Tag Archives: frequent flier programs

Podcast #136 — Is Cash A Waning King; Don’t Make It Hard to Cash in on Loyalty

Posted by mark on December 19, 2017 Comments Off on Podcast #136 — Is Cash A Waning King; Don’t Make It Hard to Cash in on Loyalty

After traveling with younger colleagues who pay for everything with cards, I wonder if I’m the last generation of cash payers. I also talk about the upcoming smart luggage ban on US airlines and a long Saturday afternoon trying to redeem some British Airways Avios points. All this, a new Uber driver story, and a […]

Podcast #134 — Value of Loyalty; Need Those 5 Stars

Posted by mark on October 31, 2017 Comments Off on Podcast #134 — Value of Loyalty; Need Those 5 Stars

Finding a Jag in the Hertz Presidents Club aisle has me thinking about the differing value of loyalty from hotel, airlines, and car rental companies while 5-star rating schemes are pushing grade inflation. All this and comments on luggage discounts, traveling while injured, and #metoo while flying at the direct link to the podcast file or […]

Podcast #116 — Traveling Thru Japan; Luggage Trends

Posted by mark on August 26, 2015 Comments Off on Podcast #116 — Traveling Thru Japan; Luggage Trends

Back behind the microphone after an extended summer break highlighted by a two-week family vacation in Japan. We talk about traveling in Japan. It was a fantastic time, though we were lost without translation at times. But with the US dollar buying 124 yen, it was the right time to go. We also talk about […]

Podcast #112 — Holiday Airport Etiquette; Travel Tax Pile-Up

Posted by mark on November 22, 2014 Comments Off on Podcast #112 — Holiday Airport Etiquette; Travel Tax Pile-Up

Here’s a new episode to keep you occupied if you’re stuck in a line somewhere while traveling Thanksgiving week. There are tips for the non-frequent traveler on how to avoid major airport faux pas and a review of how travel taxes will soak you when you get to your destination. We also talk about a high-tech […]

Podcast #104 — Status Free Fall; TSA Knife Fight

Posted by mark on March 19, 2013 Comments Off on Podcast #104 — Status Free Fall; TSA Knife Fight

Travel has been a bit less glamorous since I’ve fallen from the top tier status, especially when I’m doing “stupid” travel — up-&-backs across the continent in 48 hours. One of my recent flights was on a new United 737-900; the interior is a significant step up. Prepping for a vacation in Spain, I find […]

Podcast #101 — Future of Mileage Tracking Tools; Searching for Local Food and Craft Beer

Posted by mark on October 25, 2012 2 comments

Back in the TravelCommons studios after a couple months of summer break. We open up with thoughts about skipping rental cars, sharing listener comments on the Chicago Layover Excursion video, and the current state of American Airlines — great new airplanes, deteriorating on-time stats. Michael Komarnitsky, the founder and CEO of GoMiles, talks about why […]

Podcast #99 — Downgrading Elite Fliers; Finding Time Off the Road

Posted by mark on June 25, 2012 1 comment

United Airlines’ CFO garnered some less-than-desired attention last month when he said that “certain groups” in the Mileage Plus program were “over-entitled”.  United is the most recent airline to work on “realigning benefits” — downgrading their elite fliers, especially those in the lower status tiers. We talk about how that impacts frequent flier strategies. We […]

Podcast #53 – Wanting the Red Carpet; Family Travel Technology

Posted by mark on May 10, 2007 6 comments

Recorded in Marriott Courtyard in San Francisco‘s SoMa district, I confess to some base emotions — my inner child has been throwing tantrums now that American and United Airlines have taken away some of the special treatment they used to give their mid-tier status fliers. I also had a bit of an awakening while on […]