the angry mouth opened as the sea ice cracked a smile

Explorers of Yore I don’t know how those old-timers did it! A long walk from here would get me over to Shackleton’s famous hut in Antarctica. While I was in there, I saw a small dark room. It was amazing! How people back then could take photos then go back to a frozen dark room […]



from Stuck in Customs http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2015/03/27/the-angry-mouth-opened-as-the-sea-ice-cracked-a-smile/

Help! My Hotwire hotel is in a dangerous neighborhood

from Elliott http://elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/help-my-hotwire-hotel-is-in-a-dangerous-neighborhood/

Need to Book an Award With US Airways Miles, But They Haven’t Been Moved Over to American Yet? It Can Be Done!

I previously reported that US Airways accounts are ‘frozen’ with awards no longer able to be booked until miles have been transferred over to American AAdvantage. It’s true that Dividend Miles awards are no longer available. However, American apparently has a procedure in place for members with immediate travel needs who wish to book awards […]

The post Need to Book an Award With US Airways Miles, But They Haven’t Been Moved Over to American Yet? It Can Be Done! appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/26/need-to-book-an-award-with-us-airways-miles-but-they-havent-been-moved-over-to-american-yet-it-can-be-done/

Now that American-US Airways Has Consolidated into a Single Frequent Flyer Program It’s Time for AAdvantage to Update Its Award Rules

US Airways Dividend Miles was pretty much ‘anything goes’ as far as award routings go — the combination of flights you were allowed to use when booking an award to get from your origin to destination. There was no auto-validation of routings and no auto-pricing. Whatever region an agent thought you were traveling to determined […]

The post Now that American-US Airways Has Consolidated into a Single Frequent Flyer Program It’s Time for AAdvantage to Update Its Award Rules appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/26/now-that-american-us-airways-has-consolidated-into-a-single-frequent-flyer-program-its-time-for-aadvantage-to-update-its-award-rules/

The Best Awards to Australia Will Return on Saturday

Contra lots of concerns, Delta said yesterday that they’d be bringing Virgin Australia awards back online. When I wrote about the 80% bonus for purchased Virgin America miles, several readers noted they thought it was no longer possible to book Virgin Australia flights using Delta miles — and that there was speculation (fueled by Delta […]

The post The Best Awards to Australia Will Return on Saturday appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/26/the-best-awards-to-australia-will-return-on-saturday/

5 companies making fair trade fashion cooler than what you have in your wardrobe

Whether adopting fair labor practices or eco-friendly manufacturing techniques, the following brands have worked to become more socially responsible:



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/goods/5-companies-making-fair-trade-fashion-cooler-wardrobe/

20,000+ Miles In 72 Hours: Introduction

For reasons I'll probably explain at another point, I had to be in Hong Kong for a morning. Not the most efficient use of time, but at the same time I don't mind redeeming miles for Cathay Pacific first class to Asia, given what a great value it is. I've gotta spend my weekends somehow, and sipping Krug at 39,000 feet doesn't suck that much. ;)

Originally I was just going to book a roundtrip first class ticket on Cathay Pacific from the US to Hong Kong.

But after giving it some thought I realized that I really wanted to fly Japan Airlines' new first class, which I've been meaning to try for a long time (I've only flown JAL's old first class between Tokyo and New York).

As luck would have it, Japan Airlines had first class award availability from Tokyo Narita to New York JFK on the exact date I needed.

The post 20,000+ Miles In 72 Hours: Introduction appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/26/20000-miles-in-72-hours-introduction/

15 signs you're from Spain

You think if you have dinner before 9 pm you will wake up hungry in the middle of the night.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/notebook/15-signs-born-raised-spain/

Gnarliest supercell storm timelapse

Some of the most violent thunderstorms are caused by gigantic, rotating clouds called supercells. Watch this timelapse of one forming in Kansas.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/tv/one-gnarliest-timelapses-youve-ever-seen-supercell-storm/

Visas Before Arrival Soon to Be Required for Travel to Egypt — What Will the Impact Be?

When people ask me what my most memorable travel experience has been, the answer is not one of the fancy premium cabin flights I have been fortunate to experience thanks to points and miles or a visit to a world-class destination in Asia, Australia or Europe. The answer, without hesitation, is the approximately 40 hours […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2015/03/the-impact-of-egypt-requiring-a-visa-before-arrival.html

When Mileage Award Booking Is Too Hard to Handle

Reader sarah asked, Is there a service which can assist in arranging a multi-city vacation in Europe using [American Express Membership Rewards points] and American miles… air and hotel. Appears to be too complex for my computer skills. Funny Sarah should ask this! I happen to have an award booking service. Lest you think I’m […]

The post When Mileage Award Booking Is Too Hard to Handle appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/26/when-mileage-award-booking-is-too-hard-to-handle/

7 of the craziest airline passengers

We've got a long list of crazy reasons that flights in the past few years have been delayed, rerouted, or returned to their departure airports:



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/7-unbelievable-reasons-people-thrown-off-planes/

In Transit Blog: A New Hike Explores the Bay of Fundy

World Expeditions is offering a new hiking trip that includes four days on the less-populated portion of the Fundy Footpath in Canada.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/44d68717/sc/10/l/0Lintransit0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A150C0A30C260Ca0Enew0Ehike0Eexplores0Ethe0Ebay0Eof0Efundy0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

10 Best Credit Card Offers For March

Every month I make a post with what I consider to be the best credit card sign-up bonuses of the month.

While there are several excellent long standing credit card offers, the specifics of the best offers are constantly changing (be it the annual fee, minimum spend requirement, or even amount of the sign-up bonus).

If you read my blog on a daily basis then by all means skip this post, but for me it’s a useful, “current” place to refer people that ask about which cards they should sign-up for, a question I get on a daily basis. For reference, here is my list of the best credit card sign up bonuses for February.

With that in mind, below are what I consider to be the best credit card sign-up bonuses for this month. In advance I should warn that this hasn't been an especially exciting month on the credit card front. With that in mind:

The post 10 Best Credit Card Offers For March appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/26/10-best-credit-card-offers-for-march/

Costa Rica has been running entirely on renewable energy since Christmas

Costa Rica has broken a record by running solely on renewable energy for more than 75 days in a row:



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/costa-rica-running-entirely-renewable-energy-since-christmas/

Discounted United Economy Awards to South America

Back in December, United was offering MileagePlus members the chance to redeem their miles at discounted rates within North America. United is back with another discounted mileage redemption promotion, this time on economy awards to Sao Paulo and Santiago. You can find all the promotion details here, but to give you the short version: Get...



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2015/03/discounted-united-economy-awards-to-south-america/

Airline Pilots May Now Face Stricter Psych Evaluations

The co-pilot on Germanwings Flight 9525 had suffered from depression.



from Travel Feedly http://www.ibtimes.com/commercial-airline-pilots-may-face-stricter-psych-evaluations-wake-germanwings-flight-1860810

5 Days Left for IHG 70,000 Bonus Mile Offer

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 5 Days Left for IHG 70,000 Bonus Mile Offer appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/26/5-days-left-for-ihg-70000-bonus-mile-offer/

HURRY: Hilton Cabo San Lucas Suite For 279 HHonors Points Per Night

The Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort is reopening on July 1, 2015, after renovations, and has a rate of 279 HHonors points per night for a King Premier Suite Oceanview Room.

This offer won't last long. ;)

The post HURRY: Hilton Cabo San Lucas Suite For 279 HHonors Points Per Night appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/26/hurry-hilton-cabo-san-lucas-suite-for-279-hhonors-points-per-night/

This tour of Antarctica really went south — but can it be saved?

from Elliott http://elliott.org/from-the-trenches/this-tour-of-antarctica-really-went-south-but-can-it-be-saved/

The Postcard Project

All signs point to the imminent death of this iconic form of correspondence. Postcard stamp sales are way down, fewer stores are selling them, and more and more travelers are turning to digital methods to share stories from the road. But who doesn't smile when they receive a postcard in the mail, especially in this day and age? I'm resolving here and now to rekindle the childlike joy in sending and receiving postcards by paying it forward myself. Who’s with me?



from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2015/03/26/the-postcard-project/

Peru's miners are killing the Amazon

A new study shows gold mining is tearing up far more of Peru's precious Amazon jungle than previously thought:



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/pulse/perus-gold-miners-killing-amazon/

How to annoy someone from Tennessee

Please, don’t respond to everything we say with “I love you Jen-ay!” Forrest Gump is from Mississippi, so you’re mistaken and you're a total asshole:



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/notebook/piss-off-someone-tennessee/

Can I Deposit Sign-Up Bonuses From Multiple People Into a Single Account?

Recently, Reader Phil T. emailed me asking for some help with picking up the Southwest Companion Pass to use with his wife. Both Phil and his wife applied for the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Premier Card, however they each entered Phil’s Rapid Rewards account number on the application. Phil got his bonus, his wife did […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2015/03/can-i-deposit-sign-up-bonuses-from-multiple-people-into-a-single-account.html

If TripAdvisor is a gateway to other travel apps, will its strategy fall flat?

A recent survey of mobile users found that those with the TripAdvisor app downloaded to their phones were far more likely to ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/if-tripadvisor-is-a-gateway-to-other-travel-apps-will-its-strategy-fall-flat/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=if-tripadvisor-is-a-gateway-to-other-travel-apps-will-its-strategy-fall-flat

Do You Eat Domestic First Class Airplane Food?

As any road warrior can relate to, staying healthy while on the road can be a struggle. And unfortunately it only gets worse when you live on the road... or in the air, as the case may be. ;)

This post isn't about eating healthy, but rather just about how I've personally reached a turning point with domestic airline food.

For all the time I've been involved in this hobby (about a decade), domestic airline food hasn't exactly been gourmet. That being said, the quality has varied substantially over time and by carrier.

But no matter how bad first class food was domestically, in the past I've always found myself eating it. Why?

The post Do You Eat Domestic First Class Airplane Food? appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/26/do-you-eat-domestic-first-class-airplane-food/

Is AAdvantage Encouraging You to Earn Miles at the Expense of Your Employer?

Hans M. forwards along this email from Rewards Network which runs ‘AAdvantage Dining’ and most of the airline and hotel co-brand dining programs where you earn miles for restaurant meals. It’s titled, Don’t Worry, We Won’t Tell Your Boss… He writes, I find this amusing how blunt they are about trying to bribe you into […]

The post Is AAdvantage Encouraging You to Earn Miles at the Expense of Your Employer? appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/26/is-aadvantage-encouraging-you-to-earn-miles-at-the-expense-of-your-employer/

And the world's busiest airport is ...

The birthplace of Coca-Cola, "Gone with the Wind" and Martin Luther King Jr. is still home to the busiest passenger airport in the world.

from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/26/travel/feat-worlds-busiest-airport-2014/index.html

US habits I lost moving to Romania

Despite technological encroachment, Romanians of all ages still read for fun. While many people read on Kindles and tablets, hard copies of books are still popular.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/13-american-habits-lost-moved-romania/

Why Conservation Tourism Matters

National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence Dereck and Beverly Joubert have spent the past three decades captivating audiences with their rare footage and photographs of Africa's big cats. Now, they’re taking aim at a different kind of challenge: conservation tourism.



from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2015/03/26/why-conservation-tourism-matters/

Looking for a way to better customer service? Garmin’s got directions

from Elliott http://elliott.org/the-good-news-guy/looking-for-a-way-to-better-customer-service-garmins-got-directions/

Celebrating The Life Of US Airways Dividend Miles

Last night we said good-bye to an old friend in the frequent flyer world. Like WorldPerks and OnePass before it, Dividend Miles is now one for the ages, a casualty of the era of airline consolidation.

Dividend Miles will always hold a special place in the hearts of many of us.

But rather than mourn the loss of a friend, let's instead celebrate the life of a great program by recounting all the fun we had together. I was far from a Dividend Miles expert but I still enjoyed the program and I'm sure you did too.

Here are a few of my favorite Dividend Miles memories. I invite you to add your own in the comments.

The post Celebrating The Life Of US Airways Dividend Miles appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/26/celebrating-the-life-of-us-airways-dividend-miles/

Do these countries exist? [QUIZ]

Have you ever heard of the Comoros?



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/countries-exist-quiz/

Is There One Last Hurrah for 50,000 US Airways Miles?

Just for the heck of it, I asked my wife, Katy, to apply for the Barclaycard US Airways Premier World MasterCard, which has a 50,000-mile offer after first spend. This week, US Airways Dividend Miles are converting into American Airlines AAdvantage Miles and the US Airways card is soon going to be transitioned into the […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2015/03/is-there-one-last-hurrah-for-50000-us-airways-miles.html

Singapore Airlines Lets You Waitlist for Awards. Is This a Good Strategy?

Reader Brian said, I’d like to see you talk about the singapore waitlisting process (especially for the much touted suites class). There isn’t much written about it so it would be interesting to hear your analysis as a “professional” award booker. Possible areas of content: Is it ever successful? How often does it clear and […]

The post Singapore Airlines Lets You Waitlist for Awards. Is This a Good Strategy? appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/26/singapore-airlines-lets-you-waitlist-for-awards-is-this-a-good-strategy/

Chinese fitness trends we should do

We seriously need the Chinese version of Zumba, Guangchangwu, in our lives:



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/4-fitness-trends-china-bring-us/

Common Sense: Bargain Hunting With a Strong Dollar in Europe, but Finding a Mixed Bag

With the euro approaching parity with the dollar, it seems to be time for a shopping spree on the Continent. But currency fluctuations are complicated.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/44d3ef84/sc/24/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A150C0A30C270Cbusiness0Cbargain0Ehunting0Ewith0Ea0Estrong0Edollar0Ein0Eeurope0Ebut0Efinding0Ea0Emixed0Ebag0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

“How DARE You Associate Yourself With The Gulf Carriers!”

As most of you probably know by now, there’s a battle going on between the “big three” US airlines and the “big three” Middle Eastern carriers. I’ve shared my thoughts about why the US carriers can’t compete with the Gulf carriers under the current system. And I think the US carriers are right for expressing their grievances, regardless of whether anything comes of it or not.

The problem is that while I think the US airlines have a point, they're doing such a horrible job expressing themselves. It started off with Delta’s CEO, Richard Anderson, linking the “big three” Middle Eastern carriers to 9/11. And it hasn't gotten better from there.

Yesterday "Americans For Fair Skies" put out a press release responding to Emirates' new Dubai to Orlando route, which seemed more like a middle school smear campaign than anything else.

The post “How DARE You Associate Yourself With The Gulf Carriers!” appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/26/how-dare-you-associate-yourself-with-the-gulf-carriers/

Private jet startup Victor jumps the pond with $8 million

UK-based private jet booking startup Victor has nabbed $8 million to fill its tanks for the long-haul over the pond into the ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/private-jet-startup-victor-jumps-the-pond-with-8-million/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=private-jet-startup-victor-jumps-the-pond-with-8-million

Updates from the Book Tour #2

Hello from Las Vegas! It’s day sixty-six of the #fiftyaday book tour. Last week, after driving over 5,000 miles through a dozen states, I watched the sun set marvelously over the Pacific. After two months of traveling, I made it across the country. It was one of those “I can’t believe I really just did that” moments where you look back and realize the adventure you had and all you’ve done. There was a sense of pride and accomplishment as […]

The post Updates from the Book Tour #2 appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Nomadic Matt's Travel Site http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/book-tour-2/

Hertz promised a refund of my car rental insurance — so what’s with this $660 bill?

from Elliott http://elliott.org/problem-solved/wait-i-thought-i-had-canceled-my-car-rental-insurance/

5 uncomfortable truths about Florida

It leads the nation with the most unhealthy cities in one state:



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/pulse/5-uncomfortable-truths-living-florida/

In Transit Blog: At a Paris Museum, a Portrait of Tintin

The Musée en Herbe in Paris explores the visual world of Tintin with illustrations and objects similar to those depicted in his adventures.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/44d3c54c/sc/14/l/0Lintransit0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A150C0A30C260Cat0Ea0Eparis0Emuseum0Ea0Eportrait0Eof0Etintin0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Sharing is caring (unless it’s a bit creepy)

A “Future of Travel” event in Madrid this week took a broad-brush approach to the industry, with one recurring theme at the ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/data-privacy-personalization-Economist/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sharing-is-caring-unless-its-a-bit-creepy

Here’s How We’ll Benefit from American Express Competitive Setbacks

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 Here’s How We’ll Benefit from American Express Competitive Setbacks appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/26/heres-how-well-benefit-from-american-express-competitive-setbacks/

What To Make Of Germanwings Crash?

I don't actually have any brilliant insight here, but just figured I'd share my thoughts.

The world is always caught off guard when airliners go down. Safe air travel is something we take for granted nowadays. And air travel has indeed become very safe -- you're basically safer in an airplane than in your living room nowadays.

While statistically the past year has been among the safest in history as far as aviation goes, it sure doesn't feel like it, between the Malaysia 777 which disappeared, the Malaysia 777 which went down, and the Germanwings A320 which went down on Tuesday.

The post What To Make Of Germanwings Crash? appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/26/what-to-make-of-germanwings-crash/

Aer Lingus Business Class Awards to Europe This Summer

With the summer travel season fast approaching, many folks are starting to think about their travel plans, especially to Europe. Unfortunately, many airlines black out awards to Europe during the summer months, especially July and August and especially premium cabins. However, one airline appears to be bucking the trend for now: Aer Lingus. This Irish...



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2015/03/aer-lingus-business-class-awards-to-europe-this-summer/

23 inspiring views around the world

These are some of the places and sights that have inspired us to travel. What inspires you?



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/trips/23-of-the-most-inspiring-views-on-the-planet-and-how-to-get-there/

ISIS Militants Spotted In 'Tatooine'

The location is reportedly popular among Star Wars fans, who contribute to Tunisia's critical tourism industry.



from Travel Feedly http://www.ibtimes.com/tunisian-town-inspired-star-wars-tatooine-being-used-isis-report-1859980

Victims’ Families To Visit Crash Site

A senior official said one pilot appeared to have been locked outside the cockpit as the plane descended toward the mountainside.



from Travel Feedly http://www.ibtimes.com/germanwings-flight-9525-update-victims-families-visit-crash-site-french-alps-mystery-1859916

Navigating Korean Air’s Cumbersome Award Booking Process

Last month, I wrote about how I much I love Korean Air award bookings. One important topic not covered in that article was the process of completing an award purchase over the phone with Korean Air, which is certainly one of the worst aspects of the Korean Air SKYPASS program. Thankfully, you are able to […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2015/03/navigating-korean-airs-cumbersome-award-booking-process.html