Dec
12
2015
Cigarette lighters, soda, we had everything a guy could want… Those were the best years of my life.
What If Henry Hill Had Joined the TSA Instead of the Mob in Goodfellas?
Donald Trump’s Travel Businesses: Reveal the Truth Behind His Candidacy?
Dec
12
2015
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al-Baker is an astute observer of US Presidential politics. And he called out Donald Trump.
So did business travel writer Joe Brancatelli, who points out that Trump Hotels really are managed by the family — and the hotel business is actively courting Muslims from the Middle East to come to the US.
His airline business experience undermines his claims of success, and his loss of navigational points named for him points to a lack of diplomacy.
$100 Free From Amex, 1100 Free Points, and a New Lufthansa First Class Duck
Dec
12
2015
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.
New SkyTeam Frequent Flyer Program Starts Monday, Offers Status Matches
Dec
12
2015
Air Europa is launching its own frequent flyer program, Suma on Monday, December 14.
Like Copa and United, Air Europa has decided to build its own program rather than renting the loyalty engine of a larger partner carrier.
Southwest Airlines Getting Technology to Assign Seats and Sell First Class
Dec
11
2015
Sort of like the development of the atomic bomb, Southwest’s reservations system upgrade project’is a dangerous technology and we promise not to use it’.
United Airlines Complains US Cronyist Policies Aren’t Cronyist Enough, Cuts DC-Dubai Route
Dec
11
2015
Getting in bed with and cutting deals with politicians brought down former United CEO Jeff Smisek. Smisek had – alongside the CEOs of Delta and American – been complaining that Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar get sweetheart deals from their own governments.
So I’m struck by the gall of United, in their news that they’ll be ending service to Dubai on January 23, they’re blaming the decision on the loss of subsidies from the US government.
American Again Lets You Choose Your Meal In Advance Online
Dec
11
2015
Three years ago American Airlines introduced pre-order meals. Premium cabin customers can pre-select their meal choice either online or over the phone within 30 days of (and up to 24 hours prior to) travel.
American took the feature down off of its website back in September in advance of moving US Airways onto the American reservations system. But the feature is now back.
New Star Alliance Partner and a New Lufthansa Business Class Seat
Dec
11
2015
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.
Star Alliance Business Class Award Space to Europe Available for the Whole Family!
Dec
11
2015
United Airlines has opened the business class award floodgates on several flights between the US and Europe for next summer with as many as 9 (and perhaps more) award seats per flight.
This is especially concentrated out of Washington Dulles, though there are some flights out of Chicago like this and even a few from Newark. It’s especially true on flights that have recently been upgauged to Boeing 777s, though not exclusively. (Legacy United Boeing 777 business class is dorm-style 8-across, but if fully flat.)
Free Trip to Europe for Joining the Amazing Race for Regular Folks
Dec
11
2015
Many of you know that I offer an award booking service. It grew too big to handle on my own, and I was fortunate enough to be able to partner with one of the real veterans and gurus in the frequent flyer game, Steve Belkin (known in online forums as ‘beaubo’).
One of the really fun projects he’s had is called Competitours. Every summer, Steve disappears from work to run what the Chicago Tribune calls “The Amazing Race for Regular People.”
