My week was filled with a bunch of domestic travel, so there hasn’t been very much interesting to report on that front. I was sick for the first half of the week, which is pretty rare for me, as I only get a serious cold maybe once a year. That kept me down for most of the week, though I’m finally fully recovered and ready to fly again.
On the plus side, Ford and I have finally gotten our passports back after they were sent in for Russian visas, so I’m free to travel internationally again. While we’re heading to Longyearbyen and Russia in a couple of weeks, I’m thinking of taking a quick international trip before that, perhaps either on China Airlines or Virgin Australia, to experience their new business class products.
Featured Stories
Singapore Airlines Announces Big Service Changes To LAX & SFO
As I wrote about earlier in the week, Singapore Airlines will be launching nonstop flights between Singapore and San Francisco as of later this year.
Initially Singapore Airlines was going to relaunch nonstop flights between Singapore and the US in 2018 when they take delivery of their first A350-900ULR, but it seems that they’re feeling the pressure after United recently announced a new San Francisco to Singapore route.
Now Singapore Airlines has confirmed two new US routes, and also announced some changes to other routes to the Americas.
Delta Amex Gold Vs. Platinum: Crunching The Numbers
Through July 6, 2016, we’re seeing increased sign-up bonuses on four of Delta’s co-branded credit cards.
These include both the personal and business versions of the Delta Gold SkyMiles cards and the Delta Platinum SkyMiles cards.
While all the cards earn SkyMiles, the perks and benefits are a big different. Here’s my analysis on when you’d choose the Gold over the Platinum and vice-versa.
Using Luxury Privileges To Maximize Starwood Hotel Stays
Luxury Privileges is Starwood’s own preferred partner program, similar to Virtuoso and American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts, both of which offer great perks like resort credits, room upgrades, and complimentary daily breakfast.
The difference is Luxury Privileges is Starwood’s proprietary, in-house program designed to reward and increase loyalty among travelers.
Luxury Privileges has to be booked through a Travel Advisor with access to the program, and rates for the program aren’t publicly available to those outside the travel industry (and Ford is happy to help OMAAT readers book these rates).
TIPS: Earning Miles & Promos
Citi Prestige First Year Airline Credit: Is It $250 Or $500?
60K Bonus Miles Plus Lounge Access For Up To 33 People With This Card
Register To Earn 5x Points At Restaurants
Earn 5,000+ American Miles With One Hotel Stay
My Experience Being Approved For The Delta Gold Business Amex
Super Easy: 500 Free Points For Following Marriott On Instagram
3 Days Only: Buy Club Carlson Points With A 75% Bonus
I *Really* Want To Book This Tunisair Business Class Fare
Amazing Deal: ~$1,250 Business Class Tickets From New York To Europe
Commercial Flights Between The US And Cuba Are Now On Sale!
Earn 5x Points At Costco For The Rest Of 2016
One Airline Is Selling Unlimited Business Class Flights For A Year
Using Luxury Privileges To Maximize Starwood Hotel Stays
Can You Earn Delta Diamond Exclusively Through Credit Card Spend?
Amazing Deal: ~$1,200 Roundtrip Business Class Fares From Paris To New York
American Selling Miles At The Lowest Cost I’ve Ever Seen
What Is Rocketmiles?
Last Chance: Buy Alaska Miles With Up To A 50% Bonus
Delta Amex Gold Vs. Platinum: Crunching The Numbers
Last Chance: Earn 5x Points At Supermarkets
TRICKS: Redeeming Miles
The First Caribbean Hotel I’ve Ever Wanted To Redeem Points At
Is There Award Availability On Singapore Airlines’ New US Flights?
Last Chance To Transfer Amex Points To Etihad With A 30% Bonus
TRAVEL With Ben (Lucky)
My Experience Switching From AT&T To T-Mobile
Giveaway: Enter Here To Win A Sony RX100 Camera
It’s Official: I Finally Bought The Sony RX100 Camera!
My Experience Renewing Global Entry
What Is The World’s Best Business Class Product?
REVIEWS & Trip Reports
Introduction: New Years In The Maldives, Summer In New Zealand
Hot Air Ballooning Over Teotihuacán
Review: Las Alcobas Hotel Polanco Mexico City
Review: Aeromexico 787 Business Class Tijuana to Mexico City
Review: Aeromexico Salon Premier Tijuana
Review: Tijuana VIP Lounge
Using The Cross Border Xpress
NEWS & Updates
Saudia Introducing An Awesome New First Class Product
Second Hand Embarrassment: Airline Lounge Edition
Abu Dhabi Airport Introduces New Passenger Tax
Despite The Merger, The Virgin America Brand May Not Be Going Anywhere
Uber Launches Loyalty Program For Capital One Customers
Singapore Airlines Restarting Nonstop Flights To The US This Year
Singapore Airlines Announces Big Service Changes To LAX & SFO
EVA Air Becomes The 8th Skytrax 5-Star Airline
American’s CEO Doesn’t Think Airlines Will Ever Lose Money Again
Big Singapore Airlines Announcement Coming — Here Are Some Clues
Emirates President Thinks “The Good Old Days” Of Business Class Are Over
American’s New Planes Will Have Fewer Business Class Seats
I hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend!
Hi Lucky, would love to see your review on China Airlines' new 777s. I flew on their FRA-TPE route back in December and especially loved the selections of Chinese/Taiwanese teas they offered! I've been a CI flyer for over two decades and these recent improvements are certainly pleasing.
I'd love to know what you would think about Virgin Australia's new business suites. I flew on them LAX-SYD almost a month ago and I think seat and comfort wise, it currently leads the premium class in the Australia -US route. The 'downside' for me, I found it had quite a few selection for movies for such an innovative entertainment system - the screens were really vivid and wide, which is a shame but this is something that can easily be dealt with.
In the US you can have 2 passports. The 2nd must be renewed every 2 years - actually every 18 months since you need 6 months validity on it to enter most countries. I send this 2nd one in for short term visas that take longer time to process so I always have my main passport with me. I flip that scene for visas that can be used long term and send my main passport in to get those, using the 2nd passport to travel with.
@El Plauzo you can get a duplicate US passport as well http://www.itstactical.com/intellicom/diy/how-to-obtain-a-duplicate-passport-and-passport-card/
However, Ben, you have both a US and German passport - did you send in both for the Russian visa or do you just generally dont travel unless you have both passports with you?
Maybe interesting for you Ben. The last time i renewed my German passport i was asked if i wanted one or two Passports. So you could have two German passports which might help you sometimes.