I’ve been grounded all week and am thankful for it. No plans to travel next week either. Plenty of time with family and friends instead. Lots of work too. There have been a handful of trips I’ve turned down,...
Virgin Atlantic Confirms Upgrade Story is #FakeNews
Virgin Atlantic has confirmed what we all knew…the recent Bloomberg story on upgrades was #FakeNews. Gilbert from God Save the Points has done an excellent job in covering this story, going so far as to record a phone call...
Questionable Upgrade Advice on Virgin Atlantic
While I’m not totally dismissing it, I’m certainly quite skeptical about the Virgin Atlantic upgrade advice offered by Bloomberg. Bloomberg is in the midst of a “high-end travel hacks” series featuring “notable” names in food, wine, fashion, cars, real estate. This story...
Would You Upgrade Chicago to LA for $159?
After my final FTU speech yesterday, I flew home from Chicago to Los Angeles, a 4hr flight. Being one of the busiest travel days of the year, my flight was about $200 one-way…more than I usually pay for Chicago...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: November 05, 2017
Hello from Southern California…where I’m recovering from a relapse of sickness. Thankfully not the stomach flu I had last week, but another particularly strong head cold. I really need to lay off the travel… This week marks the final...
Want a Free Upgrade? Dressing Nice Won’t Cut It…
The AP is out with the perennial “if you want a free upgrade, dress nice” story. These stories always evoke an eye roll from me, yet their persistence over the years suggest that hope springs eternal. George Hobica of...
United Global Premier Upgrades Now Work on ANA
United Airlines and ANA are Star Alliance, codeshare, and joint venture partners. Now United Global Premier Upgrades (GPUs) can be used on ANA flights to upgrade from economy to business or business to first, wtih some caveats… Here’s the...
United Airlines Now Processing Lufthansa GPU Upgrades Electronically
United Airlines and Lufthansa were both founding members of the Star Alliance and have maintained a close relationship as both codeshare and joint venture partners over years. United’s top-status 1K flyers receive six GPUs (Global Premier Upgrades) each year...
United Airlines Increases Mileage Upgrade Co-Pay on Premium Transcon Routes
United has transformed its premium service (p.s.) fleet that operates between Los Angeles/San Francisco and New York JFK from a three-cabin configuration with older seats in business and first class to a two-cabin configuration with fully lie-flat seats in business...
Delta Actually Improves Skymiles Program with Attractive Upgrade Options
Delta Air Lines has led the U.S. airline loyalty industry in duplicity and penny-pinching for several years running (even with a commendable challenge from United last month) so a day in which positive news is announced is quite rare....
The Other United Airlines Devaluation: Fewer Upgrades at a Higher Cost
The big news Friday was United’s devaluation of its MileagePlus award chart starting 01 February 2014, particularly for premium cabins on Star Alliance partners, but United also announced a policy change eliminating complimentary upgrades on flights to/from Northern South American and...
The Real Reason United is Blocking Award and Upgrade Space from Expert Flyer
Friendly Skies reported earlier today that United has asked Expert Flyer to stop displaying upgrade and award space beginning Friday, October 30, 2013. United responded this evening, blaming Expert Flyer for accessing space in an unauthorized manner and promising...
