I'm not sure how widely known this is, but per Flyertalk (see thread wiki), United recently took down the ability to contribute to Gift Registry / Travelbank. You can still use funds already contributed, but you can't contribute any more. Here's the verbiage on the Gift Registry page: We've decided to discontinue the United gift certificate program, so gift … [Read more...]
The Importance of Different-Styled Travel Companions
I just got back from a few days in Maui with a group of friends. The variation of travel styles in the group was interesting. Some were super active thrill seekers who hiked in torrential rain faster than I could in perfect condition. Others were beach bums. We accommodated everyone with selective participation and a little compromise. Overall, I … [Read more...]
Flying to Hawaii Comfortably – and Expensively (with Miles)
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are getting some time off to be with loved ones and/or do some fun travel. For me it's the latter. I'm onboard a refurbished AA 777-200 business class with 1-2-1 reverse herringbone seats. It's a great way to sit comfortably for 8 hours en eoute to the 50th state, though not without a price to match. I paid Anytime rate (gasp) … [Read more...]
$10 for a Flat Bed in Chicago? I’ll Take It
Technically it's in the suburbs, and admission costs extra, but I was going there anyway so my extra cost was just $10. I was in Chicago for 2 nights a few weekends ago. I had one Hyatt category 4 free night from the Chase Hyatt card, so I stayed at Hyatt Recency Chicago River on Saturday. But I needed a place to stay on Friday. None of my Chicago friends … [Read more...]
Dear Friends: No, I Haven’t Won Lottery. Yes, I Still Work Full Time
Nov 19, 2017 - Updated to add cost of acquiring points. This article is for my non-travel addict friends who see my pictures on social media and think I either won the lottery and/or quit my job. In fact, I haven't accomplished either. While it might seem mysterious how I manage to travel "so much", I want to give you the secret sauce in this post. There are … [Read more...]
PSA – Use Your Old Citi Cards, Avoid Involuntary Closure (Resets Bonus Eligibility)
A few months ago, I got several emails from Citi with the title "Notice of account closure". They were closing several of my no-fee cards for inactivity. There was no warning or opportunity to generate activity and prevent closure. They already closed the cards. All data points from the community indicate no possibility of reopening (but "you're welcome … [Read more...]
AA Flies to Iceland – Best Use of Miles for Business Class
One Mile at a Time writes that AA will start flying seasonally between Dallas (DFW) and Keflavik (KEF) in summer 2018. I'm excited for 3 reasons: It's a fully flat bed in business class. You can redeem AA miles for it. It's a long flight. Before I start my explanation, I need to point out that WOW Air offers some cheap fares to Iceland, in addition to … [Read more...]
Maximizing Limited Vacation Days for Travel – My Dos and Don’ts
You have a full time job with limited vacation days. Time is of the essence - but so is enjoying your trip. Cramming a bunch of activities in a short time is great - if you enjoy that. The key is to maximize your free time - in a way that fits your travel style. If you've been doing this for a while, chances are you have your own way … [Read more...]