Castle Square in Warsaw, Poland

from Everything Everywhere Travel Blog http://everything-everywhere.com/2014/10/26/castle-square-warsaw-poland/

Hound Tor in Devon, England

Hound Tor is a outcropping of limestone rock in England's Dartmoor National Park, and while they might not look much like dogs the legend of their origin is that they were hounds turned to stone by vengeful witch, and it was this legend that is said to have inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles.

As the tale goes, the tor (a large rock outcropping) was formed when a pack of hunting dogs and their master (see Bowerman's Nose) were turned to stone after disrupting an easily angered witch's ceremony. Given the size of the stones, the dogs would have had to have been giants, or at least large in number to make up the rocks that exist today. However since magic does not exist, it is unlikely that they were ever dogs.

In any event the fog shrouded rocks have long been associated with canines. So much so that it is said that the stones were the inspiration for the Sherlock Holmes adventure The Hound of the Baskervilles, in which the master detective investigates reports of a red-eyed hell hound stalking the foggy moors. Hound Tor was even used as a location in the modern adaptation of the story in the BBC show Sherlock.

from Atlas Obscura http://atlasobscura.com.feedsportal.com/c/35387/f/665719/s/3fdb4631/sc/10/l/0L0Satlasobscura0N0Cplaces0Chound0Etor/story01.htm

They didn’t keep their published schedule – why do we have to pay?

from Elliott http://elliott.org/can-this-trip-be-saved-2/didnt-keep-published-schedule-pay/

Dragontemple

Looking at the shapes One thing I’ve been trying to do more and more is examine the outlined shapes of whatever I am photographing. Sometimes I get so caught up in the texture and detail that I forget that the overall shape is perhaps the most interesting part of that. Anyway, the more I start […]



from Stuck in Customs http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2014/10/27/dragontemple/

Redeem AAdvantage Miles On Etihad To South Africa?

I frequently get asked about how to redeem American AAdvantage miles for travel on Etihad Airways. Back in June I wrote about how to search Etihad award space, and a couple of weeks ago I wrote about how redeeming AAdvantage miles to the Maldives just got easier.

In that post, I shared three general routing rules for redeeming American AAdvantage miles for longhaul travel:

-- American will let you exceed the maximum permitted mileage (MPM) for a city pair by up to 25%, but simultaneously says that you have to take the most direct routing. In practice that means you can usually route creatively, and when you get an agent that insists on taking the most direct routing you just hang up and call again.

-- The transoceanic airline you’re flying has to publish a fare between your origin and destination. In other words, if you want to fly from Los Angeles to New York on American and then New York to London to Rome on British Airways, British Airways would have to publish a fare between the origin and destination.

-- With few exceptions, you can’t transit a third region on an award ticket. The Maldives is considered part of “the Middle East/Indian Subcontinent” on American’s award chart, so per the AAdvantage exception chart, the only region you can transit enroute to the Middle East is Europe.

The post Redeem AAdvantage Miles On Etihad To South Africa? appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/10/26/redeem-aadvantage-miles-etihad-south-africa/

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Still the Best All-Around Most Rewarding Credit Card

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 Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Still the Best All-Around Most Rewarding Credit Card appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/10/26/chase-sapphire-preferred-card-still-best-around-rewarding-credit-card/

The Most Blunt Devaluation Explanation I’ve Ever Seen from an Airline

If you thought I was being hyperbolic when I explained Air Canada’s major devaluation of elite status as the airline thinking their elites were over-entitled and they were determined to do something about it… Thread Tripping highlights PR comments from the airline that make my point for me. Truly, I don’t recall ever seeing such […]

The post The Most Blunt Devaluation Explanation I’ve Ever Seen from an Airline appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/10/26/blunt-devaluation-explanation-ive-ever-seen-airline/

Record Hot Weather Expected To Hit East Coast

Record-breaking temperatures are expected to hit the East Coast of the United States next week.



from Travel Feedly http://www.ibtimes.com/record-breaking-temperatures-expected-heat-east-coast-1713333

No More Dom Perignon In Business Class

As least in terms of "mass" name recognition, Dom Perignon is considered to be one of the best first class airplane champagnes out there. Personally I'm not a huge fan of Dom Perignon, at least the 2003 vintage, which up until recently was primarily the one being served on planes.

Their 2004 vintage was much better, though still not as good as my beloved Krug.

Over the past couple of years the 2004 vintage has become the norm for airlines serving Dom Perignon in first class, so that's good news.

Anyway, historically a few airlines have stood out when it comes to their business class champagne selection.

The post No More Dom Perignon In Business Class appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/10/26/dom-perignon-business-class/

A Better Organizational Strategy: Throw Away Everything That Doesn’t Make You Feel Happy

I love the principle presented by Japanese organizational expert Marie Kondo in her new book. The short version is: discard everything that doesn’t “spark joy.” For all the clothes you don’t wear, pass them on. At minimum, never keep anything you haven’t worn in the past year. Go around your house and get rid of…



from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/better-organizational-strategy/

Understanding Your Credit Score: And How It Can Be Worth Millions (of Miles)

One of the most-asked questions about credit cards is how does it affect your credit score, and of course the implied followup, do you care? And it’s been awhile since I wrote a post on understanding your credit score. I’ve signed up for scores of cards over many years and I still have an excellent […]

The post Understanding Your Credit Score: And How It Can Be Worth Millions (of Miles) appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/10/26/understanding-credit-score-can-worth-millions-miles-real-cash/

Review: Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport

I took the bus from the Park Hyatt Seoul to Incheon Airport at around 6:30PM, and got there by 8PM. At 9PM check-in opened for my 12AM flight to Abu Dhabi, though as check-in opened we were informed of our 14 hour flight delay.

After spending hours trying to get rebooked and dealing with the general chaos of the cancellation, I got booked at the Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport (Etihad Airways gave me an airport accommodation voucher, so they covered the cost of the room).

I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Incheon Airport before it was rebranded. It was a perfectly fine airport hotel, though the club lounge was lackluster.

In the past year the hotel rebranded as the Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport, and on September 1, 2014, they opened the new west wing of the hotel.

After being given my voucher I headed down to the arrivals level, where the Grand Hyatt's shuttle leaves from. It leaves from stop 14C, which is at the far end of the arrivals hall.

The post Review: Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/10/26/review-grand-hyatt-incheon-airport/

6 things to know about Diwali

The Hindu holiday of Diwali is India's biggest and brightest national holiday. But Indians around the world come together to celebrate the festival of lights.

from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/25/travel/diwali-2014/index.html

Another Aviation Icon Goes Away

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 was elegant, commercially doomed, and the last American rival to Boeing.



from Travel Feedly http://www.ibtimes.com/last-md-11-passenger-flight-another-aviation-icon-goes-away-1713278

HOT Business Class Fare: Bangkok – Beijing Under $400 Roundtrip

While probably of limited use to most of my readers, who are US-based, there’s a business class fare of less than $400 roundtrip between Bangkok and Beijing on oneworld member Malaysia Airlines (via Kuala Lumpur). On the other hand, many readers do book awards to Asia and may find some use, and certainly it’s great […]

The post HOT Business Class Fare: Bangkok – Beijing Under $400 Roundtrip appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/10/26/hot-business-class-fare-bangkok-beijing-400-roundtrip/

12 of the best Airbnbs in Copenhagen

Take a look at 12 of our favorite Airbnbs in Copenhagen, from houseboats to penthouses.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/trips/12-best-airbnbs-copenhagen/

Alaska Mileage Plan Status Promotions

Alaska was previously a pretty conservative airline when it came to handing out status, though lately it seems like they're feeling the competitive pressure.

Alaska status has become considerably easier to obtain over the past year or so:

-- As of December 2013 you can earn elite qualifying miles for travel on all of Alaska's international partner airlines, while previously only about half of them were eligible for elite mileage accrual

-- As part of their "Battle in Seattle" with Delta, Alaska has been offering double elite qualifying miles on many of the routes where they're facing competition from Delta

-- As of recently, Alaska is status matching all the way up to MVP Gold 75K, which is their top tier status level (previously they only matched to MVP Gold)

The post Alaska Mileage Plan Status Promotions appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/10/26/alaska-mileage-plan-status-promotions/

Will Citi Executive AAdvantage Offer 100,000 Miles Again?

TPG reader Chris tweeted me to ask: @thepointsguy– “Do you think that American Airlines and Citi will offer the 100,000 miles sign-up bonus again for the Citi Executive AAdvantage credit card?” 2014 has been a great year for credit card sign-up bonuses across the board, and a lot of the issuers are really upping their […]



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2014/10/will-citi-executive-aadvantage-offer-100000-miles-again/

Which Delta Diamond Medallion Choice Benefits Are Best?

TPG reader Issac emailed me to ask: “I will be achieving Delta Diamond Medallion status again before the end of the year, and was wondering which are the best Choice Benefits to choose? Last year the international upgrades worked well, but do you have any better suggestions?” One of the unique things about Delta Platinum […]



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2014/10/which-delta-diamond-medallion-choice-benefits-are-best/

How To Connect From American To Alaska At LAX

Back when I lived in Seattle I'd connect at LAX quite a bit, usually from Alaska Airlines onto American Airlines (and then the other way around on my return).

While their partnership is pretty good overall, the transfer process at LAX is a bit of a pain. American flies out of Terminal 4 while Alaska flies out of Terminal 6. There are two ways to get between the terminals:

-- Take the airside shuttle between terminals, though the shuttle service is pretty unreliable at times, and the contract workers that operate it are the rudest and most incompetent people that work at LAX

-- Exit the terminal, walk along the outside roadway, and then go through security again at the other terminal (which isn't necessarily that much longer if you have TSA Pre-Check, and you do get more fresh air)

The post How To Connect From American To Alaska At LAX appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/10/26/how-to-connect-from-american-to-alaska-at-lax/

Here’s My Elite Status Update.. And Why I Chose Each Travel Program

I share my thoughts and advice on loyalty programs all of the time, I thought it would be useful — and only fair — to also share what I do and let you evaluate whether I practice my own advice. At the same time, where I focus my own stays (and how much I’m traveling) […]

The post Here’s My Elite Status Update.. And Why I Chose Each Travel Program appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/10/26/heres-elite-status-update-almost/

World's creepiest holidays [PICs]

Famadihana wins as the world’s most hardcore festival of the dead.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/30-photos-worlds-creepiest-holidays/

Reader Success Story: Disneyland Under $250

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/2014/10/reader-success-story-2.html