An American Airlines Website Hack to Let You Pre-Select Your Inflight Meal

Dec 08 2015

Three years ago American Airlines introduced pre-order meals. Premium cabin customers can pre-select their meal choice either online or over the phone within 30 days of (and up to 24 hours prior to) travel.

In mid-September American took this functionality down off their website. But it turns out there’s a website ‘hack’ to let you pre-order your meal.

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Now Get Email Alerts When Star Alliance Award Space Opens Up!

Dec 07 2015

Expert Flyer is a pay site, though they offer free 5 day trials and free alerts when the seat you want on a flight opens up.

I find it invaluable. Historically it has been a must for any American AAdvantage member since it’s been one of the only sources for real-time availability of American Airlines flight inventory and because it also displays confirmable upgrade availability for American’s flights.

They’ve now added a ton of Star Alliance airlines to their award search feature, which means you can get email alerts for when the space you want opens up.

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The No Fly List Isn’t Just Broken, It’s Insane. You Must Read This Before You Talk About Gun Control.

Dec 07 2015

I’m not an expert on guns. I don’t even own one. For this post I do not want to get into the question of which sorts of regulations of guns are reasonable or constitutional.

I do see a lot of very weak arguments being used in current debates. I’ll focus just on the very concerning one that the No Fly List ought to be used to deny substantive rights beyond flying. It’s a shoddy list as it is and raises significant concerns in the travel context. The last thing we should do is expand its use.

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LAST FEW HOURS to Transfer Chase Points to Amtrak. Should You Do It While You Can?

Dec 07 2015

Chase no longer issues the co-brand Amtrak credit card. Alongside Amtrak’s new revenue-based loyalty program comes a new co-brand credit card partner, Bank of America.

As a result, today – December 7 – is the last day to transfer Chase points to Amtrak. Here’s how to think about whether to make a last minute transfer while you still can.

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The Most Persistent Self Upgrader Ever, Dragged Off Flight After Drinking Stolen Champagne in the Aisles

Dec 07 2015

Saturday night’s United Shanghai – Newark flight, UA87, was delayed a couple of hours when a man (not identified, but speculated to be a professor at Southwest University of Finance and Economics) engaged in one of the most persistent self-upgrade schemes I’ve seen.

The man was apparently caught multiple times trying to seat himself in business class, and apparently stole champagne from up front and drank it walking through the aisles.

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Silvercar Launches in Vegas and $100 Off 2-Day Silvercar Audi Car Rental Anywhere

Dec 07 2015

Silvercar starts accepting reservations at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport starting today for rentals beginning January 4.

There’s a Virgin America promotion code with Silvercar for $75 off a 2-day rental for first time Silvercar users, and Silvercar offers $25 to first-time renters who are referred by existing customers. Those work anywhere.

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