Weekly Review: November 28, 2015

Hello from London!

I’m here for the holiday weekend, thanks to October’s fantastic business class sale. I haven’t spent much time in London, while Ford has (and has several friends here), so it has been refreshing to get a different perspective on the city.

Featured Stories

Hello From Etihad’s First A380 Flight To The US!

For those of you not familiar, late last year Etihad took delivery of their first Airbus A380, which they began flying between Abu Dhabi and London on December 27, 2014. I was lucky enough to be on the first ever flight, and was absolutely blown away. I had high hopes based on the pictures I had seen, but it exceeded my expectations. I’ve flown every A380 first class product in service, and this was by far the best first class hard product I had ever experienced.

So I was quite excited when Etihad announced A380 service to New York, and was fortunate to be able to secure award space on the inaugural flight.

Earning 10x Points On Amazon Purchases This Quarter

The Chase Freedom is one of the best no-annual-fee travel cards out there, in my opinion, and ordinarily offers 5x points per dollar spent in rotating quarterly categories. The fourth quarter bonus was for 5x points at select online retailers, including amazon.com.

However, Chase is doing something really special this quarter, and is offering 10x points between November 23 and December 31, 2015.

The Sad State Of American Award Availability

I’ve long been an advocate for American AAdvantage. Not because I think American as such is superior to Delta or United, but rather because their loyalty program has been a point of differentiation for them.

But now that the program is being devalued, I think it makes sense to revisit American’s award availability for their own flights. I’ve searched a vast majority of longhaul routes for travel in 2016, all the way up to when the schedule opens ~11 months out. And it ain’t pretty.

TIPS: Earning Miles & Promos

Great Deal: LifeMiles Cyber Weekend Sale
Today Only: Buy Fairmont Gift Cards With 20% Bonus
Earning 10x Points On Amazon Purchases This Quarter
Hilton Now Status Matching: Diamond & Gold Status Through 2017
2,500 Bonus Starpoints For Using SPG Keyless
Act Fast: 50% Off Awards At The Venetian & The Palazzo
Should You Buy Alaska Miles With A 50% Bonus?
Which Credit Card Should You Buy Points With?
What To Do With That New Hyatt Status
What Was Hyatt Thinking With Their Diamond Status Match Offer?

TRICKS: Redeeming Miles

Etihad Releasing A380 First Class Awards To The US Last Minute
Avianca LifeMiles’ Award Chart Devaluation: Not What You Expect
Delta’s Pre-Black Friday SkyMiles Award Sale
The Sad State Of American Award Availability
Are There Award Seats On American’s New Flight To Auckland?

TRAVEL With Ben (Lucky)

6 Reasons I’m The Worst Airline Passenger
The Worst Flight Attendant I’ve Ever Had
Reminiscing On My Favorite Trip Ever!
Traveling This Thanksgiving? Leave Even More Time Than Usual!
First Impressions Of SPG Ambassador Status
Do 30 Minute Flights Get More Over The Top Than This?

REVIEWS & Trip Reports

Using Lyft At Las Vegas McCarran International Airport
Review: SPG Moments With John Legend
Hello From Etihad’s First A380 Flight To The US!
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Class Lounge: First Thoughts

NEWS & Updates

Qatar Airways Has (Temporarily) Closed Their First Class Lounge!
“His Status Is Preferred”
Emirates Passenger Jailed After Smearing Genitals With Wine
Will American Introduce Premium Economy?
Hilarious Video From Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways’ CEO
Good News: Lufthansa Union Calls Off Strike
JetBlue To Start Training Pilots From Scratch
Qatar Airways To Make “Historic Announcement” In New York
When “Resort Fees” Make Their Way To City Hotels
Could Hotel Cancellation Fees Be On The Rise?
Touching: Alaska Gate Agent Sings National Anthem
Lufthansa Flight Attendants To Strike AGAIN!
WOW: 10,000+ Requests For Hyatt Diamond Status
Air Canada Adds Revenue Requirement For Status Qualification
Update On Etihad’s New First Class Lounge Abu Dhabi
The Most Luxurious Intra-Europe Flight Is Being Cut
Will Alaska Mileage Plan Go Revenue Based?

I hope everyone is having a great weekend, and that those in the US are enjoying the holiday with friends and family.