USA Today reported on the free internet for elites offer by Mariott, with a mention the policy was announced on Flyer Talk.

The Perrin Post shares some frequent flyer questions and answers (disclaimer – my answers) with reference to Flyer Talk.

Management.travel’s report on Continental’s charge for extra legroom seats includes some quotes from the Flyer Talk discussion.

Minnesota Public Radio interviewed some travellers about their travel bucket lists, and Randy gave some advice.

A Denver Post report on Republic’s branding issues with Midwest and Frontier post-merger quotes someone as saying ”There is not much of the old Midwest left — I’ve even read that sometimes the cookie is cold.”

The Dallas Morning News commented on the untrue rumour posted on Flyer Talk about Southwest flying to Branson.

CNN report on ANA’s plan for women only lavatories included several quotes from Flyer Talk discussion.

The USA Today report on Marriott’s hotel category changes refers to the news being initially released on Flyer Talk by Marriott.

An Information Week review of Google Buzz mentions Flyer Talk as a source of information about Holiday Inn (and Priority Club).

The Washington Post Faster Forward column talks about Google Buzz and theorises that people don’t want one online social network with one online persona, giving Flyer Talk as an example.

One of the “3 tips on scoring a low airfare” at Smart Money was by Randy. The tip is the use of points as fare discount in certain programs.

Jaunted reports on United Mileage Plus introduction of one way awards and refers to a post by a United lurker on the Flyer Talk thread.

Although life for FlyerTalk member Helena Handbaskets is not — well — hell in a hand basket, he (not she) is not nauseous or sick at all — at least, as far as we know, anyway.

Rather, he is asking fellow FlyerTalk members: “Will you help me collect (clean) airsickness bags for my son’s B’day?”

His son is celebrating his fifth birthday with a party on February 20, and Helena Handbaskets would like to use the airsick bags for guests to take home with them, filled with party favors.

Although this is short notice, any assistance to fulfill this unusual request would most likely be greatly appreciated, but please ensure the airsick bags have not already been — ahem — used.

The Washington Times reports on the Priority Club luckiest loser promotion and current ill will friendly competition between Hilton and Intercontinental. Hilton’s response for the article was to point out discussion on Flyer Talk about previous Priority Club devaluations in 2005 and 2007.  FT discussion of the luckiest loser promotion includes Hilton forum, Intercontinental forum, The Gate blog, View from the Wing blog.

Gamasutra discusses loyalty programs in the context of computer games, and mentions manaics on Flyer Talk discussing mileage runs and gaming the frequent flyer programs. I wonder who that could be?

WalletPop discusses the ease of getting frequent flyer awards, including some quotes from Randy.

The New York Times has a report on upgrades, including a quote from Randy.

A Christopher Elliott piece in The Seattle Times on mistake fares refers to the recent AA first class to Sydney for $1242.

A Gadling post on deceptive sale fares mentions Flyer Talk as a good source of genuinely cheap fares.

FlyerTalk members who are also American Airlines AAdvantage members are expressing their dismay regarding www.aa.com Date Flexible Searches suspended indefinitely, and they are reporting that correspondence with American Airlines confirms that this is indeed true.

The disappearance of this feature reduces the ability to purchase American Airlines airfares at less cost.

FlyerTalk member SANman is even attempting to organize a campaign, challenging fellow AAdvantage members to contact American Airlines regarding the removal of the ‘Dates Flexible’ feature from the American Airlines Internet web site.

For now, the ‘Dates Flexible’ feature is still available, and how to access this feature is posted in the aa.com Date Flexible Searches suspended indefinitely thread. Now is the time to see what you may soon be missing, and do it while you are still able to do so…

…threads such as the You know you’re a FT’er when … interest you.

You know you’re a FT’er when …

• You say to yourself, “so this is what the outside of an airport looks like”
• Whenever someone suggests going to a restaurant/taking a trip/purchasing something…your only thought is “how can I earn?”
• You’re on a mileage run, agent asks “what’s your final destination?” and you truthfully answer “I don’t remember.”
• When you turn a 3 segment round trip to a job interview into an 8 segment MR and save the company $150 off what the travel agent wanted to put you on. In the meantime you get to try out 2 new airports and a quick stop in a favourite lounge on the opposite coast wit ha great set of windows for spotting.
• When you describe how you get your miles and people roll their eyes.
• When you thinking about taking a MR over three days coast to coast and say to yourself the duration is not a problem and two nights without a hotel are not a problem as you have an almost 3 hour connection at IAH were you can take a shower at the lounge there!!
• When you wake up on an overnight flight, in the middle of a five day, three continent MR, and realize you have no idea what day it is or even where you are going, then realize it doesn’t matter, you’ll figure it out when you land, and fall, undistressed, back to sleep.

…and, of course, in homage to our own Kiwi Flyer, FlyerTalk member and co-author of The Gate…

• When your jealous, instead of afraid, of Kiwi Flyer

All of the above are actual quotes.

The Wall Street Journal has an interview with Randy on how Flyer Talk connects travelers.

Chicago Tribune has a piece on pilot commentary of the landscape below.  See also the Flyer Talk discussion on pilot commentary.

Flyer Talk is mentioned along with other social media sites in a press release on the Sentiment Analysis Symposium.

USA Today reports on what happens when a hotel switches from a hotel chain and refers to Flyer Talk discussion on Sheraton Braintree.

CNN International reports on the Flyer Talk Star Alliance MegaDo.

Whether you missed the fun of the first annual star alliance megado, or enjoyed it so much you want more, there is a chance for all Flyer Talkers to help make the second annual star alliance megado even better. Simply post your ideas and thoughts in the thread.