Hang on, this hotel doesn’t exist!

from Elliott http://elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/hang-hotel-doesnt-exist/

Light on the way to Milford Sound and Tiananmen Square Photography

Five Days of New Tips/Tricks Videos! Day One Each day for the next five days, I’m gonna post a new video here on the blog! Let me know if you have any questions… happy to answer! I’m here with my friend Tom in the middle of Beijing. I decided to go to Tiananmen Square for […]



from Stuck in Customs http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2014/10/17/light-on-the-way-to-milford-sound-and-tiananmen-square-photography/

7 reasons why Kansas City's a winner

For much of the next 10 days, the center of the baseball universe will not be Boston or L.A., but Kansas City, where the scrappy, longshot Royals will be playing in the World Series for the first time in 29 years.

from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/16/travel/kansas-city-royals-winners/index.html

TSA chief John Pistole retiring at year's end

Transportation Security Administration chief John Pistole said Thursday he will resign at the end of the year, ending his run as the longest-serving administrator of the government agency entrusted with keeping terrorists off planes, trains and other means of transport.

from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/16/politics/tsa-pistole-retiring/index.html

Ebola Travel Ban: How Would Shutting Down Travel from West Africa Even Work?

I’m not an epidemiologist and I have no greater understanding about the spread of ebola than what I’ve read from others. So I am limiting the scope of my commentary on the spread of the disease and travel. (Relatedly, I found this Wired piece from August on the extent to which disease spreads on planes […]

The post Ebola Travel Ban: How Would Shutting Down Travel from West Africa Even Work? appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/10/16/ebola-travel-ban-shutting-travel-west-africa-even-work/

All Accor Hotels Participating In Aeroplan Promotion

Earlier today I wrote about an extremely lucrative promotion being offered by Accor and Aeroplan, whereby you can earn 5,000 bonus Aeroplan miles per Accor stay through December 31, 2014.

The promotion almost seemed too good to be true, given that Accor has plenty of budget brand hotels which go for under $50 per night.

The terms of the promotion referenced "participating hotel," so my concern was that the budget brands would be excluded.

Well, I reached out to Accor to clarify, and they've confirmed that all 2,700 hotels participating in the Accorhotels program are included in the offer.

The post All Accor Hotels Participating In Aeroplan Promotion appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/10/16/accor-hotels-participating-aeroplan-promotion/

First Review Of American’s New 777-200 Business Class

Early last week American began flying their refurbished 777-200 between Dallas and Santiago.

Interestingly American chose yet another new business class product for their 777-200ERs:

-- American has reverse herringbone seats in business class on their 777-300ER aircraft, which marked the beginning of their longhaul fleet renewal

-- American is starting to install staggered business class seats on their 767-300 aircraft

I do find it rather interesting that American is installing yet another new business class product on their 777-200ERs. My understanding is that the reason they didn't install the same product on the 777-200ER as on the 777-300ER is because the seat design was only licensed to them for the 777-300ER, so it was cheaper to just come up with a new seat design for the 777-200ER.

The post First Review Of American’s New 777-200 Business Class appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/10/16/first-review-americans-new-777-200-business-class/

Get It While It’s Hot: Last Chance for 70,000 Points From Chase Ink Plus Ends 10/19

Let’s face it: here at FrugalTravelGuy, we’re in this credit card game for the rewards. We simply can’t pass up the opportunity to earn free fun – like $875 in travel rewards redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards. This limited time offer on the Chase Ink Plus card earns you 70,000 points (after spending $5,000 in […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/10/get-it-while-its-hot-last-chance-for-70000-points-from-chase-ink-plus-ends-1019.html

German Government Strikes a Blow at oneworld Member airberlin

Update: I wrote this post yesterday morning but failed to hit publish. Minutes after I had it go live today, I learned that the German government has apparently already reversed this very strange decision. So it looks like all is well, for now, but there’s still no public explanation for this very strange story. In […]

The post German Government Strikes a Blow at oneworld Member airberlin appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/10/16/german-government-strikes-blow-oneworld-member-airberlin/

Leaf-Peeping Paradise: The Finger Lakes

Among leaf scenes, New York’s is one of the best—especially upstate in the glacier-carved region known as the Finger Lakes. Here’s the scoop on visiting the region and soaking up the chlorophyll color show.



from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2014/10/16/leaf-peeping-paradise-the-finger-lakes/

Atlantis Paradise Island Now Bookable With Marriott Points

Back in July it was announced that the family of Atlantis resorts would become Autograph by Marriott properties- meaning you’d be able to earn points on paid stays and also redeem points for free nights. At that time I guessed they’d range from hotel category 6-8, but it looks like they’ll be 7-9). Per Marriott’s […]



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2014/10/atlantis-paradise-island-now-bookable-with-marriott-points/

In Normandy, Young Ambition Stirs a Traditional Brandy

A new wave of producers is bringing Calvados, an apple brandy, into the 21st century.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/3f87d0ee/sc/26/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C10A0C190Ctravel0Cin0Enormandy0Eyoung0Eambition0Estirs0Ea0Etraditional0Ebrandy0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Contributing Op-Ed Writer: Traveling While Arab

All too often, I can't get out of an airport without encountering an official who suspects I'm a terrorist.





from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/3f87d0f2/sc/1/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C10A0C170Copinion0Calaa0Eal0Easwany0Etraveling0Ewhile0Earab0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

10 Best Credit Card Offers For October

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 September.

With that in mind, below are what I consider to be the best credit card sign-up bonuses for this month.

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

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/10/16/10-best-credit-card-offers-october/

Airline Investment Advice, Starwood’s New Terms, Plus San Francisco Check-in and Lounge Updates

News and notes from around the interweb: San Francisco: Updates on United’s new Global First and Global Services check-in and progress on the Centurion lounge. Are passengers abusing the system by bringing service animals on planes? Two weeks ago Starwood made a bunch of changes to their terms and conditions. Then, oddly, a day later […]

The post Airline Investment Advice, Starwood’s New Terms, Plus San Francisco Check-in and Lounge Updates appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/10/16/airline-investment-advice-plus-san-francisco-check-lounge-updates/

6 Discoveries From Near and Far: Volume XV

Things I found on long walks in foreign cities, or perhaps when someone posted them on Twitter.



from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/6-discoveries-from-near-and-far-volume-xv/

33% AmEx To Hilton Transfer Bonus Through November 30, 2014

Boy, this seems to be the week of transfer bonuses at American Express Membership Rewards:

-- Yesterday a 35% transfer bonus was announced to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

-- Today a 50% transfer bonus was announced to Starwood Preferred Guest, though only for Platinum and Centurion cardmembers

It looks like American Express Membership Rewards has also announced a 33% transfer bonus to Hilton HHonors through November 30, 2014.

The post 33% AmEx To Hilton Transfer Bonus Through November 30, 2014 appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/10/16/33-amex-hilton-transfer-bonus-november-30-2014/

Signs your mom is Ecuadorian

6. You learned nothing is lost, everything is transformed: “Waste” is not a word in mom’s dictionary. Everything can be reused, nothing is discarded.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/13-signs-born-raised-ecuadorian-mother/

Google Glass blamed for user web addiction

SYSTEMS: Early lesson for the manufacturers of wearable technology – well, at least the kind that you wear on your head in ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/google-glass-blamed-web-addition/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=google-glass-blamed-user-web-addiction

Starwood Launches SPG Preferences – Customize Room Choices and Upgrades!

Yesterday Starwood unveiled a bunch of website revamps and improvements. I’ve already written about changes to the SPG Moments page which lets you buy or bid on experiences with your points. Another thing that has changes is the launch of SPG Preferences. Six weeks ago I broke that this was coming. Here’s how I described […]

The post Starwood Launches SPG Preferences – Customize Room Choices and Upgrades! appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/10/16/starwood-launches-spg-preferences-customize-room-choices-upgrades/

Marketing watch: TripAdvisor users contribute new video advertising for cash prize

User-generated marketing campaigns are a mixed bag – sometimes they produced magical gems that are far better than a company can produce ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/marketing-watch-tripadvisor-users-create-raft-new-video-advertising/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=marketing-watch-tripadvisor-users-create-raft-new-video-advertising

50% Bonus On AmEx To SPG Transfers

American Express Membership Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest are two of my three favorite transferable points currencies (along with Chase Ultimate Rewards).

Of those three transferable points currencies, the only "direct" transfer that can occur between them is from American Express Membership Rewards to Starwood Preferred Guest. The catch is that the transfer ratio isn't especially lucrative -- 1,000:333. Admittedly Starpoints are a bit more valuable than Membership Rewards points, but certainly not three times as valuable.

Through November 30, 2014, Membership Rewards is offering a 50% bonus on points transfers to SPG. That makes the transfer ratio 2:1 instead of 3:1.

The post 50% Bonus On AmEx To SPG Transfers appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/10/16/amex-50-transfer-bonus-spg/

5,000 Aeroplan Miles Per Accor Hotel Stay

Le Club Accor Hotels is offering an amazing bonus of 10,000 points which auto-convert to 5,000 Aeroplan miles with every hotel stay through December 31, 2014.

The terms & conditions of the promotion read as follows:

The post 5,000 Aeroplan Miles Per Accor Hotel Stay appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/10/16/5000-aeroplan-miles-per-accor-stay/

50% Bonus for Transferring Amex Points to Starwood is an Opportunity to Create Your Own Amex Transfer Partners

American Express Membership Rewards is offering a 50% bonus for transferring points to Starwood through November 30. Amex points normally transfer 3:1. In other words, 1000 Amex points become just 333 Starwood points. With this offer the transfer rate is 2:1. So 1000 Amex points transfer to 500 Starwood points. Better, but not tempting to […]

The post 50% Bonus for Transferring Amex Points to Starwood is an Opportunity to Create Your Own Amex Transfer Partners appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/10/16/50-bonus-transferring-amex-points-starwood/

Airbnb Listings Mostly Illegal, New York State Contends

A report by Eric T. Schneiderman, the New York attorney general, found nearly three-quarters of all Airbnb rentals in New York City were illegal.





from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/3f8061b0/sc/30/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C10A0C160Cbusiness0Cairbnb0Elistings0Emostly0Eillegal0Estate0Econtends0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Read this before moving to Patagonia

#1: Toilet paper can’t be flushed down the toilet. Let’s just say the plumbing in many places is ‘Argentine-style craftsmanship.’



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/16-details-wish-mom-told-moved-patagonia/

Starwood Launches New Website — Thoughts?

Yesterday Starwood launched the new spg.com, which certainly takes some getting used to. I take care of 99% of my travel needs directly through the websites of the airlines and hotels I'm traveling with, so when they redesign their websites it's kind of a big deal for me, as there's a huge learning curve. I'm so used to pushing buttons without even putting any thought into it, that I find it takes me forever to get used to new websites. Oh well.

Here's how a Starwood representative on FlyerTalk explained the new website:

The post Starwood Launches New Website — Thoughts? appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/10/16/starwood-launches-new-website-thoughts/

Travelzoo announces third quarter revenue dip

Deals publisher Travelzoo has revealed a 10% decrease year-on-year to $33.5 million in revenue for the third quarter ending September 30. The ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/travelzoo-revenue-third-quarter-results/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=travelzoo-revenue-third-quarter-results

On women's safety abroad

I’ve come up with two basic questions male travelers can ask themselves when it comes to the issues faced by female travelers.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/bnt/guys-care-womens-safety-abroad/

Martial Law: a New Tourist Attraction in Thailand!

Thailand’s military coup back in May led to quite a bit of concern and uncertainty for tourists. Indeed, tourism is down year-over-year. My own take at the time was that coups are fairly common in Thailand, as are political protests, and historically outsiders have been quite safe. I will be in Bangkok shortly. The current […]

The post Martial Law: a New Tourist Attraction in Thailand! appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/10/16/martial-law-new-tourist-attraction-thailand/

Google defends flight search – it’s hard to do it well and industry doesn’t appreciate us

Google chairman Eric Schmidt has claimed the company is still “working on it”, in a wide-ranging speech about in search in general ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/google-chairman-defends-flight-search/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=google-defends-flight-search

Redeeming Miles To The Maldives Just Got Easier!

At least if you're trying to redeem American AAdvantage miles for travel on Etihad to the Maldives!

In the past I've written extensively about American's AAdvantage award routing rules. On one hand American has among the most generous routing rules (you can exceed the MPM by 25%), while in other ways they have among the stingiest routing rules (with few exceptions you can't transit a third region). In some ways they're incredibly transparent (at least they publish rules, unlike some other carriers), in other ways they're not (they require you to fly the most "direct" routing... except they don't).

The most basic routing rules for redeeming American AAdvantage miles for longhaul travel are as follows:

The post Redeeming Miles To The Maldives Just Got Easier! appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/10/16/etihad-maldives-fares/

Abacus bombards market with new products driven by Sabre

Abacus International‘s commercial and corporate relationship with Sabre is giving it the impetus to take control of the Asia Pacific distribution market, ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/abacus-new-products-sabre#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=abacus-bombards-market-new-products-driven-sabre-connection

23 of the most colorful markets

I love visiting markets when I'm traveling. It feels like walking into a kaleidoscope.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/goods/23-worlds-colorful-markets/

The crazy cave trampolines of Wales

Bounce Below transforms an abandoned slate mine in Wales into a surreal, springy world of fear and fun.

from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/16/travel/wales-bounce-below-trampolines/index.html

Has Air Travel Become Blasè?

BLAH Airlines certainly thinks so.

Their slogan is "you will get there" and their website advertises "innovative" features, such as:

-- 3 types of seats: Aisle, Middle and Window.

-- Drinks, Sodas, and other Liquids.

-- Our complimentary peanuts—free.

-- Windows on every plane.

-- Reading light for your convenience.

-- Rear-mounted magazine pouches.

-- Ice available on selected routes.

-- BLAH Airlines seats fit most legs.

-- Armrest.

-- "Entertainment."

The post Has Air Travel Become Blasè? appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/10/16/air-travel-become-blase/

What to do about credit card fraud in the travel industry?

Consumers, businesses and the credit card industry are plagued by the increasing occurrences of credit card fraud from small to large incidences. ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/credit-card-fraud-travel-industry/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wex-sc

Being a solo female traveler

You’re a total badass. Duh.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/notebook/26-things-youll-appreciate-solo-female-traveler/

5000 Aeroplan Miles Per (One Night) Hotel Stay

Le Club Accorhotels is offering 5000 Aeroplan miles per stay, even one night stays, through the end of the year. The offer is actually for 10,000 points that can be auto-converted to Aeroplan. Offer terms: 1. General Le Club Accorhotels terms and conditions apply to the 10,000 point Bonus Aeroplan Miles offer. 2. This offer […]

The post 5000 Aeroplan Miles Per (One Night) Hotel Stay appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/10/16/5000-aeroplan-miles-per-one-night-hotel-stay/

Kerry's Jet Breaks Down For The Fourth Time This Year

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and 40 people from his staff heard about the plane's problems when they were checking out of their rooms.



from Travel Feedly http://www.ibtimes.com/john-kerrys-us-air-force-jet-breaks-down-again-vienna-forcing-him-fly-commercial-1705984

What Americans can learn from Ohio

#7) Just because your neighbor is doing something doesn’t mean you should do it, too. Especially if the thing your neighbor is doing is owning slaves.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/15-things-rest-america-can-learn-ohio/

10 cultural events in New Mexico

One of my most vivid memories is of standing in a field at dusk, watching as the bright glow of hundreds of flames lifted colorful bubbles into the air.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/trips/10-cultural-events-new-mexico-shouldnt-miss/

When it's your birthday in Germany

No one mentions your birthday until it’s your birthday. In Germany, mentioning someone’s birthday before the date is considered bad luck.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/7-things-happen-spend-birthday-germany/

13 phrases only Mexicans understand

“May the ball know!” This phrase could be easily replaced with a simple I don’t know, but we Mexicans love overcomplicating expressions.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/13-phrases-mexicans-understand/

Hotel Hack: Extra Rewards Via the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection

I have known about the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection (VSLHC) for some time now. Before, when I’d searched for hotels for myself or for my travel consulting agency clients via the VSLHC, I had been underwhelmed by the results. There were simply not enough properties, and it seemed like a deposit or a prepaid […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/10/consider-the-visa-signature-luxury-hotel-collection-for-your-next-hotel-search.html