April 4, 2015

Approaching Mos Eisley Spaceport on Tatooine

Yoga with Adriene A few months ago you guys gave me some suggestions for yoga shows on YouTube. Anyway, here’s one of my favorites – Yoga with Adriene. I like her… she’s really chill and doesn’t take it too seriously. She also has a fun 30-days-of-Yoga program that I recommend. Also, she’s from my old […]



from Stuck in Customs http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2015/04/05/approaching-mos-eisley-spaceport-on-tatooine/

Bus companies struggle with service slips and growing pains





from Elliott http://elliott.org/the-navigator/bus-companies-try-to-up-their-service-game/

1 Caver Dead, 2 Rescued In Morocco

Surviving Spanish adventurers are hospitalized after falling "several hundred meters" in an unforgiving environment.



from Travel Feedly http://www.ibtimes.com/missing-spanish-cavers-found-bottom-cliff-morocco-one-dead-two-airlifted-hospital-1869860

6 Discoveries from Near and Far: Volume XL

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-xl/

One Simple Upgrade Trick I Just Learned

Mainstream articles on “how to upgrade to first class” are almost uniformly: Dead wrong Laughable At their best they usually offer some variant of: Dress nicely Be a member of the airline’s loyalty program They never explain, of everyone ‘dressed nicely’ (as though this will matter for folks who aren’t airline empoloyees) and who are members of the program, who will get the upgrade if there are seats available and how to increase your chances it’s you. No, just ask isn’t sufficient (although up until last weekend it was necessary to submit a request for a complimentary upgrade on American — so I guess asking was sort of part of it there). Via Miles Remaining comes an article pushing a totally different trick. Naturally it begins with all of the usual claptrap about dressing nicely,…


The post One Simple Upgrade Trick I Just Learned appeared first on View from the Wing.






from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/04/04/one-simple-upgrade-trick-i-just-learned/

Born and raised in Mexico

Oh yes, there’s science behind tortillas:



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/23-signs-born-raised-mexico/

If You Want Real Consumer Protection for Frequent Flyer Programs, Here’s the One Change We Need.

I wrote earlier in the week about the shocking change American AAdvantage made to its terms and conditions: the program specifically said they have no “duty of good faith and fair dealing” with members. The scary fact is that no U.S. airline frequent flyer program does. This is a specific legal term of art, and flows from the Supreme Court’s decision in Northwest vs. Ginsberg last year. We Have Almost No Right to Sue Frequent Flyer Programs Rabbi Ginsberg was kicked out of the Northwest Worldperks for making too many complaints, he gamed the program for compensation in the extreme, and then sued for having his perks taken from him. This was the worst possible litigant to put in front of the Supreme Court with consumer protection on the line — but not for the…


The post If You Want Real Consumer Protection for Frequent Flyer Programs, Here’s the One Change We Need. appeared first on View from the Wing.






from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/04/04/if-you-want-real-consumer-protection-for-frequent-flyer-programs-heres-the-one-change-we-need/

Weekly Review: April 4, 2015

Hello from Hong Kong!


I'm here for a long layover on my way to the Maldives, which sure is a logistically challenging place to visit. On the plus side, I had a lovely shower in one of the Cabanas in Cathay Pacific's The Wing Lounge, and also finally had the chance to check out the new Qantas Lounge.


The post Weekly Review: April 4, 2015 appeared first on One Mile at a Time.






from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/04/04/weekly-review-april-4-2015/

Review: Lounge, Flight and Boat from Male to the Park Hyatt Hadahaa Maldives

Here I review the Male airport’s domestic lounge and Maldivian’s Male – Kooddoo flight to get to the Park Hyatt Hadahaa Maldives. Previous installments: Introduction, overview, and costs Star Alliance first class and business class lounges, LAX Etihad First Class, Los Angles – Abu Dhabi.. the 3rd Longest Flight in the World! Premier Inn, Abu Dhabi International Airport Etihad’s new business class lounge, Abu Dhabi Etihad Business Class, Abu Dhabi – Male When you get off of your flight to Male, you walk out on the tarmac over to the arrivals building, which is more a shack than anything else. You walk inside and queue for immigration. There’s a premium line on the far left, though it may not be especially fast. On this visit there were two lines working, although one was far faster…


The post Review: Lounge, Flight and Boat from Male to the Park Hyatt Hadahaa Maldives appeared first on View from the Wing.






from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/04/04/review-lounge-flight-and-boat-from-male-to-the-park-hyatt-hadahaa-maldives/

"Sea gypsies" worlds happiest people

The nomadic Bajau people spend their entire lives working and playing in the ocean.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/amazing-photos-show-borneos-sea-gypsies-happiest-people-planet/

Review: Japan Airlines First Class 777-300ER Tokyo Narita To New York JFK

After a really awesome flight on JAL from Jakarta to Tokyo Narita, I was excited to see whether it was a one-off, or if JAL has really become this awesome. In this review I won't focus too much on the hard product, since I covered that pretty thoroughly in the last installment.


At the door I was welcomed by the senior cabin attendant, Akahane, and two of the other first class crew. I got a full round of bows before I even stepped foot on the plane. I was escorted to my seat, 2A.


As soon as I sat down Akahane came to my seat for a more detailed welcome, including informing me of the flight time of 12hr15min. She offered me a drink, and I of course requested a glass of Salon champagne. It was served with a hot towel.


The post Review: Japan Airlines First Class 777-300ER Tokyo Narita To New York JFK appeared first on One Mile at a Time.






from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/04/04/review-japan-airlines-first-class-777-300er-tokyo-narita-to-new-york-jfk/

6 US habits I lost in Peru

Thinking of people as mere "acquaintances" isn't really a thing in Peru.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/6-american-habits-lost-moved-peru/

They really trashed this plane — but what does it mean?





from Elliott http://elliott.org/blog/they-really-trashed-this-plane-but-what-does-it-mean/

As The Credit Card Issuers Churn

Barclaycard lost the US Airways co-brand as a result of the airline’s merger with American, with Citibank retaining the right to issue new American AAdvantage cards.. American Express lost the JetBlue co-brand (to Barclays) and the Costco product (to Citi) In an unofficial statement, Amtrak Guest Rewards says that their relationship with Chase is ending. I’ve heard this from two sources, but it hasn’t been stated publicly and could well wind up being premature (that the ink isn’t dry). For their part, Chase spokesman Rob Tacey simply replies, We are not accepting new applications at this time for the Amtrak Rewards card. (Amtrak promises an ‘official’ statement next week.) Until very recently I would have thought that we had reached something of a steady state with airline, hotel, and credit card co-brand partnerships. The big…


The post As The Credit Card Issuers Churn appeared first on View from the Wing.






from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/04/04/as-the-credit-card-issuers-churn/

How To Upgrade On SriLankan (For Cash)

As you guys know I'm presently enroute to the Maldives, and planning my outbound flight was a bit of a last minute ordeal. I had originally asked you guys which option you think I should take on the outbound.


Then I had a schedule conflict come up, which caused me to push back my trip by a day and actually have to choose based on schedule rather than which would make the most interesting story.


So in the end I booked an American AAdvantage 67,500 mile first class award from New York to Colombo.


I booked Cathay Pacific first class from New York to Hong Kong, and then SriLankan business class from Hong Kong to Bangkok to Colombo. For the second segment I could have just flown Cathay Pacific nonstop in their reverse herringbone business class, but I figured the least I could do was take a bit of a detour to try out SriLankan.


The post How To Upgrade On SriLankan (For Cash) appeared first on One Mile at a Time.






from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/04/04/how-to-upgrade-on-srilankan-for-cash/

How to parent like a Greek

Remember that it is always cold. Even when it’s not:



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

Tipping for an Upgrade and Refunding Priceline Reservations Plus 30,000 Bonus Points

News and notes from around the interweb: Club Carlson will no longer give the last night free on an award to co-brand credit card holders. However, they’re offering a bit of a make-good: 30,000 bonus points on your next stay paid with the card by August 31. Should you use the $20 trick when checking into a hotel?> (HT: Alan H.) Here’s my primer on tipping at check-in for upgrades and video on how to score the best hotel upgrades. Priceline refunds a rental car booking that a woman claims was made by her infant. Interview with Hector Adler, American’s VP of Inflight. Delta: behind the scenes with your checked bag. (HT: World Airline News)


The post Tipping for an Upgrade and Refunding Priceline Reservations Plus 30,000 Bonus Points appeared first on View from the Wing.






from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/04/04/tipping-for-an-upgrade-and-refunding-priceline-reservations-plus-30000-bonus-points/

My Most Underwhelming Cathay Pacific Flight Yet

As I’ve said a bajillion times before, I’m a huge fan of Cathay Pacific first class, as I find it to be one of the most consistent airline products in the world. They offer one of my favorite first class hard products, the service is generally exceptional, and the food is quite good as well.…


The post My Most Underwhelming Cathay Pacific Flight Yet appeared first on One Mile at a Time.






from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/04/04/my-most-underwhelming-cathay-pacific-flight-yet/

Intimate Peru at street level [vid]

Join cinematographer, Cole Graham on a trip through the beautiful country of Peru:



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/tv/intimate-view-peru-street-level-vid/

Help! My heat is gone and we’re fighting about a warranty claim





from Elliott http://elliott.org/problem-solved/help-my-heat-is-gone-and-were-fighting-about-a-warranty-claim/

How Much Money Do You Need to Live Abroad? 13 Questions to Ask Yourself

This is an excerpt from Working On the Road: The Unconventional Guide to Full-Time Freedom by Nora Dunn.Traveling full-time can actually cost far less than it does to live in one place. This is due to a number of cost-saving factors, ranging from volunteering in trade for free accommodation, using frequent flyer miles, spending time in places where the cost of living is cheaper (sometimes), and judiciously monitoring your spending.There's no template solution to how much money you’ll need to begin your life working abroad, but you can use these questions to help gauge the expenses you’ll have and how they will vary based on itineraries, priorities and travel style.



from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/how-much-money-do-you-need-to-live-abroad/

In Transit Blog: Hotel Guests Forage for Meals

Cooking classes at hotels are going well beyond the kitchen walls. Participants now forage for ingredients for meals they prepare.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/451aae04/sc/26/l/0Lintransit0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A150C0A40C0A40Chotel0Eguests0Eforage0Efor0Emeals0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

The Saturday City: Natchez, Mississippi

As the Southern cotton economy expanded on the back of slave labor in the early 1800s, towns designed to transport the cotton emerged on the Mississippi River: New Orleans, Memphis, Vicksburg, and Natchez. Located high on the bluffs of the Mississippi River, Natchez, Mississippi was established by French colonists in 1716. The defensible strategic location ensured that it would become a pivotal center for trade. In the middle of the 19th century, the city attracted Southern planters, who built mansions […]


The post The Saturday City: Natchez, Mississippi appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.






from Nomadic Matt's Travel Site http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/the-saturday-city-natchez-mississippi/

How Not to Get Tripped Up When You Want to Upgrade on American and US Airways

The Points Guy blog runs advice on American and US Airways upgrades in a piece written by Nick Ewen. Since that blog is widely read I thought it would be important to highlight some mistakes in the piece that – understanding them – double as tricks to better understand how to maximize your chances of an upgrade when flying American and US Airways. (I left my caveats and concerns in the comments there but six hours later as I write this, they remain unapproved.) Don’t Buy a Flight Planning to Confirm an Upgrade Just Because AA.com Says the Upgrade is Available Nick Ewan writes, For American flights, you can actually search availability on AA.com if you’re logged into your account. From the “Price & Schedule” page, you’ll see which flights allow you to use SWUs…


The post How Not to Get Tripped Up When You Want to Upgrade on American and US Airways appeared first on View from the Wing.






from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/04/04/how-not-to-get-tripped-up-when-you-want-to-upgrade-on-american-and-us-airways/

30,000 Bonus Points With Your Next Club Carlson Stay

Yesterday I wrote about the huge changes coming to the Club Carlson Premier Rewards Visa Signature® Card. One of the most compelling benefits of the card has been that the second night of every award redemption is free, which can potentially double the value of your points if you always stay in two night increments. Unfortunately this benefit goes away as of June 1, 2015.


Club Carlson has now emailed those with the Club Carlson Visa Card to officially communicate the change and offer a pretty cool promotion:


"As a valued Club Carlson member and Club Carlson Visa cardholder, we would like to tell you about an upcoming change to your Visa benefits."


The post 30,000 Bonus Points With Your Next Club Carlson Stay appeared first on One Mile at a Time.






from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/04/04/30000-bonus-points-with-your-next-club-carlson-stay/
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