British Airways First Class Upgrades Still a Great Use of Avios

Jan 02 2016

British Airways had amazing business class fares that allowed use of stackable discounts this fall. Some people were booking business class tickets between the US and Europe for less than $500 in cash (plus points), for instance.

With British Airways devaluing its points back in April upgrades became more expensive from premium economy to business class for flights 2001 miles or or longer. But for upgrades from business class to first class you’re still paying what a coach award ticket would cost in miles for the flight with no cash co-pay. And even deep discount business class fares are upgradeable.

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These Were the Most Important Things I Wrote in 2015

Jan 01 2016

I am terrible at guessing what readers are going to be interested in. Usually I don’t try. I write for myself, whatever seems interesting to me at the time. I am grateful that anyone wants to read it. I’m always surprised, though, by what does get read the most… what’s socially shared… what people keep coming back to over and over.

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Legendary Punk Rock Club Finds Afterlife as Mediocre Newark Airport Restaurant

Jan 01 2016

CBGB’s was a legendary punk rock music club in New York’s East Village that opened in the 1970s. It ultimately shut down after a rent dispute and lease renewal in 2005. It was an important stop for the B-52’s, Blondie, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, and the Talking Heads.

Now CB’s is a restaurant in Newark airport’s terminal C where you can have a bacon cheeseburger or turkey club while waiting for your United flight

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Delta Connection Pilot Goes Extra Lengths to Get Family to a Funeral

Dec 31 2015

A family was delayed 90 minutes in Phoenix enroute to Minneapolis, giving them a 7-10 minute connection. They arrived at their gate and their flight headed for Memphis — the last flight had pushed back.

One of the family members was screaming, crying, and waving their hands in the window. The pilot saw this, checked with the gate, and learned the man and his family were headed to a funeral. The pilot brought the plane back to the gate.

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