You Know You Stay At Hotels Too Much When…

I'm presently at the Grand Hyatt Dubai (my first time staying at a Dubai Hyatt property that isn't the Park Hyatt), and am having a lovely stay.

Tonight I went to the gym (unrelated tangent, but there were more people cruising there than on Royal Caribbean -- goodness gracious!), and when I got back to my room, the door wouldn't open.

I was kind of miffed, since it was the second time during my stay that my key stopped working. I didn't have ID on me or anything, but fortunately the guy that checked me in was at the front desk, and he remembered me.

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from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/02/08/know-stay-hotels-much/

2 Reasons Not to Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

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, […]

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from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/02/08/2-reasons-not-get-chase-sapphire-preferred-card/

“What do you do for a living?” “I confound expectations.”

Bob Dylan gave a rare 35-minute speech at a MusiCares event for the Grammys last night. It’s all interesting, but here’s my favorite part: Critics have made a career out of accusing me of having a career of confounding expectations. Really? Because that’s all I do. That’s how I think about it. Confounding expectations. “What…



from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/confounding-expectations/

The stories of our travel mentors

Who inspires you on the road?



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/bnt/8-people-tell-stories-travel-mentors/

Should The Big Three Middle Eastern Airlines Be Stopped?

Late in the week The New York Times ran an article entitled "Open-Skies Agreement Challenged."

It tackles a topic that isn't exactly new, but sure is interesting.

Much of the growth in the global airline industry has happened thanks to open-skies agreements, which has opened up more international routes for more carriers. It's a win-win, both for the airlines and for consumers:

"For more than two decades, domestic airlines and successive administrations have pushed for, and achieved, broad international agreements that have fostered greater competition, lower airfares and more flights to hundreds of destinations like Tokyo, Beijing and Rio de Janeiro."

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from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/02/08/big-three-middle-eastern-airlines-stopped/

Why Consumers Used to Win When They’d Voice Objections to Changes, and Why You Won’t Win Today.

Back in April of last year, I wrote Five Times Consumers Won Against Frequent Flyer Program Changes. In the aftermath of American’s elimination of stopovers on international awards at the international gateway city and elimination of distance-based awards, I wrote about when consumer uproar caused American to never implement an announced $5 award redemption fee. […]

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from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/02/08/consumers-used-win-theyd-voice-objections-changes-wont-win-today/

The Coolest Hotel Room View In All Of Dubai?

I've been to Dubai well over a dozen times, but up until this visit I've never actually been to the Mall of the Emirates. When I visit Dubai I tend to usually not go far past the downtown area, since I find Dubai Marina to be rather boring. Even in downtown Dubai there are some great views, like from the 123rd floor of the Burj Khalifa.

However, yesterday I finally visited the Mall of the Emirates. The mall itself is quite boring -- I prefer Dubai Mall -- but it has one really unique feature. It's home to Ski Dubai, which is an indoor ski slope. Because when you're in the middle of the desert, who wouldn't want a winter wonderland?

Most exciting to me wasn't the ski slope as such, but rather the nightly Frozen singalong and photo ops with Olaf -- he's my spirit snowman (he must be especially happy in Dubai, given his climate preferences). Almost worth the hefty price of admission in and of itself!

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from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/02/08/coolest-hotel-room-view-dubai/

US coal emissions [chart]

"Though second to China, which accounts for a whopping 50% of the total global CO2 emissions from coal consumption, the United States still contributes a substantial amount of carbon dioxide from coal use."



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/pulse/chart-shows-co2-us-emits-from-coal/

Mom’s Thoughts On Emirates First Class

Benjamin is taking me on another amazing trip to countries I've always wanted to see (I still wish to visit India someday)! This time, on the Airbus A380. I'm so humbled and excited to spend at least two weeks with him. Thank you, lovebug, for putting up with me for so long.

It all started at the gate in Dallas watching the crew board the Airbus A380. They looked so professional wearing their red hats and beige scarfs, smiling all over their faces with good posture.

Once I entered the first class cabin I was flabbergasted. The glamor, color variation, chic and shine, made me speechless. The cabin seemed bigger, too, which I believe is due to the flat overhead compartments.

The post Mom’s Thoughts On Emirates First Class appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/02/08/moms-thoughts-emirates-first-class/

You Don't Have To Visit New Orleans To Satisfy Your Mardi Gras Food Cravings

Authentic gumbo demands a classic roux of oil or flour and butter and the holy "trinity" of green bell pepper, celery, and onion.



from Travel Feedly http://www.ibtimes.com/mardi-gras-recipes-2015-how-make-gumbo-jambalaya-beans-etouffee-muffulettas-grits-1809056

1150 Free Miles, Drastic Cuts in Thai First Class, and Lighting Money on Fire

News and notes from around the interweb: Thai Airways is getting a bailout a bailout from its military government. They’re being forced to cut unprofitable activities. Its plans include ending Moscow, Madrid, and Johannesburg service. They’re getting rid of 44 planes but will still take delivery of 20 Airbus A350s through 2019. (Mostly they’ll drop […]

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from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/02/08/1150-free-miles-drastic-cuts-thai-first-class-lighting-money-fire/

What To Do When There’s Construction Near A Hotel?

Let me say upfront that I didn't complain and have no intent of complaining after the fact, but figured it was an interesting question.

I recently spent a few nights at the Grand Hyatt Muscat, which was absolutely lovely. Oman is gorgeous, and truly what one would assume the Middle East "should" be like. I can't recommend it enough, but more on that later.

Before I get too much into that, my room at the hotel faced nearby houses, and for the last two days of our stay they seemed to be demolishing the building right next to the hotel. Like, the building was literally in one piece when we arrived, and looked like a bomb went off inside it when we left.

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from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/02/08/theres-construction-near-hotel/

If Your Plane’s Wing Catches Fire, Do This.

If you’re sitting in the window seat and flames start to appear to be coming off the wings of your Airbus A320, is the correct thing to do: Inform a flight attendant Scream Pray Take out your cell phone and start shooting video? Number 4 is of course correct. Although I would venture to add […]

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from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/02/08/planes-wing-catches-fire/

TransAsia To Cancel More Flights Following Crash

The company will cancel 52 flights next week, in addition to the 90 already canceled after one of its aircraft crashed into a river in Taipei.



from Travel Feedly http://www.ibtimes.com/transasia-says-cancel-more-flights-following-crash-1809018

Reader Success Story: Teachers Rock Their Summer Break

Over the years, we’ve had many readers share their success stories with us. Folks for whom traveling domestically once a year was a luxury are now traveling the world with just a few credit card sign-up bonuses. And the best part? They are sharing their stories with us and others who benefit from knowing that […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2015/02/reader-success-story-teachers-rock-their-summer-break.html