The price of an award ticket can vary tremendously. That’s because the same flight will be ‘sold’ for different mileage prices depending on the frequent flyer program you’re using to book it.
As a result there are what some would consider ‘tricks’ to get your awards at the lowest possible cost. Here are 17 of my favorite.
Whenever I go through a security checkpoint, I keep my eye on my bags. If I am singled out for additional screening, I insist that my bags remain in view while waiting for a TSA employee to turn up.
These waits are the time you’re most likely to be separated from your belongings.
This insistence usually gets a response, in fact it usually limits the time I have to wait for someone to come do the additional screening. And at a minimum declaring that I’m watching closely may serve as a deterrent to theft.
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.
Air Asia X flight 237 from Perth, Australia to Kuala Lumpur took off shortly after its scheduled 6:50 a.m. departure time, made it out over the coast of Western Australia, and had to turn back around.
With 359 passengers onboard the Airbus A330, there was a ‘big bang’ about an hour into the flight and the plane began to ‘violently shake’. A passenger described the shaking as “like a ‘washing machine’.”
American Airlines has new coffee machines in its clubs that make very good coffee. These Franke machines grind beans on demand, and use real milk for its drinks.
An American Airlines employee who reportedly works in sales has been charged with “two counts of interference with security screening personnel” at the Charlotte airport..
This guy just wouldn’t give up.
On Tuesday a 37 year old man riding a bicycle jumped into a van after the owner got out of it to get his tools.
The man stole the van and drove off. He “hit a curb and blew a tire” but still continued to drive 5 miles — to the Lakeland, Florida airport — where he drove through an aviation maintenance company and onto the ramp.
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.
American has been less generous than Delta or United who allow 24 hour refunds regardless of how far in advance you book travel. The Department of Transportation only requires offering 24 holds or refunds for travel purchased a week or more in advance.
Last year American went from the most generous policy to the least generous one, complying only with the minimum DOT standards.
Inflight marriage proposals are so de rigueur that El Al’s Matmid Club lets you redeem miles for an inflight marriage proposal kit.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
