Jun
20
2016
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.
What to Do When Your Miles Disappear (and Get Free Miles)
Review: Emirates First Class A380, Houston – Dubai
Jun
19
2016
I’ve been remiss in writing the details of my trip to the Mideast and Asia redeeming miles for first class on the Airbus A380s of all 3 of the big Gulf carriers: Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar.
It’s was a great quick trip to eat in Bangkok and see the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, and I’m determined to return to sharing it with you.
FARE ALERT: $276 Roundtrip to Europe (New York – Stockholm)
Jun
19
2016
Norwegian is offering roundtrips between New York JFK and Stockholm from $276 in January and February. Norwegian Air Shuttle operates the route with a Boeing 787.
Two More Airlines Joining TSA PreCheck – Which Ones May Surprise You
Jun
19
2016
Airport security lines became insufferably long over the past few months. It cost both passengers (who can wait for hours at peak times) and airlines (when passengers miss flights and their seats aren’t used efficiently, plus they have unhappy customers).
TSA is hiring more screeners, though really should start with redeploying 2800 behavior detection officers to the checkpoint.
Comedian Films Passenger Screaming Back at Crying Child on a Plane and More
Jun
19
2016
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.
Step-By-Step Booking Awards and Hotels for a Family of 6 to Australia
Jun
18
2016
Longtime reader Greekquent Flyer shared his notes with me from his recent family trip to Australia. He took on the challenge of planning premium cabin travel and hotels using his points to Australia (which is one of the toughest airline awards out there) for a family of 6.
So I asked him if I could share his experience with readers as a way of helping folks think about how to pull it all together.
After Tomorrow Costco Will No Longer Take American Express. What Happens to Amex Next?
Jun
18
2016
Tomorrow is the last day that American Express cards will be accepted at Costco stores. Amex lost the co-brand relationship to Citibank and Visa in a deal that has Citi overpaying and not even gaining exclusivity over Costco payments (starting tomorrow you can use any Visa at Costco, regardless of the issuing bank).
American Express couldn’t match the money-losing deal that Citi was offering — some have argued that it’s tax losses that subsidize the deal — but the change meant losing 10% of cardmembers.
Citibank’s Poor Judgment in Consumer Videos and a US Credit Card Designed for Cuba
Jun
18
2016
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.
I Learned Something New and Useful About American Airlines Check-in
Jun
18
2016
American Airlines changed its published check-in policy so that at a bare minimum you have to check-in 45 minutes prior to departure even for a domestic flight without checked luggage. Both Delta and United continue to publish 30 minutes in similar circumstances.
However American Airlines spokesperson Ross Feinstein clarified for me that in fact, American will still issue a boarding pass 30 minutes prior to departure for a domestic flight.
When Your Upgrade Doesn’t Clear, Don’t Do This.
Jun
18
2016
My American Airlines upgrade failed to clear yesterday afternoon. I was second on the upgrade list with one open seaet. I made my way back to 8B on the MD80 for the two hour flight in Main Cabin Extra, which was fine.
When your upgrade doesn’t clear, you sit in back. That’s just how it works. You do not decide to take matters into your own hands.
