Should You Fly First Class on a US Airline or Business Class on an Asian Carrier?

by Gary Leff

Sep 27 2016

Not all Asian carriers have the top business class products, but all of the truly best business class products are offered by Asian or Middle Eastern carriers. Take Singapore Airlines. With a four-across configuration like in first class, Singapore Airlines seats are incredible wide and they are also relatively private.

Increasingly US airlines are eliminating first class, with American slated to be the last carrier offering it and then only on their small fleet of Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. And US airlines don’t offer service or food that’s as good in first class as some of the better carriers offer in business. But I’ll still always take first class over business class.

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With These Airlines You’ll Want to Eat Onboard — Not at a Restaurant

by Gary Leff

Sep 27 2016

t’s rarely the case that airlines will provide meals that will be better than what you can get on the ground. The prepacking in the flight kitchen, constrained spaces onboard, and altitude present real challenges. And food is hardly the primary driver of my choice of premium cabin airline (heh, award space usually is!).

But some airlines do a fantastic job despite the challenging conditions.

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The Huge Downside to Signing Up for Global Entry, and How to Circumvent It

by Gary Leff

tsa
Sep 27 2016

Most US citizens want Global Entry because it includes PreCheck, for an extra $15 gets expedited immigration (of decreasing importance as immigration kiosks roll out), and it reimbursed by more premium credit cards than PreCheck. Frequent Canadian visitors should get Nexus, and it’s cheaper, but the waits and dual approvals may discourage.

Here’s the rub in all of this. Wait times. If you sign up for Global Entry now, you may not get it this year.

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$500 Hotel Credit Giveaway: New Luxury Discount Booking Website

by Gary Leff

Sep 26 2016

Hotels set their price, and generally they have to offer the same price through their chain’s website that they offer through online travel agency sites like Expedia or Hotels.com. Online travel agencies get a commission, but usually aren’t able to reduce the hotel’s price. If they did, you could claim the chain’s ‘best rate guarantee’.

But a membership website isn’t going to be subject to a best rate guarantee. A new one promises big savings, rebating their commissions, and is giving away free one year memberships — and a reader will get $500 to spend on a hotel there as well.

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How Does Earning Marriott Platinum With Credit Card Spending Work?

by Gary Leff

Sep 26 2016

Marriott has been investing in their rewards program more than I’d have expected since announcing the Starwood merger, which has now closed. I see Marriott Rewards getting stronger. And Ritz-Carlton Rewards status is honored equally as Marriott status.

So earning Gold status just for having a credit card is great, $10,000 in spend each year to keep it is as well. And being able to earn Platinum status through spend is impressive.

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