Tagged With "American Express"
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Re: Ghost Images of WWI
Amazing work...and a stark reminder of how recently all this took place.
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Re: Ghost Images of WWI
Recent, indeed. I've taken to comparing events in history to the life spans of people I've known, or who they knew, and it brings it into shocking relief for me. WWI was a fact during the young adulthood of my grandparents, just 5 years before the births of my parents, one of whom is still alive. In that context it seems like it was just yesterday.
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Re: Ghost Images of WWI
The photos are eerie and definitely captivating. Perhaps the most horrific of all the wars, but we always say that until the next ones roll around and are even worse.
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Re: How loooong does it take to get to your airport?
London was mentioned, actually...Heathrow Express in 15 minutes to Paddington. There's also a slightly-slower less expensive version. Skipped the CAT in Vienna last month, but the regular S-Bahn only took 28 minutes... Paris...hate to say anything bad about Paris, but RER is NOT a great way to do that...needs a true express.
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Re: How loooong does it take to get to your airport?
Heathrow Express MAY take 15 minutes. The only time it was convenient for me and I decided to give it try, it stopped part-way to Heathrow and we just sat there. I'd have gotten to the airport faster and paid quite a bit less to take the slower train from Paddington, the Heathrow Connect. Since then I make a point to stay along the Piccadilly Line of the London tube and pay the least of all.
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Re: Best Ways To Reach Heathrow Airport Quickly In London
I just noticed this morning in TravelGumbo News that Heathrow Express is cutting its fares because of competiton with train service that wasn't mentioned here. That's what used to be called Heathrow Connect, and is now called TfL Rail, and will soon be called the Elizabeth Line. It's only 15 minutes slower than the Express, and the price is the same as the Tube. Both of those go only to Paddington Station in London, way in the West End, but once TfL Rail is connected to the new Crossrail...
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Re: Books That Send You Packing...
There are so very many great travel tales. I am partial to non-fiction. I enjoy reading well researched, historical accounts of the human drama that is within the scenery. I enjoy writing that gives a strong sense of place and context to what I see. " The Old Patagonian Express " by Paul Theroux " The Pillars of Hercules " by Paul Theroux " Cut Stones and Crossroads: A Journey to Peru " by Ronald Wright " Basin and Range " by John McPhee " Two Years Before the Mast " by Richard Henry Dana,...
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Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
I'm a Holiday Inn Express or La Quinta member. On my most recent road trip, I did get upgraded at the HIE for being a member. The free nights are always great too and that's the main goal. I've used many La Quinta free nights when I do workshops out of town. With HIE, I usually use the points for a discounted rate in expensive areas, like Sonoma or Paso Robles - wherever a vineyard may be!
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Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
I like the Holiday Inn Express hotels. And I'll go out of my way to stay there when I can.
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
Wow ! That is a good deal. I need to drill down through those redeem mileage programs and see what I can learn. Thanks for this valuable lesson.
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
Thanks for pointing this out! By the way, it is also possible to take a free stopover on the international end. For example, a couple of years ago, we flew from NYC to Copenhagen (the routing) but with a week stopover in Stockholm along the way. We've used that kind of routing a number of times. Adding to your point about Britain: Many of AA's European cities are actually served by their closely-tied partners, British Air and Iberia. With a little persistence, you can find flights that don't...
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
So, PHeymont, when you stopped for the week in Stockholm which airline was it and what fees were you charged for the stopover? You mention Madrid. Presumably that was a different trip, so same questions on that one. Also, can these stopovers be scheduled on the AA website or must you speak to an AAdvantage customer service person and pay the ($25?) fee?
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
Originally Posted by PortMoresby: .... can these stopovers be scheduled on the AA website or must you speak to an AAdvantage customer service person and pay the ($25?) fee? I scheduled my flights using the website. When you go to the AAdvantage booking site there are three choices: round-trip, one-way and multi-city. When you choose your flights you see boxes showing the number of miles per leg. The leg between Dallas and San Francisco showed no miles. There was also some kind of comment to...
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
Similar to WorkerBee's experience, I've done these bookings using the Multi-City function, which allows you to specify a date for each segment. It didn't require assistance. Actually I've never had to pay a fee for help when booking something that could not be done on line, but who knows these days. I've done these stopover trips a number of times (NY-Budapest/open jaw/Prague-London w/stopover and then back to NY, etc.) The AAdvantage desk agents, by the way, are some of their best and can...
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
All potentially very useful information. Many thanks, Gurus.
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
All things to be watched closely, by the way; by January the new AA will start rolling out updated program rules and procedures for what will be a merged program. We'll need to watch closely to see what changes!
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
WorkerBee, how long will you be in Spain, and when? We're going for 8 days (not counting the travel days) in February. We'll be in Seville, Cordoba and Granada. Gumbo fans would love to hear how your trip is going and to see pictures along the way!
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
I will be there about a month, from February 12 to March 12. I will be in Madrid for a few days after I arrive and then off to Girona and environs for a few weeks. I may wander into southeast France for a few days as well before I return to Madrid for a couple of days before I fly out.
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
I envy your trip! We'll overlap in time, but not in place. If you do add France to the itinerary, you might want to look into the new TGV service from Barcelona to Paris that starts this month. I'm not sure of its route as it leaves Spain, but it might go where you want to!
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
Originally Posted by PHeymont: I envy your trip! We'll overlap in time, but not in place. If you do add France to the itinerary, you might want to look into the new TGV service from Barcelona to Paris that starts this month. I'm not sure of its route as it leaves Spain, but it might go where you want to! For some time the AVE has run from Madrid to Figueres which is north of Barcelona and Girona. The TGV has been running from Figueres to Paris for some time as well. I'm told that it takes...
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
It required 40,000 miles for a round-trip economy ticket. All were in-seat miles and all were from a few years ago.
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
Now I know why your handle is WorkerBee. Persistence and hard work get the job done! Well Done!
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
Originally Posted by WorkerBee: It required 40,000 miles for a round-trip economy ticket. All were in-seat miles and all were from a few years ago. That's one of the things I like about AA...aside from the one-way awards. When everyone else was 50K to Europe, they were 40K offpeak and 60 peak. Now everyone else is 60K peak, and AA still has the winter bargains. Hope it lasts!
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
Wonderful piece of planning WorkerBee ! Missing off London to avoid the $18 Departure Tax for Spain seems a bit severe. I presume your return journey is more direct.
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
$ 18 ? I am puzzled by this. When I have taken flights from London to the US, the tax has been more like $ 150 - $ 200. It was worth it to spend time in London, of course. Still, it was not a small amount.
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
The UK departure tax is "Banded" into distances and economy / regular / 1st class. London - Spain is only a short distance.
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
Well, but if Spain is the destination, passing up UK makes sense. On the other hand, APD leads to calculations such as Flying NYC-LON-Continental Europe: No problem; as long as your time in UK is less than 24 hours, you are a transit passenger and don't pay APD. Flying Continential Europe-LON-NYC: Not so good; you pay the APD on the trans-Atlantic leg, and that's high. The other issue with this is not APD at all; flying to the Continent through Madrid or Barcelona tends to be cheaper because...
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
Garry RF and PHeymont - Thank you very much for the information. In this case, APD is not incurred - Flying NYC-LON-Continental Europe: No problem; as long as your time in UK is less than 24 hours, you are a transit passenger and don't pay APD. In this case, there is an APD, even if the transit is less than 24 hours ? - Flying Continential Europe-LON-NYC: Not so good; you pay the APD on the trans-Atlantic leg, and that's high. Concerning the third item, this explains why Worker Bee had a...
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
I'm not sure on your question about WB's trip, because it depends on routing. From NY, AA most often uses their own seats for the ocean hop, but does use some BA seats from Newark. Other cities...not sure how many BA seats used in that direction. And sometimes it's a matter of class. For instance, last year flying home from Paris, there were AA seats in business class available non-stop, but economy was only available on BA Orly-London-Newark.
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Re: Replacing iPhone Abroad
Is there enough cooperation among Apple stores that if the phone arrives in London after you've left that they could express-ship it to Apple at your next stop?
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Credit Card Car Rental Insurance Options
I know auto rental insurance is not usually a good deal if you purchase it at the car rental place at the time and different credit cards already include the coverage if you book the rental with the card. I was made aware of the American Express Premium Car insurance available for AMEX cardholders and a few features make me think it might be worth the cost over their free coverage. First, it's considered primary coverage and you won’t have to file a claim with your insurance company first if...
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Tough Trains
It's Sunday afternoon, I actually accomplished something midday, then turned on the telly for a break, just in time for Globe Trekker on PBS. Sometimes I'm interested, occasionally not, but I hit the jackpot today. Tough Trains! A...
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Another criticism faced by Uber results in the Delete Uber campaign
Uber, the world’s one of the largest online taxi-hailing networks has faced many criticisms, lawsuits, legal actions and protests from the both Government and its Uber drivers. At the end of January 2017, the campaign called Delete Uber has been trending in the social media and it results in the deletion of nearly two lakhs of Uber accounts. Though the Uber faced a lot of criticism from the people, it is trying to solve the issues in a different manner. Executive order of President Trump The...
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How to have fun in Thassos, Greece
I'm not so good to express myself in words so I will show you how to have fun and what are the main tourist attractions from Thassos Greece. My name is Ovidiu and this is my instagram https://www.instagram.com/olixandru/ They say a picture is worth 1000 words. Below picture was taken at Paradise Beach (nudism can be done here). Acropolis Limenas Thassos Grecia. Tarsanas beach Thassos Town. Thasos port Limenas. I was staying in Macedon Hotel in Limenas. All pictures are made by me, I use...
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6 Reasons Kayaking Must Be In Your Bucket List
You must be having your bucket list consisting of one or the other adventure you want to do in life. Be it scuba diving or bungee jumping; one should try something that gives a thrilling experience. However, there are few people for whom safety comes first. Kayaking is something that’s meant for them. It is one of the most exciting and amazing adventures of all time. Kayaking is a dazzling experience especially when you get extraordinary sights and views altogether. The kayaking at Los...
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Best Ways To Reach Heathrow Airport Quickly In London
Heathrow airport is the international airport in London, United Kingdom. It is the busiest airport in Europe and the seventh busiest in the world based on the total number of passengers travelling through this airport. It swashes 81 airlines and has 204 terminals in 80 countries. Also, it is the hub for one of the world’s biggest airlines-British Airways. London Heathrow is easily approachable from London and from all over the United Kingdom utilizing both, public and private transport...
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10 Reasons Why a Winter Holiday in India will be a Trip of a Lifetime
Holidays in India are always magical and winters make it all the more special. The tropical country enjoys winters to its fullest. The mountains receive powdery snow while the beaches are balmy spots of bliss, the plains are cloaked in fog and every corner is seen rejoicing the season. A winter holiday in India is one of the best experiences one can have. Indulge in skiing, beach fun, water sports, relaxing, houseboat cruise on backwaters, festivals, wildlife adventure and other amazements,...
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Luxury Train Trips are the Best Way to Explore India
India is teeming with a plenitude of palaces, historical monuments, picturesque destinations and magnificent sites. The smooth flight connections make it hassle-free for the travelers to marvel all of them in less time. However, there are those wanderers who love the journey more than the destinations. If you too are a devotee of the scenes passing by in your journey, then manifold your experience by traveling in any of the luxury trains. Be it the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels or the Maharajas...
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I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
I am traveling Spring 2014 from the US to Spain. I wanted to use my American Airlines frequent flier (AAdvantage) miles to best advantage, so to speak. I learned that it is possible to incorporate free domestic layovers into my journey. As I have family in Dallas, that intrigued me. AA's website showed available flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Madrid (MAD) that connect through Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, New York or Miami. AAdvantage rules require that the layover stops must be on...
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Uber has built partnership with the GM’s Maven- a car sharing service
General Motors has become the short-term car leasing partner for the Uber drivers. General Motors is the investor for the Uber’s competitor in the ride-hailing services, Lyft. Uber and Maven, a 10-month old car sharing division within the GM has built the partnership and announced the new pilot program in San Francisco, which will allow the Uber drivers to rent the car on the weekly basis for the work as well as the personal use. As per the 90-day test, drivers will rent their cars for $179...
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How to get around Las Vegas
If you are preparing a trip to the city of sin, you may already have wondered how transportation works in Las Vegas. Something that is not always taken into account the first time you visit Las Vegas is the great distance between hotels. And it is that, although it seems that everything is very close, the reality is far from that. The Strip is 7 kilometers away, and although we simply want to go from one hotel to another, we will have to walk, go through bridges, go up and down escalators...
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Indian Railways - The Pride of India
When it comes to railway transport, Indian railways are unbeatable as it has now served for more than 150 years and has gained much significance in the public transport industry of the nation. Indian Railways operate between 7,100 stations and it has 60,000+ professional coaches. This makes Indian railways the 4th largest rail network of the world. Post-launch period, the IRCTC (Indian Railways Giving in and Tourism Corporation Limited) has formed a strong virtual platform with lots of...
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London: Photographers' Gallery, the Americans.
Until March 30th, the Photographers' Gallery is showing the work of 3 Americans: David Lynch "I love industry. Pipes. I love fluid and smoke. I love man-made things. I like to see people hard at work, and I like to see sludge and...
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Ghost Images of WWI
With the approach of the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I in mind, Jeff Steiner has posted a series of postcards on his website, Americans in France, with ghosts of that war merged with a current view. As I mentioned the last time I...
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Top 5 Family Holiday Destinations in India
Choosing the best destination for a family vacation in India, as with other topics, is not an easy task, thanks to the diversity and multitude of options available to the most demanding travelers. There are beaches, wonderful examples of architecture, adventure, culture and fun experiences for a full sense of family in India. Best holiday destinations for families Plan your trip, considering the weather and other conditions. We make sure you have a great time! See this if you travel in...
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GDPR and what it means for webmasters
For any webmaster today, one of the most importantly discussed topics across the industry is data protection. Thanks to the scandals of recent years, people are more aware than ever about securing our data and keeping it safe. It’s part and parcel of modern website management. However, today, one new problem is on the horizon for you to overcome. This is known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It’s a new set of rulings brought in by the European Union, impacting on anyone...
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Planning For A Memorable USA Trip? Get These Cities In Your Bucket List First
Right from the food-loving New Orleans to the artsy Asheville, there are so many cities in the USA all ready to just blow your minds apart. Just on the surface, the NYC skyscrapers might not feel more different from the sun-washed buildings of Santa Fe. Similarly, the crystal clear beaches of Honolulu might seem to be just different from the oak shaped ones of Savannah. But despite these differences, American cities share the same old spirit of being lively all the time. Just the right...
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Things to do in Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur with Maharaja Express
Jodhpur is the second largest city of Rajasthan. It is also the most popular city in the state because of its glorious history and royal culture. Also known as ‘the Blue City’ and ‘the Sun City’, Jodhpur has some incredible palaces and magnificent forts that will captivate your senses. It is also home to the massive fort, the Mehrangarh Fort. The structure is almost 500 years and is the most important attraction of the city. The Maharajas Express is a royal train that offers the opportunity...
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Surwal Lake in Sawai Madhopur through Palace on Wheels
Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan is an ultimate destination of nature lovers. Be it forest or natural landscape or beautiful lakes, this district has it all which attacks all the nature lovers around the world. Among its noticeable tourist spots, Surwal Lake deserves a special mention. Located 15 kilometers away from the main city Sawai Madhopur, this shallow lake is surrounded by variety of flora and fauna. Surrounded few villages and firms, serene view of the lake, fresh and lively air...
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Re: Indian Railways - The Pride of India
I have been on the Shatabdi Express and in Executive Class it is certainly a very comfortable ride - better than most European trains. I also enjoyed the food (which was included in the ticket price). But, as you say, there are many other services which are pretty poor. PS: IRCTC stands for 'Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation'