ASIA

Search Results for "ASIA".

The 10 Best Cities In The World

by Gary Leff on July 26, 2022

Jul 26 2022

The Economist produces a research report on the top 10 most livable cities in the world. How many have you been to? How do your favorites fare? What Are The World’s Most Livable Cities? This year’s top 10 most livable cities are ranked as: Vienna Copenhagen Zurich + Calgary Vancouver Geneva Frankfurt Toronto Amsterdam Osaka and Melbourne Can this list make any sense at all? Many of these cities are awesome, I'm sure, but these lists tend to be biased towards cities that are cold, expensive, or boring, which suggests that the listmakers have a shitty definition of "livability". — Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) July 25, 2022 Vienna is incredible, but I wouldn’t want to live there though I’ve been attached to it since Richard Linklater’s 1995 classic Before Sunrise where young American Ethan Hawke is…

Why Every Rewards Program Has The Same Two Components

by Gary Leff on July 11, 2022

Jul 11 2022

American Airlines’ own data shows that following devaluations of the AAdvantage program elite members moved flying away from the program. AAdvantage itself generated more revenue, because its credit card deals became more lucrative. That earn-burn program grew, while the most engaged members stepped back.

That may even be the right business decision! Flying has frequently been unprofitable for American while net revenue has been driven by selling miles to banks. Maybe they should reward flying less if they’re not making money on it.

Flying For Sushi, And Where To Get It In Austin Too

by Gary Leff on July 10, 2022

Jul 10 2022

The most ‘In Demand Restaurant In The United States’ right now is an omakase sushi restaurant in Austin service great fish at a bargain price point. The chef’s mentor is serving one of the most expensive sushi meals in the United States in Chicago. Both are outstanding.

300,000 Lufthansa Miles, Lounge Access And Hotel Elite Status For $5350

by Gary Leff on July 5, 2022

Jul 05 2022

ASMALLWORLD is supposed to be a networking organization for ‘the elite’ but I don’t know anyone that’s ever found it to be useful. They have a 75 euro membership, with free trial but their membership is also a way to buy a lot of frequent flyer miles and elite status thrown in at a higher price point.

Normally their 5200 euro membership comes with 250,000 Lufthansa Miles & More miles, but they’re currently offering 20% more, 300,000 miles. And that’s in addition to hotel and rental car elite status.

Review: Virgin Australia Business Class, Sydney – Gold Coast

by Gary Leff on July 4, 2022

Jul 04 2022

Normally I’d be inclined to pick up Qantas tickets in coach for the short 1 hour 20 minute flight, using my American AAdvantage status for priority check-in and boarding, lounge and extra baggage. But those were pricing at around $300 in economy for the one way trip while Virgin Australia was asking $200 for business class.

And I was really curious to see what Virgin Australia was like after having been acquired out of bankruptcy (“administration”) by private equity.

Great Business Class Award Availability To Europe, Starting At Just 53,000 Points Roundtrip

by Gary Leff on July 3, 2022

Jul 03 2022

There’s one place to look if you want to use American AAdvantage, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, or British Airways Executive Club points to Europe. (If you’re using miles from Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles, you’ll actually pay lower fuel surcharges for those British Airways awards.) That place is Iberia which is very good about releasing two business class award seats from 6 U.S. cities when booking six months or more in advance.

American Airlines Uses Its Hubs Differently Than Before The Pandemic [Roundup]

by Gary Leff on July 1, 2022

Jul 01 2022

A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

Bilt Launches A Travel Portal: Redeem Points At 1.25 Cents Apiece (Even For Disney)

by Gary Leff on June 30, 2022

Jun 30 2022

Bilt has launched a travel portal so that – in addition to transferring points to partners like American, United, and Hyatt – Bilt Rewards members can book their preferred trip (whatever it is) and pay with points instead of cash.

Each point is valued at 1.25 cents apiece when spent this way. That beats most credit card portal values, and matches Chase with its Sapphire Preferred Card.

The FAA Is Delaying United’s And American’s Electric Air Taxis By Years

by Gary Leff on June 28, 2022

Jun 28 2022

New aircraft are coming, but they’re farther off than they’ve been promised. And electric air taxis just got even farther off still, thanks to the U.S. federal government. In fact these planes are looking at delays of years. Some manufacturers may not have the financing to get through certification in the current market environment.

Oman Air Joining oneworld Alliance

by Gary Leff on June 20, 2022

Jun 20 2022

Back in September Oman Air announced its intention to join oneworld alliance and that it is working with Qatar Airways on its application as a sponsor.

Now joining is official.