from Stuck in Customs http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2014/11/20/soft-clouds-over-the-forbidden-city/
November 19, 2014
Soft Clouds over The Forbidden City
from Stuck in Customs http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2014/11/20/soft-clouds-over-the-forbidden-city/
A Surprising New Way To Use Your Credit Card Points for Business Class Awards to Asia With Great Availability
Philippine Airlines flies non-stop from North America to Southeast Asia. You don’t hear about them often because they do not have any US frequent flyer partners, and no bank program transfers points to the Mabuhay Miles program. And yet therein lies an opportunity. Just like Chase transfers to Korean Air open up a world of […]
The post A Surprising New Way To Use Your Credit Card Points for Business Class Awards to Asia With Great Availability appeared first on View from the Wing.
from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/11/19/surprising-way-use-credit-card-points-business-class-awards-asia-great-availability/
JetBlue Adding More Seats And Checked Bag Fees
JetBlue had an interesting way of announcing some negative changes today. They didn't announce the changes to customers, but rather to investors, explaining how they "plan to drive shareholder returns through differentiated products and service."
To clarify, when they say "differentiated products and service" they don't mean different than what their competitors offer, but rather different than what they currently offer.
There are two significant changes:
The first change is that JetBlue will begin offering a fare class intended for "customers who do not plan to check a bag," starting in the first half of 2015. That's a nice way of saying that they'll starting charging for the first checked bag on their lowest fares:
The post JetBlue Adding More Seats And Checked Bag Fees appeared first on One Mile at a Time.
from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/11/19/jetblue-adding-more-seats-and-checked-bag-fees/
Travel Challenge: St. Lucia with Limited Flexibitilty
from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/11/travel-challenge-st-lucia.html
Delta Confirms Elimination of Free Stopovers on Awards, Stealth Way to Increase Award Pricing
Delta’s new 2015 frequent flyer program is coming closer to fruition. Miles will be awarded based on dollars spent instead of miles flown Minimum spending requirements for elite status go up 20% New award pricing goes into effect, along with one-way awards. They’ve improved the award search calendar, though there are still bugs and glitches […]
The post Delta Confirms Elimination of Free Stopovers on Awards, Stealth Way to Increase Award Pricing appeared first on View from the Wing.
from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/11/19/delta-confirms-elimination-free-stopovers-awards-stealth-way-increase-award-pricing/
Surfacing: Shopping and Eating Amid History in Richmond, Va.
from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/40a5a172/sc/10/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C110C230Ctravel0Cshopping0Eand0Eeating0Eamid0Ehistory0Ein0Erichmond0Eva0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm
For Cyber Monday, Hotel Deals With an American Accent
from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/40a5a171/sc/10/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C110C190Ctravel0Cfor0Ecyber0Emonday0Ehotel0Edeals0Ewith0Ean0Eamerican0Eaccent0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm
Further United MileagePlus Devaluations for 2015
United MileagePlus is one of the loyalty programs which has made the most tweaks over the past couple of years. They are keeping true to that pattern today, with further "enhancements" to the 2015 MileagePlus program that will negatively impact many of their Premier members. These changes are in addition to United announcing that MileagePlus will go revenue based in 2015, literally copying Delta's every aspect of Delta's SkyMiles program.
So what further changes have just been announced?
UA Insider announced on FlyerTalk this morning that in addition to updates to the 2015 MileagePlus program, Copa Airlines will be launching their own loyalty program in July 2015.
Copa's current loyalty program is MileagePlus, so all standard Premier benefits are also available when traveling on Copa. Prior to the integration of Continental and United, Copa's loyalty program was Continental OnePass.
The post Further United MileagePlus Devaluations for 2015 appeared first on One Mile at a Time.
from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/11/19/united-mileageplus-devaluations-2015/
In Transit Blog: A Local Touch at Thompson Hotel in Miami Beach
from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/40a57d49/sc/10/l/0Lintransit0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A140C110C190Ca0Elocal0Etouch0Eat0Ethompson0Ehotel0Ein0Emiami0Ebeach0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm
In Sicily, Market to Class to Table
from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/40a57d45/sc/10/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C110C190Ctravel0Cin0Esicily0Eitaly0Eculinary0Etours0Ego0Efrom0Emarket0Eto0Eclass0Eto0Etable0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm
Save On United Flights With Veterans Advantage
Having recently celebrated Veterans Day, it seems appropriate to discuss the benefits offered through Veterans Advantage, in particular the opportunity to save up to 5% on United flights.
Membership is open to US Military Veterans, Active Duty Military, National Guard or Reservist, Retired Military, Retired Guard or Reservist, and Family Members (Spouse, Parent, Child, and Sibling) of one of the above.
The post Save On United Flights With Veterans Advantage appeared first on One Mile at a Time.
from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/11/19/save-united-flights-veterans-advantage/
25% Discount Buying Starwood Points
Starwood is offering up to a 25% discount on purchased points through the end of the year. 10% off 500–9,500 Starpoints 15% off 10,000–14,500 Starpoints 20% off 15,000–19,500 Starpoints 25% off 20,000 Starpoints This isn’t an uncommon offer — Starwood offered this back in April, last November, and the previous March — but it’s also […]
The post 25% Discount Buying Starwood Points appeared first on View from the Wing.
from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/11/19/25-discount-buying-starwood-points/
Five Credit Card Features You Shouldn’t Travel Without
from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/11/five-credit-card-features-you-shouldnt-travel-without.html
36 Hours in Seattle
from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/40a4e675/sc/10/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C110C230Ctravel0Cthings0Eto0Edo0Ein0E360Ehours0Ein0Eseattle0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm
I Heart My City: Zubair’s Lahore
from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2014/11/19/i-heart-my-city-zubairs-lahore/
Review: Hyatt Herald Square New York
I was excited to check out the Hyatt Herald Square, which is Hyatt's newest property in New York. As I mentioned in the introduction post, Hyatt's New York footprint has been growing like crazy lately. In the past year they've opened the Park Hyatt New York, Hyatt Times Square, and Hyatt Union Square.
It's nice to have yet another property, in another unique part of New York City.
I got a very reasonable "My Elite Rate" of ~$160.
Within my cancellation deadline the rate actually dropped to $120, which seemed extremely cheap for New York City.
The post Review: Hyatt Herald Square New York appeared first on One Mile at a Time.
from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/11/19/review-hyatt-herald-square-new-york/
Orthogonal or bust: Brad Gerstner lays out the roadmap in travel
from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/orthogonal-bust-brad-gerstner-lays-gameplan-travel/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=orthogonal-bust-brad-gerstner-lays-gameplan-travel
Don’t Forget to Register for Free Money Next Saturday
from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/dont-forget-to-register-for-free-money-next-saturday/
Sweden's prostitution solution
from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/bnt/swedens-prostitution-solution-hasnt-anyone-tried/
Boxever woos Air New Zealand and Ryanair with personalisation push
from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/boxever-5/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=boxever-5
Commercial aircraft in 2050
from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/commercial-aircraft-2050/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=commercial-aircraft-2050
Couchsurfing relaunches on new platform with fresh functionality
from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/couchsurfing-relaunches-new-platform-fresh-functionality/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=couchsurfing-relaunches-new-platform-fresh-functionality
Let Me Catch You Up on Developments in the Travel World…
News and notes from around the interweb: Everyone gets free inflight wifi on November 26. It’s a limit of 30 minutes free, but if everyone on the plane uses it that could make speeds really slow…. A rundown of changes to the Delta award chart now that they’ve come clean on what the award chart […]
The post Let Me Catch You Up on Developments in the Travel World… appeared first on View from the Wing.
from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/11/19/let-catch-developments-travel-world/
How Much Should A Hotel Rollaway Bed Cost?
Generally speaking, hotels have a lot more suites with one bed than with two beds. In fact, many hotels don't have any suites with two beds. The reasoning is quite simple -- generally if you can afford to splurge on a suite, you're not looking to split a room with someone (of course there are exceptions, but that's the logic).
I almost always travel alone, so I don't put much thought into bed arrangements. I'm weird because I don't actually necessarily prefer a king bed over two double beds, even when traveling alone. It's nice to be able to nap in one bed during the day, and then still have a nicely made up bed when you go to sleep at night. Or if you frequently decline housekeeping (as I do), then it means you get a "fresh" bed more often.
But on my current trip with my dad I've run into an interesting situation I've never faced before. I've ordered rollaway beds at our hotels, and I've been fascinated by the variance in price.
The post How Much Should A Hotel Rollaway Bed Cost? appeared first on One Mile at a Time.
from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/11/19/much-hotel-rollaway-bed-cost/
A Birthday Wish for America’s National Parks
from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2014/11/19/a-birthday-wish-for-americas-national-parks/
Why Now Is the Best Time to Apply for the Chase Freedom Card
from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/11/why-now-is-the-best-time-to-apply-for-the-chase-freedom-card.html
Notes from Traveling Millennials: On the Road with Bud and Eva Simpson
from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/bud-and-eva-simpson/
Life lessons from a Buddhist monk
from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/notebook/life-lessons-buddhist-monk-fish/
Hotel Fines Guests £100 For Leaving Bad Review
Well this is quite... interesting. A Blackpool, UK hotel, charged guests £100 after they left a bad review online, claiming it's their policy. Via The Telegraph:
"A couple have been "fined" £100 by a Blackpool hotel they described as a "rotten stinking hovel" on travel review website TripAdvisor.
Tony and Jan Jenkinson posted the negative comments after being unimpressed with the one night they spent at the Broadway Hotel.
The couple, from Whitehaven, later found £100 charged to their credit card. The hotel said its policy was to charge for "bad" reviews.
When the couple queried the surcharge, the hotel’s manager said they had a ‘no bad review policy’ in their terms and conditions."
The post Hotel Fines Guests £100 For Leaving Bad Review appeared first on One Mile at a Time.
from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/11/19/hotel-fines-guests-100-leaving-bad-review/
The New American Express Studio Lounge Concept Launches Next Year in Seattle
American Express is opening a new lounge at the Seattle Airport next year. But it won’t be a Centurion lounge as we’ve come to know them. Instead it’s a Centurion Studio. Here’s what American Express shared with me, [W]e are opening a new Card Member space in Seattle-Tacoma Airport – it’ll be an extension of […]
The post The New American Express Studio Lounge Concept Launches Next Year in Seattle appeared first on View from the Wing.
from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/11/19/new-american-express-studio-lounge-concept-launches-next-year-seattle/
40 things good travelers never say
from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/40-things-good-travelers-never-say/
Brand versus product: the rise of the travel meta brand
from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/brand-vs-product-rise-of-travel-meta-brand/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=brand-versus-product-rise-travel-meta-brand
What not to do in Buenos Aires
from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/trips/buenos-aires/
Delta SkyMiles 2015 Worldwide Award Chart Details
Back in February, Delta announced the details of their 2015 SkyMiles program.
The new SkyMiles program included many changes. The most significant was probably that SkyMiles would begin awarding miles based on revenue rather than distance flown. Among US legacy airlines that was a first, and not surprisingly, United MileagePlus quickly followed.
But beyond the way they're awarding miles, Delta also changed the way members can redeem SkyMiles. Some of the changes included:
The post Delta SkyMiles 2015 Worldwide Award Chart Details appeared first on One Mile at a Time.
from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/11/19/delta-skymiles-2015-worldwide-award-chart-details/
The Personal Card That Offers 5 Points Per Dollar Has Doubled its Signup Bonus for a Limited Time
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 The Personal Card That Offers 5 Points Per Dollar Has Doubled its Signup Bonus for a Limited Time appeared first on View from the Wing.
from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/11/19/personal-card-offers-5-points-per-dollar-doubled-signup-bonus-limited-time/
8 quintessential New Mexican foods
from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/8-quintessential-new-mexican-foods-wish-go-national/
The Event Effect – a tech-led future for meetings, conferences and exhibitions
from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/event-effect-tech-led-future-mice/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=event-effect-tech-led-future-mice
15 South African slang phrases
from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/15-slang-phrases-youll-need-know-south-africa/