Best Travel Blogs: 02/27/15

February 27, 2015

In Transit Blog: In Iowa, a New John Wayne Museum

The John Wayne Birthplace Museum is scheduled to open this spring in Winterset, Iowa.

from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/43e12ade/sc/35/l/0Lintransit0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A150C0A20C270Cin0Eiowa0Ea0Enew0Ejohn0Ewayne0Emuseum0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

In Transit Blog: A Dolly Parton Show Makeover

Dolly Parton’s “Dixie Stampede” show and dinner in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., has received a multimillion-dollar upgrade

from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/43e12ae1/sc/19/l/0Lintransit0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A150C0A20C270Ca0Edolly0Eparton0Eshow0Emakeover0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Frequent Flyer Miles Replace Cocaine for Investment Bankers, Automate Your Delay Compensation, and the First Air Force One

News and notes from around the interweb: For a few days only you can get $100 off top quality luggage while benefiting charity at the same time. For God’s Sake Shut Up About Credit Cards and Airline Miles (HT: Barry P.) The author complains that talk of miles has replaced doing lines of cocaine off […]

The post Frequent Flyer Miles Replace Cocaine for Investment Bankers, Automate Your Delay Compensation, and the First Air Force One appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/02/27/frequent-flyer-miles-replace-cocaine-for-investment-bankers-automate-your-delay-compensation-and-the-first-air-force-one/

The Casualities of February: Leonard Nimoy, A Second Seahawks SuperBowl Win, and My Book Deal.

“This month has kind of sucked,” I told Rand yesterday. When he began to dispute this (because to dismiss an entire February thanks to a few unfortunate events is antithetical to his logical and – somewhat paradoxically – upbeat nature), I merely whispered “Seahawks” and he immediately fell silent. “Man,” he said after a quiet […]

from The Everywhereist http://www.everywhereist.com/the-casualities-of-february-leonard-nimoy-a-second-seahawks-superbowl-win-and-my-book-deal/

Air France FlyingBlue May/June Promo Awards — Up To 50% Off

One of the best uses of Air France/KLM FlyingBlue miles is booking their Promo Awards. FlyingBlue publishes these every month, and they offer 25-50% off select award tickets on Air France and KLM metal. Back in the day Promo Awards would consistently be for 50% off and would have a good number of options in business class, though unfortunately they’ve devalued the program somewhat since then, and the discounts now vary.

However, there are still some great values to be had. FlyingBlue just published their latest Promo Awards. These are valid for bookings made between March 1 and March 31, 2015, and for travel between May 1 and June 30, 2015. This set of Promo Awards is kind of average at best. For a bit of context:

-- The January/February Promo Awards were awesome

-- The March/April Promo Awards were not as awesome but still pretty good

-- The April/May Promo Awards weren't very exciting

The post Air France FlyingBlue May/June Promo Awards — Up To 50% Off appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/02/27/air-france-flyingblue-mayjune-promo-awards-up-to-50-off/

Top 10 Luxury Hyatt Resorts You Can Book for Free

One of the great things about this hobby is that it makes luxury travel more affordable. Saving up enough points and miles for a stay of 2+ nights at one of these resorts isn’t always easy. If you’re traveling with a family, getting enough points for two rooms adds another level of difficulty to this […]

from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2015/02/top-10-luxury-hyatt-resorts-you-can-book-for-free.html

And It Only Cost This Man $1668… (Worst Seat Mate EVER)

The details of what this passenger did are probably not safe for work. So before continuing, for those reading the story on the front page of my blog, I’ll require you to… A middle-aged male Japanese passenger on an overnight Jetstar flight to the Gold Coast viewed pornography, groped the female stranger sitting next to […]

The post And It Only Cost This Man $1668… (Worst Seat Mate EVER) appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/02/27/and-it-only-cost-this-man-1668-worst-seat-mate-ever/

And The Gross Flight Attendant Of The Year Award Goes To…

Yesterday I wrote a post about flying on what I think is possibly the most elite heavy day of the year (the last Thursday in February).

My flight from Tampa to Dallas was a smelly one, as the guy next to me basically farted the whole way.

But he had nothing on the (new hire) flight attendant on my connecting flight. I don't even know where to begin.

On the plus side, my upgrade did end up clearing, thanks to a misconnect. So I had a bulkhead aisle window, with a direct "view" of the forward flight attendant jumpseats.

The post And The Gross Flight Attendant Of The Year Award Goes To… appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/02/27/and-the-gross-flight-attendant-of-the-year-award-goes-to/

Significant Improvements on the Way for Amex Premier Rewards Gold Card

The American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card (Amex PRG) is one of the best personal cards available for domestic day to day spending, as it earns 3X points for flights booked directly with airlines and 2X points at U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets. However, its high annual fee of $175, plus the fact that […]

from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2015/02/significant-improvements-on-the-way-for-amex-premier-rewards-gold-card.html

Local Flavor: Charleston’s She-Crab Soup

She-crab soup might not look like much. But the history of this bisque-chowder hybrid is as rich as that of the city from which it hails.

from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2015/02/27/local-flavor-charlestons-she-crab-soup/

AirAsia 10 country pass very cheap

Budget travelers: your dream just came true in Southeast Asia.

from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/goods/just-got-insanely-cheap-travel-around-southeast-asia/

5 hotel distribution trends in 2015 [INFOGRAPHIC]

March is upon us, and as winter theoretically fades into spring, there’s still a solid bit of 2015 remaining to plan strategies ...

from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/5-hotel-distribution-trends-2015-infographic/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=5-hotel-distribution-trends-2015-infographic

Maximize Your Family Award Strategy: American Express Everyday

My favorite no-fee points earning credit card is the Amex Everyday Credit Card. It has no annual fee, charges no fees for additional cardholders, comes with a 0% introductory interest rate for 15 months and allows for points to be transferred to any of American Express Membership Rewards travel transfer partners. Here are the key […]

from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2015/02/maximize-your-family-award-strategy-american-express-everyday.html

Google Flights comes out of beta, but still isn’t profitable

Google Flights, the travel metasearch tool, has officially come out of beta. The Flights product now appears as an option within the ...

from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/google-flights-gets-update-now-inspiration/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=google-flights-gets-update-now-inspiration

Win a New Zealand Adventure, Shop in NY, Cruise the Caribbean

Check out this week’s travel contests and sweepstakes to try your hand at winning a dream trip to New Zealand, a shopping weekend in NYC, a Caribbean cruise, a Southwest Las Vegas vacation or a trip to New Orleans. Win Your Dream Trip From Air New Zealand You could win a vacation in New Zealand....

from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2015/02/win-a-new-zealand-adventure-shop-in-ny-cruise-the-caribbean/

15 signs you were born and raised in Missouri

You took Hunter Education in school.

from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/15-signs-born-raised-missouri/

London PhotoWalk Recap!

First announced in the Newsletter? What? You didn’t already read this in the newsletter? Oh no! Be sure to subscribe for free here! Not your last chance to win a DJI Inspire Quadcopter! Even if you were not the Grand Prize winner in London, you can still win by dropping a comment on the YouTube […]

from Stuck in Customs http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2015/02/27/london-photowalk-recap/

Oracle Micros, losing hotel connectivity market share, ties up with SiteMinder

For a couple of years now, SiteMinder, the Australia-based hotel channel manager, has been stealing market share away from Micros, the hotel ...

from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/oracle-micros-ties-siteminder-nod-market-shift/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=oracle-micros-ties-siteminder-nod-market-shift

Which Japanese word best defines you

How do you think people would describe you in Japan? As shinpi-tekina (mysterious)? Or maybe as suburashi (wonderful)?

from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/japanese-word-best-describes-quiz/

Citymaps raises $6 million to fuel its Yelp/Google Maps mashup

Citymaps is a mashup of Yelp and Google/Apple Maps, spinning mobile mapping in a new direction. This direction includes large logos, which ...

from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/citymaps-raises-6-million-fuel-yelpgoogle-maps-mashup/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=citymaps-raises-6-million-fuel-yelpgoogle-maps-mashup

Delta Encouraging Their Elites to Act Like DYKWIAs Using a New Hashtag

In frequent flyer circles, probably the worst possible behavior — worse than anything you see from ‘the kettles’ (Ma and Pa Kettle who fly maybe once a year) or ‘gate lice’ (people who crowd the boarding lanes before their zone is called) are the ‘DYKWIAs’…usually elite passengers who think they’re entitled to whatever it is […]

The post Delta Encouraging Their Elites to Act Like DYKWIAs Using a New Hashtag appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/02/27/delta-encouraging-their-elites-to-act-like-dykwias-using-a-new-hashtag/

Signs you're born to travel by train

"#6. You relish in little flashes of life: Trains allow you to see these pieces of life that fasten the world together. Keep looking out your window."

from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/6-signs-born-travel-train/

CMO of Booking.com becomes CEO of Priceline.com brand

Paul Hennessy, the chief marketing officer (CMO) of Booking.com for the past three years, will step up to become chief executive officer ...

from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/cmo-booking-com-becomes-ceo-priceline-com-brand/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cmo-booking-com-becomes-ceo-priceline-com-brand

Maximizing Purchases and Redeeming Awards at Disney Resorts

Disney World is known for many things, and being inexpensive isn’t one of them. In this post, TPG Senior Points & Miles Correspondent Jason Steele explains the best ways to use points and miles toward a Disney vacation, and ways to maximize purchases while you’re there. For Disney fans, there’s no resisting the lure of...

from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2015/02/maximizing-purchases-and-redeeming-awards-at-disney-resorts/

Review: Andaz London Liverpool Street Hotel

While I transit Heathrow about a dozen times a year, I can count on one hand the number of times I've actually visited London. I'm not sure why, exactly, other than the fact that it's expensive and the hotel situation is a bit rough. And the weather isn't great. And the UK APD. And... well, nevermind. ;)

In this case I was meeting some friends in London before we went to Copenhagen for New Years, so I booked a night at the Andaz London Liverpool Street.

The Andaz London is a Category 6 Gold Passport property, making a free night redemption 25,000 Gold Passport points per night. That being said, there was Points + Cash availability for my night, so I booked the one night stay for 12,500 Gold Passport points plus $150.

The post Review: Andaz London Liverpool Street Hotel appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/02/27/review-andaz-london-liverpool-street-hotel/

Marriage equality in Alabama

Author Derek Fulford's life was transformed after attending the first ever legalized gay marriage ceremony in Alabama this month:

from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/change/closer-look-marriage-equality-alabama-without-conservative-sunglasses/

How to Know If You Can Get 50,000 Points for the Amex Premier Rewards Gold (With New Benefits!)

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 How to Know If You Can Get 50,000 Points for the Amex Premier Rewards Gold (With New Benefits!) appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/02/27/quickly-check-if-you-can-get-double-the-signup-bonus-and-the-new-benefits-for-the-american-express-premier-rewards-gold/

My City: Alexander McCall Smith’s Edinburgh

Some years ago Alexander McCall Smith started to write a serial novel, "44 Scotland Street," set in Edinburgh. "In this series—now in its ninth volume—I wanted to explain why it was that this city should so beguile those who come to know it; why each morning makes me feel as if I am waking up to a continuing love affair with the place in which I live."

from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2015/02/27/my-city-alexander-mccall-smiths-edinburgh/

Footsteps: Where Rimbaud Found Peace in Ethiopia

The mercurial French poet Arthur Rimbaud found a refuge from his earlier life in his ‘beloved Harar,’ where he became a merchant and arms dealer.

from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/43dd3a26/sc/40/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A150C0A30C0A10Ctravel0Cwhere0Erimbaud0Efound0Epeace0Ein0Eethiopia0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

The perception of black travelers

Jeta Stephens is changing the way the world thinks of black female travelers:

from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/spain-im-prostitute-challenging-perception-black-women-travel/

Is It ever OK to lose your cool with a company?

from Elliott http://elliott.org/is-this-right/is-it-ever-ok-to-lose-your-cool-with-a-company/

Interlocking Basalt Columns at Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

from Everything Everywhere Travel Blog http://everything-everywhere.com/2015/02/26/interlocking-basalt-columns-at-giants-causeway-northern-ireland/

Hyperloop – from science fiction to real engineering

Cast your minds back a few years and you will remember the hyperloop, right?

from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/hyperloop-science-fiction-real-engineering/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hyperloop-science-fiction-real-engineering

5 Ways to Time-Travel (and Party) in New York

Anyone with a passion for the past can plunge into almost any historical period, from the Jazz Age to the Revolutionary era, for just a few dollars.

from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/43dca4c1/sc/10/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A150C0A30C0A10Ctravel0C50Eways0Eto0Etime0Etravel0Eand0Eparty0Ein0Enew0Eyork0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Regilding the Gilded Age in New York

In cocktail bars, immersive theater companies and private clubs across the city, New Yorkers are keeping the decadent era alive.

from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/43dca4bd/sc/10/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A150C0A30C0A10Ctravel0Cregilding0Ethe0Egilded0Eage0Ein0Enew0Eyork0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

12 English habits I lost in Mexico

"7. Bagging my own groceries and filling up my car with petrol"

from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/12-english-habits-lost-moving-mexico/

Another Star Alliance Frequent Flyer Program Expected to Launch!

Star Alliance carrier COPA is launching their own frequent flyer program this coming summer and exiting from United’s MileagePlus. But it appears they’re not the only Star Alliance airline that may leave a coalition program to strike out on their own. Now it appears that Brussels Airlines may go it alone, apart from Lufthansa’s Miles […]

The post Another Star Alliance Frequent Flyer Program Expected to Launch! appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/02/27/another-star-alliance-frequent-flyer-program-expected-to-launch/

Giveaway: Qatar Airways First Class Amenity Kit

Every Friday is giveaway day. Comment to win! This week we’re giving away a luxurious amenity kit from my one of my favorite airlines. What you need to know: This kit comes with Armani moisturizer, lip balm, sleep mask (good for napping on the road AND at home), fancy floss, and cozy black socks Okay,…

from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/giveaway-qatar-airways-first-class-amenity-kit/

Review: Etihad Airways First Class Apartment A380 Abu Dhabi To London

I don't think words can do justice to how excited I was when I boarded the Etihad A380. As soon as my boarding pass was scanned I jogged down the jet bridge to the door of the plane. That's how excited I was.

At the door I was greeted by the cabin manager and one of the first class crew, who directed me left towards the First Class Apartment cabin.

Holy $hit. I try not to cuss too much in public, but that's what I said. Actually, that phrase is about all that came out of my mouth for the first 10 minutes in the cabin.

Words can't do justice to how beautiful the cabin is. There's only a single aisle, which makes Etihad the first airline to use a single-aisle configuration on the A380.

The post Review: Etihad Airways First Class Apartment A380 Abu Dhabi To London appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/02/27/review-etihad-airways-first-class-apartment-a380-abu-dhabi-to-london/