Top Ways to Upgrade Your Airline Seat Without Elite Status

The best way to get that aisle seat in the exit row, economy plus’ three extra inches or that coveted first class upgrade is to have elite status with the airline you’re flying. If you happen to fly 25, 50 or 100 thousand miles per year, you know all about getting the best seats on […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/12/top-ways-to-upgrade-your-airline-seat-without-elite-status.html

On freedom in America

"We were about to leave Mother Russia behind after many years of waiting, filled with my constant struggle to break through the iron wall and escape from a totalitarian Communist regime where being a Jew was shameful and dangerous." Wow. Please enjoy this POWERFUL piece from writer Nellie Barg.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/freedom-america-three-decades-new-years/

Ultimate New Year’s Eve 2015 Party Guide

It’s almost time to bid 2014 adieu, and for many of us, the question of where to celebrate remains unanswered. To help party-goers find their end-of-the-year soireé, TPG Contributor Liana Lozada has rounded up the top New Year’s Eve events around the country. From endless open bars to Grammy-worthy concerts and world-class DJs, these countdown […]



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2014/12/ultimate-new-years-eve-2015-party-guide/

oneworld Airline TAM’s New “Fifth Freedom” Route is a Great Opportunity to Use British Airways Avios and Also Save on Fuel Surcharges!

Brazil-based oneworld member airline TAM is going to start flying New York JFK – Toronto 5 days a week effective March 28 and will launch daily Brasilia – Orlando service effective June 12. Both routes will use 767s. (HT: World Airline News) This news is much more interesting than it would at first appear. A […]

The post oneworld Airline TAM’s New “Fifth Freedom” Route is a Great Opportunity to Use British Airways Avios and Also Save on Fuel Surcharges! appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/29/oneworld-airline-tams-new-fifth-freedom-route-great-opportunity-use-british-airways-avios-also-save-fuel-surcharges/

Budget Carrier Safety Questioned After AirAsia Disappearance

The case of Flight 8501 brings more scrutiny into low-cost Asian carriers' safety standards.



from Travel Feedly http://www.ibtimes.com/airasia-missing-flight-budget-airlines-safety-standards-under-fire-following-plane-1769030

Cancelling My $90 Hotel Stay Will Cost Me $600?!

A few days ago I sorta kinda stayed at the Aloft Abu Dhabi. Due to a series of unfortunate events, I ended up just spending a few hours there (and lemme say I didn't seem to be the only person using a room on an hourly basis).

While I generally love Aloft properties, I was not a fan of the Abu Dhabi property.

Anyway, here's something I've never been able to figure out. I redeemed 3,000 Starpoints for my one night stay, which is a hell of a deal. The paid rate was reasonable at ~90USD, but since I earn stay credits even for award stays, I figured I was best off saving the cash.

The post Cancelling My $90 Hotel Stay Will Cost Me $600?! appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/29/cancelling-my-90-hotel-stay-will-cost-me-600/

Alaska Airlines Offering Free Checked Bags in January

Alaska and Delta, once close airline partners, have been in fierce competition for flyers throughout 2014. Much of the fight has been over high-value Seattle-based flyers. Alaska offered flyers first double elite miles out of Seattle, and then double EQMs to many destinations after Delta offered double Medallion and base miles. It looks like Alaska […]



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2014/12/alaska-airlines-offering-free-checked-bags-in-january/

Top Travel Questions Asked and Answered in 2014

Many of my posts in 2014 came about as a result of conversations I had throughout the year. If someone asked me a travel question, I felt compelled to share what knowledge I had, as well as research it for additional information and write a post on it! A lot of information passes through this […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/12/top-travel-questions-asked-and-answered-in-2014.html

Did You Come ‘This Close’ to an Elite Status Level? American AAdvantage May Just Be Giving It To You Anyway!

Hat tip to JonNYC and then I’ve been seeing it pop up across my Facebook feed. American AAdvantage appears to be sending out emails to members that didn’t quite make a status level, and granting them the higher status. The criteria for their doing so does not appear clear. I’ve seen a couple of folks […]

The post Did You Come ‘This Close’ to an Elite Status Level? American AAdvantage May Just Be Giving It To You Anyway! appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/29/come-close-elite-status-level-american-aadvantage-may-just-giving-anyway/

Skiing With Kids in Colorado

National Geographic Traveler columnist Heather Greenwood Davis is the magazine’s family travel advocate, guru, and soothsayer. Here’s her latest advice.



from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2014/12/29/skiing-with-kids-in-colorado/

My 16 Favorite Things to Do in the Virgin Islands

Two of the most-visited destinations in the Caribbean, the US and British Virgin Islands are what I expected them to be – white sand beaches, excellent diving and snorkeling, turquoise crystal clear water, scenic hiking, lots of boating opportunities, and heavily poured rum drinks. I spent a month traveling around the islands by boat. There is a fascinating about of things to do on the islands – life here is not all hammocks and piña coladas. From festivals to diving […]

The post My 16 Favorite Things to Do in the Virgin Islands appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Nomadic Matt's Travel Site http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/best-of-virgin-islands/

Yankees Pitcher CC Sabathia Books 12 First Class Seats, Then Shows Up Late and ‘Freaks Out’

It’s been a rough fall for celebrities running late to catch flights. Will.i.am showed up too late for his United flight to China. He wasn’t allowed to board and took to social media… Jeremih showed up for a flight after the jetway door had closed. His entourage members already on the flight proceeded to open […]

The post Yankees Pitcher CC Sabathia Books 12 First Class Seats, Then Shows Up Late and ‘Freaks Out’ appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/29/yankees-pitcher-cc-sabathia-books-12-first-class-seats-shows-late-freaks/

How to get a company to honor an incorrect price — maybe

from Elliott http://elliott.org/advice-you-can-take/get-company-honor-incorrect-price-maybe/

Why Does American Bother With International First Class?

About two years ago American introduced their first new Boeing 777-300ER. As far as I'm concerned it was the real start to the "new American," whereby we saw them transforming from an airline that I associated with an almost unlimited fleet of ancient MD-80s, to one that was actually trying to keep up with the times. And all things considered they've done a great job with the transformation.

Up until now, all of my travel on American's 777-300ERs has been in business class. Here are a few reviews I've written about the product:

The post Why Does American Bother With International First Class? appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/29/american-bother-international-first-class/

Oil Patch Could Indicate Missing Plane's Location

Indonesia has sent a ship to test an oil patch found in the reported location of the downed AirAsia plane to see if it is aircraft fuel.



from Travel Feedly http://www.ibtimes.com/qz8501-location-search-indonesia-test-whether-discovered-oil-patch-belongs-airasia-1768766