Now, you can't just show up at London Heathrow (or another port of entry) and enter the United Kingdom. Instead, you have to apply for access ahead of time using the new UK Electronic Travel Authorization system, which, you guessed it, also assesses a fee to visitors. … [Read more...] about UK Electronic Travel Authorization
BA Executive Club is Going Revenue-Based and Gets a New Name
Another one bites the dust. Oneworld member British Airways is completely gutting its loyalty program, ala Delta SkyMiles, as BA Executive Club is going revenue-based. Along with a massively re-imagined program comes a new name, for better or worse. … [Read more...] about BA Executive Club is Going Revenue-Based and Gets a New Name
Happy New Year 2025!
It's hard to believe yet another year has come and gone, but it has, so Happy New Year 2025 to you all! I want to thank you all who continue to read this blog, and especially those who have been tuning into Da Kine Travel Show. However, with the New Year upon us, I want to discuss some changes I've been considering. … [Read more...] about Happy New Year 2025!
Hawaiian Air Bids Aloha to Premier Club
With elite matching now available and route optimization well underway, we're seeing our first Hawaiian Airlines loss as 2024 comes to a close. That loss is Hawaiian's lounge membership program as Hawaiian Air bids aloha to Premier Club. However, they do have a nice parting gift for impacted passengers. … [Read more...] about Hawaiian Air Bids Aloha to Premier Club
Hilton Continues Its Race to the Bottom
Hilton's Hilton Honors loyalty program is, in my opinion, the Delta SkyMiles of the hospitality world. After all, their points have atrocious value, and their elite benefits are fairly meaningless. But, of course, it can get worse, as Hilton continues its race to the bottom with Marriott, significantly increasing award prices at properties around the world. … [Read more...] about Hilton Continues Its Race to the Bottom
Alaska-Hawaiian Elite Status Matching
In what was a bit of an early Christmas present earlier this week, Alaska-Hawaiian elite status matching became available. Actually, it became available sometime around Friday-Saturday, but the landing page was frequently going up and down. Whether that was an error or just the site overloading, we haven't a clue. … [Read more...] about Alaska-Hawaiian Elite Status Matching
Kīlauea December 2024 Eruption
For the third time this year, Madame Pele is putting on a show with the Kīlauea December 2024 eruption. However, unlike those that took place earlier this year, the current eruption is occurring in a much more accessible section of the park, making viewing it much easier. But if you want to see the eruption, you need to go NOW. … [Read more...] about Kīlauea December 2024 Eruption
Share Your Bag Location with Airlines
Apple AirTags have been a great tool to ensure your bag is with you when you're flying and to help you find it should it go missing. However, it's use has always been limited to your own. That is, until now, as you can now share your bag location with airlines to help them locate it and (theoretically) reunite it with you quicker. … [Read more...] about Share Your Bag Location with Airlines
The Venetian Las Vegas Joins World of Hyatt
Recently, we learned of the loss of a major points and miles option in Sin City, with the of The Venetian Las Vegas from IHG. However, thankfully, this loss is a temporary one, as The Venetian Las Vegas joins World of Hyatt - a big win for the brand that recently had a major loss in the area, too. … [Read more...] about The Venetian Las Vegas Joins World of Hyatt
A Premium Alaska Air Credit Card is Coming
Today's post is going to be a catch-all for everything else I didn't cover in my write-ups on Alaska Air Group's (AAG) international aspirations, the future of the Hawaiian brand, and domestic network changes. This, of course, includes the new premium Alaska Air credit card, which was teased on investor day. … [Read more...] about A Premium Alaska Air Credit Card is Coming