As you’re undoubtedly aware, it’s nearing the end of the qualifying year for 2014 airline and hotel elite status with December 31 quickly approaching. And for the first time in, well, forever, I’m either dropping tier levels or losing status completely in all of my travel loyalty programs. If I were reading this post, say,…
Airlines (General)
Category Archives for Airlines (General).
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…
The Magic of Air Travel and How It Itself Can Be the ‘Destination’
There’s something that I’ve wanted to get off my chest for the past couple of months. I’ve seen multiple Twitter conversations lately between several different people that I follow debating the end goal of accumulating miles and points for travel. And I’m not talking about the addiction of earning status or milking the system for…
Friday Musings: Chicago Seminars and Milepoint Premium Membership
I’m kicking myself this morning for not booking a trip to the Chicago Seminars after seeing all the Tweets and build-up from attendees this week. If you’re unfamiliar, the annual event brings together the brightest minds in the travel hacking community to discuss all things miles and points. From introductory lectures to advanced credit card…
Notable Airline, Hotel and Travel News: September 25, 2013
A brief sampling of industry news that caught my attention today: For the sixth straight year, Virgin America was named “Best Premium Class” airline here in the U.S. by business travelers in Conde Nast Traveler‘s annual poll. Sun Country, Hawaiian, Alaska and Allegiant (??!!) rounded out the top five. United’s new Cleveland-Austin nonstop flight began today.…
Notable Airline, Hotel and Travel News: September 24, 2013
A brief sampling of industry news that caught my attention today: An astute Flyertalk member appears to have discovered what United’s redesigned website homepage will look like. And United has hinted that something “friendly” is coming this Friday. Plus, they even sort-of confirmed it on Twitter earlier today: British Airways begins Airbus A380 service today…
Notable Airline, Hotel and Travel News: September 23, 2013
A brief sampling of industry news that caught my attention today: Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic received approval from the DOT for their joint venture. Of particular interest to business travelers will be new harmonized flight schedules on the ultra-competitive New York JFK-London Heathrow route. Reciprocal frequent flier earn and burn benefits can now…
United’s Social Media Team Wows With a Fantastic Million-Mile Congrats
Earlier today, I landed in San Francisco on United Airlines flight 892 from Seoul and officially rolled over one million lifetime miles in the MileagePlus program. I’ll have a full trip report in the future with some additional background, but I have to quickly post about the fantastic response I received from United’s social media…
Notable Airline, Hotel and Travel News: September 19-20, 2013
While I’m traveling, here’s a briefer than normal sampling of industry news that caught my attention during the past two days: United Airlines rolled out a revived “Fly the Friendly Skies” multimedia ad campaign on Friday. It tugs at nostalgia for me given I grew up with that slogan, and actually think it’s a decent…
Notable Airline, Hotel and Travel News: September 18, 2013
A brief sampling of industry news that caught my attention today: Lufthansa will announce the details of its newest aircraft order in Frankfurt tomorrow. Sources close to the negotiations say the $10-17 billion order for new widebody jets will be split between Airbus and Boeing. Turkish Airlines opened its Arrivals Lounge at Istanbul’s airport. It’s…