from Stuck in Customs http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2014/12/23/making-bad-decisions-with-stu-in-auckland/
December 22, 2014
Making Bad Decisions with Stu in Auckland
from Stuck in Customs http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2014/12/23/making-bad-decisions-with-stu-in-auckland/
Are US Airways’ promises worth anything anymore?
from Elliott http://elliott.org/is-this-enough-compensation/us-airways-promises-worth-anything-anymore/
3 Key Rewards Program Tools for Staying in Good Hotels at Very Little Cost
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 3 Key Rewards Program Tools for Staying in Good Hotels at Very Little Cost appeared first on View from the Wing.
from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/22/3-key-rewards-program-tools-staying-good-hotels-little-cost/
Targeting Marriott, Hyatt to set wifi free worldwide
from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/targeting-marriott-hyatt-set-basic-wifi-free/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=targeting-marriott-hyatt-set-basic-wifi-free
How to Save a Bad Travel Day
from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/12/how-to-save-a-bad-travel-day.html
Inbox by Gmail encroaches on travel brands’ turf
from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/inbox-gmails-effect-travel-brand-email-marketing/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=inbox-gmails-effect-travel-brand-email-marketing
Next Up: Gulf Air Business Class To Bahrain!
I'm slowly enroute to Colombo, as I'll be originating my Etihad A380 inaugural flight journey from there, thanks to the relatively cheap first class fares published out of Sri Lanka.
I had a bit of a detour to Toulouse this week for the Qatar Airways A350 delivery festivities, so now I'm trying to get from Toulouse to Colombo (or as the American AAdvantage I called said "huh?").
Taking a Middle Eastern carrier is a no brainer due to the geography involved, though I'm also always looking to try new products. I've flown tons of Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways flights, including:
The post Next Up: Gulf Air Business Class To Bahrain! appeared first on One Mile at a Time.
from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/22/next-gulf-air-business-class-bahrain/
In Transit Blog: Pint-Size Activities With an Adult Twist
from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/41b271ec/sc/10/l/0Lintransit0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A140C120C220Cpint0Esize0Eactivities0Ewith0Ean0Eadult0Etwist0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm
Thirteen Misconceptions about Finding Low Airfares
from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/12/13-misconceptions-about-finding-low-airfares.html
US Airways Pulls Its Elite Challenge (“Trial Preferred”) Offer
US Airways has long offered a paid status challenge program where you get temporary status for 90 days and then have an opportunity to fly to keep that status on an accelerated basis. Three months ago US Airways eliminated the ability to buy miles towards status, which used to be a great alternative to mileage […]
The post US Airways Pulls Its Elite Challenge (“Trial Preferred”) Offer appeared first on View from the Wing.
from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/22/us-airways-pulls-elite-challenge-trial-preferred-offer/
US Airways Discontinues Trial Preferred Program
I've previously written about the US Airways Trial Preferred program, which is hands down the best way to earn top tier status with US Airways (and now by connection, with the new American).
It’s one of the few “shortcuts” to top tier elite status, so understandably many people were interested in taking advantage of the status trial.
According to the US Airways website, the Trial Preferred program has been discontinued, effective immediately:
The post US Airways Discontinues Trial Preferred Program appeared first on One Mile at a Time.
from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/22/us-airways-discontinues-trial-preferred-program/
Travel Inspiration: Six Free Deals to Access Now
from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/12/travel-inspiration-six-free-deals-to-access-now.html
Event-o-Rama: 5 Must-Dos in January
from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2014/12/22/event-o-rama-5-must-dos-in-january/
Hyatt To Offer Free WiFi For All Guests Starting February 2015
from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2014/12/hyatt-to-offer-free-wifi-for-all-guests-starting-february-2015/
Pivotal moments in 2014 – when Hilton embraced mobile
from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/pivotal-moments-2014-hilton-embraced-mobile/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pivotal-moments-2014-hilton-embraced-mobile
Travel bloggers go to Washington
from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/pulse/white-house-invited-travel-bloggers-global-citizenship-summit-heres-talked/
The Strangest Airline Policy Ever Has a Deceptively Simple Explanation
Airline policies can be cumbersome, arcane, even byzantine. One frequent flyer program who works for a major airline told me earlier this year that he finds himself in meetings with his colleagues, talking through how a change might work to the program, and he’ll find himself having to stop and have someone remind the group […]
The post The Strangest Airline Policy Ever Has a Deceptively Simple Explanation appeared first on View from the Wing.
from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/22/strangest-airline-policy-ever-deceptively-simple-explanation/
How to tell it's a Finland Christmas
from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/9-ways-know-christmas-time-finland/
Oh Bag, Where Art Thou?!
On Friday I shared the somewhat crazy story of how my plane side bag was simply left on the tarmac in Salt Lake City, and all the drama that followed. The "highlight" of the drama, no doubt, was when a supervisor threatened to call the cops on me for something I didn't do.
At the end of the last installment I discovered that my bag had been sitting on the tarmac in Salt Lake City all along. The previously hostile but now overly friendly supevisor, P, informed me that my bag would be placed on the next flight to Los Angeles. It was scheduled to land at 3:30PM. Apparently they couldn’t check the bag through to my final destination, but rather I’d have to pick it up at baggage claim.
My connection was at 4:45PM, so that could have worked... barely.
The post Oh Bag, Where Art Thou?! appeared first on One Mile at a Time.
from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/22/oh-bag-art-thou/
Special Report: Front Row Center: Performance Guide
from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/41b0ee15/sc/10/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C120C230Carts0Cinternational0Cguide0Etop0Eopera0Edance0Eand0Eorchestra0Eperformances0Ethis0Ewinter0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm
Golden opportunity: Upselling ups positive reviews and guest satisfaction
from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/upselling-ups-positive-reviews-guest-satisfaction/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=upselling-ups-positive-reviews-guest-satisfaction
Reshaping online travel – hurdles and opportunities
from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/reshaping-online-travel/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=reshaping-online-travel
Mexico by Mexicans v Gringos
from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/mexican-culture-viewed-mexicans-versus-gringos/
The Far Edge of Travel: Albania
from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2014/12/22/the-far-edge-of-travel-albania/
Hyatt To Offer Free Wifi Globally — No Strings Attached
This has been a year of innovation on the hotel front, both good and bad. On the bad side, we saw Hilton and Marriott both tighten up their global cancellation policies, requiring you to cancel flexible stays at least one day prior to arrival. That's a pretty customer unfriendly move, given that travelers were often already paying a premium for a flexible rate.
On the plus side, we've also seen IHG, Marriott, and Starwood add complimentary in-room wifi. The exact terms have varied, though in all three instances there have been "catches," like needing to be a member of their loyalty program and/or booking your reservation directly with the hotel (not that those are big hurdles).
Well, it looks like Hyatt is one-upping the other chains. Hyatt will be adding complimentary, unlimited no strings attached wifi at all properties globally as of February 2015. It doesn't matter if you're a member of Gold Passport, or if you booked directly through Hyatt. All guests will receive complimentary wifi.
The post Hyatt To Offer Free Wifi Globally — No Strings Attached appeared first on One Mile at a Time.
from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/22/hyatt-to-offer-free-wifi-globally-no-strings-attached/
Hyatt Announces Free Internet for All Guests: Leaves Hilton in the Cold, and Calls Attention to Sparse Gold Passport Platinum Status
Last Wednesday I wrote that Starwood is introducing free internet for all guests and that this follows Marriott and also IHG. At the time I wrote, It will be interesting to see how long Hyatt (which just extended its room type guarantee to all members) and Hilton can buck the trend, or whether they’ll lose […]
The post Hyatt Announces Free Internet for All Guests: Leaves Hilton in the Cold, and Calls Attention to Sparse Gold Passport Platinum Status appeared first on View from the Wing.
from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/22/hyatt-announces-free-internet-guests-leaves-hilton-cold-calls-attention-sparse-gold-passport-platinum-status/
Tech trend for 2015 and beyond: The hotel room as a computer
from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/tech-trend-hotel-room-as-computer/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tech-trend-2015-beyond-hotel-room-computer
Why I Travel Alone
“Joe, did you book your ticket yet?” I asked. “No. I changed my mind. I’m not going to go.” “What? You aren’t going to Australia? We’ve been planning this vacation for months!” “Yeah, I don’t feel like it. We’ll go some other time.” Over the coming weeks, I attempted to get my friend to reconsider, but to no avail. When Joe changed his mind, he changed his mind. Our trip to Australia – our big post-college adventure – was off. […]
The post Why I Travel Alone appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.
from Nomadic Matt's Travel Site http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/why-solo-travel/
What made Canadians proud in 2014
from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/pulse/11-moments-made-canadians-proud-2014/
Indian-Italian fusion – zomato.com buys Cipando
from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/Indian-Italian-fusion-zomato.com-Cipando/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=indian-italian-fusion-dish-zomato-buys-cipando
Lies you tell saving for travel
from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/4-lies-tell-saving-travel/
Hello From The Qatar Airways A350 Delivery Ceremony
As ya'll know, I'm kind of a Qatar Airways enthusiast. I was on the Qatar Airways A380 inaugural flight, and am booked on the Qatar Airways A350 inaugural commercial flight from Doha to Frankfurt in January.
Today is the day that Qatar Airways is taking delivery of their first A350, and there's a pretty big ceremony planned. Originally it was supposed to be a couple of weeks ago, but it ended up getting delayed.
A friend managed to get me an invite to the event, and I can't even begin to say how excited I am.
The post Hello From The Qatar Airways A350 Delivery Ceremony appeared first on One Mile at a Time.
from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/22/hello-from-the-qatar-airways-a350-delivery-ceremony/
Pivotal moments in 2014 – when Airbnb got in bed with Concur
from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/pivotal-moments-2014-business-travel/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pivotal-moments-2014-3
Don’t Store Babies Inside Overhead Bins (Don’t Steal Their Nutella Either)
News and notes from around the interweb: Nutella jars seized from pregnant mother because they represented terror risk. (HT: Alan H.) The airport staff was ‘just following orders’ so I don’t blame them per se, although along the lines of questions that are rarely asked, if liquids are so dangerous, why are they tossed together […]
The post Don’t Store Babies Inside Overhead Bins (Don’t Steal Their Nutella Either) appeared first on View from the Wing.
from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/22/dont-store-babies-inside-overhead-bins-dont-steal-nutella-either/
What the dickens…
from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/articles/BBC-booking.com-fraud/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dickens
2014 Annual Review: Looking Forward to 2015 (Dun, dun dun…)
from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/2014-annual-review-looking-forward/
How well do you know these landmarks
from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/network/well-know-world-landmarks-quiz/
12 encounters on trains in Europe
from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/12-characters-youll-meet-trains-europe/
Have You Won Airport Lounge Access?
On Thursday I ran a giveaway whereby three lucky winners would each receive $100 worth of LoungeBuddy credit. This was sponsored by LoungeBuddy, to celebrate their new functionality whereby you can purchase lounge access directly through their app.
Anyway, the giveaway ended on Saturday, and the winners have now been chosen.
The winners were selected by random.org, and are as follows:
The post Have You Won Airport Lounge Access? appeared first on One Mile at a Time.
from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/22/won-airport-lounge-access/
Why the smartest people travel
from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/notebook/modern-nomads-smartest-among-us-wander/
Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, Alberta
from Everything Everywhere Travel Blog http://everything-everywhere.com/2014/12/21/moraine-lake-banff-national-park-alberta-2/
Hugo Chavez and the US-Cuba deal
from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/pulse/hugo-chavez-helped-bring-us-cuba-closer-together/
Pivotal moments in 2014 – when Alibaba launched Alitrip.com
from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/pivotal-moments-2014-Alibaba-alitrip/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pivotal-moments-2014-alibaba-launched-alitrip-com
A Time Machine Look at Early Travel Blogging
from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/12/a-time-machine-look-at-early-travel-blogging.html