Most of the time what I write on a given day is really just ‘whatever pops into my head’ although sometimes the very best pieces are those prompted by reader questions.
You’re always welcome to email me of course, but what I’d love is for you to share what’s on your mind here in the comments.
- What’s important to you in the world of travel? What’s the biggest thing right now?
- What would you love to understand better? What do you want to know?
- What do you think I could do a better job of covering for you?
What would you like to see me write about? What’s on your mind?
I won’t promise up front to cover everything, though I’ll read and ponder everything that’s written here in the comments. I have several upcoming long haul flights to ponder reader questions. Now, it may take me awhile to work through it — goodness knows there are things I’m behind on.
But I’d love to hear from you!
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What’s the best way to look up Cathay Pacific award availability using Alaska Air miles?
With the new ANA award chart: what are the routing rules, maximum number of segments, and if one ways are allowed. And also, are any SQ suites reductions available with ANA miles.
If you can summarize which airlines allow for free one-ways on international award tickets, that would be helpful. I know there’s been some changes in the past few months. Last year I got two free one-ways on my trip to Australia, I used one on the front-end to from from Lake Tahoe to LAX, and used one later on the back-end to fly from LAX to St Maarten. I don’t think AA allows that anymore. On my trip to LAX-Singapore-Maldives on United, I think Singapore was my stopver because I stayed there for 5 days before going to Maldives, and it was the same 80000 points for that routing (LAX-SIN-MLE-SIN-LAX) as it would’ve been just round trip from LAX to SIN. Does United still allow that? What other airlines do?
thanks
How about a review of the new JL International First Class Lounge in Haneda (not Narita) before I get there. 😉
You used to provide posts that summarized current award availability trends that you see from your award booking business (by airline, by region, by class of travel). I know you will post about availability on specific routes as they develop but I would request more ‘State of award travel availibility’ type post. This information is always very helpful
You travel a lot. Do you ever get tired of traveling? 😉 What do you learn more from your travels?
I ask because I recently did a 3 country trip in under 3 weeks on a total of 8 segments. I really love flying, but I think I’m done flying for a little while. I want to enjoy my adventures (on land) and then I’ll start thinking about my next trip for next year …a little later in the year when I get a break from work.
How safe is MS’ing? How often do the banks shut accounts down?
What’s the best option for booking tickets to Asia using miles if you have them on lots of programs? With/without stopovers/open jaws. Goal is generally to use the fewest points for economy travel, but of course I value the points on different programs a bit differently.
A post on your “earn and burn” philosophy would be helpful. How do I know if I’m hoarding too many UR points and not spending them enough?
fuel dumping on award and paid tickets
I’ve not flown since before September 11, 2001 and am tired of driving around in the car. Time to get in the air! An American Airlines/US Air mileage run (using weekends only) to earn elite status might be fun – any thoughts on an optimal strategy? (I’ve got the US Airways Premier World MasterCard but not earned any preferred qualifying miles). Thanks for a great blog!
How are you planning status (airlines) for year end? Do you need to MR? Lifetime status?
strategy for choosing credit cards for sign up bonuses. Should I stick with one or two programs at first or diversify widely?
I’d really appreciate an up-dated overview of what points and miles programs allow for inheritance and which ones terminate with the death of the owner. If you have a boatload, as I have, it’s an important estate-planning issue.
What’s the best way to travel first class to Asia? Buy a ticket and upgrade, or go with miles?
Thoughts on Mileage runs in a DL/UA “revenue based” world? Any speculation on the partnerships (Skyteam, Star) with regard to 2015 mileage run strategies?
Which credit cards are churnable due to the new restrictions? I have 5 Chase cards and need to consolidate.
Patrick’s question regarding inheritance rules is an important one. Secondary question….if points do transfer…who can they be transferred to? Partners or only spouses? Thank you!
Gary you worte long time ago about Alitalia award chart and since I am tempted to tranfer amex points to get an award ticket to North Asia with a stopover in Rome. Can you write an update how difficult it is to deal with the call center and how to search award seat on Alitalia?
As a guy in his 30s who eats 8-10 entrees of Thai food per sitting and looks like an obese man in his 50’s, can you share some advice about how to die young?
Big G-
Would love a primer on card churnability. Which ones allow it? Under what circumstances?
Love the blog
-Josh
Would love some ideas on how to do the US Trial Preferred milage run, 30,000 PQM or 40 PQS, for Chairman’s and then AA EP status.
I’m looking for help deciding how to do this in the least expensive & least painful way. Should I do it on miles or segments? I know people usually say miles, but during the trial for intl trips, it would likely be in coach. SO segments, lots of transcons, something else?
There have been a lot of posts on this offer, but I could really use some ideas on possible routings & fares from BOS/NYC/WAS to get the necessary miles!
All I have found so far is 4 segments from BOS to BUF RT for About $140, but one would have to do this “run” for 10+ days to get the needed 40 segments!
I would like to know how to best utilize each kind of point and mile I accrue for travel.
This may have been covered before, and I realize that the game changes over time and there are no permanent standards, but I would like to know, for example:
*What’s the best way to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points? Which airline would I be best off transferring to?
*What’s the best use of my US Airways miles? How can I get the most out of these miles? Which destinations are an especially good deal for US Airways miles?
Also, I would love to see more destination specific information in regards to mile and point redemptions.
For example, if you want to fly to India, which airline should I use to get the best deal and the most out of my miles? How about Brazil? New Zealand?
There are lots of folks who come into the travel hacking world with a specific destination in mind. I would love to see more posts directed specifically to travel destinations.
Thanks!
Detailed review on how the new Aeroplan rules work. What’s new, what’s gone, how to maximize etc.
Would love a column about where u think Apple Pay can take us. Will cvs and others let you buy VRs etc in the future? It seems with Apple verifying the card is yours against your Apple ID and with the issuing bank that would take the fraud aspect out of play, no?
Would like your thoughts on the evolution of the FF blog “industry.” Are more blogs, in addition to the public postings, going towards a pay-subscription service? I am on one now and enjoy it very much, find it a great value, and since membership is in the hundreds, not hundreds of thousands, announced deals don’t get killed.
Tried to cancel an Alaska Air award ticket 18 days in advance, and discovered that it will now cost me $125.00 to do so. Previously, award cancellation had been free on Alaska. Is this the norm accross FFlyer groups now… big change/cancel fees, just as if you’d paid normal fare $?
I was just mulling over the economics of credit card bonusing last night- are all of the costs absorbed by the credit card companies?
2x travel and dining are broad credits that capture a big chunk of credit card spend, so that’s a subsidy that makes sense. But 5x at office supply houses, or 5x on the Freedom categories?
The bonuses drive a lot of incremental traffic into those stores (albeit low margin gift cards, etc)- do the stores pay advertising fees or a higher credit card fee on these transactions to offset the cost?
What about the priviledges on premium cards, like IHG platinum and free nights on renewals- does Chase pay the cost, or does IHG comp it to them, because Chase buys so many IHG points already?
Probably not of interest to most of your readership, but as a fellow finance person, this is what I think about in my spare time…
been like that for a long time now, its 60 days. Which is still real generous considering what the other airlines do.
I say less pumping more informational posts. I am reading less and less of this blog. Don’t turn into million mile secret.
I;m looking to book a 1st trip to Asia. I know you visit often & would like a couple of scenarios of what would be good itineraries to try & book? The earning I’ve gotten down, but the burn can be tough!
I am interested in flying first class from SFO to Europe,using miles, almost anywhere in Europe. Can’t seem to find any availability in September of next year. Trying different destinations but would be interested in how to look for seats, is the only way to keep logging on to different sites and searching? We have plenty of URs.
how can you book a trip from Mexico city to Seattle with a stopover allowed in the city you have to change planes at in Texas using American miles? When I try and book it I can’t get it to allow a stopover for a few days in city we have to change planes in. People say stopovers can be done but can’t find out how exactly to do it on American
Gary, Thanks for this offer. I have travelled all my life, for the past 17 years while I had my business I was able to take 3 months of every year. That was great and over that time I built up status in various airline and hotel programs.
18 months ago I threw it all in and decided to spend the rest of my life travelling. So I do. In the past 18 months I have been in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Philippines, Australia ( my home ) USA, Colombia, Costa Rica, UK, France, Belgium.
Essentially I live in hotels and fly a lot. And I love every minute of it.
I try to remain consistent and stay in the same brands. I have Diamond status now with Hilton from stays and I am also Diamond with Best Western.
My issue: I also stay in other hotels and depending on the airfare I fly different airlines, I have no status with any airline except Silver with UA. I have points in Qantas, United ( they are the 2 biggies ) American, Sri Lankan, Delta, Virgin Australia, Philippine Airlines and even 2500 with Air Berlin!
When it comes to hotels I have points with Hilton, Best Western ( the 2 main accounts ) as well as smaller accounts with IHG, Starwood, Hyatt, Club Carlson.
Is there someone or somewhere I can go to an expert, who will look at the total package of points and consolidate them and help me with a strategy whereby I can always put the points into the 2 main accounts in each category?
My main thing is not necessarily status but to build up the points in one account to utilise for free flights, nights etc ( although I find Hilton status great for the upgrades, free wi-fi and complimentary breakfasts ).
So i would appreciate any guidance.
Thanks in advance
I would love help on how to manufacture spend from abroad, I order to meet spend thresholds for sign up bonuses.
Is the Barclay arrival card churnable? Do I have to close the card first? How long from when I applied? How long from when I closed the card?
A fellow blogger tries to do this – but I don’t think does it very well. Where can I fly a family of 4 on reward tickets in premium cabins? What kinds of awards are usually open? What kind of awards do I have no chance at? Even with some of the tools (awardnexus, etc..) I can search 3 – but rarely 4 – and even doing dates on aa.com – 3 seems to be a common number but not 4.
@George, Gary ran a post recently which may be of interest:
http://viewfromthewing.com/2014/10/25/secret-sauce-behind-putting-together-co-brand-credit-card-deal/
What are your thoughts about Pluto being no longer classified as a planet? Did Pluto get cheated?
Can you tell me how I can convince my boss to give me more time off so I can travel more?
GAry-
How about a comparison of “economy plus”/”premium economy” seats. All three US carriers (AA, UA, DL) just give you economy seats in the same cabin with a few inches of extra leg room -, while the rest of the world has a separate cabin and much, much better seats, often what you get in domestic US carrier first class eats.
Hi Gary I appreciate you! Topics: cards, credit, MS, travel industry, signup bonuses, and something I don’t see much of, frugal travel. I earn miles in my business but spend them on the ground. Keep up the great work I follow you daily and it has been a big help!
I want to second what Matt Diggs is asking.
I have a family of four and want to get premium space availability and not have to split up on two separate flights. It seems near impossible.
Also, how can we use hotel points for 2 guaranteed connecting or a two bedroom suite?
“Chris said, Can you tell me how I can convince my boss to give me more time off so I can travel more?”
Easy, get rid of the boss, become it.
Many of the hotel groups (Hyatt Residence Club, Starwood) have fee-ownership clubs offering time-share like accommodation during the year. Starwood has options to use your “time-share” weeks as accommodation or as points that can be used at the non-club hotels in the chain.
How does this option fit into a plan to travel widely (using points?) Do you had any experience with this option even if only to view the properties and sit through their 90 minute presentation to receive discounted rates and points?
Silly question but why did you choose to not have your own domain name?
Travel advice for the newly retired–lots of time and flexibilities but not money (no more company expense account); too old/spoiled for anything less than business class long hauled flight.
Gary,
I am new to the game and sometimes I feel lost with so much information beyond my knowledge.
I would like a 101 section about credit cards, scores, miles… Maybe it wouldn’t take too much effort because it could be a kind of compilation of what you already have written and some issues only for beginners.
Thanks.
I echo David Patterson’s comments above.
I want a pointer to special bargains in programs I might not be using (e.g. Singapore’s 40K US domestic first award). Details on one-way and stopover rules would help, as would guides specific to how to use Chase UR, Amex MR, and SPG starpoints. I know most of this has been covered before, but it’s still the stuff that I find myself most wanting more depth on.
@ Win- thanks! I am a dedicated reader, but missed that one…
Gary,
I saw lots of strategies about how to get Star Alliance Gold status, but there are few talking about the other two alliances. I would like to know more about how to get elite status with OneWolrd (ex. it can be a summary or maybe a detail comparison for which airline has the most reasonable program).
Also it would be great if you can share some experiences for searching airline fares, especially how to book ticket with certain fare code (like V or Y) with United and American.
Thanks