A Mega DO is the ultimate frequent flyer adventure — fly around on a chartered aircraft and party with the heads of your favorite airlines, hotels, and loyalty programs while taking advantage of once in a lifetime behind the scenes opportunities whether it’s a private party in Lufthansa’s First Class Terminal in Frankfurt, visiting not open to the public parts of Boeing, or evacuating an aircraft on the slide and into the water. The last event, the inaugural oneworld Mega DO, was covered in USA Today and also in an Associated Press piece that was picked up in about 70 papers around the country. Here’s the Wall Street Journal piece on September’s Star Mega DO 3 and the Journal’s coverage of the first Star Mega DO in September 2009 which was also written up in…
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Maximizing Miles in the Maldives: Cathay First, Eating in Singapore, and a Park Hyatt Water Villa – Singapore Airlines Business Class: Singapore – Male
Introduction Positioning flights to San Francisco, Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf, and Some Dim Sum for the Day Cathay’s New San Francisco Lounge Cathay Pacific First Class, San Francisco – Hong Kong The Wing and Cathay Pacific First Class, Hong Kong – Singapore A Grand Suite at the Grand Hyatt Singapore Eating in Singapore Dinner at Waku Ghin, Marina Bay Sands Singapore Airlines Business Class: Singapore – Male Transfer to the Park Hyatt Hadahaa, Maldives Park Hyatt Maldives – Part I Park Hyatt Maldives – Part II Park Hyatt Maldives – Part III Maldivian, Kaadehdhoo – Male Singapore Airlines Business Class, Male – Singapore Cathay Pacific Business Class, Singapore – Hong Kong Conrad Hong Kong Cathay Pacific First Class, Hong Kong – Chicago American’s Chicago Flagship Lounge and the Final Journey Home We caught a cab from…
In Which I Actually Defend Travel Coverage in the New York Times
I rail at media stories about travel all of the time. I get the most exorcised when stories get facts wrong and imply things about travel that are plain untrue. I try not to get too excited by stories that miss what I consider to be important nuance. The elements of a story that matter to me are likely different than those of a general reader, and most publications aren’t really writing with me as the audience. I get that. And I do try to offer a little slack to general interest publications. There are writers who should know better, but on the whole travel coverage approximates what consumers want it to be, and I can’t really complain too loudly if broad audience articles don’t suit my particular taste. And with that frame, I think…
Expert Flyer Introduces Free Account with Seat Alerts
Expert Flyer is a web-based service that lets you see availability of flights, look up fare rules, search for award space (on a limited set of airlines) and even have their system automate searches and email you when space opens up. That’s the most useful and unique offering they have in my opinion. The system also has ‘seat alerts’ — you book a flight but can’t get the seat you want, maybe only middle seats are available or perhaps you’re flying United and you want an economy plus aisle but no economy plus aisle seats are available. Or maybe you’re looking for an exit row, but all the exit row seats are full. Expert Flyer will keep searching for the seats you specify to open up and email you when they do, which frequently they…
Exciting Details of the Oneworld Mega DO Launch!
Last night was the launch party for the Oneworld Mega DO, it was a pajama party at the Andaz West Hollywood. American Airlines is introducing pajamas and other upgraded amenities to their international first class to bring themselves a bit closer to par with their international competitors (I’m still betting that United has to match, but nothing yet….) and it was a great way to promote that with frequent flyers. Not to be outdone, Hyatt gave out robes… Details of the preliminary program were shared — the event begins with an optional European portion with a trip from New York to London January 23 – 25. Then the official launch is in Dallas on January 25, a Hyatt reception in the evening and then the day of the 26th an American Airlines program followed by…
Rumored Drastic Changes to United-Continental Frequent Flyer Program
Lucky passes on some pretty specific speculation about the combined United-Continental frequent flyer program for next year. I’ll quote substantially from his post, and though while I don’t claim to be entirely in the know on this my understanding has been that the details of next year’s program aren’t final or fully decided and wouldn’t be until after Labor Day — so this may not be completely right. Although it certainly resonated with some things I’ve heard about in terms of the direction they’re going. Let’s start with the good news (and trust me, there’s not a whole lot of it for most of us). Class of service bonuses: Class of service bonuses for full fare tickets and paid premium cabin tickets will go up substantially, ranging anywhere from 125% for Y, B, and M…
Lotus of Siam: NOT the Best Thai Restaurant in North America, at Least at Lunch
I caught a cab straight away from the airport. I had been planning to come straight here. So I had the driver take me well beyond the strip to a strip mall that’s home to many ethnic restaurants a few miles away from the major action of the city, where Lotus of Siam can be found. I had a wonderful dinner here a couple of years, and for many years it’s been highly touted as the best Thai restaurant in North America. The chef has won all sorts of awards. And they’re sure to let you know that, with the walls of the entrance filled with their accolades. I was eager to return, especially after a less than stellar meal at their new New York location. I wanted them to redeem themselves. I walked in…
Is Instant Gold Status with Virgin Atlantic back?
Back on April 9 I posted an offer for free instant Virgin Atlantic Gold 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. Those that used the link received Gold status, and it seems have been able to keep it. The link was taken down, however,…
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.
What a Rumored US Airways Acquisition of United Would Mean
The big news this evening is actually just a rumor, gone mainstream by way of the New York Times Deal Book blog, that US Airways would be buying United. The title of the post was changed to say the two carriers were ‘in merger talks.’ But in fact the rumor has very much been that US Airways would be making an offer for United. I’m not really clear on where they get the cash to do that (Track It Back-funded merger???). But that is the rumor. And I believe this would be bad for everyone. Consumers already get the benefits via the Star Alliance partnership. And the downsides from the perspective of a frequent traveler are myriad. 1) Bad for United flyers, United has a better product and the US folks aren’t about quality in-flight…
