Rapper Coolio Arrested for Taking Stolen Gun Through Security Checkpoint

by Gary Leff

Sep 18 2016

Rapper Coolio and his crew were found with a stolen gun at LAX. Coolio had passed through the security checkpoint and boarded his flight, while his security guard was detained by TSA when a bag was discovered with a loaded gun inside.

Coolio was removed from the flight. It was determined other items in the confiscated bag were his, and though his security guard first claimed the Compton-born star had nothing to do with it, he fessed up to being its own. The gun, however, was stolen. But the story gets better…

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If You’re in Austin and Like Sushi You Must Go to Kyōten Sushiko Now

by Gary Leff

Sep 18 2016

In the two years I’ve lived in Austin I’ve developed some real favorite foods — Lamberts for barbecue in a sit-down restaurant, Home Slice for Pizza, Clark’s Oyster Bar, Peached Tortilla, Chi’lantro for kimchee fries and bulgogi tacos.

On the whole the biggest thing I’ve given up compared to DC is Asian food. Though plenty of people have their favorites, I don’t find the Thai or Vietnamese up to par (though there are places I’ll go to in a pinch). But there’s one Asian cuisine where Austin beats DC, and that’s sushi (though Takumi in Falls Church is recommendable). And the best of the bunch is brand new.

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United Fare Sale: New York/Chicago/DC – Europe from $394 Roundtrip

by Gary Leff

Sep 18 2016

A year ago I highlighted excitement over roundtrip fares to Amsterdam for under $600 roundtrip. Several cities were available in the $700s. I wouldn’t even bother posting about those fares today.

Right now we’re seeing United non-stops from New York and Chicago to Amsterdam from $394 roundtrip. And DC and Chicago – Paris on United from $430 roundtrip non-stop.

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American Airlines $73 First Class Fares (Upgrade for $7!) and How to Earn Full Miles on Discount American Fares

by Gary Leff

Sep 17 2016

Here’s the cheapest first class upsell fare I’ve ever seen. And it offers lessons about airfare search and also crediting miles — to American and to partners.

American Airlines will sell you coach one-way for the 834 mile flight between Portland and Los Angeles for $58.10. That’s a pretty good price. But it gets so much better…

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Holy Smokes: 6+ Business Class Award Seats West Coast – Europe Almost Every Day Spring/Summer

by Gary Leff

Sep 17 2016

Last night I wrote about Austrian’s new flight between Vienna and Los Angeles.

Austrian is a Star Alliance airline, you can use miles with United, Aeroplan, ANA, LifeMiles, and many other programs to book awards to and through Vienna to most places you’d want to go in Europe and even Asia.

And I shared that there were days after this new flight goes into the schedule April 10 where there are 6 or more business class seats available. Most dates weren’t showing up for United, though, although they were bookable by some Star Alliance partners.

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Last Night American Revamped the Way it Sells Tickets Online

by Gary Leff

airplanes tarmac
Sep 17 2016

Last month I reported that was discontinuing the sale of fare ‘bundles’ and would change the way they handle upsells.

We don’t yet know exactly what that’s going to look like, since it will be heavily influenced by new stripped-down ‘basic economy’ economy fares whose details haven’t been released yet — we’ll see that before the end of the year. Odds on they’ll follow Delta, which has taken heat for ‘hate selling’.

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How United, Delta, and American Fail Basic Business With Revenue-Based Frequent Flyer Changes

by Gary Leff

Sep 16 2016

The person who buys full fare tickets but doesn’t pick their own travel provider (either because they ignore it, their corporate travel department buys the tickets) isn’t going to spend more money on an airline because the loyalty program is slanted to high revenue travelers.

Yet a program can influence both choice of travel provider and total amount of travel. A business traveler is less reluctant to travel if she’s being rewarded for it. They may not fight against travel when they aren’t just getting their expenses covered but they have something to cash in later. Without a rewarding scheme, business travelers become more reluctant to travel.

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