Review: Andaz Scottsdale in Arizona
Feb08

Review: Andaz Scottsdale in Arizona

I have to start by saying I’m somewhat new to World of Hyatt. For a while, we had been very heavily consolidating our stays with either SPG or Hilton, primarily because of their wide footprints in all places we usually frequent. It didn’t make sense to diversify our stays on another brand while we were achieving lifetime platinum with Marriott. Hyatt, also, has a much, much smaller footprint and a much, much higher price...

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Tipping Your Airline
Jan23

Tipping Your Airline

I was perusing the Boarding Area main site a few days ago and loved seeing a post from Expat Adventures on Travel Update where she was appalled at Frontier’s latest terrible idea. Speaking of terrible ideas: flying Frontier. Granted, I’ve never flown Frontier, primarily because this is #NoMasCoach, and they’re a low cost airline. If you have attended my sessions at Frequent Traveler University, you would know I...

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How to use Marriott Best Rate Guarantee to Save on Luxury Hotels
Jan22

How to use Marriott Best Rate Guarantee to Save on Luxury Hotels

One of the many, many benefits we enjoy from the Marriott program, besides upgrades, free breakfast, free wifi, and suite nights, has definitely got to be their Best Rate Guarantee. It enables us to stay at properties where the rate may be out of reach or the points redemption is too high. What it is Think of it as some weird sort of price matching program. Sorta like when you find a cheaper price on a TV you want to buy on Best Buy...

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Last Call for Bluffworks 20% Off
Dec31

Last Call for Bluffworks 20% Off

This is a public service announcement. As the year draws to a close, so does the up to 20% off on Bluffworks products on their website. If you’re into stylish clothes that don’t look like crap after a long flight, then run, don’t walk. Blazer and Pants If you travel for work like Jon and I do, and you don’t mind looking great while doing so, I would recommend jumping on this promo. I got my Bluffworks Gramercy...

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The Miles and Points Ghost of Christmas Past
Dec30

The Miles and Points Ghost of Christmas Past

Well, now that you have all opened your gifts, I come bearing the worst one of all. I’m here to remind you of all the miles you could have earned on those expensive Christmas purchases but didn’t. Brace for impact. Yes, the Holidays are stressful and expensive. But no one said there isn’t an opportunity to reward oneself with a pile of bonus miles and possibly cashback even on those gifts that aren’t for...

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Review: Cathay Pacific Business Class Vancouver to JFK
Dec19

Review: Cathay Pacific Business Class Vancouver to JFK

This all started when I needed to fly from Seattle to Grand Rapids, Michigan for my family’s Thanksmas party. And yes, if you’ve read our blog before, you’d know we’re known for not taking the most direct routings to get to our destinations… I had been excited about flying Cathay Pacific ever since I booked us on Cathay to Hong Kong and then had an event come up on those dates. I knew I couldn’t...

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Review: Cathay Pacific First and Business Class Lounge Vancouver
Dec17

Review: Cathay Pacific First and Business Class Lounge Vancouver

I had the opportunity to have a few hours on a layover in Vancouver this December while traveling flying to JFK, and what better way to kill those hours than at the Cathay Pacific First and Business Class Lounge? Here’s my review.

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Alaska Airlines Celebrates Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
Dec13

Alaska Airlines Celebrates Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

Jump the boarding queue by wearing your best Ugly Christmas Sweater when flying Alaska Airlines!

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How to Increase your First Class Upgrade Chances on Alaska Airlines
Dec09

How to Increase your First Class Upgrade Chances on Alaska Airlines

Ever since I moved to Seattle four years ago (has it been that long?) I have been lucky enough to hold Alaska Airlines top tier elite status and have enjoyed their benefits plenty, especially their MVP Gold75K upgrades to first class. But not everyone seems to have the same experience. A few months ago I was exposed to a social media group exclusive to MVP75K members who have had a very different experience from the one I’ve...

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Think Outside the (United Airlines) Box
Dec07

Think Outside the (United Airlines) Box

Hate flying to a destination that’s only serviced by an airline you can’t stand? Have you considered a very unconventional itinerary as an option to get you there? Here’s what I did.

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