Jul
17
2015
I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Secret Things You Can Do in Asia, the Cheapest Apartments on the Internet, and 3500 Bonus American Miles
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What’s the Best First Class for West Coast – Asia?
Jul
05
2015
The choice here is ultimately going to be driven by availability, although there are plenty of airlines worth checking given the miles that are available.
Consider that it’s entirely possible to use a different airline for the outbound as the return — not just to try different products, but because schedules and availability may differ, especially for an outbound to North Asia and a return from Southeast Asia.
I’d generally rank the first class products of airlines flying from the US West Coast across the Pacific as follows:
“Trick Routings” Using American Miles to Get to Asia
Reader Adam asks, I’m always using AA miles on CX awards to Hong Kong/ SE Asia. What are other options that may not be obvious? Like, are there possible routes through Europe, or HNL? Using American miles for Cathay Pacific awards is an outstanding use of points. Cathay Pacific has a great product The awards are relatively cheap at 55,000 miles one-way for business class and 67,500 miles one-way for first. In fact, I expect that Asia awards are the most likely to become more expensive when AAdvantage next makes changes to their award chart. Cathay Pacific First Class Seat Cathay Pacific Business Class Seat
The Tragic Mistake the Pilots of the TransAsia Flight Made Shortly Before Crash
Days ago we learned of the crash of a TransAsia flight from Taipei to Kinmen which hit a bridge and landed in the water. This was a horrible event, and it’s tough to shake the images we saw caught on a dashcam. Since the aircraft and its recorders were recoverable, we already know much of what happened. With the caveat that there are still unanswered questions, and a final report will ultimately likely explain even those, it appears that: There was a malfunction with the aircraft’s right engine. The pilots shut down the left engine. So they were essentially operating without either engine. One presumes they intended to shut down the right engine, which was neither necessary nor desirable to do in any case. Data from the ATR 72-600’s flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit…
Asiana Awards Have Disappeared From United.com. Here’s How to Find the Space.
On March 10th, there’s non-stop award availability in economy from Los Angeles to Seoul on Asiana. But searching United.com for non-stop awards I get this message: Indeed, search for award space between Seoul (Asiana’s hub) and Bangkok (Thai Airways’ hub), I am presented with options only for Thai on United’s website. But if I search for those March 10 Los Angeles – Seoul seats on the Aeroplan website (Air Canada’s Aeroplan is an American Express Membership Rewards partner and a Star Alliance member), the seats come right up. What you need to do is: Search for Asiana award space using the Aeroplan website (no miles are required in your account to search) or the ANA website. Call United to book if you want to use MileagePlus miles for the award Calling United directly, I was…
Today’s TransAsia Crash Video Footage Caught on Dash Cam
TransAsia Airways flight GE 235, an ATR-72 operating a domestic flight from Taipei to Kinmen crashed shortly after taxi after hitting a taxi and a bridge before landing into a river. Five crew and 53 passengers (22 Taiwanese and 31 Chinese tourists from Xiamen) were onboard. Reports are that the pilots communicated with air traffic control, “Mayday, mayday, engine flame out.” The flight data recorder has been recovered. The Taipei-based airline operates Airbus and ATR aircraft. Another one of their ATR-62s crashed in July. My thoughts are with the passengers and crew — both those that perished in the crash and those that escaped the wreckage to safety — as well as the families and the employees of the airline. You can join the 50,000+ people who see these deals and analysis every day —…
The Business Class Award Flights to Asia You Can Always Get Because No One Is Competing With You For Them
I attended a talk by a legendary fundraiser, probably 15 years ago, where he told a story about not going to visit with the wealthiest donor in a state. When making a trip to Arkansas everyone assumed they knew he was going to see the Waltons of Wal-Mart but he explained, ‘the line’s too long.’ One of the reasons I’ve loved redeeming Chase points for Korean Air first class, American miles for Etihad first class, and Alaska miles for Emirates first class, is that in those cases there are relatively few programs able to redeem for the seats. Etihad and Emirates aren’t part of global alliances, and Korean’s Skyteam partner Delta doesn’t allow redemptions for first class. In other words, the line is shorter. One of the shortest lines in award redemption is for Philippine…
Delta.com Makes Award Booking Even Easier With Online Support for Two New Partners to Asia!
Delta now allows one-way awards
Etihad is Going to Honor $178 Fares to Abu Dhabi and Cheap Fares to Asia and Africa
Etihad’s amazing fare starting at $178 roundtip to Abu Dhabi, India, Africa or Asia are going to be honored. To be clear, I hadn’t really speculated that they wouldn’t be but folks will be glad to know that Etihad has confirmed that they’re not going to be trying to unwind the tickets. “A system filing issue caused ticket prices for a promotion in the USA to be temporarily listed incorrectly,” said Etihad spokeswoman Katie Connell on Sunday. “The issue has since been rectified. Etihad Airways will honor these fares.” Connell said she could not immediately say how many tickets were issued at the sharply reduced levels.
Review of Etihad’s Revolutionary New First Class Apartment, the Best Hotel in the World, and What Happened to the AirAsia Flight
News and notes from around the interweb: Lucky has the first review of the First Class Apartment from Etihad’s inaugural A380 flight. Must see. Earn 1,000 Starpoints on your first Le Meridien stay and then 2000 more each subsequent Le Méridien stay in North America and French Polynesia through March 1. Registration required. (HT: John E.) Google is no longer accepting credit cards from the largest AdWords purchasers. That’s doubly frustrating for the largest customers who also have American Express Business Gold Rewards cards. This Forbes.com column asks if the Burj al Arab is the most luxurious hotel in the world? (HT: Alan H.) Here’s my tour of the property. Definitely much that’s over the top, but I’m not sure I’d want to stay there. Going for tea is the perfect way to experience it.…
