I Flew to Oslo For An Hour Yesterday

DEN-EWR-OSL-EWR-DEN in about 32 hours. This will most likely be my last mileage run because United is including a minimum spend requirement ($10,000 & 100,000 miles for 1K) in 2014.  Status will only come from work travel now.  Eventually I will make 1,000,000 miles on United and be lifetime Gold, but until then it will be rough going.   My quick trip to Oslo will pay dividends next year because I will be Platinum and have a small chance for upgrades and enjoy some fee waivers.  I'll share more details on the trip soon.

Departing EWR on UA38 to OSL

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and a happy holidays from Alaska Airlines too.

5 Miles On The Rental Car

My Hertz rental car only had 5 miles on the odometer.  It's a new low score, previous best of 32, and one that will be almost impossible to best.

New Low Score - 5 Miles

Happy Holidays From A4A

The airline trade group A4A wishes you a happy holidays.

Mileage Run Cancellation

I should be over Greenland right now returning from a 90 minute stop in Europe (I need the miles for status), however the snow storms in EWR yesterday cancelled my plans.  I wasn't able to rebook a flight this weekend due to the short notice, lack of seats, and United didn't think I could make a 1 hour connection in CPH from IAD (I was certain I could). United will not give me the miles and call it quits either; I need to fly to my destination in 2013 and they will give me my original routing credit. I was able to rebook in 2013, but if that flight is cancelled, I'm stuck at a lower status in 2014.  

Should Be My View Right Now

Happy Christmas from GIB

US Airways Leaves Star Alliance March 31

US Airways is leaving the Star Alliance to join oneworld March 31, 2014.  This all is happening very quickly.  Star Alliance miles can be used for flights after March 31 if the flights are booked before March 31; everything else goes away.  No lounge access, no earning miles, no free checked bags, no early boarding, no nothing after March 30 for Star Alliance members.  Also US Airways miles won’t work for Star Alliance flights booked after March 30. 

New Paint Coming Soon

I liked having US Airways around to inexpensively acquire United elite miles.  It was also nice to have because they served Long Beach, have a red eye Denver to Charlotte, and better served Savannah. US Airways used to be a miserable experience 8 years ago when they were racing to the bottom and charged even for water.  That strategy didn’t work and the airline improved their onboard experience to be comparable or slightly better to other major US carriers.  They also purchased dozens of new Airbus jets, further improving their product.  I’ll miss flying them.