View from the Wing

Review: Emirates Colombo Airport Lounge and First Class, Colombo – Dubai

by Gary Leff on May 19, 2015

May 19 2015

Now it was really time to head home from my Maldives trip, having had my fill of Sri Lankan food for the day. We checked out of the Hilton and made what was nearly an hour’s drive in traffic to the Colombo airport.

Once there, though, things moved quickly. I had boarding passes from the day before, picked up in Male for both Colombo – Dubai and Dubai – Dallas. And there was pretty much no wait at all for immigration formalities or security to head to the Emirates lounge while waiting to fly Emirates first class to Dubai…

American Opening Up Business Class Awards to Europe With No Fuel Surcharges

by Gary Leff on May 19, 2015

May 19 2015

American is actually making premium cabin – business and first class – award space available on its own flights to Europe for the winter months. That means no fuel surcharges, even to London, where you can connect beyond using British Airways flights.

Earn 30,000 American Miles for a Checking Account With No Fees, and More…

by Gary Leff on May 19, 2015

May 19 2015

A collection of interesting links you’ll want to see, many you’ll want to click.

Is Etihad Operationally Awful? Here’s Why They Have Problems and How to Prepare.

by Gary Leff on May 19, 2015

May 19 2015

Etihad’s operation is really good considering the contraints the airline faces — for US-bound flights (security) and the rest of the world (insufficient airport facilities). Here’s what their problems look like, and how to plan around them.

American Express Now Competes With Defunct Radisson Hotel Program Through Fast Casual Dining Strategy

by Gary Leff on May 19, 2015

May 19 2015

It’s back to the future for American Express Membership Rewards and their new partnership to allow you to use points at Chili’s. Radisson Hotels used to share a loyalty program with TGI Friday’s. That was a bad use of points, and so is this. But with a few points you can get a quesadilla explosion…

A Food Tour of Colombo, Sri Lanka

by Gary Leff on May 18, 2015

May 18 2015

Since I didn’t have much time, and I’m not an expert on either Sri Lankan food or getting around the capital, I decided to hire a guide for a few hours on my day in Colombo.

I found an excellent guide, and since it’s Sri Lanka it was reasonably priced. We began at the floating market, stopped at a street vendor and for some dessert, and at a Sri Lankan vegetarian buffet.

I will never look at eating my fruits and vegetables the same way again, and especially loved the kottu, made of roti, vegetables, egg, meat, and spices…

No, Customers Aren’t Booking Away from American Airlines. Why Do You Ask?

by Gary Leff on May 18, 2015

May 18 2015

A USA Today column made the claim today that passengers are booking away from American Airlines due to customer service. It gets facts wrong, concedes customers aren’t *actually* avoiding flying American, and then points out one of the places it says customers are going – United – has more DOT complaints than American.

The article has been clogging up frequent flyer forums and my Facebook feed all day. Some logic needs to be applied here.

New Star Alliance Frequent Flyer Program Releases its Partner Earning and Award Charts

by Gary Leff on May 18, 2015

May 18 2015

Star Alliance member Copa Airlines is breaking away from United’s MileagePlus and starting their own ConnectMiles program. They’ve promised that ‘one mile flown earns one mile’. How are they keeping their promises, and what does their award chart look like?

Save Big on Rental Insurance, New Mileage-Earning Option, and Free Office Space Worldwide

by Gary Leff on May 18, 2015

May 18 2015

A collection of interesting links you’ll want to see, many you’ll want to click.

The New York Mets Bench Studies Travel Hacking Techniques

by Gary Leff on May 18, 2015

May 18 2015

A major league ballplayer getting called up from the minors may not be around for long, and in an expensive city like New York what are they to do for lodging?

The answer? Turn to online techniques for big hotel savings.

Review: Emirates Colombo Airport Lounge and First Class, Colombo – Dubai

American Opening Up Business Class Awards to Europe With No Fuel Surcharges

Earn 30,000 American Miles for a Checking Account With No Fees, and More…

Is Etihad Operationally Awful? Here’s Why They Have Problems and How to Prepare.

American Express Now Competes With Defunct Radisson Hotel Program Through Fast Casual Dining Strategy

A Food Tour of Colombo, Sri Lanka

No, Customers Aren’t Booking Away from American Airlines. Why Do You Ask?

New Star Alliance Frequent Flyer Program Releases its Partner Earning and Award Charts

Save Big on Rental Insurance, New Mileage-Earning Option, and Free Office Space Worldwide

The New York Mets Bench Studies Travel Hacking Techniques

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About Gary Leff

	Bilt Mastercard® Earn Points Paying Rent (up to 100,000 each year) plus earn 3x at restaurants; 2x on travel; as long as you make at least 5 purchases per month. No annual fee.
	Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months (See rates and fees)
	Citi® / AAdvantage Business^TM World Elite Mastercard® For a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening. AAdvantage miles are the currency I've redeemed most.[See rates and fees]