Censored: The Picture Dad Doesn’t Want You To See

I don't think there's any denying that my dad has been a good sport on this trip, especially when it comes to pictures. I've shown him all the pictures I posted of him, and he (sometimes reluctantly) approved of them. ;)

However, for the first time yesterday I took a picture he didn't approve of.

What was the picture of? The below birthday cake that the Park Hyatt Sydney gave my dad on his birthday.

The post Censored: The Picture Dad Doesn’t Want You To See appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/11/24/censored-picture-dad-doesnt-want-see/

How to Make the DMV a Happier Place: Dan Pink’s New “Crowd Control” Series

You might remember Daniel Pink from his New York Times bestsellers, A Whole New Mind, Drive, and To Sell is Human, or from his hugely popular Ted Talk about motivation. Using behavioral science, Dan has done some really interesting things to show us why we do the things we do. His newest project is a…



from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/how-to-make-the-dmv-a-happier-place-dan-pinks-new-crowd-control-series/

Up To 35% Off Starwood Hotels

Starwood's "Cyber Monday" sale is back, but with an expanded booking window, so you have a full two weeks to book at these rates. Availability is limited though, so if your plans are firm I'd certainly recommend booking sooner rather than later.

For bookings made between now and December 7, you can receive up to 35% off at selected hotels for stays through February 1, 2015, and at selected resorts for stays through April 15, 2015. That's often a pretty fine distinction, so check the details of the specific property you're interested in.

The post Up To 35% Off Starwood Hotels appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/11/24/35-off-starwood-hotels/

A Place Where Lost Luggage Gets Another Shot

Unclaimed Baggage Center is a family business tucked away in Scottsboro, Ala., that sells items as varied as iPads, mink furs and mattresses.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/40ccaeb1/sc/10/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C110C250Cbusiness0Ca0Eplace0Ewhere0Elost0Eluggage0Egets0Eanother0Eshot0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

What Points Should You Earn, and How Many Points Are Too Many?

Reader Rob P asked for, [a] post on your “earn and burn” philosophy would be helpful. How do I know if I’m hoarding too many UR points and not spending them enough? I explained ten years ago why points programs devalue. They’re private currencies without any binding constraints. The Supreme Court even limited your right […]

The post What Points Should You Earn, and How Many Points Are Too Many? appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/11/24/points-earn-many-points-many/

In Transit Blog: Walkabout: Albania Opens Cold War Bunker; Swiss Museum Accepts Bequest of Nazi-Era Art

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

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/40cc4e26/sc/38/l/0Lintransit0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A140C110C240Cwalkabout0Ealbania0Eopens0Ecold0Ewar0Ebunker0Eswiss0Emuseum0Eaccepts0Ebequest0Eof0Enazi0Eera0Eart0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

T Magazine: Just in Time for Art Basel, a First Look at Miami’s Newest Hotel

Ian Schrager, the hotelier who co-founded New York’s Studio 54, returned to his old stomping grounds to open The Miami Beach Edition in what was the Seville Hotel.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/40cc4e29/sc/38/l/0Ltmagazine0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A140C110C240Cmiami0Enewest0Ehotel0Eart0Ebasel0Eian0Eschrager0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

53 ways to annoy your bartender

"Ask us to hook you up with our pot dealer / Ask us to bum a smoke from the kitchen." Find out all 53 ways to annoy your bartender.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/nights/53-things-youre-totally-annoy-bartender/

Frequent Flier: Handling a Thief in Business Class

Morgan Downey is chief executive of Money.Net, a financial start-up. On one flight, he awoke to find a seatmate taking food off his plate.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/40cc65dc/sc/36/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C110C250Cbusiness0Chandling0Ea0Ethief0Ein0Ebusiness0Eclass0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

On the Road: Defying Trend, Virgin Hotels Resists Extra Fees

As other hotels seek to increase revenue by adding fees and surcharges, Virgin is adopting no-fees and liberal cancellation policies.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/40cc65df/sc/36/l/0L0Snytimes0N0C20A140C110C250Cbusiness0Cdefying0Etrend0Evirgin0Ehotels0Eresists0Eextra0Efees0Bhtml0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm

British Airways Ate My Award Seats!

As part of what I like to call my "award chronicles" over at PointsPros, I had a small mishap with a booking last week. I figure if for no other reason than entertainment, there's a good takeaway here that can protect you from the same fate.

A family of four was planning a trip to Europe using Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Traveling from New York, the award itinerary they preferred was on British Airways.

As y'all likely know by now, BA imposes offensive fuel surcharges on award tickets. I really appreciated Ben's post questioning why airlines aren't lowering fuel surcharges from last week, because I'm over in the corner asking the same thing.

Yup, on a simple round-trip from New York to London in first class, you'll be using 120,000 Avios (or 125,000 AAdvantage miles) + $1,180.40 in taxes and "carrier-imposed fees."

The post British Airways Ate My Award Seats! appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/11/24/british-airways-ate-award-seats/

Here’s My Elite Status Program and Plan

Reader Denis asks about my elite status, and since I write about what I think people ought to do what I actually do is fair game. How are you planning status (airlines) for year end? Do you need to MR? Lifetime status? I’ve re-qualified for American’s Executive Platinum (100,000 mile) status already. I should end […]

The post Here’s My Elite Status Program and Plan appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/11/24/heres-elite-status-program-plan/

Hunting the White Whale: A Mistake Fare

Occasionally, airlines or online booking sites experience snafus when loading airfares. These errors may result in inaccurate pricing for a particular fare. Taxes or fees may be dropped, a zero or two is left off the final price, or some other unexplained anomaly creates a bookable fare that is a real deal — and thus, […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/11/the-mistake-fare-good-deal-or-not.html

10 ways to survive holiday travel

Forget the annual Thanksgiving debate over your mother's turkey-roasting method or your uncle's political sideswiping. With a storm threatening the East Coast during the busiest travel time of the year, travelers are starting to wonder whether they'll get to the dinner table on time.

from CNN.com - Travel http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/24/travel/thanksgiving-travel-tips-2014/index.html

Remember to Earn Miles for Everyday Purchases (“AKA Shopping Online While At the Apple Store”)

I went to the Apple Store to buy a new computer. I had already done my research and knew what I wanted. I just needed to verify a few things in person, which I did with the helpful associate. “OK, I’m ready,” I said—and then I logged on to a website from the in-store computer…



from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/shopping-online-at-the-apple-store/