Using United GPUs To Upgrade Lufthansa Flights — Change In Procedure

While several airlines issue upgrade instruments, they can typically only be applied for travel on that airline. United Global Premier Upgrades (GPUs) are unique in that they can be applied for travel on Lufthansa as well, which is United's transatlantic joint venture partner. As a reminder, GPUs are the upgrade vouchers that Premier 1K members receive six of each year just for qualifying for status.

Up until now the process of using United upgrades on Lufthansa has been cumbersome. You needed to request a paper voucher, and it would only clear on a space available basis day of departure -- there was no way to confirm the upgrade in advance.

Via UA Insider on FlyerTalk, United has now changed the process for how GPUs can be applied for travel on United:

The post Using United GPUs To Upgrade Lufthansa Flights — Change In Procedure appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/10/using-united-gpus-upgrade-lufthansa-flights-change-procedure/

In Transit Blog: In Chicago, Lights for St. Lucia

The St. Lucia Festival of Lights in Chicago includes a procession in the Andersonville neighborhood–and ginger snaps.

















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­What’s New in Ski Resorts

This year, there’s more terrain to ski and more après-ski activities, including snowshoeing, tubing and night clubs.





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The Getaway: The Nonskier’s Guide to Ski Towns

Here are a few ideas — soaking in hot springs, sleigh riding and sampling fondue among them — for the ski-averse traveler.

















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I Heart My City: Alizé’s Ithaca

Raised in a quasi treehouse on the edge of Cayuga Lake in Ithaca, New York, Nat Geo Young Explorer Alizé Carrère now travels the globe to illuminate how humans and other animals adapt to changing environments. When she's not out not in the field, she recharges her batteries in her beloved hometown. Ithaca "is an incubator for creativity, intellectual development, self-expression, and a place to gain an appreciation for life’s diversity," she says.



from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2014/12/10/i-heart-my-city-alizes-ithaca/

American Express is Going to Let Business Gold Rewards Cardholders Pick Their 3x Bonus Category!

Via MileCards, there are several changes coming to the American Express Business Gold Rewards card. Effective January 30, instead of earning 3 points per dollar on airfare and 2 points for certain advertising, on shipping; at US gas stations; and from select computer hardware, software, and cloud computing providers, you’ll be able to choose which […]

The post American Express is Going to Let Business Gold Rewards Cardholders Pick Their 3x Bonus Category! appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/10/american-express-going-let-business-gold-rewards-cardholders-pick-3x-bonus-category/

19 things Americans learn when they come to Paris

Originally from Kansas and now living in Paris, Brenna Daldorph shares the things Americans learn when they come to Paris. The first shock? The Champs-Élysées is actually like a big, outdoor mall. Seriously. It's true.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/19-things-americans-learn-come-paris/

What They Don’t Tell You About the Galápagos

I spend a lot of time exploring big, dynamic cities. But these isolated islands 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador grew on me in such a way that when I left, I felt as though I was taking some of the characteristics of the landscape and animals—fearlessness, energy, equilibrium—home with me. Here are a few other things I learned about the Galápagos along the way.



from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2014/12/10/what-they-dont-tell-you-about-the-galapagos/

Review: Singapore Airlines Suites Class A380 Frankfurt To New York

Since boarding started so early I was among the last aboard. At the boarding door I was welcomed by the leading steward and leading stewardess, who directed me to my seat, 3A.

This flight was operated by an A380 with the "older" Suites Class cabin. I'm not really sure I get why Singapore is in the process of "refreshing" their A380 Suites Class cabins, since I can't say I liked the fresher cabin on the way out any more than this one.

The window seats in row three are my favorite in Suites Class. That's because they have an extra set of windows -- instead of two windows, you get three.

While it does feel a bit like a dentist's chair, you can't beat the privacy and size of the Singapore A380 Suites Class "compartment," in my opinion.

The post Review: Singapore Airlines Suites Class A380 Frankfurt To New York appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/10/review-singapore-airlines-suites-class-a380-frankfurt-to-new-york/

Travel Insurance Basics

This is the first post in my new Travel Insurance series in which I’ll discuss different kinds of insurance, scenarios in which you should consider purchasing additional insurance, which credit cards offer what kind of insurance, and what you can do to make sure you’re covered while traveling. In this post, TPG contributor Melanie Wynne […]



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2014/12/travel-insurance-basics/

5 Reasons to Invest in Alaska Miles

When it comes to frequent flyer programs, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is probably the most well-rounded. This is especially true in light of the many airline rewards program devaluations and the generally downward direction they seem to be headed in. With programs like United Mileage Plus and Delta Skymiles constantly devaluing in one way or […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/12/5-reasons-to-invest-in-alaska-miles.html

Open this on your phone and you’re standing in Grand Canyon National Park

We are standing on the Tonto Plateau, having hiked three miles down the Grandview Trail from the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Two miles to the north the Coconino Saddle rears up and obscures the canyon rim where Sockdolager rapids blast through mile 78.5 of the Colorado River.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/trips/open-phone-youre-standing-grand-canyon-national-park/

Hyatt Eliminating Elite Room Discounts, and Changing Confirmed Bed Type Policy

When Hyatt added a new rewards category 7 and made other (negative) changes to the Gold Passport program a year ago, they introduced a couple of positive features as well: Cash and points awards 20% off rates for elite members (subject to availability) Cash and points was a permanent feature of the program, and a […]

The post Hyatt Eliminating Elite Room Discounts, and Changing Confirmed Bed Type Policy appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/10/hyatt-eliminating-elite-room-discounts-changing-confirmed-bed-type-policy/

In Transit Blog: New York Tours for the Holidays

New York Walks is offering two new tours for the holiday season–”Holiday Lights” and “Meet the Met With Kids.”

















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International Real Estate: Real Estate in Chile

Chile’s housing market recovered from the global financial crisis of 2008, though prices have stagnated of late amid governmental change and concerns about property taxes.

















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