Can I Use the Amex Platinum Airline Credit for Gift Cards?

TPG reader Stan tweeted me to ask: @thepointsguy– “What is the current 2014 success rate of getting an Amex Platinum reimbursement for purchasing airline gift cards?” One of my favorite perks of the American Express Platinum card is the annual $200 airline fee credit. Every year you get to select a different airline of your […]



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2014/12/can-i-get-the-amex-platinum-airline-credit-for-gift-cards/

Should I Credit To American If I’m Already Executive Platinum?

TPG reader Brendan tweeted me to ask: @thepointsguy– “I’ve already re-qualified for American Executive Platinum for 2015, but still have a few trips this year, should I credit elsewhere?” December is crunch time for those of us who value airline elite status. You’ve got until December 31, 2014 to embark on a flight that will […]



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2014/12/where-should-i-bank-miles-if-i-already-have-top-tier-status/

Ecuador's amazing flora and fauna

Wow, you gotta check out these giant land snails! Anyone experienced these wonders of Ecuador's cloud forest first hand?



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/trips/amazing-flora-fauna-ecuadors-cloud-forest-pics/

Why Are British Airways Fuel Surcharges Still So High?

TPG reader Donald emailed me to ask: “Has anyone asked British Airways why they continue to charge those outrageous fuel surcharges when fuel costs have dropped more than 20% in the last few months? How do they continue to justify this?” There are a lot of things that don’t make sense when it comes to […]



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2014/12/why-are-british-airways-fuel-surcharges-still-so-high/

Here’s How You Know You Think About Miles WAY Too Much!

This just never gets old for me. You know you think about miles too much when: You hear the words “mile a minute” and find yourself pondering the concept of earning bonus miles as a function of time. You answer the question, “How many miles per gallon do you get?” with “It depends on what […]

The post Here’s How You Know You Think About Miles WAY Too Much! appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/07/heres-know-think-miles-way-much/

What’s the Best Way to Get Free Hotel Club Lounge Access?

TPG reader Adam tweeted me to ask: @thepointsguy– “What are some of the best ways to get club lounge access at hotels without paying for it?” We always talk about airline lounge access, but to be honest, hotel lounges can be even better, including much nicer spreads and open bars. Some of my personal favorite […]



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2014/12/whats-the-best-way-to-get-free-hotel-club-lounge-access/

18 scenic places to teach ESL

ESL teachers are in demand all over the world. If you decide to go for it, read Michelle Schusterman's ideas of locations with epic scenery.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/18-scenic-places-to-teach-esl-abroad/

10 things you'll overhear in Dublin

Overheard these 10 things while walking the streets of Dublin? Writer Niall Colbert bets you have.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/10-things-youll-overhear-dublin/

Delta Eliminates Free Drinks for Elites in Coach, Effective Immediately

Four and a half years ago Delta introduced Sky Priority. This big marketing initiative consisted of a whole bunch of signage, existing elite benefits, and the introduction of a free drink coupon for Gold elites and higher that don’t get upgraded and check-in online. They’d be able to print a ‘Have One On Us’ coupon […]

The post Delta Eliminates Free Drinks for Elites in Coach, Effective Immediately appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/06/delta-eliminates-free-drinks-elites-coach-effective-immediately/

Waterfall Inside Wadi Mujib Canyon, Jordan

from Everything Everywhere Travel Blog http://everything-everywhere.com/2014/12/06/waterfall-inside-wadi-mujib-canyon-jordan/

When “Home” is Just a Pit Stop

I’m in the middle of over a month with just 5 nights at home. Then I’ll be home for 5 nights, which I’m really looking forward to, before leaving the country again. For me that means key priorities are: Dry cleaning Laundry Haircut I should probably do these more efficiently on the road. For one […]

The post When “Home” is Just a Pit Stop appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/06/home-just-pit-stop/

Airbnb for Dogs: An Alternative to Boarding Your Pup While You’re on the Road

DogVacay has a network of ~ 20,000 people in the U.S. and Canada that will take in your dog while you’re out of town. They’re new to me, although they’ve apparently booked a million nights of boarding in the past two years. The average price is about $30 a night. Each person sets their own […]

The post Airbnb for Dogs: An Alternative to Boarding Your Pup While You’re on the Road appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/06/airbnb-dogs-alternative-boarding-pup-youre-road/

The Best Travel Tips and Tricks Not to Miss…

Here are the best travel tips and tricks, the highlights of View from the Wing posts from November. Last month I summarized the very best travel posts from October, here’s the best travel posts from September, and from August. In July I offered the most useful and interesting developments from June as well. It turns […]

The post The Best Travel Tips and Tricks Not to Miss… appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/06/best-travel-tips-right-now/

6 Discoveries from Near and Far: Volume XXII

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-xxii/

In Transit Blog: Spill-Proof Beauty Meets T.S.A. Rules

The newest beauty products for air travel come in mostly solid and spill-proof form.

















from NYT > Travel http://rss.nytimes.com/c/34625/f/642561/s/412fbf33/sc/10/l/0Lintransit0Bblogs0Bnytimes0N0C20A140C120C0A60Cspill0Eproof0Ebeauty0Emeets0Et0Es0Ea0Erules0C0Dpartner0Frss0Gemc0Frss/story01.htm