A Special Event in Wanaka and…a Panorama of Hong Kong

Upcoming PhotoWalks and events including the Venice Photowalk We’re about to announce a whole new slew of photowalks and events! Be sure to check the Events page for more! Follow me on Instagram Here’s me, @TreyRatcliff ! And we also started a live-feed Instagram page here on the site! DJI Inspire Review We now have […]



from Stuck in Customs http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2015/04/09/a-panorama-of-hong-kong/

Why won’t Comcast remove my early termination fee?

from Elliott http://elliott.org/problem-solved/why-wont-comcast-remove-my-early-termination-fee/

Business Briefing: 40 Percent of Flights in France Canceled as Controllers Strike

The union called a two-day strike, saying the government had refused to negotiate about matters like how to better organize work schedules.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/453b10a1/sc/28/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A150C0A40C0A90Cbusiness0Cinternational0C40A0Epercent0Eof0Eflights0Ein0Efrance0Ecanceled0Eas0Econtrollers0Estrike0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Denied Boarding For Having Cancer? Ouch!

Here's a story that can't help but make you shake your head. Earlier in the week a lady was flying Alaska Airlines from Lihue to San Jose, when she was denied boarding for having cancer.

Here's how Elizabeth Sedway, the passenger, described the incident on her Facebook page:

"Today, we were at gate 8 ready to depart on Alaska Airlines for San Jose. An airline employee saw me seated in the handicap section of the boarding area. She asked me if I needed anything. The first time. I said no. The second time, O said, well I might need a bit of extra time to board, sometimes I feel weak. Because I said the word weak, the Alaska Airlines employee called a doctor, she claimed was associated with the airlines. After we board the plane. An Alaska representative boarded the plane, and told us I could not fly without a note from a doctor stating that I was cleared to fly. The video is of us being removed from the plane."

The post Denied Boarding For Having Cancer? Ouch! appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/04/08/denied-boarding-for-having-cancer-ouch/

How to piss off a Colombian

Spell it Columbia. It’s C-O-L-O-M-B-I-A. How do you still not know one of the most basic things about our country?



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/notebook/piss-off-colombian/

Are You Earning 5x Points On Dining?

I recently compiled a list with the best bonuses you can earn on your credit card for everyday spend, based on the category in which you spend the most money. In that, I mentioned a few cards that consistently earn double points on dining, which is a big spending category for many of us.

I'll happily take double points the rest of the year, but for the next few months I'll be shifting all of my dining spend to my Chase Freedom®.

Why?

The post Are You Earning 5x Points On Dining? appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/04/08/are-you-earning-5x-points-on-dining/

10 quirky expressions you’ll need in the American South

I took one look at him and I knew he fell out the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/10-quirky-expressions-youll-need-american-south/

Which Credit Card Should I Use to Load My Target REDcard?

You can load your Target REDcard with a credit card, and then use your REDcard to pay your mortgage — the net result is you can pay your mortgage using a credit card. So, what is the best credit card to use to load your Target REDcard? And how can you make sure the transaction […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2015/04/which-credit-card-should-i-use-to-load-my-target-redcard.html

North American National Park #43: Hot Springs, Arkansas

Of the 59 sites with a national parks designation in the United States, the oddest of the bunch has to be Hot Springs National Park. Hot Springs isn’t a park in any real sense of the word. Not only is it the smallest national park by area, the biggest attraction has nothing to do with [...]



from Everything Everywhere Travel Blog http://everything-everywhere.com/2015/04/08/north-american-national-park-43-hot-springs-arkansas/

Best Restaurants In Beijing

This post is from my friend Matt (not the Champagne-friend Matt, a different one), who spent years living in Beijing, and is even there currently. Given that so many of us are headed there in the coming weeks, I asked him for his recommendations for the best restaurants in Beijing. Matt is a bit of a foodie, and his dining suggestions are typically spot on, so hopefully this is helpful!

Beijing is one of the great dining cities in the world. While it doesn’t quite have the world famous local cuisine of a Singapore or Tokyo, it is a place where you can find pretty much any cuisine you want at a whole range of prices (and quality).

Over the seven years I lived and worked in Beijing, I experienced as much of the food as I could. The city has changed a little bit since I lived there, but as I write this from one of my favorite spots in Beijing, there are still a number of my favorites that are doing pretty amazing things with food.

The post Best Restaurants In Beijing appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/04/08/best-restaurants-in-beijing/

18 signs you miss Idaho

You eat fries just to have fry sauce. And you'd pay obscene amounts of money for a taste of Cloverleaf ice cream again.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/notebook/18-signs-youve-away-idaho-long/

US Airlines Have Received More Subsidies than Middle East Ones

There’s an ongoing spat between United, Delta, and American Airlines on the one hand and Etihad, Emirates, and Qatar on the other. The former US airlines don’t believe they should have to compete against the large aggressive Gulf carriers which they claim are substantially subsidized by their governments. They don’t think consumers should reap the connectivity advantages, service advantages, or low prices that their prices bring. They released a report purporting to do the math on subsidies to the big Gulf carriers. I was not impressed. And I believe that the US airlines can and should compete successfully without government protectionism. A pretty big piece of research dropped that ought to play a signficant role in the debate – detailing just how subsidized the US airlines have been. While they’re throwing potshots at their competitors,…

Continue reading US Airlines Have Received More Subsidies than Middle East Ones...

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/04/08/us-airlines-have-received-more-subsidies-than-middle-east-ones/

How to Save $200 on Premium Cabin Awards to London

British Airways (BA) and Virgin Atlantic (VS) are the U.K.’s two major international airlines. Both have a strong presence in the U.S. and Americans have great access to the rewards currencies of each of these airlines thanks to their numerous partners: Chase, American Express, SPG and Citi (only VS). Their premium cabin products are generally […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2015/04/how-to-save-200-on-premium-cabin-awards-to-london.html

I Heart My City: Dimitris’s Athens

Though Athens seems to live in the shadow of its long history, Dimitris Hall is on a mission to suss out city surprises, both new and old. Lucky for us, as he digs up new discoveries, he shares them with the world on the Spotted by Locals blog. Here are a few of his favorite things about the place he calls home.



from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2015/04/08/i-heart-my-city-dimitriss-athens/

18 flags made out of famous foods

Which country do you think has the most delicious-looking flag?



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/18-countrys-flags-made-famous-foods/

United, Southwest, Hilton and Hyatt Bonus Points/Miles Promos:

Though the bonus on purchased Alaska Airlines MileagePlan miles came to an end last week, there are several ongoing airline and hotel promotions offering bonuses on purchased points and miles. If you want some opportunities to pad your loyalty account balances, here are the details on each. Though mileage/points purchases made through Points.com do not...



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2015/04/united-southwest-hilton-and-hyatt-bonus-pointsmiles-promos/

In Defense of Delta

There’s perhaps no airline that is quite as vilified by Ben as -- you guessed it -- Delta Air Lines.

What he sees is an airline running a mileage program that is not as lucrative as American’s, a program that requires significant spend (or use of a co-branded credit card) to reach elite levels and offers poor redemption availability on its own metal domestically.

Ben sees a program that won’t let you redeem miles for travel on partner airlines in international first class.

Ben sees a program that has made some customer-unfriendly changes within the last few years.

I see it differently.

The post In Defense of Delta appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/04/08/in-defense-of-delta/

Top 10 Hotels to Redeem the 80,000 Bonus From the Hilton Surpass Card

The sign-up bonus for the Hilton HHonors Surpass Card from American Express has increased to 80,000 points after $3,000 is spent within 3 months. The Hilton HHonors award chart requires 5,000-95,000 points for an award night, depending on the hotel category and season. If you’re wondering what some of the best hotels are where you […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2015/04/top-10-hotels-to-redeem-the-80000-bonus-from-the-hilton-surpass-card-2.html

What type of traveler are you? Quiz

Are you a planner? An adventurer? Or perhaps a cultural explorer? Find out in our latest personality quiz.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/type-traveler-quiz/

36 Hours: What to Do in Antigua, Guatemala

The 500-year-old city feels like a portal to another century, with a wealth of colonial architecture, markets, ruins and rain forest.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/4538e679/sc/14/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A150C0A40C120Ctravel0Cwhat0Eto0Edo0Ein0E360Ehours0Ein0Eantigua0Eguatemala0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

20 Instagrams of the Philippines

With 7,107 islands, endless sunshine, perfect waters, and countless days of exploring to do, it begs the question: Why aren’t we all in the Philippines right now?



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/notebook/20-instagrams-prove-philippines-literally/

He saved $200 on his airline ticket but lost in the end

from Elliott http://elliott.org/from-the-trenches/he-saved-200-on-his-airline-ticket-but-lost-in-the-end/

12 truths you learn in South America

In Argentina, they told me to stop thinking so hard and to let things unravel as they should. They were right. We shouldn't fight uncertainty. We should embrace it.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/notebook/12-universal-truths-learn-south-america/

China Will Hunt Down Tourists Who Behave Badly While Abroad

The Chinese government has announced a policy of tracking its tourists who behave badly in other countries. Just the thread of having one's behavior monitors, and logged, while outside the country is expected to serve as a deterrent to tourists who fail to adhere to local customs in an egregious way while on vacation.

Though it responds to a worldwide perception, and results from the new wealth which has led to a tremendous migration from rural areas to cities and has allowed Chinese people to travel outside the country it is likely unnecessary. And it's darned scary...

Continue reading China Will Hunt Down Tourists Who Behave Badly While Abroad...

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/04/08/china-will-hunt-down-tourists-who-behave-badly-while-abroad/

DiCaprio Just the Latest Celebrity to Join the Hotel Business

Francis Ford Coppola, Richard Gere and Andy Murray have also broadened their portfolios (and their brands) with properties around the world.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/4538a16d/sc/28/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A150C0A40C0A80Ctravel0Cdicaprio0Ejust0Ethe0Elatest0Ecelebrity0Eto0Ejoin0Ethe0Ehotel0Ebusiness0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

How To Redeem Your IHG Anniversary Free Night Certificate

I've written extensively about the IHG® Rewards Club Select Credit Card, which is one of the most all around rewarding hotel credit cards out there.

The card comes with a 70,000 point sign-up bonus after spending $1,000 within three months of account opening, provided you haven’t received the bonus in the past 24 months. And the annual fee on the card is also a super-low $49, though it’s waived the first year.

This sign-up bonus is limited time, though was recently extended through May 31, 2015.

There are three most awesome benefits that come with this card:

The post How To Redeem Your IHG Anniversary Free Night Certificate appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/04/08/how-to-redeem-your-ihg-anniversary-free-night-certificate/

Hey travelers, are these new chip cards are a “joke”?

from Elliott http://elliott.org/advice-you-can-take/hey-travelers-these-new-chip-cards-are-a-joke/

Traveling Through France? Check Your Flight Status!

It looks like it’s going to be a pretty rough week for travel to/from/within Europe, as the French air traffic controllers are on strike through tomorrow, Thursday, April 9, 2015. As a result, airlines have been asked to halve their flight schedules through tomorrow, to make things go as smoothly as possible.

The dispute involves plans to raise the retirement age for air traffic controllers from 57 to 59 (oh, the horror!), and for what it’s worth further strikes are planned for April 16 through April 18 and April 29 through May 2.

The post Traveling Through France? Check Your Flight Status! appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/04/08/traveling-through-france-check-your-flight-status/

Goodbye, glaciers?

The world's glaciers are disappearing.

from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/05/travel/the-wonder-list-chamonix-alps-bill-weir/index.html

The 10 ‘Most Garbage’ Airports in The World

It struck me reading about ten of the 'most garbage' airports in the world that while many of these are bad, the worst are completely left off -- especially the worst U.S. airports.

It's simply unreasonable to consider Chicago O'Hare worse than New York LaGuardia and... Manila.

Paris and Frankfurt are awful. JFK is worse than LaGuardia. And where's Miami on this list? Here are the worst airports, and the ones that deserve a reprieve. Although I've only ever seen roosters break out of a cage at baggage claim in Manila..

Continue reading The 10 ‘Most Garbage’ Airports in The World...

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/04/08/the-10-most-garbage-airports-in-the-world/

How to modernize the travel payment process and win the connected customer

Travelers continue to become more educated and tech savvy, and increasingly they want diverse, complex itineraries that are tailored to a highly ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/how-to-modernize-the-travel-payment-process-and-win-the-connected-customer/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-modernize-the-travel-payment-process-and-win-the-connected-customer

Signs you miss New Mexico

You miss the smell of green chile roasting in late summer:



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/11-signs-youve-away-new-mexico-long/

Discounted Loews Hotel Stays With Daily Getaways

As I first posted about several weeks ago, Daily Getaways is back earlier than normal this year, and is a great opportunity to purchase hotel points and travel packages at a discount. It’s sponsored by the US Travel Association, and every weekday for five weeks they’re offering discounted travel packages.

So far I've posted exclusively about the opportunities to buy hotel points at a discount:

-- Purchase IHG Rewards Club points for ~0.58-0.6 cents each

-- Purchase Club Carlson points for ~0.45 cents each

-- Purchase Hilton HHonors points for ~0.5 cents each

-- Purchase Best Western Rewards points for ~0.55 cents each

-- Purchase Choice Privileges points for ~0.4 cents each

The post Discounted Loews Hotel Stays With Daily Getaways appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/04/08/discounted-loews-hotel-stays-with-daily-getaways/

You've partied at Rio Carnival if...

You’ve danced and sang at the top of your lungs to a samba-style Beatles cover band.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/nights/14-signs-youve-partied-carnival-rio/

Are you shocked by this?

from Elliott http://elliott.org/but-why/are-you-shocked-by-this/

US Airways No Longer Exists, the Government Now Considers All Flights to Be on American

American Airlines and US Airways have been granted their 'single operating certificate' by the FAA. That means in the eyes of the government they're now operating as one airline, even though consumers will continue to see the two brands until late in the year.

This change is a big deal on the back end, it makes the rest of the merger integration possible, but it doesn't mean anything is different today for consumers. Still, it truly is the end of an era. All US Airways flights are now referred to as "American [Flight #]" by air traffic control.

Continue reading US Airways No Longer Exists, the Government Now Considers All Flights to Be on American...

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/04/08/us-airways-no-longer-exists-the-government-now-considers-all-flights-to-be-on-american/

Unlocking the mobile mind set in the travel industry

If you’re not mobilizing your travel brand for mobile customers, you’re sending business to competitors who are. NB: This is an analysis ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/unlocking-mobile-mind-set-InstartLogic/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=unlocking-the-mobile-mind-set-in-the-travel-industry

PathWrangler resurrected as customers donate salvage fees

Maybe some parts of the travel industry aren’t as cut throat as we all think they are. Adventure travel online planning service ...



from Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/article/pathwrangler-resurrected-as-customers-donate-salvage-fees/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pathwrangler-resurrected-as-customers-donate-salvage-fees

Appreciating gay travel in SE Asia

It’s actually okay to be gay here:



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/trips/7-things-gay-travelers-appreciate-southeast-asia/

OMFG REDEEM STARPOINTS FOR TAYLOR SWIFT TICKETS!!!

I have a lot of opinions on how people should redeem points. And that's not to say I'm right, but it won't stop me from having opinions. ;)

As a very general rule of thumb (there are exceptions), I tend to think there are two ways to "best" redeem points:

-- Airline miles should be redeemed for flights, and hotel points should be redeemed for hotels

-- Points should be redeemed in a way which brings you the most happiness, ideally for an experience you couldn't otherwise afford or attain

For example, while you can redeem your Starpoints for everything from gift cards to charitable donations, I don't think those are efficient uses of points. I'd much rather redeem Starpoints for hotel stays or convert them into airline miles. Except...

The post OMFG REDEEM STARPOINTS FOR TAYLOR SWIFT TICKETS!!! appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/04/08/omfg-redeem-starpoints-for-taylor-swift-tickets/

United’s New Digital Operations Center to Combat Mistake Fares and Delta Avoids a Flight Attendants Union

Often there are great posts on other blogs worth being aware of. Folks are writing up deals that I may not have much to add to, so I share what you need to know that’s being discussed elsewhere and link to some interesting or unique news articles about travel, miles, and points.

Today we’ve got details of United's new operations center dedicated to combating mistake fares,, a man who commits suicide over losing unlimited buffet benefits, and the other three most interesting items I saw this morning.

Continue reading United’s New Digital Operations Center to Combat Mistake Fares and Delta Avoids a Flight Attendants Union...

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/04/08/uniteds-new-digital-operations-center-to-combat-mistake-fares-and-delta-avoids-a-flight-attendants-union/

What NOT to do in Sofia

Please! Don't go to chalga night clubs. Most Bulgarians are ashamed of this subculture and prefer not to advertise it abroad.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/trips/not-sofia/

South Union Shaker Village in Auburn, Kentucky

A Shaker colony set it roots in western Kentucky for over 100 years, until dwindling resources and deserting believers led to its sale in 1922. Of the over 200 buildings raised, only nine remain to tell their story.

The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, the "Shakers" founded the South Union Colony in 1807. Their core beliefs involved hard work, gender and racial equality, pacifism, and celibacy. They came to be called the Shakers due to their seemingly chaotic worship services, full of dancing, twitching, and loud singing. Through their work they kept a prosperous village, raising over 200 buildings and supporting an economy with agricultural and furniture sales, with Shaker furniture being especially sought after. Shakers would invent many technological innovations like the circular saw, flat broom, and the clothespin, and use new technology to make their work more efficient. In the Colony, indoor plumbing and central heating would be installed in many buildings, rarities at the time.

The Shakers would find themselves at odds with both sides during the Civil War, with Union supporters distrusting them for being among the first conscientious objectors and Confederate supporters distrusting them for their views of racial equality. Being located in the hotly-contested state of Kentucky, the South Union Colony would be at the mercy of the armies of both sides. To keep the village from being taken over or ransacked, they had to feed regiments from either side. The Colony would never recover its previous prosperity after the war, and the South Union village and lands were sold to farmers and speculators in 1922.

Nine of the Shaker buildings remain, with the large four-story Centre House showcasing many exhibits of Shaker life in the Colony. Guided and self-guided tours start at the visitors center, from which visitors can walk among 200 years of Shaker history.

from Atlas Obscura http://atlasobscura.com.feedsportal.com/c/35387/f/665719/s/453545cf/sc/7/l/0L0Satlasobscura0N0Cplaces0Csouth0Eunion0Eshaker0Evillage/story01.htm

Man Commits Suicide After Being Banned From Las Vegas Buffet

Well here's a sad story. A Las Vegas man committed suicide at an Easter buffet, which he blamed on depression stemming from him being banned from a buffet.

Via The Las Vegas Review-Journal:

"The day before he put a gun to his head and killed himself at an M Resort buffet on Easter, a Las Vegas man filled a box with his complaints against the resort and its employees and mailed it to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

In his final, angry message to the world, delivered to the newspaper Monday morning, John Noble blamed his suicide on depression that set in after the Henderson resort awarded him free meals at the buffet for life then banned him from the property in 2013 for harassing some of the women working there."

The post Man Commits Suicide After Being Banned From Las Vegas Buffet appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/04/08/man-commits-suicide-after-being-banned-from-las-vegas-buffet/

Check In: Hotel Review: Mitsui Garden Hotel Osaka Premier

The hotel offers a little Zen amid Osaka’s hubbub, weaving Western comforts with Japanese elements.­

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/45357a99/sc/26/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A150C0A40C120Ctravel0Chotel0Ereview0Emitsui0Egarden0Ehotel0Eosaka0Epremier0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Frugal Traveler: A Warm Welcome in the Caucasus Mountains

In the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, a self-declared but largely unrecognized country between Armenia and Azerbaijan, conversation and vodka flow freely.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/45357a97/sc/34/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A150C0A40C120Ctravel0Ca0Ewarm0Ewelcome0Ein0Ethe0Ecaucasus0Emountains0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Bites: Restaurant Report: Museum of Spirits in Stockholm

The Swedish chef Petter Nilsson comes home from Paris with a playful attitude toward traditional fare.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/45357a94/sc/26/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A150C0A40C120Ctravel0Crestaurant0Ereport0Emuseum0Eof0Espirits0Ein0Estockholm0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

NY's One World Observatory announces opening

Tickets go on sale Wednesday for those who want to be among the first to visit NYC's latest landmark. So what can visitors expect?

from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/08/travel/one-world-observatory/index.html