February 10, 2015

Exploring the Matrix of Tokyo

HDR Tutorial If you got the original HDR Tutorial I released 4 years ago, then be sure to check out the new HDR Tutorial I released just over a year ago. It’s built for beginners and also has plenty of meat in there for intermediate and advanced photographers. You can grab it over in the […]



from Stuck in Customs http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2015/02/11/exploring-the-matrix-of-tokyo/

Help! TSA agents took my gadget and they won’t give it back





from Elliott http://elliott.org/is-this-a-scam/help-tsa-agents-took-gadget-wont-give-back/

Accor and Okura hotels join TripAdvisor’s instant booking

Accor, the world’s sixth-largest hotel group by number of rooms, said that it has begun to participate in TripAdvisor’s recently launched instant ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/tripadvisor-signs-accor-nh-hotels-instant-booking/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tripadvisor-signs-accor-nh-hotels-instant-booking

Delta Just Quietly Made a Change to the SkyMiles Terms and Conditions That May Reveal Their Whole Game

Yesterday I asked if Delta was slipping a whole new mileage redemption system in the back door. They’ve made lots of changes lately, totally in the dark and without announcement. They’ve pulled award charts off of their website, and now say that awards cost whatever price members are presented with at the time they search […]


The post Delta Just Quietly Made a Change to the SkyMiles Terms and Conditions That May Reveal Their Whole Game appeared first on View from the Wing.






from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/02/10/delta-just-quietly-made-change-skymiles-terms-conditions-may-reveal-whole-game/

Surreal hyperlapse of Seoul

Seoul has never looked so good.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/tv/surreal-hyperlapse-of-seoul/

US Airways Brings Back Access to AAnytime Awards on American Airlines

A week ago American and US Airways launched the ability to redeem miles for ‘extra award availability’ at an additional mileage cost on each others’ flights. The idea of spending extra miles to get the seat you want isn’t universal, you can’t do it with British Airways or Virgin Atlantic miles for instance. Most European […]


The post US Airways Brings Back Access to AAnytime Awards on American Airlines appeared first on View from the Wing.






from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/02/10/us-airways-brings-back-access-aanytime-awards-american-airlines/

Chase Points-Earning Cards: Who Should Get Which and Why?

A year ago or so today, there were seven Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR) points-earning credit cards: the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire, Chase Freedom*, Ink Plus, Ink Bold, Ink Cash* and Ink Classic. Three of these cards, the Chase Sapphire, Ink Bold and the Ink Classic, are no longer available for new applicants. Fortunately, though, […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2015/02/chase-ultimate-rewards-points-earning-cards-who-should-get-which-and-why.html

Pick Pocketing Or Premeditated Crime? You Tell Me!

This post is a continuation of my earlier post, about how my mom was robbed at the W Barcelona. So if you haven’t yet read that post, I’d suggest reading it first.


When we woke up this morning we thoroughly searched every inch of the room to be sure the purse wasn’t anywhere to be seen. I had my mom talk me through the entire evening, and I even went a bit “Inspector Gadget” on her. I searched the guest bathroom carefully to see if there were any hints as to the guy’s motives for coming to the room.


Below is a summary of what followed. And the more I write this out, the more I realize this almost certainly wasn't a random pick pocketing, but rather something that was at a minimum premeditated, and at worst, much more than that...


The post Pick Pocketing Or Premeditated Crime? You Tell Me! appeared first on One Mile at a Time.






from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/02/10/pick-pocketing-or-premeditated-crime-you-tell-me/

Living With Gratitude in a Modern Age

Jonathan Fields is one of the most generous people I know. He is always helping me and many others. I try to help him in return but the ratio is at least 4:1 in his favor. In this post he explains something he’s done for a while: While I do have a standard sig-file that…



from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/living-with-gratitude/

Skiplagged settles with Orbitz on hidden-city ticketing

Travel startup Skiplagged has agreed to stop using Orbitz Worldwide sites to find so-called “hidden city” airline tickets. Last November, Orbitz joined ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/skiplagged-settles-orbitz-hidden-city-ticketing/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=skiplagged-settles-orbitz-hidden-city-ticketing

Best First Class Amenity Kits in the Skies

There are, as we all know, many perks to flying first class. Chances are good that your reasons for choosing a first class ticket are down to things like legroom, luggage allowances, or simply more personal space. But since airlines all over the world hand out increasingly swanky amenity kits to their first class passengers,...



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2015/02/best-first-class-amenity-kits-in-the-skies/

RyanAir Ground Crew Behaved Totally Inappropriately. The Airline Had This Perfect Response.

The thirteen year old boy in me thinks that if I had to load and unload baggage in the snow I might do something like this, although I acknowledge I’d deserve to get fired if I did. RyanAir’s response, though, was perfect: ‘While our ground crew excel at industry leading 25 minute turnarounds, art isn’t […]


The post RyanAir Ground Crew Behaved Totally Inappropriately. The Airline Had This Perfect Response. appeared first on View from the Wing.






from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/02/10/ryanair-ground-crew-behaved-totally-inappropriately-airline-perfect-response/

The Five Best Business Class Cabins In The World

Business class has stepped up its game in the last 15 years. These airlines offer the best of the best.



from Travel Feedly http://www.ibtimes.com/these-are-five-best-business-class-cabins-world-1811792

What to do in Vietnam in your 20s

How to make the most of Vietnam while you're in your 20s -- start by going now before there's a Starbucks on every corner.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/trips/11-things-vietnam-youre-still-20s/

Delta Airlines’ Facebook page was hacked, shared obscenities

Delta Airlines’ Facebook page shared obscene and questionable content Tuesday afternoon after it was hacked. Rather than the usual content marketing about ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/delta-airlines-facebook-page-hacked-obscenities/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=delta-airlines-facebook-page-hacked-obscenities

Calling Out Delta on Live TV, the Uber Driver Who Makes $250k, and Buying $500 Gift Cards Online

News and notes from around the interweb: The Uber driver who brings in over $250,000 a year. Yesterday I went on Fox News ‘Happening Now’ talking about Delta pulling its award charts off the website. Expedia is claiming that the strong hotel discount deal that I wrote about this morning — despite having full and […]


The post Calling Out Delta on Live TV, the Uber Driver Who Makes $250k, and Buying $500 Gift Cards Online appeared first on View from the Wing.






from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/02/10/calling-delta-live-tv-uber-driver-makes-250k-buying-500-gift-cards-online/

You've been too long in the Outback

You automatically check the toilet for frogs.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/9-signs-youve-been-in-the-australian-outback-too-long/

Best Beginner Cards, Plus Easy Ways to Hit a Minimum Spend Requirement

Most of my “real life” friends and relatives are only slightly interested in this hobby, with few exceptions. For the most part, many people I know want free hotel stays, airfare, and cash-back, but are either slightly skeptical that the offers are “real” or feel that it will all be too much work. Still, every […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2015/02/best-beginner-cards-plus-easy-ways-to-hit-a-minimum-spend-requirement.html

A Beginner’s Guide to Voluntourism

Not all volunteerism projects are created equal. But giving back when gallivanting around the globe can be one of the rewarding experiences a traveler can hope for. If you’ve been kicking around the idea of joining the growing ranks of travelers volunteering around the world, here are five steps to help get you started. >…



from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2015/02/10/a-beginners-guide-to-voluntourism/

Changing Travel Plans Over A Haunted Hotel…

I'll be the first to admit I have a rather odd personality for someone who lives in hotels full time, given my general fear of life. Fortunately I'm selective with my fears:


-- I'm sort of a germaphobe. I have lots of weird habits when I stay at hotels. Fortunately I manage to conveniently overlook many things, like the general nastiness of the sheets, mattresses, chairs, etc.

-- I'm sort of scared of ghosts/life in general. I'm not really scared of dying, I'm not spiritual, and I'm not scared of violent crimes, or anything. That being said, I do occasionally get creeped out by places I perceive to have bad energy. And it's weird because I'm not usually an "energy" person. In other words, I don't usually walk into a place and immediately say "this hotel has good energy" or "this hotel has bad energy." But I do every once in a blue moon get a weird feeling somewhere.


Anyway, I'll be transiting Jakarta soon, and got into a conversation yesterday with a friend about the trip. I mentioned that I'd stay at the Sheraton Bandara, which seemed super convenient, since it's just a couple of miles from CGK Airport. I've always wanted to visit Jakarta, though in this case going into the city didn't seem practical, given that getting into the city can take forever when there's bad traffic.


The post Changing Travel Plans Over A Haunted Hotel… appeared first on One Mile at a Time.






from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/02/10/changing-travel-plans-haunted-hotel/

6 ways to have crazy intimate sex

"The more we focus on the physicality of sex -- how we look, what we wear, toys, and techniques -- the further we get from true intimacy."



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/nights/6-ways-radically-intimate-sex/

Don’t give up on Google Glass in travel: Schiphol Airport launches year-long trial

It was only two years ago that we were wondering if Google Glass was to be the next big thing in travel. ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/dont-give-google-glass-schiphol-airport-launches-year-long-trial/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dont-give-google-glass-schiphol-airport-launches-year-long-trial

11 signs you just moved to Germany

You’ll get weird looks for smiling in public.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/11-things-will-happen-move-germany/

My Mom Got Robbed In Our Hotel!

As many of you know, my mom and I have been traveling together for almost two weeks. We spent most of it in the Middle East (Abu Dhabi, Muscat, and Dubai), and yesterday we flew the Emirates A380 from Dubai to Barcelona.


The flight was incredible, and it was a gorgeous day when we landed shortly after noon.


We took a taxi to the W Barcelona, where we'd be staying for one night. We got a suite upgrade, and the staff were top notch (or so we thought). At first this was definitely one of my favorite W properties, along with the ones in Taipei, Guangzhou, etc.


Unfortunately it all went downhill from there. Here's a video my mom made this morning explaining the situation:


The post My Mom Got Robbed In Our Hotel! appeared first on One Mile at a Time.






from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/02/10/my-mom-got-robbed-in-our-hotel/

Hotels By Day: Solves a Problem, Gives Readers Free Day Rooms!

A new app and website has publicly launched today which solves a real travel problem. Hotels By Day lets you book hotel day-use rooms online. The problem: Day rooms are really hard to book. You usually can’t book them online. I’ve booked them occasionally — the Sofitel Heathrow has day space on its website, but […]


The post Hotels By Day: Solves a Problem, Gives Readers Free Day Rooms! appeared first on View from the Wing.






from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/02/10/hotels-day-solves-problem-gives-readers-free-day-rooms/

Live and Work from Anywhere: You’ve Heard the Story, Now It’s Your Turn

Greetings, friends and readers. The Unconventional Guides team and I are excited to introduce our newest guide! -- Working on the Road is now live



from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/working-on-the-road/

Can you speak Australian English?

Chunder. Hooroo. Fair dinkum. If these make any sense to you, you MIGHT be able to pass this quiz.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/can-you-speak-australian-english-quiz/

Hot Spring Pool in Gwaii Haanas National Park, British Columbia





from Everything Everywhere Travel Blog http://everything-everywhere.com/2015/02/09/hot-spring-pool-gwaii-haanas-national-park-british-columbia/

What Do You Want To Learn? Win Up To $500 In Hyatt Gift Cards!

As I mentioned last week, I'll be speaking at the upcoming Frequent Traveler University, which is one of a series of events intended to share the intricacies of the miles and points hobby. The next major one will be held at the Hyatt Regency DFW April 17-19, 2015.


While I'm not responsible for organizing the event, I do choose and put together my own presentations. For the most part, I've stuck to "tried and true" topics, and have generally focused on mileage running as a way to earn miles, along with tricks for redeeming miles.


That being said, there's a huge range of topics in this hobby, and I'm always up for exploring new concepts in more detail. The other speakers feel similarly, but it's hard to gauge what people find most interesting when there's such a diverse group of attendees.


The post What Do You Want To Learn? Win Up To $500 In Hyatt Gift Cards! appeared first on One Mile at a Time.






from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/02/10/what-do-you-want-to-learn/

Deadly places to be environmental

Since 2002, nearly 450 environmental activists have died in Brazil alone.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/change/6-deadliest-places-world-environmentalist/

Airline service complaints rise to 13-year high, led by American Airlines





from Elliott http://elliott.org/advice-you-can-take/airline-service-complaints-rise-13-year-high-led-american-airlines/

JetBlue Is First Airline To Accept Apple Pay

JetBlue passengers will be able to pay for drinks, refreshments and other amenities with their iPhone 6 or 6 Plus starting next week.



from Travel Feedly http://www.ibtimes.com/jetblue-first-airline-accept-apple-pay-inflight-service-1811344

Expedia Coupons That Can Bring a $188 Room Down to $10!

Doctor of Credit highlights 3 Expedia coupon codes. There’s no minimum spend amount, just a minimum stay length for each coupon. This is perfect for folks who like inexpensive accommodations. Save $100 on any stay of three nights or longer using coupon code: DISCVR105 Save $150 on any stay of four nights or longer using […]


The post Expedia Coupons That Can Bring a $188 Room Down to $10! appeared first on View from the Wing.






from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/02/10/expedia-coupons-can-bring-188-room-10/

Apple Pay takes to the JetBlue skies in first airline deal

In the first deal of its kind, JetBlue will soon begin accepting Apple Pay as a form of in-flight payment. The first ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/apple-pay-takes-jetblue-skies-first-airline-deal/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=apple-pay-takes-jetblue-skies-first-airline-deal

Knut's half-brother born in Germany

The newest polar bear at the Rostock Zoo shares a father with Knut, the polar cub who warmed the world's heart when he was abandoned by his mother.





from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/10/travel/feat-knut-polar-bear-half-brother/index.html

4 ways that travel has ruined me

"I don’t know if I’ll ever find 'home' again -- traveling has doomed me to travel more."



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/notebook/4-ways-travel-ruined/

Oslo Airport To Get US Pre-Clearance Facility

It looks like Oslo Airport may become the first in mainland Europe to get a US Pre-Clearance facility.


For those of you not familiar with Pre-Clearance facilities, it's whereby you clear US customs & immigration prior to boarding your US-bound flight, meaning you land in the US as a domestic passenger. Presently the extent of Europe's Pre-Clearance facilities is limited to Dublin and Shannon, so this would be a very interesting addition.


Beyond that, Pre-Clearance facilities are common in Canada and the Caribbean, and there's also a facility in Abu Dhabi, which I was a vocal critic of at first, though it has apparently improved substantially over time.


The post Oslo Airport To Get US Pre-Clearance Facility appeared first on One Mile at a Time.






from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/02/10/oslo-airport-get-us-pre-clearance-facility/

Instant versus personalized – the next travel search dilemma

When it comes to online travel, we see a constant evolution in technology. This is fuelled mostly by end-consumers’ rising expectations and ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/instant-personalized-travel-search-dilemma-Amadeus/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=instant-vs-personalized-next-online-travel-dilemma

In Northeast, a Winter to Forget

Once again, snowstorms concentrated in the Northeast resulted in canceled flights and stranded travelers, costing airlines and passengers millions of dollars.





from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/43387c98/sc/10/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A150C0A20C10A0Cbusiness0Cfor0Eairlines0Eand0Efliers0Ea0Ewinter0Eto0Eforget0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

US Airways Plane Makes Emergency Landing In Houston

American Airlines Flight 1825 had departed from Philadelphia International Airport, carrying 52 passengers and four crew members.



from Travel Feedly http://www.ibtimes.com/us-airways-plane-makes-emergency-landing-houston-without-nose-gear-1-person-injured-1811068