Six months later, Dollar wants me to pay $808

from Elliott http://elliott.org/is-this-a-scam/six-months-later-dollar-wants-pay-808/

American Express Launching New Coalition Points Currency ‘Plenti’

On Tuesday around late morning I posted some speculation about the launch of a new program by Plenti. Judging from the American Express trademark filings I guessed at an opportunity to earn and redeem Membership Rewards points across a variety of merchants. It turns out not to be Membership Rewards-related at all. Earn Points With […]

The post American Express Launching New Coalition Points Currency ‘Plenti’ appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/american-express-launching-new-coalition-points-currency-plenti/

AMAZING DEAL: $450 Business Class Tickets Between Washington And Beijing

Hurry up, folks! American is charging under $450 for roundtrip business class between Washington and Beijing through the end of the schedule.

You can book directly on aa.com. It's paid business class, and because of that you can use systemwide upgrades to upgrade to first class.

This won't last long!

The post AMAZING DEAL: $450 Business Class Tickets Between Washington And Beijing appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/amazing-deal-450-business-class-tickets-between-washington-and-beijing/

Chef Announced for American Express Centurion Lounge Miami!

American Express has begun operating their own network of “Centurion lounges,” which are a step above what travelers have become accustomed to from US airline-operated lounges. I consider the American Express Centurion lounge in Dallas my favorite lounge in the U.S.. It’s one of the two lounges I visit most often. There’s a Centurion lounge […]

The post Chef Announced for American Express Centurion Lounge Miami! appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/chef-announced-for-american-express-centurion-lounge-miami/

Gulf Carriers Strike Back at U.S. Campaign to Re-examine Open-Skies Agreements

The leaders of Etihad Airways and Emirates met separately with United States officials to counter claims by American carriers and unions that they received unfair, anticompetitive subsidies from national governments.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/44822f7e/sc/30/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A150C0A30C180Cbusiness0Cinternational0Cgulf0Ecarriers0Estrike0Eback0Eat0Eus0Ecampaign0Eto0Ere0Eexamine0Eopen0Eskies0Eagreements0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Ryanair Dangles Possibility of Ultracheap Trans-Atlantic Travel

The service is at least four years away, but the prospect of Ryanair's eventually entering the trans-Atlantic market can only cause new anxiety for Europe's biggest carriers.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/44816237/sc/24/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A150C0A30C180Cbusiness0Cinternational0Cryanair0Edangles0Epossibility0Eof0Eultracheap0Etrans0Eatlantic0Etravel0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Egypt Will Stop Issuing Visas On Arrival

Egypt's got 99 problems. Too many tourists ain't one of them, post revolution.

That being said, I do love visiting Cairo for a day at a time for the purpose of positioning myself for cheap paid premium cabin tickets (after having gotten a glimpse of the country, I'd actually like to visit for longer). Among the cheapest paid first & business class tickets are out of Cairo:

The post Egypt Will Stop Issuing Visas On Arrival appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/egypt-will-stop-issuing-visas-on-arrival/

The Famously Scary ‘King’s Little Pathway’ To Reopen In Spain

It was built between 1901 and 1905 to allow workers access between two hydroelectric power plants.



from Travel Feedly http://www.ibtimes.com/el-caminito-del-rey-photos-footpath-spain-reopen-15-years-after-kings-little-pathway-1850244

In tax case, Hawaiian high court sides with online travel agencies

Today Hawaii’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of online travel agencies, affirming an earlier tax appeal court decision. In the case of ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/in-tax-case-hawaiian-high-court-sides-with-online-travel-agencies/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=in-tax-case-hawaiian-high-court-sides-with-online-travel-agencies

7 cringe-worthy cases of tourists defacing natural and cultural landmarks around the world

"Such destructive behaviours are nothing short of disrespect and sacrilege."



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/7-cringe-worthy-cases-of-tourists-defacing-natural-and-cultural-landmarks-around-the-world/

British Airways Visa Changing Earning Rates April 30th

I receive compensation for many links on this blog. You don’t have to use these links, but I am grateful to you if you do. American Express, Citibank, Chase, and other banks are advertising partners of this site. I do not write about all credit cards that are available — instead focusing on miles, points, […]

The post British Airways Visa Changing Earning Rates April 30th appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/british-airways-visa-changing-earning-rates-april-30th/

Signs you're culturally Melbournian

“How you going?” has become your default greeting phrase. And you definitely complain about the price of avocados.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/notebook/16-signs-youve-become-culturally-melbournian/

Are Points Transfers Really Irreversible? Two Attempts to Prove the Impossible

Whenever you are about to process a points transfer from a flexible rewards currency to one of the corresponding bank’s transfer partners, you will get a warning indicating that once the points transfer is requested, it will not be possible to reverse. Over the last couple of months, I have unintentionally tested the reversibility of […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2015/03/are-points-transfers-really-irreversible-two-attempts-to-prove-the-impossible.html

Travel Lens: Julia Nowińska’s World

Julia Nowińska has lived just about everywhere—from the Netherlands to the United States—but this peripatetic journalist always finds her way back to her roots, and the place where she was born: Warsaw. As lead editor at "National Geographic Traveler Poland," Julia ensures the magazine puts sustainable tourism front and center while continuing her life-long love affair with travel. Here's a look at the world through her unique lens.



from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2015/03/17/travel-lens-julia-nowinskas-world/

In Transit Blog: Trips for Cyclists Who Want to Sample the Tour de France

Two tour companies are offering trips for cyclists to ride a stage of the Tour de France while race competitors have a rest day.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/4480e416/sc/10/l/0Lintransit0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A150C0A30C170Ctrips0Efor0Ecyclists0Ewho0Ewant0Eto0Esample0Ethe0Etour0Ede0Efrance0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Want a more vibrant family life?

"Indian families maintain standards and keep expectations high. It’s a running joke that Indian parents pressure their kids to become doctors or engineers from a very early age, but it's true."



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/want-vibrant-family-life-like-india/

The World’s Most Outrageous ‘Travel Hacker’… Evil, or Evil Genius?

Lucky at One Mile at a Time writes about Justin Ross Lee today, a character in frequent flyer circles who much amuses me. Lucky likes ‘JRL’, I know Justin Ross Lee pretty well, and while the “act” is no doubt pretty extreme, he’s actually a nice guy underneath it all. He genuinely gets enjoyment out […]

The post The World’s Most Outrageous ‘Travel Hacker’… Evil, or Evil Genius? appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/the-worlds-most-outrageous-travel-hacker-evil-or-evil-genius/

Changes To Earnings Rates On British Airways Credit Card

Just a couple of days ago I wrote about the British Airways Visa Signature® Card, which I consider to be pretty lucrative.

In that post I explained why I'd recommend picking up the British Airways Visa Signature® Card:

-- The card offers a sign-up bonus of 50,000 Avios after spending $2,000 within three months

-- The annual fee is $95, though is waived the first year

-- You're eligible for the card if you haven't received a new cardmember bonus for this product in the past 24 months (so if you had the card a long time ago you should still potentially be eligible to apply)

The post Changes To Earnings Rates On British Airways Credit Card appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/changes-to-earnings-rates-on-british-airways-credit-card/

7 items for a chic travel wardrobe

Convertible clothing just got stylish.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/notebook/7-items-smarten-travel-look-still-comfortable/

Bonus! This Best Western Plus case just got solved by you

from Elliott http://elliott.org/from-the-trenches/bonus-this-best-western-plus-case-just-got-solved-by-you/

Spirit Airlines gets naughty with $69 fares

from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/17/travel/feat-spirit-airlines-fare-sale/index.html

In Transit Blog: At Chicago Hotel, an App About the Art and Architecture

The Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago has introduced a digital application that gives guests a tour of the distinctive building in which it is located.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/447f781c/sc/10/l/0Lintransit0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A150C0A30C170Cat0Echicago0Ehotel0Ean0Eapp0Eabout0Ethe0Eart0Eand0Earchitecture0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

The world's most photographed places

New York City takes the top spot. But Europe wins in the end.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/pulse/photographed-places-world/

Gulf Coast Resorts You Can Book With Points

Since the Gulf Coast is only a 12 hour drive from Central Indiana, we often spent week-long stints in either Panama City Beach, Florida; Orange Beach, Alabama; or Gulf Shores, Alabama when I was growing up. Although the weather wasn’t as hot as we often hoped for, we always had a great time. And to […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2015/03/gulf-coast-resorts-you-can-book-with-points.html

Wayfindr is a new student-led technology for the visually impaired traveler

It’s not often that the mainstream tech press covers ways in which destinations and cities can use technology to ease navigation challenges ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/wayfindr-is-a-new-student-led-technology-for-the-visually-impaired-traveler/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wayfindr-is-a-new-student-led-technology-for-the-visually-impaired-traveler

Weird Ideas I Continue to Believe

The End of Air Traffic Control. I’ve written about this going back at least 11 years. Allowing planes and pilots to operate in the skies much like cars, with technology and communications that allow them to direct themselves while coordinating with each other…offers some of the best hope for increasing the total capacity of the […]

The post Weird Ideas I Continue to Believe appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/weird-ideas-i-continue-to-believe/

T Magazine: A Laid-Back Alternative to Miami Hot Spots

A quietly quirky restaurant opens off of the beach’s most boisterous strip.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/447f20fe/sc/10/l/0Ltmagazine0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A150C0A30C170C270Erestaurant0Emiami0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

On the Road: Smaller Airports Struggle Against Big Airports’ Lures

As large airports attract travelers with more flights and lower fares, small and midsize airports use incentives and marketing to increase traffic.





from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/4477e751/sc/10/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A150C0A30C170Cbusiness0Csmaller0Eairports0Estruggle0Efor0Ea0Eplace0Eon0Ethe0Eroute0Emap0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

4 uncomfortable truths about living in Bogota

Bogotá’s internal displacement crisis is one of the biggest humanitarian crises in the world today, and it lurks quietly in the corner of everyone’s eye.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/pulse/4-uncomfortable-truths-living-bogota/

Singapore Changi Tops World’s Best Airport List (Again)

Singapore Changi (SIN) has been voted the World’s Best Airport for the third year in a row at the SkyTrax World Airport Awards, which recently took place in Paris. Seoul’s Incheon airport (ICN) grabbed the second place spot for the third year in a row, followed by the Munich airport (MUC) occupying the third place...



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2015/03/singapore-changi-tops-worlds-best-airport-list-again/

31 signs you grew up in Mexico City

An overwhelming nostalgia invades you every single time you hear Stevie Wonder sing “I just called to say I love you."



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/notebook/31-signs-grew-mexico-city-90s/

Would You Like A Police Escorted Convoy With Your Airport Transfer?

There are some airports which are notoriously bad for traffic. Two that immediately come to mind are Jakarta and Sao Paulo, where a transfer between the airport and the city can often take several hours.

But it seems like there might be a solution which can cut your travel time in half. Yep, you don't have to be a head of state or diplomat to get a police escorted convoy to the airport. In Jakarta you can get it for a very reasonable price, actually.

Specifically, there's a guy in Jakarta -- Eric -- who offers both airport transfers and city transfers with two police motorcycle escorts:

The post Would You Like A Police Escorted Convoy With Your Airport Transfer? appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/would-you-like-a-police-escort-with-your-airport-transfer/

America’s Most Authentic Irish Pubs

Ireland's pub culture is often imitated, but rarely duplicated. Here are four taprooms across the United States that come close to being spot-on, where you can enjoy a pint (or more) along with some neighborhood bluster and brogue.



from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2015/03/17/americas-most-authentic-irish-pubs/

Irish enough For St. Patrick's Day?

Make sure you know your St. Patrick's Day facts before heading to the celebrations!



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/irish-enough-st-patricks-day-quiz/

Elite Status Soft Landings And Meal Service Improvement at American

News and notes from around the interweb: Linens return to domestic first class on American starting April 1. Peter Chang — the elusive Szechuan chef who used to cook for the Chinese embassy in DC (and has a history of disappearing from restaurants where he works) — has a new place in the DC area. […]

The post Elite Status Soft Landings And Meal Service Improvement at American appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/elite-status-soft-landings-and-meal-service-improvement-at-american/

Will voice-activated flight search finally catch on?

The latest foray of a travel brand into voice-activated search is called Opal. This time its OTA OneTravel stepping up to the ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/will-voice-activated-flight-search-finally-catch-on/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=will-voice-activated-flight-search-finally-catch-on

Air France’s Chic New Safety Video

Airline safety videos are no longer a necessary evil, but for many airlines a great marketing and branding opportunity.

The leader in the safety video "space" has no doubt been Air New Zealand, given their creative and frequent themed videos.

But they're not alone in investing efforts into their safety videos, as even US airlines have been trying to make their safety videos fun lately.

Air France has just released their latest safety video, which in a word can be described as "chic:"

The post Air France’s Chic New Safety Video appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/air-frances-chic-new-safety-video/

What the Irish think of the Brits

"For centuries, the English threw their weight around building an empire that would eventually fall. And our green little oasis was an easy target, so for 800 years we suffered oppression, starvation, and death at the hands of the Brits. However, we're a forgiving people, and have let bygones be bygones. Not that they appreciate it, of course."



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/8-things-irish-really-think-english-neighbors/

Introducing American Express Plenti: Earn and Redeem Across Various Stores and Services

Peter comments, Announcement today on new rewards platform Plenti from Amex. What is Plenti? According to the trademark filing, Administration of a customer loyalty program which provides the consumer the ability to earn and redeem points and awards across their favorite stores and services American Express has becoming more aggressive in rewarding points for activities […]

The post Introducing American Express Plenti: Earn and Redeem Across Various Stores and Services appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/introducing-american-express-plenti-earn-and-redeem-across-various-stores-and-services/

A dangerous idea on how to fix the economy

from Elliott http://elliott.org/advice-you-can-take/a-dangerous-idea-on-how-to-fix-the-economy/

Living Les Bons Temps At Mardi Gras

As I threw beads over the wrought-iron balcony of Bourbon Bandstand in the French Quarter, I looked down at the crowds: strangers in elaborate costumes toasted drinks, laughed, and danced with each other as streets bands performed jazz. Everyone moved as if part of a well-rehearsed stage production done countless times before. “Mardi Gras is certainly wild,” I thought. “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” (“Let the good times roll!”) Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) is the day before Lent, in which […]

The post Living Les Bons Temps At Mardi Gras appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Nomadic Matt's Travel Site http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/mardi-gras-new-orleans/

We’ve Already Fixed Aviation Security. And the TSA Had No Part In It.

United flight 1074 from Washington Dulles to Chicago returned to DC last night after a passenger apparently charged the cockpit. Several other passengers restrained the man until the aircraft made it back to Dulles. Police met the aircraft and took the individual to a hospital for evaluation. Here’s video from the incident: It turns out […]

The post We’ve Already Fixed Aviation Security. And the TSA Had No Part In It. appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/weve-already-fixed-aviation-security-and-the-tsa-had-no-part-in-it/

How to speak like a Kiwi

"Here are some of the key phrases (+ some bonus pronunciation tips) from the locals in Auckland."



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/tv/kiwi-slang/

Review: Qatar Airways First Class 777-300ER Cairo To Doha

I had reviewed this route just over three months prior, though the flight was earlier in the day and was operated by an Airbus A330. So I figured it would be worth writing a review, since this flight was operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, and it was my first time flying Qatar's version of the aircraft.

We boarded through door 2L, where we seemed to catch the crew a bit off guard. We had the business class cabin to ourselves for about 15 minutes, since the business class bus was taking its time.

I was especially excited to finally fly Qatar Airways' 777, since that's the only airplane which Qatar Airways flies to North America. So if you're flying Qatar Airways business class to North America, this will be the product.

I should also quickly clarify that Qatar Airways markets their forward cabin on flights within the Middle East as first class, even though they're the same business class seats offered on longhaul flights. In theory the service is better on flights within the Middle East, though unfortunately Qatar Airways recently downgraded first class catering within the Middle East, so that's no longer really the case.

The post Review: Qatar Airways First Class 777-300ER Cairo To Doha appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/review-qatar-airways-first-class-777-300er-cairo-to-doha/

Passenger tried to rush the cockpit on United Flight

A United Airlines flight had to make a U-turn in the sky after an unruly passenger ran toward the cockpit.

from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/17/travel/united-airlines-flight-unruly-passenger/index.html

My 5 favorite European museum passes

"Europe is expensive and crowded, which can be a total buzz kill for traveling families. But citywide, multi-museum passes help ease both the financial burden and the time-wasting, curiosity-crushing line waits," says Matador editor Rory Moulton.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/trips/5-favorite-european-museum-passes-families/

Marriott’s Puzzling Short Film, “Two Bellmen”

It's not unusual for airlines and hotels to try and generate buzz by coming up with some "unique" media. One example is British Airways' "Visit Mum" campaign:

Does it actually give you a reason to fly British Airways over another carrier? Nope. But it evokes emotions that almost everyone can relate with, and you'll always associate them with British Airways. Of course a video doesn't have to be emotional to be memorable. It can be funny, action-packed, or what-not.

Marriott has taken a stab at this with their short film, entitled "Two Bellmen." Here's how they describe the nearly 18 minute movie:

The post Marriott’s Puzzling Short Film, “Two Bellmen” appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/marriotts-puzzling-short-film-two-bellmen/

Qunar marks shift from meta to OTA, from PC to mobile

Qunar has grown its revenues for 2014 by 106% compared with 2013, with mobile revenues up by a blockbuster 435%. The results ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/Qunar-2014-FYs/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qunar-marks-shift-from-meta-to-ota-from-pc-to-mobile

A Pilot Drew an Air Traffic Control Phallus in the Skies on Thursday, and Now Is Famous on the Internet.

To continue last night’s Spirit Airlines theme, per Flight Radar on Twitter a private pilot made an air traffic control drawing in the skies between Orlando and Tampa on Thursday. [Insert Cocky Pilot Joke Here] Of course this happened in Florida. While this was quite near Disney World, of course, no one would have been […]

The post A Pilot Drew an Air Traffic Control Phallus in the Skies on Thursday, and Now Is Famous on the Internet. appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/17/a-pilot-drew-an-air-traffic-control-phallus-in-the-skies-on-thursday-and-now-is-famous-on-the-internet/

Traveling the Eco-Friendly Way: On the Road with Ivana and Gianni

This is a traveler case study. (Read others or nominate yourself.) Ivana Greslikova and Gianni Bianchini are two full-time travelers with a passion for eco-tourism. Here’s how they incorporate supporting conservation efforts in their travels: Tell us about yourselves. We are Ivana (from Slovakia) and Gianni (from Italy). While living in Germany, we decided to…



from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/on-the-road-with-ivana-and-gianni/