So much news this week! I realize not everyone finds schedule updates and new routes as exciting as I do, but it’s made for a fun week of literally typing just as fast as I can. We’ve got A380 schedules for Qatar, product updates for American and Virgin Australia — exciting stuff! :p

Featured Stories

Review: KLM Business Class 747-400 Amsterdam To Chicago

I’m thrilled to be publishing the KLM 747 business class trip report! I was really pleasantly surprised by KLM — the service was attentive, and the hard product competitive. The Delft houses are a sweet touch as well.

How To Talk To Airline Phone Agents

Learning how to redeem airline miles is half the challenge in this hobby, and learning how to talk to phone agents is half the battle when it comes to using miles. I did a “live-blog” of a few recent phone calls, and I think there are some good takeaways here for booking your own travel.

Credit Cards With The Best Annual Spending Bonuses

I am nearly always working on meeting minimum spend for a new credit card bonus, or trying to maximize category bonuses. However, some credit cards offer pretty compelling incentives for meeting certain annual spending thresholds. These range from lucrative to ridiculous, and in many cases depend on your travel patterns, but I’ve tried to go through the various possibilities.

TIPS: Earning Miles & Promos

IHG PointBreaks September 2014 Preview
Last Chance To Buy US Airways Miles At Current Price?
Credit Cards With The Best Annual Spending Bonuses
AmEx Small Business Saturday 2015: Up To $30 Credit Per Card
SimplyCash Business Card Increased Sign-Up Bonus
Starwood British Airways 10% Transfer Bonus
Oneworld Bonus Miles For Transatlantic Business Class Flights
~$1,500 West Coast To Europe Business Class Tickets!

TRICKS: Redeeming Miles

How To Fix Thai Airways First Class Downgrade
Q4 2014 Hilton Honors Hotel Category Changes
Booking Emirates Awards With Alaska Miles Got Easier
Convert Miles Between Singapore And Virgin Australia Soon
Why Delta’s 2015 SkyMiles Changes Aren’t Bad For Everyone
How To Talk To Airline Phone Agents
LifeMiles Award Chart Devaluation Coming
Korean Air SkyPass Online Award Search Improved
Discounted Delta SkyMiles Award Tickets
Redeem Singapore Miles On Virgin Atlantic
How To Be Your Own Liaison
Tons Of Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Award Space!
Air China Awards Bookable With Aeroplan Miles Again

TRAVEL With Lucky

The Doorman Sets The Tone For A Hotel Stay
Signs You Fly Too Much: Haircut Edition
Two Tips To Maximize Las Vegas With M Life
Favorite Hotel Toiletries?

REVIEWS & Trip Reports

Review: Hyatt Olive 8 Seattle
Review: United’s Streaming In-Flight Entertainment
Review: W Seattle Hotel
Review: Waldorf Astoria Chicago
Review: KLM Business Class 747-400 Amsterdam To Chicago

NEWS & Updates

Check Your Flight Status To/From Chicago
Argentina Wants Access To Your Frequent Flyer Accounts
Air China Starting 747-8 Flights Beijing To Guangzhou
American New Flight From Dallas To Beijing Coming 2015
Aegean Lifetime Star Alliance Gold Ending
Virgin Australia New Business Class Unveiled
American’s New 777-200 Business Class: First Picture
American And El Al End Partnership November 1, 2014
Qatar Airways A380 Schedule Solidified
Check Out KLM’s Cute Lost & Found Dog
Why Spirit Is Increasing Holiday Bag Fees By $2
Was An Air India Flight Delayed Because Of A Party? Who Cares?!
American Baggage Policy For Separate Tickets Changing
Is This The Most Expensive Hotel Room Ever?

Good luck to everyone traveling this weekend, particularly those going through Chicago, and hope y’all make it to your destinations safely.