Notable Airline, Hotel and Travel News: August 23, 2013

It’s been a relatively quiet Friday in the industry, but here’s a brief summary of a few articles and other items that caught my attention today:

The Wall Street Journal wrote up a piece about United Airlines’ “Secret Club for Top Fliers,” or Global Services members to the rest of us “in the know.” This type of story ends up being a great clicker for the mainstream media.
Are you a “Do You Know Who I Am?!” traveler? I admittedly have been a few times, and I’m coming clean about my elite status junkie phase in a multi-part series.
New or refurbished hotels are popping up nationwide, and the link lists of some notable ones in Austin, Napa, Detroit and New Orleans.
It’s not just airlines consolidating in the travel industry. Well, they’re not merging, but Expedia will begin powering Travelocity’s U.S. and Canadian websites. I doubt the Justice Department will have any issues with this arrangement. Or will they?
Here’s an unusual headline that I just had to click: The Best Vacation Spots for Smokers. Did you know that a pack of cigarettes costs less than a buck in Indonesia, Turkey and South Africa?!
I have a new favorite Twitter hashtagÂ courtesy of a fellow BoardingArea blogger:
Finally, check out this story about a 106-year old man who fulfilled his lifelong dream to fly in an airplane. He’s quoted as saying, “I want to fly like a bird in the open sky before I die.” I totally understand and congratulations! 🙂

â€“ Follow Darren Booth on Twitter, @FrequentlyFlyin, for more airline, hotel and travel industry news, reviews and opinions.