Human Rights lawyer Amal Clooney was on Meet the Press on Sunday to discuss the Maldives…not a usual topic for the Sunday morning talk shows. I found the segment fascinating and encourage you to watch it in its entirety–...
In the Maldives, When They Say No Alcohol, They Mean No Alcohol
The Maldives is not the only nation that take a hard-line stance against alcohol, but it certainly is one of the more paradoxical examples. While the nation maintains a strict Islamic façade, it looks the other way as dozens...
A Premature Evaluation of 2015
It is the last day of 2015 but I think it is still too premature to evaluate the year. Award Expert and this blog continue to grow, I appeared on TV three times, was quoted in several publications, spoke at...
2015 Airline Christmas Videos
Merry Christmas from Germany! I am spending my first ever Christmas away from Los Angeles with my wife’s family. There is something magical about being in Germany for Christmas and I am looking forward to relaxing and recharging for...
Take That Air New Zealand!
Hey Air New Zealand…you’re finally going to have a little competition! (Imagine me sticking out my tongue at them) You see, I have very mixed emotions concerning New Zealand’s flag carrier. Air New Zealand has a great onboard product...
Aer Lingus Gold Circle Lounge Dublin Terminal 2
Aer Lingus’ flagship Gold Circle Lounge is located in Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport. I spent three hours here before my Aer Lingus business class flight to Boston last Friday and give it high marks. Location: Terminal 2, Dublin Airport...
Transit and U.S. Preclearance in Dublin Airport
Some countries (cough, cough USA) make it more difficult than others to transit between international flights. Additionally, a handful of countries now have U.S. border preclearance facilities (Aruba, Bermuda, Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, UAE [Abu Dhabi]). I recently connected through Dublin Airport, which offers...
Video: Typhoon Lifts 747-400 Into Air
Have you ever been in a terrible storm while flying? I wrote about my dance with death on Malaysian Airlines but I suspect that storm had nothing on Typhoon Soudelor, which hit Taiwan hard last week. Check out this...
A Cool Twist on Travel Photography
I don’t update my Instagram often, but I just love travel photos–both taking them and looking at them. Opening up my photo app reveals I have 58,593 photos and 438 videos spanning the last decade of travel. I also...
Next FTU Advanced Announced: Newport Beach, CA
I’ve written over and over about Frequent Traveler University, a dynamic weekend of learning and fellowship that is a must for anyone who wants to efficiently master the points and miles game. Back to the West Coast by popular...
Celebrate Your Independence Day at Frequent Traveler University
Happy Fourth to my U.S. readers, as we celebrate Independence Day across this great land. Declaring Independence from Great Britain, colonial leaders resolved to sacrifice their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor” in furtherance of “life, liberty, and the pursuit...
Rimowa Roaring 20s Ad Campaign Starring Alessandra Ambrosio
I am one of those people who swear by Rimowa luggage. It’s expensive, but you do get what you pay for and it is absolutely the best luggage I have ever used. And the company is classy too —...
Memorial Day 2015: A Call to Selflessness
For my annual Memorial Day post this year, I want to quote a passage from President Woodrow Wilson’s Memorial Day Address 101 years ago on 30 May 1914: A peculiar privilege came to the men who fought for the...
Germanwings IS a SAFE Airline
Tragic news hit today that a Germanwings flight carrying 144 passengers and six crew traveling from Barcelona to Dusseldorf crashed in the French Alps, killing all onboard. There are a lot of questions surrounding the crash, primarily why the...
See You at LA Travel & Adventure Show This Weekend?
The Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show is taking place this weekend in Long Beach, CA and is billed as the largest travel show in the nation. The object of the show is to offer travelers a one-stop location...
Frequent Traveler University – Dallas Will Be Only FTU in 2015
Frequent Traveler University in Dallas is coming up on 17-19 April 2015 and this event will be the only FTU in 2015. If you are new to the world of miles and want a fun-filled yet educational weekend that...
First Pictures from the Qatar A350 DOH-FRA Inaugural Flight
If you’re following me on Twitter or Instagram you’ve already seen some of these pictures, but yesterday I flew on the first A350 commerical flight, a Qatar Airways service from Doha to Frankfurt. A full report will be published...
Air India Award Space Now Bookable on united.com
Air India is a Star Alliance member with a surprisingly robust worldwide route network. With a great seat in business and first class (service is another story, I hear) the carrier provides a valuable link to the Indian subcontinent....
Off to Doha for Qatar A350 Inaugural!
One upside to my job is that I am able to travel on a whim – my office, being a telephone and laptop computer, is portable so when the right opportunity arises, I can take it. I figured the...
2014 in Perspective: Travel and Life
As Father Time prepares to hand over the reigns to Baby New Year, allow me to offer a few reflections on 2014.This was not the year I imagined it to be, with the beauty of married life and unplanned...