Shopping Portal Well, that’s one way to protest. Turkish Tourism Minitry Fires Julianne Moore for Bad Acting The government of Sri Lanka is accusing their oneworld member and national airline of corruption. The airline is state-owned, and the accusations stem from aircraft purchases while the government was controlled by a different party which means the airline is a political football in partisan political politics. Which doesn’t mean, of course, that a state owned airline isn’t a politically corrupt plaything, just that the complaints are that the airline used to be someone else’s corrupt plaything. Passenger mutiny: police had to be called twice during a 5 hour Qatar Airways tarmac delay in Birmingham. The US Airways credit card was supposed to disappear…

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