Why Consumers Used to Win When They’d Voice Objections to Changes, and Why You Won’t Win Today.

Back in April of last year, I wrote Five Times Consumers Won Against Frequent Flyer Program Changes. In the aftermath of American’s elimination of stopovers on international awards at the international gateway city and elimination of distance-based awards, I wrote about when consumer uproar caused American to never implement an announced $5 award redemption fee. […]

The post Why Consumers Used to Win When They’d Voice Objections to Changes, and Why You Won’t Win Today. appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/02/08/consumers-used-win-theyd-voice-objections-changes-wont-win-today/

The Coolest Hotel Room View In All Of Dubai?

I've been to Dubai well over a dozen times, but up until this visit I've never actually been to the Mall of the Emirates. When I visit Dubai I tend to usually not go far past the downtown area, since I find Dubai Marina to be rather boring. Even in downtown Dubai there are some great views, like from the 123rd floor of the Burj Khalifa.

However, yesterday I finally visited the Mall of the Emirates. The mall itself is quite boring -- I prefer Dubai Mall -- but it has one really unique feature. It's home to Ski Dubai, which is an indoor ski slope. Because when you're in the middle of the desert, who wouldn't want a winter wonderland?

Most exciting to me wasn't the ski slope as such, but rather the nightly Frozen singalong and photo ops with Olaf -- he's my spirit snowman (he must be especially happy in Dubai, given his climate preferences). Almost worth the hefty price of admission in and of itself!

The post The Coolest Hotel Room View In All Of Dubai? appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/02/08/coolest-hotel-room-view-dubai/

US coal emissions [chart]

"Though second to China, which accounts for a whopping 50% of the total global CO2 emissions from coal consumption, the United States still contributes a substantial amount of carbon dioxide from coal use."



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/pulse/chart-shows-co2-us-emits-from-coal/

Mom’s Thoughts On Emirates First Class

Benjamin is taking me on another amazing trip to countries I've always wanted to see (I still wish to visit India someday)! This time, on the Airbus A380. I'm so humbled and excited to spend at least two weeks with him. Thank you, lovebug, for putting up with me for so long.

It all started at the gate in Dallas watching the crew board the Airbus A380. They looked so professional wearing their red hats and beige scarfs, smiling all over their faces with good posture.

Once I entered the first class cabin I was flabbergasted. The glamor, color variation, chic and shine, made me speechless. The cabin seemed bigger, too, which I believe is due to the flat overhead compartments.

The post Mom’s Thoughts On Emirates First Class appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/02/08/moms-thoughts-emirates-first-class/

You Don't Have To Visit New Orleans To Satisfy Your Mardi Gras Food Cravings

Authentic gumbo demands a classic roux of oil or flour and butter and the holy "trinity" of green bell pepper, celery, and onion.



from Travel Feedly http://www.ibtimes.com/mardi-gras-recipes-2015-how-make-gumbo-jambalaya-beans-etouffee-muffulettas-grits-1809056

1150 Free Miles, Drastic Cuts in Thai First Class, and Lighting Money on Fire

News and notes from around the interweb: Thai Airways is getting a bailout a bailout from its military government. They’re being forced to cut unprofitable activities. Its plans include ending Moscow, Madrid, and Johannesburg service. They’re getting rid of 44 planes but will still take delivery of 20 Airbus A350s through 2019. (Mostly they’ll drop […]

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from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/02/08/1150-free-miles-drastic-cuts-thai-first-class-lighting-money-fire/

What To Do When There’s Construction Near A Hotel?

Let me say upfront that I didn't complain and have no intent of complaining after the fact, but figured it was an interesting question.

I recently spent a few nights at the Grand Hyatt Muscat, which was absolutely lovely. Oman is gorgeous, and truly what one would assume the Middle East "should" be like. I can't recommend it enough, but more on that later.

Before I get too much into that, my room at the hotel faced nearby houses, and for the last two days of our stay they seemed to be demolishing the building right next to the hotel. Like, the building was literally in one piece when we arrived, and looked like a bomb went off inside it when we left.

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from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/02/08/theres-construction-near-hotel/

If Your Plane’s Wing Catches Fire, Do This.

If you’re sitting in the window seat and flames start to appear to be coming off the wings of your Airbus A320, is the correct thing to do: Inform a flight attendant Scream Pray Take out your cell phone and start shooting video? Number 4 is of course correct. Although I would venture to add […]

The post If Your Plane’s Wing Catches Fire, Do This. appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/02/08/planes-wing-catches-fire/

TransAsia To Cancel More Flights Following Crash

The company will cancel 52 flights next week, in addition to the 90 already canceled after one of its aircraft crashed into a river in Taipei.



from Travel Feedly http://www.ibtimes.com/transasia-says-cancel-more-flights-following-crash-1809018

Reader Success Story: Teachers Rock Their Summer Break

Over the years, we’ve had many readers share their success stories with us. Folks for whom traveling domestically once a year was a luxury are now traveling the world with just a few credit card sign-up bonuses. And the best part? They are sharing their stories with us and others who benefit from knowing that […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2015/02/reader-success-story-teachers-rock-their-summer-break.html

In Transit Blog: A Site and an App With Appetites in Mind

Two new digital platforms are helping travelers get closer to cuisine and the people who make it.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/4328c74c/sc/4/l/0Lintransit0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A150C0A20C0A70Ca0Esite0Eand0Ean0Eapp0Ewith0Eappetites0Ein0Emind0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Mount Erebus from the Air

Thanks again to the crew! Thanks again to everyone on the CL-130 that helped Stu and I get some cool photos. Cheers to you, Randy and the team! We have many more photos and goodies on the way… stay awesome you guys! Daily Photo – Mount Erebus from the Air I took this photo from […]



from Stuck in Customs http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2015/02/08/mount-erebus-from-the-air/

Look out! Automated plazas take a toll on car rental customers

from Elliott http://elliott.org/the-navigator/look-automated-plazas-take-toll-car-rental-customers/

Delta’s AwardChartGATE: Why the Award Chart is the Foundation of Loyalty

When I first graduated college I became a frequent flyer. I was flying for work. I was flying home to see my family. I was flying to see my college girlfriend. So I joined the programs of the airlines I’d fly, and they’d send me stuff in mail. I’d flip through it. A common feature […]

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from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/02/07/deltas-awardchartgate-award-chart-foundation-loyalty/

Drone footage of Shanghai

Even with a population of over 14 million people, this video footage is able to zero-in on what the city truly has to offer:



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/drone-video-captures-shanghai-different-perspective/