I bid on a business-class seat, but I only got half of one

When John Banister’s bid for an upgrade is successful, he thinks he’ll be flying home in style. He’s half right. Question: Aer Lingus has a lottery system for upgrading selected passengers to business class. On a recent flight from Dublin to San Francisco, the airline accepted my $710 bid to upgrade. Aer Lingus’ business-class seats […]

The post I bid on a business-class seat, but I only got half of one appeared first on Elliott.

from Elliott http://elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/bid-business-class-seat-got-half-one/

Two Good Reasons: With Ramen Nearby, Kuchera Museum Houses a Father’s Art in Morningside Heights

After his father’s death, John C. Kuchera opened a museum of his father’s artwork in his apartment. Another reason to visit Morningside Heights is Jin Ramen.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/415e816a/sc/10/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C120C140Cnyregion0Cwith0Eramen0Enearby0Ekuchera0Emuseum0Ehouses0Ea0Efathers0Eart0Ein0Emorningside0Eheights0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

The Head of The Goddess of Progress in San Francisco, California

Sitting in San Francisco's city hall is a giant bronze head that stares impassively at all who pass by her, rarely paying any notice, but at the time of her creation the head was part of a proud and beautiful statue that stood tall atop the government building.

The Goddess of Progress was a towering 20-foot tall statue that stood atop San Francisco's original city hall. The proud figure jutted out from the building's central dome looking like the kind of iconic symbol that that comes to represent a whole city. Unfortunately this famous fate was not in the cards for the golden lady. In 1906 a massive earthquake rocked the city and the historic city hall building collapsed. Miraculously however the Goddess of Progress remained standing, lording over a pile of rubble.

It was not until the statue was taken down from the site that the fair maiden lost her head. During transit to her new home, the bronze figure fell off of the wagon and her head broke off. After this tragic beheading, the 700-pound head moved around quite a bit landing in the possession of a street gang before being given back to the city who placed the piece in Golden Gate Park. It was not until the 1990s that the head was placed in its current location where it sits as a lovingly preserved monument to the city's past.

Oddly, while the head has quite the storied history, the body of the Goddess of Progress has never been found.

from Atlas Obscura http://atlasobscura.com.feedsportal.com/c/35387/f/665719/s/415dc869/sc/10/l/0L0Satlasobscura0N0Cplaces0Cthe0Ehead0Eof0Ethe0Egoddess0Eof0Eprogress/story01.htm

Rene Doing a Photo Job on the Rim

Thanks Everyone for the 1 million+ views on this video! – I’ll be sure to get incarcerated again! Look, I blame Rene (in the photo below) for the bad advice he gave me in flying the quad over The Forbidden City. I mentioned him during my interrogation, but they just gave me a blank stare. […]



from Stuck in Customs http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2014/12/12/rene-doing-a-photo-job-on-the-rim/

Delta Partner Saudia Fined by the DOT Over Their New Los Angeles Flight

Saudia started flying Los Angeles – Jeddah this year, three days a week. That’s great because they’re a Delta partner, and they are among the airlines offering the most award space of any in the world. Want to take a whole family from the US to India in business class using Delta miles? Saudia is […]

The post Delta Partner Saudia Fined by the DOT Over Their New Los Angeles Flight appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/11/delta-partner-saudia-fined-dot-new-los-angeles-flight/

Japan Airlines Lowers Fuel Surcharges As Of February 1, 2015

Fuel prices have plummeted lately, which is good news all around. That being said, it hasn't had the impact on airfare that some people were expecting.

The most common question this has raised is why it hasn't resulted in lower airfare. And that answer is surprisingly simple -- because the cost of airfare isn't really tied to the cost of providing it. Instead, like most things in the world, it's based on what price the market can support.

In other words, when oil prices were super high and the economy was crap, that didn't somehow give the airlines the power to raise prices. Instead, a lot of them went out of business, capacity was cut, etc. So it's no surprise that airfare hasn't gone down, and that airlines are making billions of dollars. The market will eventually equalize itself, though. This game is cyclical -- for us, and for the airlines.

The post Japan Airlines Lowers Fuel Surcharges As Of February 1, 2015 appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/11/japan-airlines-lowers-fuel-surcharges-february-1-2015/

Expedia releases live travel ticker and real-time reviews

Expedia CEO Dara Khosrowshahi revealed two new data-led features on stage from the annual Expedia Partner Event in Las Vegas: a live ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/expedia-previews-live-travel-ticker-real-time-reviews/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=expedia-previews-live-travel-ticker-real-time-reviews

The Trick To Using The Best Lounges At LAX

The new Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX is hands down the nicest terminal at LAX, and arguably the nicest airport terminal in the US.

I've reviewed the Korean Air/SkyTeam Lounge, Star Alliance Lounge, and recently visited the Qantas/oneworld Lounge at LAX. All three are better than virtually all of the other lounges at LAX.

I've been asked by quite a few readers whether it's possible to access a different terminal at LAX than you're flying out of, presumably to maximize lounge usage. I was under the impression that the answer was "yes," though hadn't found it in writing.

The post The Trick To Using The Best Lounges At LAX appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/11/the-trick-to-using-the-best-lounges-at-lax/

In Transit Blog: Stylish Stays in College Towns

Graduate Hotels in college towns focus on local design and dining.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/415be9b4/sc/10/l/0Lintransit0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A140C120C110Cstylish0Estays0Ein0Ecollege0Etowns0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Dubai Self-Diagnoses Itself with a Luxury-Hotel Problem

Can too many luxury hotels be a bad thing? Apparently so, according to Dubai’s government. Dubai, known for iconic properties, has been seeing a decline in occupancy and profitability at its hotels as more are constructed. At the moment, more than 50% of Dubai’s hotels are five-star hotels. As a result, Dubai’s government has undertaken […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/12/dubai-self-diagnoses-itself-with-a-luxury-hotel-problem.html

'Titanic of the Golden Gate' found

The ship known as "the Titanic of the Golden Gate" has finally been documented using sonar technology.

from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/11/us/san-francisco-shipwreck-rio-de-janeiro/index.html

Here’s Why Airbus Says They May Discontinue the A380

Over the summer I made the controversial claim that the Airbus A380 is a failure. Let’s just say plenty of people disagreed with me in the comments. As a passenger I like the plane. I love flying Singapore’s A380 in first class for sure, there’s nothing yet in the skies like the Emirates shower. And […]

The post Here’s Why Airbus Says They May Discontinue the A380 appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/11/heres-airbus-says-may-discontinue-a380/

The Man Who May Just Save Malaysia Airlines

The troubled airline is putting its fate into the hands of a European executive who turned things around for Aer Lingus.



from Travel Feedly http://www.ibtimes.com/christoph-mueller-new-ceo-malaysia-airlines-may-be-just-man-who-can-save-company-1749851

Just To Be Clear

By Ella Frances Sanders ###



from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/just-to-be-clear/

Airbus A380 Production Could End, And Why Emirates Is Pissed

From a passenger comfort standpoint, the Airbus A380 is my favorite plane in the sky. I've reviewed first class on every airline that operates the A380, and for the most part the experience is simply incomparable. If you haven't yet read them, check out my reviews of A380 first class on Air France, Asiana, British Airways, China Southern, Emirates, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways.

The A380 is by far the quietest commercial aircraft in service, and also has some awesome amenities that most other planes don't, from showers to onboard bars to double beds and fully enclosed suites.

However, it looks like the Airbus A380's days may be numbered. It looks like by next year Airbus will have to decide whether they want to discontinue production of the A380 around 2018, or whether they want to invest an extra two billion Euros in the aircraft, without any guarantee of future return.

The post Airbus A380 Production Could End, And Why Emirates Is Pissed appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/11/airbus-a380-production-end-emirates-pissed/

Gear for a Snowy Getaway

These skis, boards, boots, gloves and goggles will ease your way on the mountain.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/415afd25/sc/10/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C120C140Ctravel0Cgear0Efor0Ea0Esnowy0Egetaway0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Heads Up: Getting into Backcountry Safely

For those who want to learn off-piste skiing, there are new programs that leave the training wheels on.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/415a5874/sc/10/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C120C140Ctravel0Cgetting0Einto0Ebackcountry0Esafely0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Do Employer Listings On My Credit Report Affect My Credit Score?

Employer data listed on your credit report has no impact on your credit score. Not only does it have no impact, it is highly likely that the information is out of date. But it is something with which you should be concerned. While employer information doesn’t directly have an impact on your credit score, it […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/12/do-employer-listings-on-my-credit-report-affect-my-credit-score.html

6 Discoveries from Near and Far: Volume XXIII

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-xxiii/

Why do the best places get trashed?

Mary Sojourner writes beautifully about how the passage of time and changing values have changed a little hot spring in Nevada.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/change/ash-springs-sweetest-places-always-get-trashed/

Walking across totally clear ice

Check this out: walking across perfectly clear ice looks like walking on air.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/pulse/watch-walking-across-surreal-transparent-ice-slovakian-mountains/

Thinking differently about online landing pages

More and more businesses and individuals are using landing pages to custom-tailor their marketing messaging to various traffic sources and customer types.

from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/landing-pages-think-differently/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=thinking-differently-online-landing-pages

American 787 Delayed Until First Quarter 2015

American is in the process of refreshing their longhaul fleet. This includes both reconfiguring their current fleet (installing new seats on their 757-200s, 767-300s, and 777-200s), as well as taking delivery of new aircraft. So far American has taken delivery of 16 777-300ERs, with four more to come.

The next part of American's fleet renewal plan is to begin taking delivery of some 787s, which American has 42 of on firm order. Originally American was supposed to begin taking delivery of these by November 2014, though obviously that has been delayed.

Per the Dallas Morning News, it looks like American won't be taking delivery of their first 787 until the first quarter of next year:

The post American 787 Delayed Until First Quarter 2015 appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/11/american-787-delayed-first-quarter-2015/

17 things New Yorkers are better at

Know something New Yorkers are better at than anyone else? Ignoring bizarre things on the train or in the street, according to writer Alexandra E. Petri. Read on for 16 more things NYers kick butt at.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/17-things-new-yorkers-better-anyone-else/

There’s Not Going to Be a Cap on Transfers from American Express to Delta After All

Just off the phone with American Express, and their contract renewal for the co-brand relationship with Delta means that the anticipated cap on transfers from Membership Rewards to Delta — the limit of 250,000 points transferred per calendar year effective January 1 — will not happen. Presumably other partner transfers, where the relationship isn’t as […]

The post There’s Not Going to Be a Cap on Transfers from American Express to Delta After All appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/11/theres-not-going-cap-transfers-american-express-delta/

ANA Starting Tokyo To Houston Flight In June 2015

All Nippon Airways (ANA) has just announced that they will be starting nonstop flights between Tokyo Narita and Houston as of June 12, 2015. This will be ANA's 10th route to North America, and seems like a pretty obvious choice, between Houston being such a big oil city, and it also being the hub of their joint venture partner, United.

The new route will operate daily with the following schedule:

NH174 Tokyo Narita to Houston departing 11:15AM arriving 9:30AM

NH173 Houston to Tokyo Narita departing 11:20AM arriving 3:20PM (+1 day)

The flight is set to be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, featuring eight first class seats, 52 business class seats, and 190 economy class seats. This should be ANA's most updated version of the 777-300ER, featuring fully flat beds in both first and business class.

The post ANA Starting Tokyo To Houston Flight In June 2015 appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/11/ana-starting-tokyo-houston-flight-june-2015/

Online travel in Latin America: A big, complicated opportunity

To outsiders and even local industry insiders, the intricacies of Latin America’s evolving online travel market can present a daunting puzzle. Or ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/online-travel-latin-america-complicated-opportunity/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=online-travel-latin-america-big-complicated-opportunity

Do You Have Enough Confidence to Travel? You Should.

Wandering Earl

You’re ready to travel. You even bought a backpack. You told your friends that you’re taking off within the next few months. You have a general itinerary and you can’t wait to get on that airplane. But you also know … Read more →

from Wandering Earl http://www.wanderingearl.com/do-you-have-enough-confidence-to-travel/

Photo of the Moment: Diving Into Crater Lake, Oregon

Join Vagabondish on Twitter and Facebook.

© Andy Spearing

The post Photo of the Moment: Diving Into Crater Lake, Oregon appeared first on Vagabondish.

from Vagabondish http://www.vagabondish.com/photo-diving-into-crater-lake-oregon/

My education began after college

"When I was 22, I met Jonah. Jonah had just returned from an 18-month journey from Paris to Palestine. When his travels ended, he wound up in the other room of our two-bedroom, 600-square-foot apartment on the Upper East Side of New York. It was with him that my education began."



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/bnt/education-began-received-diploma/

BRUTALLY HONEST: Delta Declares You’re Not Entitled to Compensate You Even If They Injure You

Historically airlines have sugar-coated changes. When they reduce the value of their loyalty program, increase fees, or otherwise making the travel experience more cumbersome, they tend to couch changes as enhancements. We should be happy that we’ll get fewer miles, have fewer seats with extra legroom, and a more difficult time earning elite status. A […]

The post BRUTALLY HONEST: Delta Declares You’re Not Entitled to Compensate You Even If They Injure You appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/11/brutally-honest-delta-declares-youre-not-entitled-compensate-even-injure/

My Single Biggest Hotel Check-In Pet Peeve

Let me start by saying there are real problems in the world, and this ain't one of them. ;)

Rather, this is one of those things that I notice all too often, which seems like such an easy opportunity to make a guest feel more welcome.

Yesterday a friend and I were checking into an Andaz property. We've both stayed at the property several times before. And we had two different -- but equally incompetent -- check-in experiences.

Maybe two minutes into the check-in experience, the associate asked me "have you stayed with us before?" Now, hotel chains have incredibly powerful databases which store quite a bit of guest information. The most simple thing they store is whether a guest has stayed at your hotel before or not.

The post My Single Biggest Hotel Check-In Pet Peeve appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/11/my-single-biggest-hotel-check-in-pet-peeve/

Business travel managers brace for impact from data security and mobile

Business travel managers are expecting data security and mobile technology to have the highest impact on travel programmes in 2015. A Carlson ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/data-security-mobile-impact-business-travel-programmes-2015/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=data-security-mobile-impact-business-travel-programmes-2015

Here's how to sound cooler in French

Remember in high school French class when your teacher taught you...oh wait, that's right, you didn't actually learn anything in French class because you were too busy passing notes, or drawing mustaches on cartoon people in the textbooks. Don't worry though, because here are a few ways to up your street cred next time you're in France.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/tv/heres-sound-cooler-french/

21 more crazy party hostels around the world

Tom Gates compiles another round of hostels that are better known for partying than they are for sleep.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/nights/20-more-of-the-craziest-party-hostels-around-the-world/

Slide in Fuel Costs Lifts Profits for Airlines, but Fares Won’t Fall

Although oil prices are down more than 40 percent since June, airline executives say other expenses rose and they are reinvesting in their companies.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/41567d28/sc/2/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C120C110Cbusiness0Cslide0Ein0Efuel0Ecosts0Elifts0Eprofits0Efor0Eairlines0Ebut0Efares0Ewont0Efall0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Dreamliner battery probe ends

The long investigation surrounding a mysterious battery fire that made so much trouble for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner is closed.

from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/11/travel/boeing-787-dreamliner-investigation-report/index.html

Beach bars we're dreaming of

These 10 Hawaii waterfront watering holes have killer ocean views, creative drinks and that distinctive mahalo vibe we demand.

from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/11/travel/hawaii-best-beach-bars/index.html