Points, Planes and Passports

US Airlines Continue to Cut Passenger Services, Please Investors

BySean November 20, 2014January 1, 2024

Snip, snip, snip…. This is apparently the week for US-based airlines to make all sorts of passenger un-friendly changes and cuts. While ultimately screwing over the passengers, the cuts are largely going to please investors on Wall Street. Just this week, Delta, United and JetBlue have announced some cuts that hurt the consumer, and in…

A Weekend in Hong Kong – Ten Highlights

BySean November 19, 2014January 1, 2024

Since my first time to Hong Kong during grad school back in 2009, I’ve referred to Hong Kong as my favorite city in the World. After a third trip back, I still think it’s my favorite city anywhere. There’s just so much that this metropolis has to offer. From the markets to the vistas…

Revisited: Booking a Transatlantic Flight on Aer Lingus with British Airways Avios

BySean November 18, 2014January 1, 2024

The cheapest way from the USA to Europe is by using British Airways Avios for a flight on Aer Lingus from Boston to either Dublin or Shannon. At 12,500 Avios for economy or 25,000 Avios for business, this redemption is one of the best mileage values out there!

Review: China Eastern Economy Class Shanghai to Hong Kong to Shanghai

BySean November 18, 2014January 1, 2024

After our time in Shanghai, I wanted to get down to my favorite city in the World — Hong Kong! This little jaunt south was not part of my award ticket, so I had to hop on the Interwebs to find a decent deal for a round trip from Shanghai to Hong Kong. I heavily…

United Club Giveaway Winner

BySean November 17, 2014November 17, 2014

And the winner is Suril from DC! The winner was selected randomly from the 64 entries into this contest who either subscribed to my blog, followed me on Twitter, and/or re-tweeted the contest. Suril plans on enjoying the United Club prior to a flight over the holidays out of DCA or IAD! Congrats, Suril,…

Two Days in Shanghai

BySean November 16, 2014January 1, 2024

Things didn’t start well at the airport. Immigration and customs were both fine, but then it went downhill. Yes, we were exhausted after over 30 hours of travel from Munich at that point, but we fell into a trap at the airport – a trap that I should know better not to fall for: we…

Revisited: How to Book an Around the World Trip with US Airways miles

BySean November 15, 2014November 15, 2014

Due to a ton of comments, questions and general interest on my last few posts about my First Class award flights around the World, I’m going to re-post the below post from a couple months ago where I detailed how to book one of these de-fact around the World tickets using US Airways miles (…

Airlines | Award Travel | Travel | Travel Hacking | United

REMINDER: United Club Pass Giveaway!

BySean November 15, 2014November 16, 2014

Just wanted to post a reminder about the two United Club passes that I’m giving away! See the post below for more information….. After going through my things, I’ve come up on a pair of one-time United Club Passes (expiration 2/28/15). They’re each valid for a one-time entry for one person at any United Club. I’ll…

Review: ANA First Class Square Tokyo to Washington

BySean November 14, 2014January 1, 2024

After an extremely early morning bus ride from the Hyatt Regency Tokyo out to Narita, I proceeded to the very exclusive feeling ANA Suite Check-in facility. Here, I was quickly checked in and whisked away to a private security line before I went on to clear immigration. I relaxed for about an hour in the…

Review: Air China Forbidden Pavilion First Class Shanghai to Tokyo

BySean November 14, 2014December 19, 2014

We arrived at Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport a couple of hours before our scheduled departure for Toyko-Narita. Check-in was quick and simple, and I was pointed towards the security line where I was able to skip the line since I was flying First. I ended up clearing security and immigration only minimally quicker than my…