Aug
07
2015
I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
A New Easy Business Class Award to Asia, Hackers Hit American, and Where Presidential Candidates Stay
The Best Mileage Strategy for an Engagement Ring
Aug
07
2015
“I’m getting ready to buy an engagement ring, which will be the largest purchase I’ve ever put on a credit card, and I’m looking for advice on how best to maximize point-earning.”
The Starwood American Transfer Bonus Didn’t End! Extended Through August 31
Aug
07
2015
While the most obvious thing to do with Starwood points is use them for hotel stays, I think the most valuable thing to do with them is transfer them to airline miles.
The 20% bonus on transfers to American AAdvantage — every 20,000 Starpoints you transfer will get you 30,000 American miles — was supposed to end but has been extended through August 31.
Review: American Express Centurion Studio, Seattle
Aug
07
2015
American Express’ first ‘Centurion Studio’ opened a month ago at Seattle’s international airport, across from gate B3.
Overall it was a nice space, where I enjoyed spending a couple of hours. I definitely prefer it over the Alaska Airlines Boardroom (but no pancake machine) and over the United Club there. But make no mistake, it’s not a Centurion Lounge if you’ve been to one of those in another U.S. airport.
American Didn’t Just Leak New Elite Status Rules
Aug
06
2015
Several months ago the American Airlines website erroneously listed the miles required for top tier Executive Platinum status as 120,000 instead of 100,000. That was quickly corrected.
Yesterday an American AAdvantage member posted a message they received from AAdvantage Customer Service on Flyertalk with that same ‘mistake’.
Could Southwest Lose a Lawsuit Over Checked Bag Fees.. Even Though They Don’t Charge Any?
Aug
06
2015
A class action lawsuit against Southwest and Delta over checked bag fees has been certified.
The suit stems from Delta and Airtran both beginning to charge checked bag fees within weeks of each other. Those airlines were the two biggest in the Atlanta market, and of course Southwest subsequently acquired Airtran.
Earn Miles for Child Support and Alimony
Aug
06
2015
Several states allow credit card payments for child support through their official programs.
Some states limit acceptance to MasterCard and Discover, others to Visa and MasterCard. Apparently New Jersey stopped taking cards altogether. And I’m not aware of any that take American Express.
But let’s assume you want to pay with American Express, or to pay the other parent directly. Perhaps you need to build up miles because your ex-spouse took them all in the divorce.
My Travel This Week: How Clean is That TV Remote? Bite at Your Own Risk.
North Korea’s Stealth Aircraft, a Wry Look at Flying Then vs. Now, and Alaska Shimmies Closer to American
Aug
06
2015
I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Is It Wrong to Fly an Airline When You Don’t Support Their Country’s Government?
Aug
05
2015
I write frequently about the current dispute between the largest US airlines (American, Delta, and United) and the largest Middle Eastern ones (Emirates, Qatar, and Etihad). And I come down squarely against the US airlines, whom I believe are looking to use the government to reduce consumer choices and raise prices for their own benefit.
But that doesn’t mean I’m a defender of the Middle Eastern carriers as such.
