Elite status seems like a pure fringe benefit. Â From traveling for work so much, you get a set of benefits at hotels and airlines to use when you are traveling for fun. Â Plus it makes work travel a little easier. But elite status can also save your company some money! …
Read More »Why AAA is Better than Diamond with Hyatt Sometimes
In addition to being a card-carrying Diamond member with Hyatt, I’m also a AAA member. I’ve been a AAA member even though I just bought my first car in four years. While Hyatt offers a Diamond rate at many properties, I’ve more commonly received a discount through AAA. Â But that …
Read More »The Centurion Lounge–Vegas Edition
When the Centurion Lounge in Vegas opened up, I couldn’t wait to try it. Â Of course, I was in Vegas *right* before it opened and I didn’t make it out again until now. Â (And luckily, I already have more trips to Vegas booked). The Centurion Lounges continue to impress and …
Read More »Why Your Baggage May Be “Lost” on US Airways
I’ve run into this a few times with US Airways now and I realized a simple search after each flight on US Airways can save you from needless waiting. Your baggage does not necessarily fly on the same plane as you. Â If you check in early and there’s room on …
Read More »My First Air Marshal Experience
When you fly a ton, you start amassing interesting experiences. Â I sat in first class with a band that I had just seen in concert the night before. Â And I had a truck hit my plane. But this was my first experience with an air marshal. While boarding was …
Read More »Giving Up Upgrades as a Business Traveler
Most of the travel I do comes from work.  The other day, someone asked me, as a Chairman with US Airways, if I fly in first-class every flight. I paused and thought about it.  My answer was, I get upgraded to first class a lot but I don’t fly in first …
Read More »Can You Apply Mileage Upgrades Now for US Airways Flights After April 22nd for Free?
There’s been some confusion over whether or not the April 23rd cut-off for US Airways upgrades sans co-pay allows you to upgrade flights that will be flown after April 22nd. Â (in fact, there’s been some confusion among agents at US Airways). To recap, US Airways elites have had the co-pay …
Read More »The US Airways Definitions of Domestic and International May Not Match Yours
A few weeks ago, I wrote about real and fake EQMs on US Airways, how to spot the difference and the implications for either set. Another strange quirk on US Airways are its international and domestic rules pertain to a different definition of international and domestic. What? What I mean …
Read More »Strange Minor Bug with AAdvantage and Dividend Miles Numbers
Today, I received a message from US Airways about one of my reservations: I thought this was strange because, well, I fly US Airways a lot. Â But I did have that reservation with two other people. Â I thought I might have forgotten one person’s number. Pulling up the reservation, …
Read More »How US Airways Really Measures Flight Times for Food Service Purposes
I wrote a post about how there was confusion over US Airway’s flight times and what it means for food service in first class. Â I reached out to US Airways and they were really helpful in clearing this up. The flight times they list are estimates based the general flight …
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