Champagne, caviar, roses, a comfortable bed, soft edges and spectacular service, flying first class on Lufthansa is like the make-a-wish foundation for weary travelers. It made me both humble and pretentious at the same time. It was a sanctuary for my weary mind... and it left me wanting more. But it didn’t always start that way. … [Read more...] about Flying the Luxury German Automobile in the Sky – Lufthansa First Class Review
Well Played, Delta
Unless you rely on Jeffsetter as your only miles and points news source, you have probably heard the news that Delta is increasing the dollar amounts needed to achieve elite medallion status in 2016. In the past I have expressed rage about Delta and their decisions, threatened to move across the country to avoid them and then actually moved across the country and status … [Read more...] about Well Played, Delta
New Photography Focused Blog Theme and Renewed Energy for Blogging
Every day that I wake up to the above view (well, except for the days when it is foggy in San Francisco, which was the entire summer... and those days that I'm traveling, which are numerous as well) and feel inspired. Inspired by the visual stimulation of the city. Inspired to go out and earn enough money to afford rent. Inspired to share my experiences with those who … [Read more...] about New Photography Focused Blog Theme and Renewed Energy for Blogging
33,000 Miles in 2 Weeks: WTF Was I thinking?
Hello from an airplane! I think I am writing this post over the Atlantic Ocean, but who knows anymore. The past week and the next are all a blur… and it’s all by choice. I’ll do my best to explain the details of the two trips that have found me traveling more miles in a fortnight than I usually travel over a 90 day period. Lufthansa award space bookable at the end of … [Read more...] about 33,000 Miles in 2 Weeks: WTF Was I thinking?
Club Carlson Gold Status: Too Little, Too Late for me
For years I have avoided the Club Carlson program due to a personal bias against their properties dating back many years. I wrote about this previously, but it essentially comes down to my not really holding Radisson properties in high regard. While I had signed up for the loyalty program when it was first rebranded years ago, I have avoided staying at their properties or … [Read more...] about Club Carlson Gold Status: Too Little, Too Late for me
One of my Favorite Uses of Miles: Speculative Award Bookings
When your house is listed for sale and you have already moved your possessions, you can expect a high level of uncertainty with every day that passes. What if the house sells before I’m scheduled to come back next? Who will mow the lawn? Who will take care of X and Y? I have found the whole process to be quite annoying. You can take the “out of sight, out of mind” approach … [Read more...] about One of my Favorite Uses of Miles: Speculative Award Bookings
Getting a United Status Match in 5 Easy Steps
The first airline I ever flew was Northwest Airlines (NWA), and I was loyal to the red tail for pretty much my entire life into early adulthood. NWA was a Minnesota staple, to the point that when the 1987 Twins won the World Series, the noise of the crowd in the Metrodome was compared to the noise of an NWA 747 taking off from the nearby airport. Then Delta took over and the … [Read more...] about Getting a United Status Match in 5 Easy Steps
Grapes Ready for Harvest in Sonoma County
I spent much of Labor Day weekend exploring some of the beautiful areas north of San Francisco, experiencing great food, fun hikes and lots of wine along the way. On Sunday we stopped at one of our favorite wineries in Sonoma county and had a library tasting of some of the special wines they had been storing for 10+ years. In between tastings, I took some time to photograph … [Read more...] about Grapes Ready for Harvest in Sonoma County
California Wine Country in Photos
Probably my favorite part about moving to the San Francisco Bay Area is the close proximity to Napa and Sonoma counties, aka California wine country. … [Read more...] about California Wine Country in Photos
Taking the Pain out of Flight Research
One of the biggest pain points I come across while playing the travel hacking game is award flight research. While it’s fairly easy to understand where airline alliances can take you, piecing together the perfect itinerary and award booking can take several hours/days/weeks/months to complete. It might start with a simple trip to Wikipedia or Open Flights to understand … [Read more...] about Taking the Pain out of Flight Research