Not the “Sandals difference” she was hoping for

from Elliott http://elliott.org/should-i-take-the-case/not-sandals-difference-hoping/

A Wine and Sunset Adventure in Cape Town

Sorry About the Cape Town PhotoWalk! I wanted to apologize again for needing to cancel that Cape Town PhotoWalk! I was really looking forward to it… if it had not been for One Infuriating Lady at the Botswana Airport, I could have made it with no problem. Who knew you needed a whole blank page […]



from Stuck in Customs http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2015/01/12/a-wine-and-sunset-adventure-in-cape-town/

Have You Won $100 (Or An Amenity Kit)?

On Saturday I ran a contest offering a $100 American gift card or amenity kit to readers who shared their favorite use of AAdvantage miles.

As I mentioned in that post, between my paid travel and the sign up bonus on my CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World MasterCard®, I'm earning over 220,000 AAdvantage miles in January.

That's a ton of miles, so I thought it would be fun to talk about everyone's favorite redemptions. I had a great time reading the comments, and the stories on Facebook were especially fun!

Anyway, the giveaway ended on Saturday night, and the winners have now been chosen.

The post Have You Won $100 (Or An Amenity Kit)? appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/01/11/won-100-amenity-kit/

Hilton Has an Elite Status Level I Didn’t Even Know Existed. Here’s What It Is.

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 Hilton Has an Elite Status Level I Didn’t Even Know Existed. Here’s What It Is. appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/01/11/hilton-elite-status-level-didnt-even-know-existed-heres/

2 climbers are about to make history

History. Being. Made. #Stoke



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/sports/2-free-climbers-make-history-pics/

Which Flights Use Etihad’s Abu Dhabi Pre-Clearance Facility?

I’ve written extensively about Etihad’s Pre-Clearance facility in Abu Dhabi, whereby you clear immigration for select US-bound flights before even leaving the UAE.

My two experiences with the facility were really disappointing. It was just a total mess, and in both cases the flight took a substantial delay because of the facility. And that was the norm for months, when US-bound flights were running next to a zero percent on-time record.

First of all, based on all the feedback I’ve received lately, I think it’s worth noting that the Pre-Clearance facility has apparently improved substantially. Flights are actually departing (close to) on-time, and apparently the facility isn’t a mess.

The post Which Flights Use Etihad’s Abu Dhabi Pre-Clearance Facility? appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/01/11/flights-use-etihads-abu-dhabi-pre-clearance-facility/

What country in the world best fits your personality? [QUIZ]

Tell us what you like to drink, what your favorite activities and terrain are, and a few things about yourself...and we'll give the perfect match .



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/network/country-world-best-fits-personality-quiz/

Frequent Traveler University Dallas in April: the Only Large FTU Event in 2015

The next USA TODAY TRAVEL Frequent Traveler University is April 17-19 at the Hyatt Regency DFW, minutes from the Dallas Fort Worth airport. I’ve had conversations at the last week, and with a number of other commitments through 2015 this will be the only large Frequent Traveler University this year. As you’re only chance to […]

The post Frequent Traveler University Dallas in April: the Only Large FTU Event in 2015 appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/01/11/frequent-traveler-university-dallas-april-large-ftu-event-2015/

Booked On A350 To Position For Qatar Airways A350 Inaugural Flight!

On Friday I wrote a post entitled "I WANT TO REDEEM MILES FOR THIS FLIGHT SO BAD!"

As I explained at the time, I’m enroute to the Middle East in order to catch Qatar Airways’ inaugural A350 flight from Doha to Frankfurt on January 15. I actually already flew the Qatar Airways A350 for a media flight in Toulouse a couple of weeks back, so the inaugural flight won't even be my first.

As I was trying to find award space from London to the Middle East, I noticed a mysterious flight in the schedule between London and Doha, QR3352. It was an odd flight number, and after some further digging I realized that it's actually operated by an A350.

The post Booked On A350 To Position For Qatar Airways A350 Inaugural Flight! appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/01/11/booked-on-a350-to-position-for-qatar-airways-a350-inaugural-flight/

The Best New Travel Tools, Anthony Bourdain’s Favorite Burger, and Double Qualifying Miles Through March 8

News and notes from around the interweb: 11 Cool Things from the Comsumer Electronics Show That Will Make Travel Better Cyprus Airways shuts down. I flew them in 2007 as part of the Alitalia $33+tax business class mistake fare, and much enjoyed them (and my time at the Le Meridien Limassol). United is putting out […]

The post The Best New Travel Tools, Anthony Bourdain’s Favorite Burger, and Double Qualifying Miles Through March 8 appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/01/11/best-new-travel-tools-anthony-bourdains-favorite-burger-double-qualifying-miles-march-8/

Review: St. Regis Singapore

As I've written about in the past, I find Singapore to be one of the most frustrating hotel markets for the points obsessed. Why? Because not only is Singapore overrun by truly mediocre hotels, but they're outrageously priced, both in terms of revenue and award rates.

When I first booked this trip the plan was to just spend one night in Singapore. However, due to a change in schedule, we ended up staying in Singapore for two nights. I made the change last minute, and go figure at that point the St. Regis was booked out for the second night, so I booked the new Westin for that night.

I booked a paid rate at the St. Regis for our one night stay, which cost about $400. I booked through a Virtuoso agent, so received the following additional perks:

The post Review: St. Regis Singapore appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/01/11/review-st-regis-singapore/

The Government Will Now Require Airlines to Permit Instruments As Carry Ons

The Department of Transportation is focusing on the truly important issues of the day. On Monday they published a final rule that will require airlines to permit small instruments as carry on items. The rule will also require airlines to allow customers to purchase seats for larger instruments. The American Federation of Musicians is pleased. […]

The post The Government Will Now Require Airlines to Permit Instruments As Carry Ons appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/01/11/government-will-now-require-airlines-permit-instruments-carry-ons/

An A319, A330, A340, A350, A380, And 777 Captain Walk Into A Bar…

Er, hotel club lounge. So I’m staying at a certain Heathrow Airport hotel where the Qatar Airways crews also happen to stay. Now, you don’t even have to open your eyes to realize that they stay here. Instead, five times a day the lobby smells like Bath & Body Works, and that’s how you know…

The post An A319, A330, A340, A350, A380, And 777 Captain Walk Into A Bar… appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/01/11/a319-a330-a340-a350-a380-777-captain-walk-bar/

It’s not too late – Deals still alive as of 1/11/2015

Click here to view in browser: It’s not too late – Deals still alive as of 1/11/2015

Each week we publish a number of fantastic deals on the blog and in Quick Deals. Most deals don’t last long, but some hang around for awhile. In an effort to keep you up to date, we have gone back through each of the deals posted over the last couple of months to let you know which ones are still active. Here are the deals still alive as of January... Continue Reading

The post It’s not too late – Deals still alive as of 1/11/2015 appeared first on The Frequent Miler.

from The Frequent Miler http://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/2015/01/11/deals-still-alive/

What only London skateboarders see

Skateboarders notice things that non-skaters don't -- the height of curbs, rails, stairs, launch points, cracks in the pavement.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/tv/lines-london-can-see-skateboarding/

The Island of Montserrat in the Caribbean

from Everything Everywhere Travel Blog http://everything-everywhere.com/2015/01/10/island-montserrat-caribbean/

10 Great Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars

Airlines and hotels get most of the ink in travel and in terms of getting the best deal. And when I write about rental cars that seems to generate the last interest. But I rent cars, on many trips I’m in the car longer than the plane and if the trip is long enough I […]

The post 10 Great Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/01/11/10-great-ways-save-money-rental-cars/

50 things to do in Africa

Bars, beaches, safaris, and nightlife: there are just a crazy amount of things to do in Africa.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/trips/50-things-to-do-in-50-african-countries/

Amex Platinum Airline Fee Credit Reimbursement Data Point

One of the cool perks of American Express' high end Platinum-line of cards is the $200 annual airline fee credit benefit they come with. While card annual fees are based on membership years (aka when you opened your card account), the annual airline fee credit benefit is based on calendar years.

Here are the American Express cards with annual airline fee credits:

-- The Platinum Card® from American Express

-- The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Mercedes-Benz

-- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN

The post Amex Platinum Airline Fee Credit Reimbursement Data Point appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/01/11/amex-platinum-airline-fee-credit-reimbursement-data-point/

Projections in the Forest [video]

"Artists Friedrich van Schoor and Tarek Mawad set out to do something truly unprecedented -- map a 'bioluminescent forest.'"



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/tv/projections-forest-watch-happens-bring-3d-projector-forest/

Review: Qantas First Class Lounge, Sydney

Must-read Earlier Installments: Singapore, Cathay, and Qantas First Class.. Some of the Best Meals of My Life, and a Tour of Hyatts in Bangkok, Singapore, and Sydney Inside the New Oneworld Lounge at LAX’s Tom Bradley International TerminalCathay Pacific First Class, Los Angeles – Hong Kong Cathay Pacific “The Wing” First Class Lounge, Hong Kong […]

The post Review: Qantas First Class Lounge, Sydney appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/01/11/review-qantas-first-class-lounge-sydney/

Etihad Will Review Tarmac Delay Policy After Insane Delays

On the PR front, Etihad's year certainly hasn't been off to a good start after they dealt with some torrential fog in Abu Dhabi, which more or less crippled their operations.

The two stories that went most viral include:

-- An Abu Dhabi to San Francisco flight, whereby passengers were aboard for 28 hours due to a 12 hour fog delay -- Etihad put out a press release apologizing for and explaining the situation

-- An Abu Dhabi to Dusseldorf flight which ended up being over 13 hours, on which one passenger died

The post Etihad Will Review Tarmac Delay Policy After Insane Delays appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/01/11/etihad-will-review-tarmac-delay-policy-insane-delays/

How to demystifying cross-border payments in travel

Payment efficiency and security for cross-border payments are essential in today’s global marketplace. However, there are many gaps in understanding foreign currency ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/travel-payments-demystify/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=demystifying-cross-border-payments-travel

Reader Success Story: Get Mom Away From this Cold, Harsh Winter!

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/2015/01/reader-success-story-get-mom-away-from-this-cold-harsh-winter.html