Food tastes different on a plane than it does on the ground. Your taste buds are dulled at altitude. Most planes are pressurized to 8000 feet, while newer generation aircraft like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 are pressurized to 6000 feet.
That’s why tomato juice is a surprisingly popular drink on planes (and here I thought it was because tomato juice is an excellent source of vitamin c and vodka).
Years ago all economy passengers were equal in assigning seats, although when I first became a frequent flyer United would block the seat next to me as an elite so that if it was possible to have an empty seat next to me I would.
And then they introduced economy plus seating, extra legroom seats that elites could reserve free (and at the time it was also available to full fare customers and to Star Alliance Gold members too). United didn’t initially monetize those seats.
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.
As in past years, as February 28 approaches there are plenty of Executive Platinum members with systemwide upgrades that are expiring unused.
That’s a shame, and we used to see many of them burned on silly domestic flights like a New York – Washington National regional jet or Dallas – Austin. Of course even that’s rarely even possible anymore now that American doesn’t open up much confirmed upgrade space.
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.
Emirates is known for its blingy cabins, from first class suites with gold-colored accents to the incredibly shower spa with heated floors at the front of the first cabin to a bar (that isn’t quite as nice as the Qatar A380 bar) at the back of business class.
Emirates is simultaneously advancing its image with new products while cutting costs.
A couple of weeks ago a ton of phantom Swiss first class award space was showing up. This wasn’t bookable, at least unless you were a Miles & More elite member using Lufthansa/Swiss miles.
There was also a ton of phantom business class availability as well, though once you got to summer it was real.
Hyatt executives talk passionately about their purpose to care for people so they can be their best. And they’re thinking about “World of Hyatt” as being more than points but the branding of their overall effort to accomplish that and as an expression of their values.
I remember as a kid watching Saturday Night Live and their 1986 commercial for the the Adobe, a Mexican import that’s first car to break the $200 barrier. It was made of clay.
Well, the major airlines have been running $400-ish off-season roundtrip fares between the US and Europe. And Wow Air will run some days to Reykjavik for $99 one-way (with the flight back to the US a bit higher).
Since 1988 these awards have recognized the best in loyalty. The Freddie Awards are the most coveted award for airline, hotel, and credit card loyalty programs because they’re voted on by the members who earn and redeem their currency and interact with the program all year long.
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 »
