Using miles and rewards for cheap or free adventures.
Latest Blog Posts
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My Thoughts on the new DOT Delay Refund Rules
Quite a few people have reached out asking me for my opinions on the new flight delay and cancellation law. In short, it’s a step in the right direction. But it misses a lot of the key points for both consumer and airlines alike. It’s also structured rather differently than current regulations elsewhere in the…
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Amtrak Acela – a bit tired but easy and comfortable
This week my travels bring me to see some friends in New York. So while I love making plane posts and traveling through space and time, Amtrak takes the win for convenience in this case. My office and hotel were both in the heart of Manhattan, so arriving at Penn Station was a better choice…
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My thoughts on the Capital One and Discover merger
There are plenty of articles about the Capital One merger with Discover. At a high level, the deal is both good and bad for consumers. Here are some of my thoughts on the matter. Current Trajectory Capital One entered the premium travel space with the launch of the Venture X card. They are competing with…
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Chase Sapphire Lounge BOS: The best lounge in the US right now?
Chase has finally entered the premium card lounge scene with the Chase Sapphire Lounge. The one in Hong Kong received glowing reviews after it opened, so they already set a high bar for themselves. Well, they absolutely nailed it! Honestly, I’d even visit this lounge if I weren’t flying (which is TOTALLY not what I…
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The Club LAS T3: Simple and a little lonely
Have you ever heard the phrase “once you’ve had better, you can’t go back”? That’s 100% what my experience was like with airport lounges. Having visited the Centurion and Capital One Lounges, comparing them with The Club is just a little bit unfair. I’m probably just setting the bar too high 🙂 Access The Club…
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What Happened on My Wicked IRROPS Experience on Southwest
I just had a pretty tiring day flying cross-country between Boston and Seattle. On top of an already long travel day, a mechanical issue caused me to arrive over 4 hours after my original schedule. This is my story on how Irregular Operations (IRROPS) took away the first day of my trip. A few key…
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Southwest Airlines B737-800 LAS-STL: It’s unique but average
There’s the Southwest loyalists and then there’s also the haters. Well, I’m kind of right in the middle. Here’s my first write up of the year about making it back home.
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Doh! Devaluation of the best domestic redemption rate
A few weeks ago I wrote about one of the sweetest redemptions for domestic itineraries. It involves booking United domestic Saver (X) award tickets through Turkish Airlines for 7.5k miles. You can read a little about it here. Well, that may soon be coming to an end with potential devaluation upcoming. Update (02/08): I’ve confirmed…
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Exciting Forthcoming Updates for the Blog
A few details on where we stand and what’s coming up for the blog
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Introduction: New year, new research opportunities
That’s right, it’s 2024, and this new year is full of opportunities to try something new. Airline free agency isn’t something most of us are used to, but it’s a good idea to see what you’re missing out on (or not, for that matter) Why I took this trip If you recall, I went back…
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Credit Cards – The Good, Bad, Myths, and Value
You may be starting your journey and figuring out if credit cards really are for you. I’ll guide you through my rationale for you to see!
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The Best Redemptions for Amazing Economy Travel Value
Redemptions for lower-priced Economy tickets is easier than you think. Stretch your points and you could get outsized value!
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ACT NOW – AA Status For Extra Value
An accelerated strategy to earn status quickly on American Airlines without losing value. Get it while it lasts, as this might not last long!
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Air France B787 Premium Economy – Simplistic yet surprisingly good hybrid
Long-haul premium economy is a happy medium between Business and Economy, with comfortable seats that make resting much easier.
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Air France A320 Economy – A happy compromise
Inter-Europe Economy class is the same as any other offering. On my Air France flight, service was fine and perfectly sufficient for a short hop.
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InterContinental Hotel Vienna – Good value for FHR
The Intercontinental Vienna is a great option for using Amex FHR credits or for a few nights stay. Definitely recommend taking full advantage of the breakfast.
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The frustrating surprises of Hilton “free” elite benefits
You’ve worked hard to get status and its freebies and/or upgrades. But sometimes you need to be firm to receive the elite benefits that you deserve!
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Austrian Airlines E195 Business Class: Simple seat but good service
A short hop between Lyon and Vienna, where I wrap up a rather lengthy outbound journey.
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My New Year Elite Status Strategy Plan for 2024
With a new year upon us, it’s time to evaluate our elite status. Between a mix of credit cards and travel, I have status across multiple brands and airlines. However, some of them are by default while others I’ll need to earn to requalify, which would be my priority. Airlines I currently have Platinum status…
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Air Canada A330-300 Signature Class: An awesome, complete product
Air Canada Signature Class offers an above-average experience. The A330 features comfortable seats, good service, and an extensive in-flight entertainment.