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,…
Commentary
Category Archives for Commentary.
Why I Don’t Like Kiosk Immigration and Passport Control
Now before you say, “He said what?†let me further expand that headline to include: … outside of the United States. Global Entry here in the U.S. is praised by those who use the service as it zips you through immigration in a minute or two. But using kiosks at border entries bypasses getting an…
Thanksgiving Dilemma: To Fly or Not to Fly
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who celebrates the holiday! I had a lovely turkey brunch with my parents earlier today before heading out to the airport for a trip I’ve been rather uncertain in taking. Strange considering this is the Frequently Flying blog, right? Well, there are of course occasions where you absolutely have to cancel…
United Airlines Launches ‘Meh’ New iPhone App for iOS7
United today released its long awaited new iPhone app designed specifically for Apple’s iOS7 platform. You’ll either love it or hate it, and I’m in the in-between “meh†segment. At first glance, it looks like you’re using a Windows phone with their tiles and such: And to be nitpicky on the homepage’s aesthetics, why didn’t…
‘Introducing the 2014 American Airlines AAdvantage Program’
With the final merger hurdle being settled today with the DOJ, American Airlines and US Airways are basically on their way to becoming the world’s largest airline. There were concessions to the government in the settlement, of course, including: Under the deal, the airlines would get rid of airport terminal gates, take off and landing…
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…
False Alarm: American Isn’t Adding Award Ticket Fuel Surcharges… Yet
My, my it’s been an interesting morning reading the multitude of blog posts and reactions on Twitter to the “mistake” American Airlines made by adding fuel surcharges to non-British Airways/Iberia AAdvantage award tickets. Perhaps I shouldn’t put “mistake” in quotes, as it genuinely was an error according to American’s statement: Last night, in a routine…
Confessions of an Elite Status Junkie: Part Two
[This is my second post in a series dedicated to revealing the thoughts, behaviors and actions of an elite status junkie – namely, me. You can read my first installment by clicking here.] The Quest, the Challenge, the Addiction Begins If you follow me on Twitter, you know that in the past week I’ve tweeted…
‘WE Party Airlines’ Takes Off This Saturday in New York City: NSFW?
But it’s not what you think… maybe. “WE Party Airlines” is a dance event to be held this coming Labor Day weekend at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Saturday, August 31 in New York City. And while the following video might be NSFW for some, it’s nonetheless pretty amusing for all with its classic Airplane! clips…
Bugger Off DOJ, Allow the American Airlines-US Airways Merger
As you’ve undoubtedly heard, the U.S. Department of Justice, several states and the District of Columbia have filed litigation to stop the proposed merger between American Airlines and US Airways. Almost no one saw this coming so late in the process, especially since other major airlines have successfully merged recently, including Delta-Northwest, United-Continental and Southwest-AirTran.…