Do UberX Drivers Actually Make Money?

It's no secret that Uber is my one of my favorite innovations for ground transportation. When public transportation in a city isn’t good, I used to get really frustrated by the lack of options and taxi “mafias,” though fortunately Uber has solved that problem in many cities.

Uber Black is the “standard” service and a bit more than a taxi, while they also have UberX, which is usually cheaper than a taxi. And thanks to the instant feedback loop (you rating the driver and the driver rating you), service is excellent across the board, in my experience.

I feel like I understand the economics of Uber Black pretty well. The cost is a bit higher than what you'd pay for a taxi (though flat rates from airports can be a steal, especially internationally), but for that additional fee you're getting a nicer vehicle, GPS tracking, and the convenience of paying through the app.

UberX, however, is another story.

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from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/10/19/uberx-drivers-actually-make-money/

Credit Card Roadside Assistance: the Benefit You Didn’t Know You Had!

A little over a week ago I explained how to have your credit card company cover your expenses when your flight is delayed or cancelled. Thanks to your credit card roadside assistance is available, too. Sherman asked for a rundown of credit card roadside assistance benefits. Credit Card Roadside Assistance Benefits You probably have free […]

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from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/10/19/credit-card-roadside-assistance-benefit-didnt-know/

Mini City Guide: Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

I love big cities, and always enjoy returning to Hong Kong, New York, and Sydney—among many others. But what about those unknown gems that are off the beaten tourist path… those obscure places that are just waiting to be explored by real travelers? Our new “Mini City Guides” are here to uncover those gems, and…



from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/mini-city-guide-lauterbrunnen-switzerland/

Is Detroit Alaska’s Most Elite Heavy Route?

I might joke that Detroit is Alaska's most elite heavy route... at least through the end of this month.

As I wrote about back in February, Alaska announced new service to Detroit which started on September 4th, and a double elite qualifying mile (EQM) promotion to go along with it through October 31st, 2014. Just a week later, Delta announced double miles & MQMs for Washington residents through the end of 2014. Tit for tat is great for consumers.

My PointsPros colleague, Alex, emailed me yesterday with something I found interesting. He had a same day mileage run Seattle > Detroit > Seattle to re-qualify for MVP Gold status, and the upgrade list for the outbound flight is nearly identical to the return. 21 names match, to be precise.

The post Is Detroit Alaska’s Most Elite Heavy Route? appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/10/19/detroit-alaskas-elite-heavy-route/

Only Hours Left for the 70,000 Point Best Card Offer Of The Year

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 Only Hours Left for the 70,000 Point Best Card Offer Of The Year appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/10/19/hours-left-70000-point-best-card-offer-year/

In Transit Blog: Pas de Rooms

With a goal of enhancing service at its hotels, JW Marriott has developed a new employee training program with the Joffrey Ballet in New York.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/3f9c16dc/sc/10/l/0Lintransit0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A140C10A0C190Cpas0Ede0Erooms0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

Final Hours: 70k Ultimate Rewards Points

I figured I'd post one last reminder that the increased 70,000 point sign-up bonus on the Ink Plus® Business Credit Card expires today, possibly in just a few hours.

The card offers 70,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $5,000 within three months, and has a $95 annual fee, which isn’t waived for the first year. While the 50,000 point offer on the card usually has the annual fee waived the first year, it’s absolutely worth paying $95 for an additional 20,000 Ultimate Rewards points.

The Chase Ink Plus has great benefits in general, and also offers the ability to earn 5x points per $1 on the first $50,000 spent at office supply stores and on cable, internet, TV, and cell phones, along with 2x points per $1 on the first $50,000 at gas stations and hotel accommodations, and 1 point per $1 on everything else.

**The increased sign-up offer expires today Sunday, October 19, 2014 in the early afternoon.**

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from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/10/19/final-hours-70k-ultimate-rewards-points/

A Great Rental Car Mileage Deal, and Airline Fee Increase for the Holidays

News and notes from around the interweb: Interesting article on American Airlines’ strategy in Asia 3000 Virgin Atlantic miles per 3 day Hertz rental. Book by November 17 and complete your rental(s) by November 30. Here’s what you can do with Virgin Atlantic miles. 10,000 or 20,000 easy Qantas miles “Winter is Coming” at Spirit […]

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from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/10/19/great-rental-car-mileage-deal-airline-fee-increase-holidays/

How Should I Use Chase Ultimate Rewards for Hotel Stays?

TPG reader Ali tweeted me to ask: @thepointsguy–”I am looking to book a trip to the Caribbean in January and sitting on a lot of Chase points. Any recommendations on hotels?” Winter is coming, at least for those of us who live in colder climates like the Northeast. A nice getaway to the Caribbean may […]



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2014/10/how-should-i-use-chase-ultimate-rewards-for-hotel-stays/

Which Delta Choice Benefit has the Most Value?

TPG reader Ryan sent me a message on Facebook to ask: “I will achieve Platinum status on Delta this year. Which is the best option of the choice benefits?” We’re more than halfway through October at this point, which means there’s not much time left before the end of the year. If you’re going for […]



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2014/10/which-delta-choice-benefit-has-the-most-value/

How Can I Use Amex Membership Rewards at Ritz Carlton?

TPG reader Scotty tweeted me to ask: @thepointsguy–”What’s the best way to use rewards points earned from my American Express Platinum card toward staying at The Ritz-Carlton?” I love Amex points, but I almost never use them for hotel stays. Generally, the transfer partners aren’t that lucrative, and you get less than one cent per […]



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2014/10/how-can-i-use-amex-membership-rewards-at-ritz-carlton/

Should I Buy Airfare from the Airline or an Online Agency?

TPG reader Victoria tweeted me to ask: @thepointsguy–”Are there pros/cons to purchasing tickets directly from an airline versus an online travel agency like Expedia or Travelocity?” I spend a lot of money on airfare, whether it’s for me or for my employees, so it’s extremely important that I maximize every dollar. When deciding where to […]



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2014/10/should-i-buy-airfare-from-the-airline-or-an-online-agency/

When Will American and US Airways Finally Become a Single Airline?

Pearls of Travel Wisdom suggests that the American and US Airways frequent flyer programs will be combined by year’s end. That’s 2014. I believe this is wrong. While they could always beat their timeline (although I’ve never known an IT project to finish under cost and ahead of schedule), public statements on integration are: Frequent […]

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from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/10/19/will-american-us-airways-finally-become-single-airline/

11 best Airbnbs in Buenos Aires

From an apartment suited for a solo traveler to an eight-bedroom home that could accommodate a soccer team, these are our favorite Airbnbs in Buenos Aires.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/trips/11-best-airbnbs-buenos-aires/

Hopes Fade For 40 Trekkers Still Missing After Nepal Blizzard

Over 500 people have been rescued from a route popular with foreign tourists that circles Annapurna, the world's tenth-tallest peak.



from Travel Feedly http://www.ibtimes.com/nepal-blizzard-hopes-fade-40-trekkers-still-missing-after-storm-1707475