Before Beginning, Prepare Carefully: Notes from AA 1220

“Pub date” is shorthand for publication date—the day when a new book is out. Here are a few thoughts I starting writing on a short break from a five-week process of full-time preparations. I’m now flying to New York City … preparing for launch! On Tuesday we’ll debut the book. *** The taxi comes to…



from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/before-beginning-prepare-carefully-notes-from-aa-1220/

On being a chef and a traveler

When preparing a soufflé patience is vital. Too early and the mix isn't cooked, too late and it begins sinking.



from Matador NetworkMatador Network http://matadornetwork.com/notebook/chef-made-better-traveler/

Buying Your Airline Tickets Outside the U.S. to Save Money

Reader Andy G. passes along this article that talks about how you can ‘buy airline tickets international’ — getting the best deal on airfare based on the country in which tickets are purchased. I think it overstates the case a bit (“once I was in Bangkok, that same flight that was once $300 would fall […]

The post Buying Your Airline Tickets Outside the U.S. to Save Money appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/09/06/buying-airline-tickets-outside-u-s-save-money/

What to do about knee offenders and other “me first” passengers

from Elliott http://elliott.org/blog/knee-offenders-first-passengers/

A private Island

The Video You’ll notice this island from above in at least two scenes in the video below. I made this with my quadcopter — see my DJI Phantom Review for more! Daily Photo – A private Island This was our favorite little island on the trip. You might remember a kayak photo from last month […]



from Stuck in Customs http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2014/09/06/a-private-island/

Great white sharks: You can track 'em

Mary Lee has logged more than 16,000 miles in the past two years. She's been to Florida, Bermuda and Cape Cod. She's not a beach bum, though.

from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/05/travel/tracking-great-white-sharks/index.html

North American National Park #39: North Cascades, Washington

I won’t beat around the bush. North Cascades is probably the least deserving site I’ve visited in the US to have a national park designation. The primary feature of the park is a dam. Almost everywhere you go in the park you find high voltage electrical lines. It really should be designated as a National [...]



from Everything Everywhere Travel Blog http://everything-everywhere.com/2014/09/05/north-american-national-park-39-north-cascades-washington/

UH OH: Here’s How Your Business Travel Expense Reimbursements Could Put You On the Evening News

Barbara DeLollis flags a story about a “point scheme” that “came at taxpayers’ expense.” A county employee in Santa Clara, California supposedly defrauded the local government by… [Using] his personal credit card to pay for his travel expenses as well as the expenses of employees, all of whom are supposed to use a county credit […]

The post UH OH: Here’s How Your Business Travel Expense Reimbursements Could Put You On the Evening News appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/09/05/uh-oh-heres-business-travel-expense-reimbursements-put-evening-news/

5 Reasons to Invest in Club Carlson Points

It’s no secret I’m a huge Club Carlson fan. I’ve written extensively about their best hotel redemptions and think the program offers tremendous value. There are many compelling reasons to stock up on Club Carlson points. If you can get over the fact that their U.S. hotels aren’t the best, the program has unique perks […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/09/5-reasons-to-invest-in-club-carlson-points.html

Tips for highly sensitive travelers

Are you a highly sensitive traveler? If so, here are 8 tips to help you nurture your sensitivity and stay sane while on the road.



from Matador NetworkMatador Network http://matadornetwork.com/bnt/travel-advice-highly-sensitive-person/

Japan Airlines First Class Awards Tokyo To Sydney!

Japan Airlines has just announced some operational changes. I'll cover the others in a separate post, but want to first talk about what I consider to be the most exciting, which is that Japan Airlines will be operating 777-300ER service between Tokyo Narita and Sydney starting this December.

This is a route ordinarily operated by a 777-200ER, which just features a business class cabin with angled seats as the top cabin.

From December 1, 2014, through March 28, 2015, Japan Airlines will offer 777-300ER service most days between Tokyo Narita and Sydney.

This is exciting for a couple of reasons:

The post Japan Airlines First Class Awards Tokyo To Sydney! appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/09/05/japan-airlines-first-class-awards-tokyo-sydney/

In Transit Blog: Marriott Tries a Healthy Vending Machine

The Marriott Chicago O’Hare has a new vending machine in its lobby, with healthy selections like salads and yogurt.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/3e30dcb1/sc/14/l/0Lintransit0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A140C0A90C0A50Cmarriott0Etests0Ea0Ehealthy0Evending0Emachine0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

American Admirals Club AAngels Still Exist

I think there’s no denying that over the past few years the quality of service at US airlines has declined even further (if that’s even possible). Having gone from six legacy airlines down to just three, there’s not really that much of an incentive for them to differentiate on service, given that business travelers will for the most part choose the airline with the route network most convenient for them.

One of the biggest perks of having lounge access isn’t the unlimited pretzels and soft drinks, but rather the better service you get in the case of irregular operations. The agents there are typically more competent and friendlier than what you’d get in the terminal, and there’s not as long of a queue.

Going back several years Admirals Club agents were spectacular, and often referred to as “angels.” They’d be able to do things that other agents couldn’t -- sometimes they'd even make some calls to get upgrades cleared.

The post American Admirals Club AAngels Still Exist appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/09/05/american-admirals-club-aangels-still-exist/

Custody battle diverts flight

A Beijing-bound United Airlines flight had to return to Washington's Dulles International Airport Thursday evening because of an alleged international parental kidnapping.

from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/05/travel/parental-kidnapping-diverts-international-flight/index.html

Surfacing: For Toronto’s Little India, a New Crowd

Affordable rents are drawing artists and young families to this east-end enclave.





from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/3e306f5e/sc/10/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C0A90C0A70Ctravel0Cfor0Etorontos0Elittle0Eindia0Ea0Enew0Ecrowd0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm