If your travel agent doesn’t pay your bill, should you have to pay again?

from Elliott http://elliott.org/thats-ridiculous-2/travel-agent-doesnt-pay-bill-pay/

Mommy and Baby Elephant

Taken with the Sony FE 70-200mm Lens Here’s one of the photos that is part of the new Sony FE 70-200 Review here on the site. The optical image stabilization really helped to make sure the shot was nice and crisp, even taken from a helicopter! Daily Photo – Mommy and Baby Elephant Aren't they […]



from Stuck in Customs http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2014/11/05/mommy-and-baby-elephant/

6 Discoveries from Near and Far: Volume XVIII

Things I've 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-xviii/

Snap! That Won’t Work… The War On Water Has Been Won, But We Still Keep Fighting…

I’ve written that the flight I fear the most are United’s Hong Kong routes in economy. I wouldn’t much love American’s Hong Kong – Dallas in back either. Hong Kong airport isn’t an ally in the War on Water. Since you can take water through their checkpoints, there’s an additional security check at the gate […]

The post Snap! That Won’t Work… The War On Water Has Been Won, But We Still Keep Fighting… appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/11/04/snap-wont-work-war-water-won-still-keep-fighting/

Is HIlton HHonors The Best Hotel Loyalty Program?

People often ask me for advice as to which airline or hotel chain they should be loyal to. I certainly have my favorites based on what suits my travel patterns best, but the truth is that there's no single "best" program, be it on the hotel or airline front. Everyone values things differently, and even when people explain to me what they value most, I still sometimes struggle with making suggestions, since there are so many minor things that can impact which program is best.

For example, as much as I rag on Delta SkyMiles, I've recommended a countless number of times that people consider being loyal to them. If their route network suits you or if what you value most are domestic upgrades, they're pretty darn tough to beat, in my opinion.

On the hotel front, I love Hyatt Gold Passport and Starwood Preferred Guest. I find they do the best job with elite recognition while also having the most reasonable qualification tiers for status.

The post Is HIlton HHonors The Best Hotel Loyalty Program? appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/11/04/hilton-hhonors-best-hotel-loyalty-program/

In Transit Blog: A California Location for Cycling House Camps

The Cycling House will offer training camps designed for endurance cyclists and triathletes in Solvang, Calif., this winter.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/40287124/sc/10/l/0Lintransit0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A140C110C0A40Ca0Ecalifornia0Elocation0Efor0Ecycling0Ehouse0Ecamps0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

A Website Everyone Should Know About to Keep Programs Honest

Hilton is the hotel program that devalued the most in 2013. Now, instead of showing members a list of all of the hotels changing categories in a single shot, they make changes as they go. And in the name of transparency, they just post hotel redemption category changes to a web page throughout the year. […]

The post A Website Everyone Should Know About to Keep Programs Honest appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/11/04/website-everyone-know-keep-programs-honest/

Hipster Portland: Family Edition

Portland may be best known for its beer, bicycling locals, and street food, but—as unlikely as it sounds—many of the city's seemingly “grown-up” attractions can be geared towards kids with just a little tweaking. Here's the rundown on how to give hipster Portland a family-friendly spin.



from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2014/11/04/hipster-portland-family-edition/

Singapore Creates Impossible Expectations

A few weeks ago a hilarious image was circulating the web about the overall examination results for a kid at a primary school in Singapore.

As you can see, he got straight "A"s, but under remarks it said "Must work harder for better results. There is still room for improvement."

Hah! And that brings me to my flight last night from New York to Frankfurt in Singapore Suites Class -- it was good, but by comparison it wasn't good enough. And that's Singapore's fault. Because they're so good. Let me explain.

Back in August I flew from Frankfurt to New York on Singapore Airlines in A380 business class. I was fully expecting to be disappointed, given that the business class cabin has 86 seats, and I had previously almost exclusively flown Singapore Airlines first class on longhaul flights.

The post Singapore Creates Impossible Expectations appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/11/04/singapore-creates-impossible-expectations/

Airline Fees To Top A Record $50 Billion

A new study finds that fees generated from services beyond the base price of an airline ticket are at an all-time high.



from Travel Feedly http://www.ibtimes.com/airline-fees-top-record-50-billion-year-1718748

Priceline Isn’t the Company You Think it Is

Marketplace interviewed me for this morning’s coverage of Priceline’s earnings report. “It’s not just William Shatner, but the whole company has to boldly go where no travel company has gone before,” says Gary Leff, who writes the viewfromthewing.com blog. “They haven’t quite figured out how to teleport themselves into the future of online travel.” Leff […]

The post Priceline Isn’t the Company You Think it Is appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/11/04/priceline-isnt-company-think/

5 Reasons I’m Signing Up for the British Airways Visa Signature Card

Ever since I got paranoid about Chase shutting my accounts down, I’ve been on somewhat of a break when it comes to signing up for new personal cards. Fortunately, that break is coming to an end, and I will soon be ready to sign up for a handful of new cards yet to be decided […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/11/5-reasons-im-signing-up-for-the-british-airways-visa-signature-card.html

Leaders Club Makes Earning Free Nights Easier

Back in April I wrote about Leading Hotels Of The World, which has 400+ unique boutique and luxury properties around the globe.

While it's not for everyone, they do have an interesting loyalty program, consisting of two status levels -- Leaders Club and Unlimited.

One thing that makes status with Leading Hotels Of The World so unique is that the only way to earn status with them is to pay for it, which costs $150 and $1,200 for Leaders Club and Unlimited, respectively.

The perks are pretty compelling, so signing up for Leaders Club is a no brainer if you have at least a couple of stays planned with them. Unlimited can be worth it as well, as it offers some perks you won't get with other hotel chains, like complimentary airport transfers at many properties.

The post Leaders Club Makes Earning Free Nights Easier appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/11/04/leaders-club-makes-earning-free-nights-easier/

Frugal Traveler: Are European Museum Passes Worth the Money?

The answer: It depends. That said, here are some things to consider if you’re visiting Amsterdam, Madrid, Florence or Paris.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/4026e69e/sc/10/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C110C0A40Ctravel0Care0Eeuropean0Emuseum0Epasses0Eworth0Ethe0Emoney0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Seven Don’t-Miss Trends in Prague

Long among the must-visit destinations of Europe, Prague continues to evolve in surprising and alluring ways. Here are a few trends and tips to help you uncover the freshest ways to experience this fairytale Czech city.



from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2014/11/04/seven-dont-miss-trends-in-prague/

'Trivago Guy' gets a new look

Lookin' good, Trivago Guy. Thanks to a stylist, he's gotten a makeover -- though we're not sure about the belt.

from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/04/travel/trivago-guy-new-look/index.html

Fliers rip airline fees, delays, seats

Almost 30,000 travelers filled out a Spirit Airlines survey detailing what passengers really hate about airlines.

from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/04/travel/spirit-airlines-state-of-hate-report/index.html

Free trip for anyone with this name.

This man broke up with his girlfriend and has an extra round-the-world plane ticket. The catch? He can only give it to someone with her name.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/guy-giving-away-ex-girlfriends-round-world-plane-ticket-anyone-shares-name/

Official: Hyatt Not Renewing Diamond Challenge For Now

Yesterday I wrote about how the Hyatt Diamond Challenge had been discontinued.

There's no denying that Hyatt had the most generous hotel status challenge out there:

-- Hyatt gave you Diamond status upfront

-- Hyatt gave you 1,000 bonus points per night for the first six nights you stayed

-- Hyatt gave you four confirmed suite upgrades, each of which could be used to confirm a suite upgrade in advance for up to a week each — those were valid until February of the following year, even if you didn’t complete the Diamond Challenge

Anyway, the fact that the challenge expired wasn't unusual in and of itself. The Diamond Challenge does always have an expiration date, and in this case it was October 31, 2014. However, in the past they've typically extended the Diamond Challenge promotion shortly after it expired.

The post Official: Hyatt Not Renewing Diamond Challenge For Now appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/11/04/official-hyatt-not-renewing-diamond-challenge-for-now/

Double Elite Qualifying Nights, 250 Free Miles, and an Exploding Toilet Inflight…

News and notes from around the interweb: “The bathroom just exploded” onboard a Virgin Australia flight that had to return to LAX. Passengers say the toilets overflowed. The airlines claim it was the sinks. Either way, it apparently smelled. Very bad. Club Carlson is offering your choice of double points OR double qualifying nights through […]

The post Double Elite Qualifying Nights, 250 Free Miles, and an Exploding Toilet Inflight… appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/11/04/double-elite-qualifying-nights-250-free-miles-exploding-toilet-inflight/

Airline ancillary revenue rockets to a projected $49.9 billion globally

Airlines show no sign of relenting on the industry push towards ancillary revenue, with the latest projection suggesting a $7.3 billion year-over-year ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/airline-ancillary-revenue-rockets-projected-50-billion-globally/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=airline-ancillary-revenue-rockets-projected-50-billion-globally

9 signs you were raised Brazilian

#1) You pay for 5,000 TV channels just so you can watch Globo all day.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/9-realities-american-kids-raised-brazilian-parents/

Funny Video: Weird Things Couples Do In Hotel Rooms

Check out this hilarious BuzzFeed video, entitled "Weird Things Couples Do In A Hotel Room."

Coupled or not, I think we can all relate to just about every part of that video at one point or another in our travels.

Oh yeah, and this video is also a perfect reminder of why it doesn't suck to be single (as if there needed to be more reasons)!

The post Funny Video: Weird Things Couples Do In Hotel Rooms appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/11/04/funny-video-weird-things-couples-do-in-hotel-rooms/

Register For Club Carlson Points Or Nights Promotion

Club Carlson has unveiled their fourth quarter promotion, entitled Points Or Nights. The promotion is valid for stays between November 4 and December 30, 2014.

Through this promotion you have the choice between:

-- Double base Gold Points

-- Double night credits towards status

Registration is required prior to check-out of your first eligible stay, and you do have to select which reward you want at the time of registration -- you can't change it later.

The post Register For Club Carlson Points Or Nights Promotion appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/11/04/register-for-club-carlson-points-or-nights-promotion/

Question travel writing's status quo

Given the huge success of writers of color in other genres, such as Amy Tan and Toni Morrison, it's time for travel writing publishers to also move on.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/change/question-status-quo-travel-writing/

In Climbing a California Peak, the Challenge Is Finding a Place to Park

Every Saturday and Sunday, 1,500 to 2,000 people come to climb Mission Peak. However, there are only 42 parking spaces.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/4025251b/sc/10/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C110C0A50Cus0Cin0Eclimbing0Ea0Ecalifornia0Epeak0Ethe0Echallenge0Eis0Efinding0Ea0Eplace0Eto0Epark0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

In Transit Blog: A New App for Travel Meet-Ups

Tripr, a new digital application, helps travelers connect with others who will be at the same destination.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/40252518/sc/36/l/0Lintransit0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A140C110C0A40Ca0Enew0Eapp0Efor0Etravel0Emeet0Eups0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

T Magazine: Oscar de la Renta’s Island Oasis

The late fashion designer’s legacy also includes suites designed for the Tortuga Bay Hotel in Punta Cana.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/4025251d/sc/10/l/0Ltmagazine0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A140C110C0A40Coscar0Ede0Ela0Erenta0Etortuga0Ebay0Epunta0Ecana0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

A Day in the Life of Delta’s Porsche Tarmac Transfer Program

Last summer United started rolling out Mercedes tarmac transfers… something Delta started doing with Porsche in November 2011. United has a broader Miles for Mercedes tie-in as well. Of course this all follows on Lufthansa’s innovation, not just at their First Class Terminal in Frankfurt (since first class passengers wait in a different terminal from […]

The post A Day in the Life of Delta’s Porsche Tarmac Transfer Program appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/11/04/day-life-deltas-porsche-tarmac-transfer-program/

14 ways to understand Hong Kong

2. Become impatient: We're always in a hurry. We're power-stabbing lift buttons to make them go faster or tutting at pregnant ladies who walking too slowly.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/14-ways-understand-people-hong-kong/

How two hotels groups are taking a data-driven road less travelled

When a hurricane hits the west coast of Mexico, resorts on the east coast can experience a surge in demand. While it ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/hotels-groups-data-driven-road/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=two-hotels-groups-taking-data-driven-road-less-travelled

Sabre inks with Enteprise Holdings, Travelport gets AirAsia India, Busy Rooms taps Tripvillas, and more…

This is a roundup of product news and announcements for travel DISTRIBUTION in tourism and hospitality for October 2014. Tuesday 4 November ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/travel-distribution-roundup-november-2014/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=travel-distribution-scan-november-2014

How to Handle a Sudden Change of Travel Plans

Wandering Earl

Three weeks ago, I attended my close friend’s wedding on a Sunday night in Vancouver. It was a great time, with great people, great food and just a great atmosphere. Once the wedding ended shortly after 1:00am, I then bummed … Read more →

from Wandering Earl http://www.wanderingearl.com/how-to-handle-sudden-change-of-travel-plans/

Save 10% (And More) On Hyatt Stays

Hyatt is offering a 10% discount on the purchase of physical gift cards, which can translate into huge savings potential for Hyatt stays with a bit of planning:

-- The gift cards can be used at participating Hyatt hotels in the US, Canada and Caribbean

-- If you have an OPEN card from American Express you'll receive a 5% rebate on the purchase

-- You can also earn 3% cash back on your Hyatt booking through TopCashBack

This promotion is open to all Hyatt Gold Passport members, and you can purchase up to $2,000 in gift cards per account directly on the Hyatt website.

The post Save 10% (And More) On Hyatt Stays appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/11/04/save-10-hyatt-stays/

Multi-modal travel search jumps a gear as Rome2Rio adds Uber and bike sharing

If multi-modal travel search is all about incorporating all types of transportation into a user’s potential journey, then it makes sense for ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/uber-rome2rio-bike-sharing/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=multi-modal-now-sharing-economy-rome2rio-adds-uber

What we can learn from Argentines

#8) Food is to be thoroughly enjoyed. Prime example: No Argentine would think to take coffee to go — coffee is to be enjoyed while relaxed, sitting down.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/8-things-americans-can-learn-argentines/

The British Airways Cost to Redeem US Airways Flights to Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean Going Down

As I explained in British Airways Visa Drops First Year Annual Fee, Still Offers 50,000 Points, redeeming British Airways points for short non-stop flights in economy on American, US Airways, and Alaska Airlines are a great deal. You can spend as little as 4500 points one-way, instead of the “usual” 12,500 with US mileage programs. […]

The post The British Airways Cost to Redeem US Airways Flights to Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean Going Down appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/11/04/british-airways-cost-redeem-us-airways-flights-canada-mexico-caribbean-going/

24 people who changed travel forever

Some are political figures, some are inventors, some are pioneers, and some are writers, but all of these people had a major impact on the travel world.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/change/25-people-changed-travel-forever/

Man offers free trip to anyone with his ex-girlfriend's name

Calling all Elizabeth Gallaghers in Canada: Would you like a free trip around the world?

from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/04/travel/free-world-trip-elizabeth-gallagher/index.html

Photo of the Moment: The Wild Poppies of Hertford, England

Join Vagabondish on Twitter and Facebook.

© Nick Page

The post Photo of the Moment: The Wild Poppies of Hertford, England appeared first on Vagabondish.

from Vagabondish http://www.vagabondish.com/photo-wild-poppies-hertford-england/

How to Slow Travel on a Short Trip

Join Vagabondish on Twitter and Facebook.

Katie Hammel reveals how to slow travel – to learn about the local culture, understand daily life, and focus on “experiencing†more than “seeing†– even on a short trip.

The post How to Slow Travel on a Short Trip appeared first on Vagabondish.

from Vagabondish http://www.vagabondish.com/how-to-slow-travel-short-trip/

The town defined by fine dining

Global gourmets frequently place San Sebastian atop their culinary bucket list -- and that's before they've tried the local tapas.

from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/03/travel/san-sebastian-food/index.html