The Weekly News Roundup is a collection of headlines from around the internet that caught the attention of the Tagging Miles team. Content on these blogs do not necessarily reflect the positions of Tagging Miles, and should not be considered endorsements. Have a great story we should read? Contact us now and let us know!

Travel:

• Not all travel is in First Class, at 5 star hotels, and without issue. Stefan shares how he was robbed on Easter.
• Australian Business Traveller reports that Singapore will have a new business class seat for their 787-10 and A350 aircraft, coming in 2018.
• John Walton writing for Runway Girl Network, poses the Virgin-Alaska tie-up’s premium Passenger Experience (#PaxEx) opportunity. John’s comments are a bit ironic, considering Gary Leff’s comment that Virgin America has the best domestic First Class cabin.
• And speaking of the Virgin-Alaska tie-up, Ed shares the key business points behind it.
• Jason Rabinowitz reviews China Eastern’s 777-300ER. This is not your typical flight review, definitely a worthwhile read.
• From Scott Mayerowitz, more publicity on an airline rule change that will make your multi-city flight cost significantly more, if you book as a single ticket. So, take this advice from Gary Leff instead.

Miles and Points:

• Stefan poses a well thought out and researched question, asking whether customers who buy miles are a better customer than the ones who fly on the airlines (as a method to earn miles).
• With many avenues of MS closing, more folks are getting money orders. Vinh has a cautionary tale that struck a chord for me. Always make sure the money order prints out the full dollar value and the full date, otherwise you’ll encounter issues depositing it.
• Milenomics declares miles are dead.
• In the same topic as Milenomics, Keri reports that the Verizon Rewards Plus Points have also devalued this week. Not a big deal, but, it speaks to the trend.
• Vinh reports on Barclaycard shutdowns. Interesting, considering I haven’t even been looking at my Barclaycard stuff lately.

Tagging Miles Posts:

• Kickstarter to Document Inflight Meals
• United Airlines celebrates 90 Years
• Review: Grand Hyatt Bali
• PSA: Always book one-way awards

The Weekly News Roundup is a collection of headlines from around the internet that caught the attention of the Tagging Miles team. Content on these blogs do not necessarily reflect the positions of Tagging Miles, and should not be considered endorsements. Have a great story we should read? Contact us now and let us know!

Travel:

• Gary shares that Virgin America’s offering is actually pretty good. He says “the very best domestic first class product.” It looks to me like the seat itself is reminiscent of Singapore’s Silk Air regional first class seat, which definitely would be appreciated on those non-A321T transcons.
• More bag fees for the more expensive tickets.

Miles and Points:

• The trio known as Dem Flyers, poses with their favorite credit cards. Which one is your favorite?
• As the Joe Flies asks the question – what is your blindspot? It’s pretty clear that Delta is probably mine, so much so that I don’t even have many points that could be used toward a Delta award–I’m not big on Membership Rewards points either.
• Vinh of Miles per Day shows the art of the possible when it comes to manufactured spending and reselling.
• Gary reports that Alaska is unlikely to move away from mileage earning (e.g. to revenue based earning like AA, UA, DL).
• Seth talks about Reward Diversity Growing in Significance for Airlines and Hotels.

Tagging Miles posts:

• Review: Japan Airlines Business Class 777-200 Haneda to Bangkok
• Sao Paulo Brazil’s Airport – Significant Improvements
• Review: Japan Airlines First Class Lounge – Haneda
• Review: Japan Airlines First Class 777-300ER Chicago-Narita

The Weekly News Roundup is a collection of headlines from around the internet that caught the attention of the Tagging Miles team. Content on these blogs do not necessarily reflect the positions of Tagging Miles, and should not be considered endorsements. Have a great story we should read? Contact us now and let us know!

Travel:

• Mike, writing for One Mile at a Time, shares a little rant about US Paid Time Off (PTO) policies. I can’t say I disagree with him. Its pretty bad, I’m lucky that my employer is very understanding and much more generous than most, but for many Americans, it’s either very stringent, or vacations are few and far between.
• With the US and Cuba officially signing the agreement today, airlines can now bid to offer commercial service. Who will fly from where, and how frequently? All things we won’t know until March, but that’s only a few weeks away.
• Ed reports that you can get $100 off a new Briggs and Riley bag (which is my favorite carry-on, btw), and you can help out a great cause at the same time. If you’re in the market for a new bag, this is a chance to save some money and do some good.

Miles and Points:

• Gary Leff reports that voting for the Freddie Awards has opened! The Freddies are an important award, at least in my book, because they are voted on by frequent travelers, people like us. Please take the time to vote.
• Buy Visa Gift Cards Online, from Loophole Travel

Reselling:

• Miles per Day shares how a reader got his Staples rewards account shutdown. Clearly people maximize coupons much more than I do, because while I have known about buying coupons on Ebay, I have not once actually thought about doing it…. and after reading this, that thought is even farther from my mind.
• From InventoryLab’s changelog:
  

  Whoever keeps ripping a hole in the Space-Time Continuum better knock it off! We had folks with 6-day long weeks showing in their weekly Profit & Loss Reports! Thankfully, our Developers were able to stitch this new one up, but we’ve had it up to our eyeballs with these shenanigans! A tiny rip today is a Worm Hole tomorrow, and then what are you gonna do?! It’s all fun and games until you cause infinite quantum uncertainty.

Nonsequitar:

• American Airlines files suit against Gogo as the in-flight connectivity playing field sees more competitive, better wifi. 

TaggingMiles Posts of the Week:

• The Winner of the Short Fuse American Airlines SWU Giveaway
  • In the event you missed it, the comments from Short Fuse: American Airlines Systemwide Upgrade Giveaway, have some great comments of amazing travel memories!
• Review: Lufthansa First Class 747-8 – Frankfurt to Washington Dulles
• Thai Aviation Authority calls for Contingency Plans after Nok Air Strands ~1400 passengers
• Review: Lufthansa First Class Terminal and Lounge (yes, both!)

The Weekly News Roundup is a collection of headlines from around the internet that caught the attention of the Tagging Miles team. Content on these blogs do not necessarily reflect the positions of Tagging Miles, and should not be considered endorsements. Have a great story we should read? Contact us now and let us know!

Do This Now:

• If you haven’t already entered Gary Leff’s giveaway, do so now. He’s giving away two nights at the Al Maha in UAE. Its a beautiful SPG property, that I’d love to visit myself.
• Seth, the Wandering Aramean is also holding a giveaway for fun #avgeek swag.

Travel:

• Mrs. Pizza in Motion shares ways to combat sickness when traveling. She says it isn’t the recycled air that gets you sick (which makes sense).
• Gary shares some advice on how to sleep well on short flights and beat jet lag. The only thing I disagree with him on is that I tend to have less trouble going to Asia than I do to Europe. For me, the longer 14 hour flights help with transitioning to a different timezone, as there is enough time to sleep and eat, vice shorter flights (even when skipping breakfast).
• Seth reports that United will re-link the US with Singapore. This is huge, as Singapore Airlines had previously expressed an interest in re-starting SIN-LAX and SIN-NYC flights, to see United doing it from SFO (where Singapore Airlines flies, but with a stop in Hong Kong), its interesting. But I still feel bad for anyone flying that, given that even in “Business-First” with that B/E Aerospace seat, is, in my opinion, anything but comfortable.
• Point Hacks reports Apple Pay in Australia now works. Of course Discover’s great deal is done (and I’m not even sure it would’ve made sense), but, there are bound to be other promotions in the future, so bookmark this one.

Happy New Year!!

TaggingMiles Posts of the Week:

• A new A380 Operator, coming soon – ANA to buy 3 Airbus A380’s! Wondering what type of livery it will be.
• 8 Confessions before the New Year
• My 2015 Year in Travel
• My Pick for the Best Carry-On Going
• End of Year Reminder: Use American Airlines Business Extra Points! Might be over come by events for 2015 but that doesn’t mean you can’t start thinking about maximizing this year.
• End of Year Reminder: Don’t forget to maximize Quarterly Offers! Might be over come by events for 2015 but that doesn’t mean you can’t start thinking about maximizing this quarter.