March 16, 2015

How to Join “The Amazing Race” for Regular People

Have you ever wanted to be on The Amazing Race? I’ve never actually seen the show—I preferred to focus on my own race for ten years—but one time J.D. Roth and I got up early to stand in line for auditions. After waiting for two hours, we were told that the line had closed and there would be no more auditions. Reality star #fail. Fortunately, I know a guy who helps regular people with their own amazing race, every summer in Europe. Steve in Washington, D.C. is a full-time travel hacker. Competitours is a fun side project for him, and I thought some of you might be interested.



from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/competitours-amazing-race/

Is Travel Relaxing?

Upfront warning: this post is more a reflection on my life than anything, so if you're looking for useful mileage tips, stop reading. You've been warned. ;)


While I've spent a vast majority of the year so far outside the US, the time I've spent in the US has been mostly with my parents in Florida. Spending time with my parents in Florida really makes me reflect on life in a good way, since it's one of the few places I actually feel like I can "relax."


On the surface that seems pretty backwards, since I'm fortunate enough to travel to so many amazing and relaxing places (Bali, Bavaria, etc.).


The post Is Travel Relaxing? appeared first on One Mile at a Time.






from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/16/is-travel-relaxing/

This is the Real Threat US Airlines Need to Worry About

US airlines have been making a fuss that Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar receive subsidies and it’s unfair they should have to compete against those carriers. (Subsidies for US airlines are, of course, ok.) The airlines largely don’t compete with each other now, with a couple of flights to Dubai between them the US carriers and […]


The post This is the Real Threat US Airlines Need to Worry About appeared first on View from the Wing.






from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/16/this-is-the-real-threat-us-airlines-need-to-worry-about/

17 Instagrammers show us Hawaii

We all need a little more Hawaii in our newsfeeds...



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/17-hawaiian-instagrammers-show-us-hawaii-vibrant-place-earth/

In Transit Blog: Walkabout: St. Patrick’s Day Parades in Unexpected Places

A weekly capsule of travel news curated by our writers and editors.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/4475e57c/sc/10/l/0Lintransit0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A150C0A30C160Cwalkabout0Est0Epatricks0Eday0Eparades0Ein0Eunexpected0Eplaces0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

How the Orbitz Expedia deal came together

When Orbitz Worldwide announced a proposed acquisition by Expedia Inc last month, it had reached the end of a long series of ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/how-the-orbitz-expedia-deal-came-together/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-the-orbitz-expedia-deal-came-together

Frequent Flier: Seeking Hospitality Outside Its Traditional Realm

Tony Chi, founder of Tonychi & Associates, says business travel may have lost its intimacy in the era of big planes and tighter security.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/4475ac4c/sc/30/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A150C0A30C170Cbusiness0Cseeking0Ehospitality0Eoutside0Eits0Etraditional0Erealm0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Save Hundreds on International Roaming

My bill from AT&T for travel to five countries in the past two weeks should have been $400 or more. Instead, it was just $20 thanks to T-Mobile. When I travel, I bring my technology with me: my iPhone, iPad mini and MacBook Air — a few years ago it was a BlackBerry and my […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2015/03/save-hundreds-on-international-roaming.html

Watch these kids from the North Shore living the dream [VID]

Sky diving, surfing double overhead, no shirts, and tiny bikinis -- it's just another day in the life of kids on the North Shore.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/tv/watch-kids-north-shore-living-dream-vid/

United, British Airways, and other airlines expand NDC tests of dynamic packaging

New technology is enabling dynamic airfare packaging, such as a bundled offer of an airline seat and a bottle of champagne for ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/united-british-airways-and-other-airlines-expand-ndc-tests-of-dynamic-airfare-packaging/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=united-british-airways-and-other-airlines-expand-ndc-tests-of-dynamic-airfare-packaging

A guide to smoking weed around the world

As marijuana legalization gathers pace, here's your up-to-date look at the planet's best and worst places to get stoned.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/pulse/guide-smoking-weed-around-world/

Review: Cairo Airport Ahlan VIP Service

Introduction Gulf Air Falcon Gold Lounge London Heathrow Gulf Air Business Class A330 London To Bahrain Westin Bahrain City Centre Etihad Airways Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi Airport Etihad Airways First Class Apartment A380 Abu Dhabi To London Andaz London Liverpool Street Hotel Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Copenhagen Sheraton London…


The post Review: Cairo Airport Ahlan VIP Service appeared first on One Mile at a Time.






from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/16/review-cairo-airport-ahlan-vip-service/

Avis Launching New Elite Program

Avis has been working on a new elite program for some time. It looked imminent to launch in the fall but was delayed. It appears that Avis in Europe is now emailing out details of the new program to members, and the Bonusfeber site has the scoop. Fortunately, there’s Google translate since I don’t read […]


The post Avis Launching New Elite Program appeared first on View from the Wing.






from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/16/avis-launching-new-elite-program/

17 lovely photos of the Emerald Isle

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, we take a peek at CNN readers' travel photos.





from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/13/travel/gallery/ireland-travel-irpt/index.html

The 26 funniest Southern expressions (and how to use them)

Southerners aren’t “about to do” something...they’re “fixin’ to.”



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/26-funniest-southern-expressions-use/

Is American Airlines cheating on the 24-hour rule?





from Elliott http://elliott.org/from-the-trenches/is-american-airlines-cheating-on-the-24-hour-rule/

9 Californian habits I lost in NYC

"I arrived from California with very thin skin, but survival in New York requires a newbie to toughen up."



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/9-californian-habits-lost-moved-new-york/

Southern Ireland: Off-Season Travel at Its Best

While many travelers put Ireland on their bucket list, I have never really had the desire to visit. I’ve been to Dublin several times, which was fun, but it has never been one of my favorite cities. So consequently, when a mistake fare popped up to Dublin and I grabbed it, I was determined to […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2015/03/southern-ireland-off-season-travel-at-its-best.html

Basics Of Waitlisting Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Award Tickets

Singapore Airlines is unique in that they're one of the few airlines which makes most of their first & business class award seats available exclusively to members of their own frequent flyer program, KrisFlyer.


While most airlines make most of their saver level award space available to partners, Singapore Airlines doesn't. So that makes the KrisFlyer program pretty valuable, given that their program is one of the few ways to redeem miles for Singapore Airlines' premium cabins.


I've written extensively about how to redeem Singapore KrisFlyer miles:


The post Basics Of Waitlisting Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Award Tickets appeared first on One Mile at a Time.






from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/16/basics-of-waitlisting-singapore-airlines-krisflyer-award-tickets/

Delta Flies “Crap Airplanes”

A month ago I offered the simple political truth that When Your Airline CEO Adversary Commits Political Suicide, Just Stand Back and Let Him. Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al-Baker, however, doesn’t know — or simply cannot — do this. Instead he feels the need to make incendiary claims that shine the spotlight back on himself.. […]


The post Delta Flies “Crap Airplanes” appeared first on View from the Wing.






from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/16/delta-flies-crap-airplanes/

Itineraries: Gulf Airlines’ Expansion Sets Off a Row in the U.S.

While airports and other interests welcome new service from the airlines Emirates, Etihad and Qatar, domestic airlines charge unfair competition.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/4473cb13/sc/47/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A150C0A30C170Cbusiness0Cgulf0Eairlines0Eexpansion0Esets0Eoff0Ea0Erow0Ein0Ethe0Eus0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Insider’s Guide to County Kerry

Kerry is the most westerly county in Ireland, with Brooklyn, New York, jokingly referred to as “the neighboring parish.” But its people don’t think of it as remote. For them, the rest of the world is to be pitied for being remote from Kerry. Here's a brief primer on one of Ireland's most idyllic counties.



from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2015/03/16/insiders-guide-to-county-kerry/

Brazil's 20 funniest expressions

A Brazilian doesn't 'waste time', he 'puts smoke inside a bag' (Ensacar fumaça)!



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/notebook/20-funniest-expressions-brazil-use/

Identify these US states by shape

It's not as easy as you may think!



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/can-identify-us-states-shape-quiz/

How to use technology to say goodbye to travel check-in queues

Airline and hotel check-ins and check-outs have undergone a massive shift. From kiosks to online to mobile, getting customers through the check-in ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/how-to-use-technology-to-say-goodbye-to-travel-check-in-queues/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-use-technology-to-say-goodbye-to-travel-check-in-queues

Epic Hawaiian volcanoes timelapse

Shot in 2011 and 2013 mostly from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It's hard to look away from the screen.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/trips/timelapse-volcanoes-hawaii-absolutely-mesmerizing/

Credit Card Experiments and a New 70,000 Point Signup Bonus

News and notes from around the interweb: Consumers paying by credit card tend to spend more. Here’s an interesting experiment on how to get them not to. (HT: Marginal Revolution) Self-control in this regard is critical for benefiting from credit card rewards. The Marriott Rewards co-brand small business card is available with a 70,000 point […]


The post Credit Card Experiments and a New 70,000 Point Signup Bonus appeared first on View from the Wing.






from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/16/credit-card-experiments-and-a-new-70000-point-signup-bonus/

In Transit Blog: At Oregon Festival, Films About (and on) Bicycles

The Filmed by Bike Festival in Portland, Ore., will showcase films about bicycles, some of them shot on wheels.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/447305cf/sc/17/l/0Lintransit0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A150C0A30C160Cat0Eoregon0Efestival0Efilms0Eabout0Eand0Eon0Ebicycles0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

5 Credit Cards You Should Consider Paying Your Taxes With

Paying taxes sucks (well, unless I have any readers who work for the IRS, in which case I'd like to say thanks for working tirelessly to fund freedom). ;)


But oddly paying taxes stings slightly less when you earn miles for it. Even if there's a fee involved.


Now that we're in tax season, I figured I'd share the best way to pay your taxes by credit card, and also share my thoughts on whether it makes sense to do that or not.


Two websites to consider for paying your personal federal income taxes by credit card include the following:


The post 5 Credit Cards You Should Consider Paying Your Taxes With appeared first on One Mile at a Time.






from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/16/5-credit-cards-you-should-consider-paying-your-taxes-with/

Is Travel Insurance Worth the Cost?

National Geographic Traveler editor at large Christopher Elliott is the magazine’s consumer advocate and ombudsman. Over the past 15 years he has helped countless readers fix their trips. Here’s his latest advice.



from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2015/03/16/is-travel-insurance-worth-the-cost/

10 American habits lost in Korea

You're not going to be refusing drinks any more.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/10-american-habits-lost-moved-south-korea/

Expedia’s faux interns debunk Millennial myths with humor and panache

Marketing is often the domain of the intern, as many companies populate marketing teams with the younger generation. The business case is ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/expedias-faux-interns-debunk-millennial-myths-with-humor-and-panache/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=expedias-faux-interns-debunk-millennial-myths-with-humor-and-panache

Things to do in Chicago on St Pat's

Start a new Chicago St. Patrick's Day tradition with one of these ideas.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/trips/5-way-cooler-things-st-patricks-day-chicago-watch-river-turn-green/

Bookstores are dying and it’s your fault





from Elliott http://elliott.org/should-i-cross-that-line/bookstores-are-dying-and-its-your-fault-or-is-it/

So many options, so give them a reason to book a hotel direct

I keep hearing today’s consumers want choices. That’s why they’re shopping 13 or 22 sites or however many the latest research says ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/options-hotel-direct-Duetto/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=so-many-options-so-give-them-a-reason-to-book-a-hotel-direct

Some Airlines Shouldn’t Bother With First Class

No, I'm not even talking about American, which has a fantastic business class product on their 777-300ER, but only ever-so-marginally better first class product.


Instead I'm talking about Kuwait Airways.


As many of you probably know, I'm seriously considering booking Kuwait Airways home from Colombo in a few weeks, which is something I've been wanting to do for a while.


Kuwait Airways' business class is horrible. It's so bad that they don't even advertise it on their website. But you know what's truly mind-blowing? They also have a first class product throughout most of their fleet.


The post Some Airlines Shouldn’t Bother With First Class appeared first on One Mile at a Time.






from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/16/some-airlines-shouldnt-bother-with-first-class/

How to Use Points for Luxury Hotels That Aren’t Part of Loyalty Programs

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 Use Points for Luxury Hotels That Aren’t Part of Loyalty Programs appeared first on View from the Wing.






from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/16/how-to-use-points-for-luxury-hotels-that-arent-part-of-loyalty-programs/

How to parent like an Argentine

"Get ‘em hooked young on mate and red wine." ...thinking we can handle this whole Argentine parenting thing.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/parent-like-argentine/

Best Western Customer Appreciation Week: 1,000 Bonus Points For A Stay

Next week is Best Western's 15th annual Customer Appreciation Week.


To celebrate, they're offering 1,000 bonus points to Best Western Rewards members that stay between March 23 and March 27, 2015. Registration is required for the one-time bonus, which will post up to six weeks after the qualifying stay. Here are the full terms & conditions.


Maybe it's just me, but I kind of feel like offering 1,000 bonus points over a four day period doesn't really show that much appreciation of customers for a 15 year milestone. ;) At least not compared to Club Carlson, which is basically paying you to stay at their hotels at this point.


The post Best Western Customer Appreciation Week: 1,000 Bonus Points For A Stay appeared first on One Mile at a Time.






from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/03/16/best-western-customer-appreciation-week-1000-bonus-points-for-a-stay/

The Magic Button of Good Design

At least once a week I receive questions about the design process behind the self-published work I’ve made, in particular the three manifestos I offered a few years ago. "What software do you use?" people want to know. In other words, how do I “make them look good”? I'm no designer, but as a writer I appreciate the value of imagery and structure that works in harmony with words. I also know that there’s no big secret to it, nor is there a shortcut.



from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/the-magic-button-of-good-design/

Nicolas Cage's Pyramid Tomb in New Orleans, Louisiana

Nicolas Cage's Pyramid Tomb


Acclaimed, derided, and meme'd actor Nicolas Cage has long been known for his eccentric behavior both in front of the camera and in the real world. Cage looks to continue this legacy into death as well thanks to the odd pyramid mausoleum he purchased in a famed New Orleans graveyard. Although the locals don't seem to be as impressed by his curious behavior.


Cage has a history with the city of New Orleans, having purchased both the infamously haunted LaLaurie Mansion and the historic Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel. Both properties were foreclosed on in 2009 after a tax debacle. Subsequently, Cage purchased his unnamed tomb in the city's beloved St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, home to the grave of another of New Orleans' supernatural heavies, Marie Laveau.


The empty grave is a stark, nine-foot-tall stone pyramid that stands in obvious contrast to the blockier, above-ground burial sites that have been crumbling away in the cemetery for over two centuries. There is no name on the pyramid yet, but it is emblazoned with the Latin maxim, "Omni Ab Uno," which translates to "Everything from one." As ever, the actor himself has chosen to remain silent about his reasoning for the flamboyant tomb, but given that there are countless pyramid tombs in cemeteries across the world, it may have simply been a stylistic choice.


Whatever his reasons, the Cage pyramid has already become an iconic part of the cemetery, much to the chagrin of many New Orleans locals who are furious that he was able to obtain a plot in the cramped graveyard. Many have even accused the tomb of damaging or removing other, centuries-old burials to make room. Yet despite public outcry, the pyramid stands.


New Orleans may not like Nic Cage, but it's clear that he likes New Orleans.




















from Atlas Obscura http://atlasobscura.com.feedsportal.com/c/35387/f/665719/s/4471792b/sc/10/l/0L0Satlasobscura0N0Cplaces0Cnicolas0Ecage0Es0Epyramid0Etomb/story01.htm

eLong worried by competitors and owners alike

eLong has described in more detail the “hyper-competitive Chinese market” while outlining some risks relating to Expedia’s controlling interest. It has filed ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/eLong-Expedia/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=elong-worried-by-competitors-and-owners-alike

5 helpful vids for learning Mandarin

Check out these five awesome (and free!) Mandarin-learning videos on YouTube.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/pulse/5-helpful-vids-learning-mandarin/

How I Got Kicked Out Of Romania

Wandering Earl


“Peace, I’m out.” That’s exactly what I yelled…okay, maybe I just mumbled it to myself…fine, I only said it in my head…but regardless, it was said as I left Bucharest last week, right after I discovered that my residency visa … Read more






from Wandering Earl http://www.wanderingearl.com/kicked-out-of-romania-residency-visa-refused/

The Ultimate Guide to Traveling Obsessively (Part 1): The Gear

Join Vagabondish on Twitter and Facebook.


Free martinis, fold-flat massage seats, and champagne bubble baths at the hotel might be the norm for Warren Buffett and the 1%-ers. But the rest of us are lucky to survive our trips without strangling a flight attendant. With pay-toilets on the airplane, $30-a-day hotel Wi-Fi, and this lady at the check-in counter … these […]


The post The Ultimate Guide to Traveling Obsessively (Part 1): The Gear appeared first on Vagabondish.






from Vagabondish http://www.vagabondish.com/ultimate-guide-to-traveling-obsessively-1/

Review: Westin Arlington (Best Value in the DC Area on Weekends)

The hotel opened in spring 2006. The hotel is in the DC suburbs — but located just two blocks to the Ballston metro, Orange line straight shot into the city. It pulls high rates during the week, it’s a business hotel that brings people visiting the FDIC, the EPA’s Fish and WIldlife Service, and DARPA […]


The post Review: Westin Arlington (Best Value in the DC Area on Weekends) appeared first on View from the Wing.






from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/03/16/review-westin-arlington-best-value-in-the-dc-area-on-weekends/

20 surprising truths about Nevada

Sorry California. Most United States gold actually comes from Nevada.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/trips/20-truths-nevada-never-guessed/

Net Affinity grabs $1 million investment round

Hotel technology and marketing service Net Affinity has secured a $1 million funding round. The investment has come from a combination of ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/net-affinity-1-million-round/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=net-affinity-grabs-1-million-investment-round

Maputo's billion dollar makeover

Two decades ago Maputo was a rundown wreck. Now it's gearing up for a tourist takeover as the oil billions pour in.





from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/16/travel/mozambique-maputo-boomtown/index.html

Is Qantas giving out free first-class tickets? Nope, sorry

Over 130,000 people were fooled by a fake Qantas Facebook campaign.





from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/16/travel/qantas-fake-free-first-class-tickets/index.html

16 things that delight a Dubliner

"When you don’t give two f**** about religious matters and, instead, laugh your heart out in front of Father Ted."



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/16-things-delight-dubliner/

Rick’s Picks: Give Me All The Free Nights In Hawaii!

It’s been just over three months since I applied for credit cards, and it’s time to try out some new or repeat products from the past. My credit scores are in the 790 range, I pay off my balances in full every month and have never been late on a payment. We do not have […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2015/03/ricks-picks-give-me-all-the-free-nights-in-hawaii.html