I posted an article last week about the new that is giving 100,000 Avios points. I interchangeably referred to Avios as points and miles in my post. I got a clarification email from The Mileage Company, which manages British Airways’ frequent flyer program, letting me know that Avios is not miles, but a common currency for all IAG airlines. I have corrected the post and it now refers to Avios as points. I would like to thank the Mileage company for reechoing out. They also sent me an FAQ …

United and Continental have finally merged. As I pointed out in an earlier post, united.com and continental.com, the websites also merged over to the new site this past weekend. The new site is based on the original continental.com. In fact, most of the operational ascpects of the new United are based on Continental. They are using Continentals operating license, using Continentals reservation system, etc. Looks like all that’s left of United is the name, the headquarters and Economy+ seats (which is not a bad thing to keep at all).
In this …

Airlines are going thru tough times and interesting times. (Boy, did I resist starting this post with – It was the best of times, it was the worst of times). The global economic slowdown has hurt airlines; they have an ageing fleet (at least all the older carriers do); they have an ageing staff looking to retire, that too with benefits; and they have liabilities that are beginning to exceed their revenues and the margins required to fulfill them afloat. On the other hand, we have become a truly global …

In honor of the soon to come 2012, here is my list of Top 12 Articles of 2011. (See list of Top 11 Article of 2010). This list is based on traffic to their pages. I have excluded article that were posted in 2010 (The post – Air India switches to all non-stop routes to North America was the 3rd most read article and Boeing 747 Piano Bar article was the 6th most read article in 2011, despite both being written in 2010!). I also excluded all articles related to …

That gives me some great benefits, such as free unlimited domestic upgrades, Exit row seats when I do not get upgraded, automatic Economy+ for when I don’t get the exit row, free checked bags and most importantly, Star Gold level on Star Alliance, for all my non-United travel. … My Balance: 50,970 – 5,000 = 45,970 Make a list of all other sources that earn you miles and see how many will come in for sure.

There is a huge debate going on in the travel blogosphere about the value of miles. I don’t want to incite it further but am just sharing my view, which I guess many others would share. As always YVMV (your views may vary).
Almost as a principle, I always redeem in coach. I have never ever redeemed or bought business class tickets. Would I never redeem for J or F? I don’t know. I may do it for my honeymoon. I can redeem miles for my parents’ trip across the continent. …

This has been the year of changes. We have seen so many changes this year; I have seriously starting to forget what the situation was last year. The latest changes to United Mileage Plus (MP)and Continental One Pass (OP) have been surreptitiously introduced. However it is difficult to creep past the hawk-eye of frequent fliers.
Various fare classes on Swiss (LX) and Lufthansa (LH) now earn lesser EQMs (elite qualifying miles) and RDMs (redeemable miles). The details:
Swiss (LX)

L and K: 100% ® 0%
P: 0% ® 100% (MP) , 150% (OP) (LX …

There is a thread that went on on FlyerTalk about a person planning a 47,000 miles mileage run. To reach an Elite Status level that takes 100,000 miles to reach, that is going almost half the distance via a mileage run! Even the passenger says it is nuts. Or as he puts it, warm nuts, in a ceramic cup. For those not in on the inside joke here, most airlines serve warm nuts in a ceramic cup, before meals in First Class.
Here is the itinerary (quoted directly from the post):
Day …

It seems to be something everyone does, so why not me. But just to be different and in honor of 2001, I am listing my top 11 articles, instead of top 10. These are listed in order of the hits they got. So, you my readers voted with your mouse-clicks. I thank each and everyone of you who read my blog. I will continue to provide interesting and useful content in 2011 too. Enjoy.

All about Upgrades – Part I
Economics of Airline Miles – Part V (Is it all worth it?)
Economics …

Airlines of late have become very creative in the different ways they allow passengers to redeem miles. … Today you can not only redeem miles for a flight ticket to Paris , but also for hotels in Paris city Center .