Recap of United’s Downgrades: Award Charts, ExpertFlyer and Meals

I’ve taken a temporary break from hunting for premium cabin Star Alliance award space to recap the major downgrades United Airlines announced this week. In case you missed them: Massive Changes to United MileagePlus Award Charts Effective Feb. 1 In the wee hours of Friday morning, United published new award charts for tickets issued on/after…

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Massive Changes to United MileagePlus Award Charts Effective February 1

By now, you’ve likely heard about the changes to United’s MileagePlus award charts that become effective February 1, 2014. And if you’re anything like me who almost exclusively uses their United miles for premium cabin awards on Star Alliance airlines, the changes are a monumental kick in the gut. First, here’s a look at what…

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Vintage Airline Seat Map: Cathay Pacific Boeing 747-200B

Blog reader Will sent me a batch of Cathay Pacific seat maps from the 1980s a couple of years ago, and I have the final one to share with you for this installment of Vintage Airline Seat Maps. The Boeing 747-200B appearing below devotes more real estate to economy class than the previous Cathay 747-200…

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Amenity Kit Review: Air Astana Short-Haul Business Class – Unisex

I previously reviewed Air Astana’s long-haul men’s business class amenity kit, and I’ll have a full review of the female version in an upcoming post.  In the meantime, here’s a look at the airline’s unisex offering provided to business class passengers on short-haul flights for this installment of Amenity Kit Reviews. The Kazakhstan-based airline operates…

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Flyer Unfriendly: United Pulls Upgrade, Elite Award Availability From ExpertFlyer

If you’re an ExpertFlyer subscriber and haven’t already received an email from them this morning, brace for unwelcome news if you use the service for certain United Airlines searches. United has decided to deny ExpertFlyer access to upgrade and elite award inventory effective November 1. This will remove the ability to search and create alerts…

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Reader Question: Any Issues, Concerns Doing International Mileage Runs?

Blog reader Richard sent in the following question: … I would love to get UAL premier gold again this year but I think it will take an international mileage run (note:  my home airport is SFO). I have never done that—are there time concerns/security issues with flying internationally (e.g., to London) only to turn around…

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Lounge Review: Asiana Business Class, Seoul Incheon Midfield Concourse

[This is part four of my Million-Mile Trip Report. I’ve included links to the other installments below:] United Airlines Million-Mile Trip Report: Introduction and Background Flight Review: United Airlines BusinessFirst, San Francisco to Seoul Hotel Review: Conrad Seoul, Executive Floor King Room Million-Mile Flight Review: United BusinessFirst, Seoul to San Francisco After checking in for…

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Hotel Review: Conrad Seoul, Executive Floor King Room

[This is part three of my Million-Mile Trip Report. I’ve included links to the other installments below:] United Airlines Million-Mile Trip Report: Introduction and Background Flight Review: United Airlines BusinessFirst, San Francisco to Seoul Lounge Review: Asiana Business Class, Seoul Incheon Midfield Concourse Million-Mile Flight Review: United BusinessFirst, Seoul to San Francisco The Conrad Seoul…

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The Two Winners of 5 United Drink Chits Each Are…

Thanks to everyone who entered my United Airlines onboard beverage voucher giveaway, and especially to those who offered their congrats to me for crossing the million-mile mark last month. The two lucky commenters picked by the trusty random number generator are #3 and #92: Congrats to Nathan and Brian! I’ll be emailing you both momentarily…

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Blog Giveaway: Five United Airlines Onboard Drink Vouchers… X2

It’s not quite Halloween, but I’m giving away some adult treats to two lucky blog readers. Contained in my United million-miler credentials that arrived earlier this week are 10 beverage vouchers good for in-flight alcoholic drinks. The vouchers are valid through January 31, 2014, so I had better give these away sooner rather than later…

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