How The Discovery of Beer Led to Civilization As We Know It (Link via the Volokh Conspiracy) According to one prominent anthropologist, what lured our ancient ancestors out of their caves may not have been a thirst for knowledge, but a thirst for beer. Dr. Solomon Katz theorizes that when man learned to ferment grain into beer more than 10,000 years ago, it became one of his most important sources of nutrition. Beer gave people protein that unfermented grain couldn’t supply. And besides, it tasted a whole lot better than the unfermented grain did. But in order to have a steady supply of beer, it was necessary to have a steady supply of beer’s ingredients. Man had to give up his nomadic ways, settle down, and begin farming. And once he did, civilization was just…
I’m afraid that
I’m afraid that I might be this guy. Hits a little close to home, The Onion does…
Hey, I just noticed that
Hey, I just noticed that Expedia has started charging $5 for the privilege of booking airline tickets on their website. Orbitz has been doing this for awhile.
A little bit short of
A little bit short of achieving or renewing elite status with United? Register to extend the qualification period through to March 31. Just add your miles flown in the first quarter of 2003 to the miles flown in 2002 in order to achieve elite status.
Changes to the Starwood program.
Changes to the Starwood program. These are pretty minor, and relate only to transferring Starwood points into airline miles. Beginning January 1, Starwood points transfer 1:1 into Qantas miles (instead of yielding 2 Qantas miles per Starwood points). Also beginning January 1, Starwood points transfer 2:1 into United miles, down from 1:1.
Looks like Hilton is making
Looks like Hilton is making some changes to their loyalty program, too. Not as harsh as Delta, but still significant. New hotel classifications — from 5 to 6 — changing the number of points required for award stays effective June 1, 2003 Unlike Delta, which has more or less replaced their elite qualification system to one more reliant on revenue, Hilton has added revenue as a supplemental qualifying method. Next year, HHonors base points are an alternative to stays for qualifying for Gold and Diamond. Gold status: 60,000 Base points in a calendar year. Diamond: 100,000 Base points in a calendar year. Award Stays Now Count Toward VIP Status More points required for VIP-only awards effective June 1, 2003. Reward certificates requested prior to June 1 will be at current point prices and the certificate…
I posted details
I posted details of my trip to Puerto Vallarta last weekend on Flyertalk.
The first good thing to
The first good thing to come out of the United bankruptcy. United has announced that it will not charge $100 to standby for a same-day flight. This fee was scheduled to go into effect January 1. Currently, all other major airlines except America West had announced similar policies. We’ll see if those policies last, now that United has backed off.
United has a
United has a new brochure explaining their Chapter 11 proceeding and what they see as its benefits.
Tired of paying $400-$500 for
Tired of paying $400-$500 for the Delta Shuttle? Chinatown bus lines offers NY-DC roundtrip for $30, even less than Greyhound.
