Tagged With "frequent flyer"
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AA talks tough on discount competition, sees change ahead
American Airlines, the world's largest air carrier, isn't planning to let any Davids mess with its Goliath market share. CEO Doug Parker says that if smaller rivals take advantage of fuel price drops to add seats and then discount them to take market...
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A new category grows: Loyalty award consultants
If you've gotten confused at times by all the changes in airline and other loyalty-points plans, and been dazzled by the constantly-changing stream of offers and bonuses—you're not alone, and a small industry of consultants has risen up to show...
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TSA limits PreCheck to those who've paid
TSA PreCheck, the program that allows passengers to go through airport security lines with their shoes and belts on, and their laptops in their luggage, will now be limited to those who actually have paid for it, TSA on Monday ended the program where...
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Alaska and Icelandair shake (cold) hands
Two specialists in cold homelands, Alaska Airways and Icelandair, have signed a deal for code-shares and for reciprocal mileage earning in their loyalty programs. The upshot should be increased availability for Americans visiting Iceland, and more...
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AAdvantage members, bite your nails: change is coming
After a couple of years in which both United and Delta have switched to frequent flier systems based on dollars spent on fares rather than miles flown, American could be joining the parade...but we'll have to wait and see. American is planning changes...
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Big change ahead for American's AAdvantage?
AAdvantage as we know it: Taking off, or flying away? Over the past two years, most U.S. airlines, including Delta and United, have shifted their frequent-flyer loyalty programs from points-per-mile-flown to points-per-dollar-spent. American,...
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And then there were none: AAdvantage shifts to points-per-dollar
American Airlines' AAdvantage program, the last major U.S. holdout of the once-traditional one-point-per-mile-flown loyalty system has announced that starting midyear next year it will be shifting to a model that rewards those who spend the most, not...
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The Maryland State House in Annapolis
Samantha visits one of America's most beautiful government buildings and shares its history.
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Interesting Places to Visit in Singapore
Maria Fedco shares some great ideas on special destinations to see when visiting Singapore.
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Bumped up to Business on Turkish Airlines
Frequent flier Marilyn Jones is surprised to find she's been given the Holy Grail of travelers—an upgrade to the front of the plane.
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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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Baby born on plane. Ticket, please ?
This raises some questions. If a baby is born inflight, does he qualify for his own seat ?Does he need to hear the pre-flight briefing again ?What would be a good name for the child ? Some possibilities: ...
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Frequent Flyer Strategy - Delta
One strategy we always use when booking any award ticket with Delta is to book my award ticket separately and then make my wife's ticket immediately after. The reason: When you book both together not only will you not receive credit for mileage, which...
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Qatar Airways Joins OneWorld and AAdvantage
http://www.frequentflier.com/blog/american-and-qatar-are-now-frequent-flyer-partners/
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United Follows Delta in Loyalty Program Changes
United Airlines is making the same sort of shift Delta previously announced; starting early next year MileagePlus points for flights will be awarded based on the price of tickets rather than the distance flown. Passengers will get anywhere from 5 to...
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Explore the Intriguing Museum of Science and Industry - Chicago
On a visit to Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry wasn't at the top of Samantha's list...but now it might be. Here's her report!
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Farewell flight for the Berlin Airlift
Built to celebrate Germany's 1990 reunification, this hot-air balloon has become too fragile to fly.
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Gov't study: Airline loyalty programs fair but confusing
A Department of Transportation study has found that airline loyalty programs are working fairly well, but could use some further study and help.
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Australia’s Most Beautiful Islands For Your Bucket List
Sophia Armstrong has several suggestions for interesting islands to visit off the Australian coast (sponsored content)
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Most frequent flyer hits 21 million miles
A man with 21 million miles of flights, and no interest in keeping his feet on the ground.
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Freebird might take the sting out of cancellation
Freebird is a kind of insurance against flight cancellation or long delays; it offers free rebooking when it happens, not matter which airline.
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How to Ensure the Safety of the Airlines?
Traveling via the air is becoming more often for the explorers to explore the horizons of any part of the earth, then the reason or purpose of the visit does not matter. For the ones who think a lot about money before traveling to other shores, the headache is lowered down to some extent by the wide span of the airline network. The widespread of airlines have eventually affected the airfares, if not much, but yes to some extent. The lowering down of the air tickets arise other questions too...
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Ensure the Safety of the Airlines?
Travelling via the air is becoming more often for the explorers to explore the horizons of any part of the earth, then the reason or purpose of the visit does not matter. For the ones who think a lot about money before travelling to other shores, the headache is lowered down to some extent by the wide span of the airline network. The widespread of airlines have eventually affected the airfares, if not much, but yes to some extent. The lowering down of the air tickets arise other questions...
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Nervous flyer? Virgin Australia wants to help
The airline is offering a bit of hand-holding and TLC for those of us who hesitate about flying.
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YOU CAN'T FUEL ME! BA fliers sue over high surcharges
British Airways is known for the steepest "fuel surchages," especially on award tickets--but a group of frequent fliers has sued, pointing out that the fees seem to bear no relation to fuel costs at all. A senior judge in the U. S. District...
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How to Fly through Airports…or at least relax a bit!
Back in the old days, the Cunard steamships were advertised with the slogan “Getting There is Half the Fun.” No one is going to say that about flying these days, but many frequent flyers have figured out how to avoid being a...
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Abu Dhabi Guide for Visitors: Carry ID--and no kissing!
Police in Abu Dhabi have issued a flyer in a dozen language, aimed mainly at cruise visitors, with suggestions about proper behavior, including no drugs, respectful clothing, carry ID at all times...and no kissing in public. MORE
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USAir Frequent Flyer Mile-Share Bonus: Up to 100%
Buying frequent flyer miles is usually not a great deal, since the airlines sell them at a premium and charge a fee for the transaction (usually only makes sense if you need that last couple of thousand to claim an award). But, through Dec. 6, USAir...
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Tips on Getting FF Seats.
I've always liked Wendy Perrin's column in Conde' Nast Traveler magazine. Often she discusses things from a point of view with a bigger budget than my own, but today's newsletter points us to her tips on how to help get the airline award seats...
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Up, Up and Away: Airline miles cards with big bonuses
Up, up and away—quickly! That’s the goal for many frequent fliers, and a current round of cards for various airlines is offering some big bonuses to meet that goal…some of them enough for a round-trip to Europe in one shot. Right...
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Legendary tours—–The Land of Dracula
Hello guys, long time no see So because I'm still a student and I need a job to pay for my college taxes, I work full time at a guesthouse in Brasov county. But the main point of this article is about some flyers that we recently received at the guesthouse were I work as a receptionist. This flyer describes an interesting itinerary called "The Land of Dracula—Legendary tours." Starting from 22 Euros/pers. you can join the fun and discover 3 of the most important places to visit in Romania...
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Delta Skymiles: Big Changes Ahead...Very Big
If that sounds a bit complicated, here's the deal. When you earn "miles" using a credit card, it's 1 or 2 miles per dollar, but most frequent flier programs give you a "mile" for each mile flown. Delta, starting in 2015, will become the first major...
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AA/USAir: Start the Miles and Lounge Sharing
Now the frequent flier part of the AA/USAir merger begins. AA announced yesterday that members in both its AAdvantage and Dividend Miles programs can earn miles in either program on all AA or USAir flights. In addition, elite members of either program...
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Alaska Airlines heats up the Battle for Seattle
Alaska Airlines, for whom Seattle is a key hub, is highlighting its new codeshare partnership with British Airways by offering double frequent flyer miles on Seattle-London flights. Delta has recently been moving aggressively into the Seattle...
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Airlines investing big in airport lounges
In an effort to win those valued business and frequent flyer travelers, airlines have been upgrading their airport lounges. Some of these are quite impressive, not only for the quality of the food they offer (including freshly cooked regional...
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100 Years of Flight in Kitty Hawk, NC
Samantha shares memories and pictures of the centennial celebration of the Wright Brothers' first flight.
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Alaska Airlines Starts Cyber Monday Sale on Sunday
Cyber Monday has turned into one of the best days of the year for airline bargains.This year Alaska Air started their Cyber Monday sale on Sunday. Buy now for best selection. ...
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Take your seat...while you still have one!
Aircraft designers are always busy trying to figure out the best way to get the most passengers in without actually provoking revolt or suffocation...and the past few days bring fearsome news on that front. Included in the roundup are dead-serious proposals to stack seats in the main cabin, to sell passenger space in the hold below the cabin, and even to squeeze business-class seats into a 12-across configuration. Not even the rich, it seems, are immune to the trend. The stacked-seat idea...
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Riding Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited
Jonathan L and his wife took a trip across the country by train. The first leg was on the Lake Shore Limited
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Tips for reducing stress while flying.
I know a lot of people are stressed out by flying. One of my colleagues refused to fly for twenty years because of the sense of fear and panic it induced. If he couldn't drive or take the train to a destination, he didn't go. He's more or less overcome that "handicap" with a combination of therapy, alcohol and Xanax, although he still doesn't enjoy the air journey. Last year he actually became a million mile frequent flyer -- wonders sometimes never cease. I'm not one...
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Google Flights' new trick for frequent flier miles
Google Flights has added filters that allow you to choose which partner in a codeshare sells the tickets so you can choose the one with more loyalty points.
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October 14, 2018: World's largest Radio Flyer Wagon
DrFumblefinger visits the world's largest Radio Flyer Wagon. Situated in Spokane, Washington, it is a popular stop in the city's Riverfront Park.
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Re: Is Premium Economy for you?
I like to travel looking "acceptable" also (but I've given up the tie I usually wear with the good shirt and slacks; it's my work gear, but these days at the airport it seems to mark me as "stiff") I do envy the people in the "good seats," and enjoyed them the one time we had them. On the other hand, we shorter folks have, I think, less need for upgraded seating except where regular is really chinchy. I've flown trans-Atlantic often in 31-33" pitch and 18" width, and usually been able to...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, April 23, 2015: The 1903 Wright Flyer, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C.
Thanks for reminding me of this great museum, Ottoman! I think this was my favorite museum in D.C. I was astounded to see the rickety old Wright flyer on display and even more amazed that this was THE ORIGINAL, the very plane that the Wright brothers flew at Kitty Hawk -- the one that made history, flying over distance into a head wind. The Wright brothers were compulsive at documenting their findings, so it's not a surprise they would have kept the original plane. Other highlights of the...
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Re: U.S. airlines set record low for bumped passengers
Yes, but not nearly as generous as provided under EU laws. Here's a list, from theboardingarea.com. Note, this is for involuntary bumping; usually the airlines try to get volunteers in return for a voucher. If you're involuntarily denied boarding, the Department of Transportation regulates what you're entitled to. Here are the rules, as published by the DOT: If you are bumped involuntarily and the airline arranges substitute transportation that is scheduled to get you to your final...
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Re: AAdvantage members, bite your nails: change is coming
A friend who works in marketing once told me that whenever you hear words such as "in order to serve you better", you're about to lose something. This sounds like it might be one of those times. I've been very happy with my AAdvantage experience for years and, as you say, earn most of my miles with credit card use. If lower fares with adjusted mileage credit are part of their plan I wouldn't mind and, in fact, might even fly American more, resulting in more, rather than fewer, miles in the...
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Re: WestJet Announces it Will Charge Checked Bag Fees to Europe
Unless the airfare is a TRULY great bargain, this will not work well for them. Air Canada offers a free bag on international flights, has a better frequent flyer program that Westjet and a far greater flight map. I liked Westjet 10-15 years ago, when they were a true discounter, but they've become just another big airline that doesn't care much for its consumers.
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Re: Big change ahead for American's AAdvantage?
It looks like the rumors are true and American will join the other airlines and will soon shift to miles earned based on ticked price, instead of mileage flown. From AA: "In the second half of 2016, award miles for travel on American marketed flights will be calculated based on what you pay for your ticket (base fare plus carrier-imposed fees, excluding any government-imposed taxes and fees) and your elite status; the higher your status, the more you’ll earn. 5 miles/U.S. dollar – AAdvantage...
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Re: Canada: Not so nice about refunds!
This has nothing to do with 'flyer-friendly' measures. If you buy something online and it doesn't arrive, you expect a full refund. When an airline cancels a flight, this is exactly the same - you pay, but get nothing!
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Re: No mask? See Delta's doctor
UPDATE: American, Southwest say 'No Exemptions' American and Southwest have now upped the ante: Not only are passengers required to wear masks except when actually eating and drinking, but the two airlines have announced there will be no exemptions except for children under two years of age. While Delta is willing to allow an unmasked flyer if the airline's doctor agrees there is a legitimate medical reason for not wearing, AA and Southwest have taken the position that the unmasked passenger...