A misunderstanding by the front desk agent at the Sheraton Salzburg pertaining to a request by FlyerTalk member macabus for a larger room led to some delicious Austrian confectionery treats instead: chocolate Mozart Balls.

When the duty manager of the hotel property wanted to know what the confusion was all about, it was revealed that when macabus wanted a suite, the front desk agent thought that macabus wanted a “sweet,” which is why the front desk agent gave a confused macabus chocolate Mozart Balls.

By the way, macabus was indeed eventually upgraded to an Executive room with The funniest suite I ever got. In fact, some may say that macabus got balls for asking for a suite — literally.

Are you a frequent traveler who has been approached by other people — including strangers — who ask to use your miles or points? This has happened to FlyerTalk member moman, which has led to a Minor Rant: Why do people want to use my points?

Have you ever been approached by someone so brash and blunt as for that person to believe that he or she is entitled to your miles and points upon request?

Some FlyerTalk members speculate that perhaps people believe the miles and points are equal to free travel at no cost to the owner of those miles and points. Other FlyerTalk members believe that there is a perception that miles and points have no value and therefore could be just given away upon request. Still other FlyerTalk members feel that some people indeed do give away their miles and points liberally to others, which may soften the barrier of approaching someone and simply asking for their miles and points, or at least paying for them for less cost that what it would take to purchase flights or hotel rooms outright.

There is one thing that is generally agreed upon by most FlyerTalk members: those who ask for miles and points usually have no clue as to the time and effort spent to accumulate them…

If you face a dilemma using your miles and points, your frustrations could win you and nine other people free tickets to a sneak preview in New York City on December 1 of the new motion picture Up in the Air starring George Clooney thanks to Condé Nast and Wendy Perrin, and your dilemmas and/or questions will be answered by none other than FlyerTalk member and founder Randy Petersen, who will solicit assistance from select FlyerTalk members via private message.

For additional details and information, please refer to this announcement: Ten lucky Conde Nast readers to receive tickets to premier of “Up in the Air” + the wisdom of FlyerTalk

Hurry, though — the promotion ends at noon on Wednesday, November 25.

Who ever heard of a competition authority arguing there was too much of it. Apparently business class fares in Germany “need” to be higher. Naturally this news causes a reaction in Flyer Talkers – check out the air fares too low discussion.

After receiving poor service in a restaurant, including reportedly waiting longer than necessary for food and serving themselves beverages after waiting for their waitress who allegedly did not return to their table, a couple was handcuffed and arrested for theft after not leaving a gratuity upon exiting the restaurant.

Where do you believe that If you do not TIP you just might get Arrested and be Handcuffed? You may be surprised to find out the answer…

In a thread where at least one FlyerTalk member assures that the answer is “Yes” to the question I just ate at Bob Evans. Will I die?, there is also discussion about severe stomach cramps, Mad Cow disease, Fat Duck and commentary from a former restaurant critic, as well as an admission by one FlyerTalk member that thought that Olive Garden was a Chinese restaurant…

What happens if one rents a car and gets a Speeding ticket in France, yet is not a resident of that country? How much money will be the actual fine? Does it go straight to one’s credit card? Can one simply not pay the fine? If not, what are the legal and financial ramifications? Does it matter whether the car rental company is Hertz — as it is in this case — or another car rental company, or even where the car is registered?

There is one trick that might work where one can ultimately avoid having to pay the fine, but the ethics in doing so could be considered by some FlyerTalk members to be questionable at best…

sard is concerned bed bugs may be hitching a ride home and infesting it. How can you deal to bed bugs?

Now that Continental Airlines is a member of Star Alliance, announcements regarding seamless integration of services and benefits with its partners are being released.

One of the more significant announcements is that UA elites to enjoy EUA/”premium” seating on CO, CO elites to get UDU, E+ on UA. This topic is also being discussed in the New Reciprocal Upgrade Benefits with United, Eff. Mid-2010 [threads merged] thread.

Generally, elite status members of the Continental Airlines OnePass and United Airlines Mileage Plus frequent flier loyalty programs will receive unlimited complimentary domestic upgrades on flights operated by both airlines when space is available, as well as have complimentary access to premium seating in the economy class cabin on either airline.

This partnership arrangement is scheduled to begin sometime in 2010.

With a Flyer “Processed” (Arrested?) in NM After Declining to Show ID — and the person in question being identified as a FlyerTalk member — fellow FlyerTalk members are lining up to contribute to a fund to assist for his potential legal expenses.

The story is also apparently gaining worldwide attention.

However, is there more to this story? What exactly did this FlyerTalk member and his traveling companion allegedly do at the airport in Albuquerque, New Mexico to get in trouble in the first place, and why are FlyerTalk members eager to come to his aid?