For two days before my trip began, I checked the weather obsessively. I was connecting up to Toronto to begin my first class oneworld award. Missing the start of the trip would be a serious pain. Fortunately oneworld awards are pretty changeable, even after travel begins, but there are no changes to routing. And if I don’t even start the trip, then I’m at the mercy of award availability… from the looks of things I could fly Toronto – Hong Kong – Manila in first class the next day if I missed my outbound flight. But certainly that availability could have changed, especially with Cathay Pacific where availability sometimes seems to come and go for no logical reason at all. I certainly didn’t want my first class flight to Hong Kong to turn out to…
Why I Prefer Bar Locks on Hotel Rooms Instead of Chains
Chains on the doors are way too easy to defeat. With a rubber band, no less.
Measures of Air Marshall Effectives
Via Bruce Schneier, comes this statement from Tennessee Congressman Jimmy Duncan: Actually, there have been many more arrests of Federal air marshals than that story reported, quite a few for felony offenses. In fact, more air marshals have been arrested than the number of people arrested by air marshals. We now have approximately 4,000 in the Federal Air Marshals Service, yet they have made an average of just 4.2 arrests a year since 2001. This comes out to an average of about one arrest a year per 1,000 employees. Now, let me make that clear. Their thousands of employees are not making one arrest per year each. They are averaging slightly over four arrests each year by the entire agency. In other words, we are spending approximately $200 million per arrest. Let me repeat that:…
Up to 100,000 American Miles for Flying to Their Different New Destinations
American has a new cumulative bonus for flying their new routes through July 31. (Registration required prior to travel.) Here are the cities they’re promoting: Allentown, PA Asheville, NC Augusta, GA Beijing, China Charleston, WV Cheyenne, WY Eleuthera, Bahamas Fargo, ND Fayetteville, NC Harrisburg, PA Lexington, KY Myrtle Beach, SC Rapid City, SD Scranton/Wilkes Barre, PA Sioux Falls, SD Treasure Cay, Bahamas Tri-cities, TN The more cities you fly to (roundtrip) the more miles you earn, with bonuses starting with your second city. Earning breaks down as follows: ROUND-TRIPS TO DIFFERENT DESTINATIONS TOTAL BONUS MILES EARNED 2 1,000 3 4,000 4 6,000 5 10,000 6 15,000 7 25,000 8 50,000 9 75,000 10 100,000 Each destination only counts once under the promo. You can’t just find a good fare to Fayetteville, rinse and repeat. That only…
Trip Report Prelude — Cathay & British Airways First Class, Philippines and Macau, a Presidential Suite, and the Fat Duck Restaurant
I recently returned from Asia, an American Airliens First Class Oneworld award. This is just a bit of background before I begin sharing some of the details of my travels. When the KVS Availability Tool introduced Cathay Pacific award availability (really just an interface with the Cathay website) it seemed like a good time to start searching Cathay award availability. And with the economic downturn and fewer first class tickets being sold, Cathay first was pretty widely available. I’ve long been more of a Star Alliance guy, I have plenty of American Airlinesmiles but haven’t flown much Oneworld. So this would be my first time in Cathay First. And with the Oneworld distance-based awards, you can fly pretty much any routing you wish (the longer it is, the more miles they charge) as long as…
Instant Virgin Atlantic Top Tier Elite Status
Enroll at this link for instant Gold status in Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club. Benefits of Gold, Virgin Atlantic’s top tier, are detailed here. Basically benefits apply primarily when actually flying Virgin — bonus miles, lounge access and priority checkin even when flying economy, extra baggage, and Heathrow fast track. You can also nominate a Silver. And there are reciprocal benefits with Virgin Blue, VAustralia, ANA, and Singapore. This puppy won’t last long. I believe it’s intended to incentivize folks buying higher-priced business class transatlantic fares, who already have status in another program, but was made available to all comers.
Sheraton Toileteries Ramain the Same, Remove Bliss Name
Barbara De Lollis reports that the Sheraton toileteries, previously Shine by Bliss, will now be simply Shine. Sheraton brand chief Hoyt Harper II told me in an interview that the new, non-Bliss-brand Shine line is “the same formula, the same packaging” and also made by the same vendor. Starwood no longer owns the Bliss name, and licenses it only for the W and St. Regis brands. Frankly, if I owned the Bliss brand I wouldn’t license it to Sheraton. I always thought it cheapened the Bliss name, rather than elevating the Sheraton toileteries. At least they didn’t try to brand Four Points Clean! products as Bliss! Perhaps the products are all good, Veblen had a point, and I’m just not a fan of shrink wrap?
$500 Off Openskies Business Class to Paris
OpenSkies is offering $500 off in May using promo code IADMAY10. It’s clearly targeted at Washington Dulles-originating flyers, though the code appears to work for New York departures as well. Roundtrips from DC to Paris-Orly can be had in business class for ~ $1250 roundtrip. Considering that United and Air France non-stops (to and from De Gaulle) are running about a thousand dollars in coach, this is a pretty good deal. (Hat tip: Flyertalk.)
50,000 Miles for a United Visa
According to this Flyertalk thread, Chase is offering 50,000 miles as a signup bonus (after $250 in spend) for a Mileage Plus Visa. The offer isn’t available online, you have to call. From the thread, Call Mileage Plus Customer Service (1-800-421-4655 for non-elites) 1. Choose “manage my account” 2. Let them know your mileage plus number and zip code 3. Say “more options” 4. Finally say “apply for a United mileage plus card”. And tell the rep that you’re calling for the 50,000 mile signup bonus offer. All reports on-thread so far are positive.
All Nippon Airways First Class Award Availablity.. and May the Vultures Descend!
I recently answered a question on Flyertalk, and thought I’d share the insight here as well. All Nippon Airways has a really fabulous first class product. Their seats/suites are getting a bit dated, their current generation first class product went into service in December, 2002. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a nice bed with ample privacy and is legions beyond many other carriers’ first class offerings. And of course they’re rolling out a new first class, I haven’t kept up on the timetable. But they really shine with their meal offerings. They have I believe the best food in the sky, and certainly the most extensive snack menus. And while some don’t like their amenity kits I’m a huge fan. They give you an empty bag and bring around a basket of amenities. Take…
