The Upgrd Podcast

By Upgrd Podcast - Upgrd Podcast In this week's frequent flyer podcast we discuss first and business class amenities while on the ground. In addition we discuss: Delta's report card on delayed and stranded passengers Ben's joins us from Manila to discuss his OneWorld award including first class flying on Cathay Pacific Service on American makes Ben consider jumping ship Credit card churning for miles Arrival lounges for first and business class passengers and more... Please leave a comment or question below!

In this week's frequent flyer podcast we discuss first and business class amenities while on the ground. In addition we discuss: Delta's report card on delayed and stranded passengers Ben's joins us from Manila to discuss his OneWorld award including first class flying on Cathay Pacific Service on American makes Ben consider jumping ship Credit card churning for miles Arrival lounges for first and business class passengers and more... Please leave a comment or question below!

By Upgrd Podcast - Upgrd Podcast In this week's podcast, Hunter joins us to provide first hand experience with Delta airlines. We continue our "food up front" discussion, from episode 9, and discuss first class meals including: Meal times and flight distance requirements for first class How meal choices are taken and (perhaps) sorted for first class passengers Delta Airlines Royal Crown room changes Delta's inflight coach food menu and cocktails Snack boxes Delta's international upgrade program (or lack thereof) and, of course, more talk about hot nuts! Please leave us a comment below!

In this week's podcast, Hunter joins us to provide first hand experience with Delta airlines. We continue our "food up front" discussion, from episode 9, and discuss first class meals including: Meal times and flight distance requirements for first class How meal choices are taken and (perhaps) sorted for first class passengers Delta Airlines Royal Crown room changes Delta's inflight coach food menu and cocktails Snack boxes Delta's international upgrade program (or lack thereof) and, of course, more talk about hot nuts! Please leave us a comment below!

By Upgrd Podcast - Upgrd Podcast After a long week of traveling, podcast number 11 is finally edited and ready to go. We met in Las Vegas for a meeting of Flyertalk members and recorded this podcast "live" at the Encore hotel on the strip. We discussed: Las vegas (of course!) Sky kits The TSA's new ridiculous policies Ben's note to the Captain Ben and Matt's upcoming walk-off challange Listener mail - Go for Global Services on United, or continue to split premium travel between United and Cathay Pacific to Asia? Show and tell - Please tell us how you keep cables organized in the comments below. Please leave a question or comment below!

After a long week of traveling, podcast number 11 is finally edited and ready to go. We met in Las Vegas for a meeting of Flyertalk members and recorded this podcast "live" at the Encore hotel on the strip. We discussed: Las vegas (of course!) Sky kits The TSA's new ridiculous policies Ben's note to the Captain Ben and Matt's upcoming walk-off challange Listener mail - Go for Global Services on United, or continue to split premium travel between United and Cathay Pacific to Asia? Show and tell - Please tell us how you keep cables organized in the comments below. Please leave a question or comment below!

By Upgrd Podcast - Upgrd Podcast In this week's travel podcast we discuss the Continental Airlines Do (meetup event) that just took place. Ben discusses the events and activities that occurred including a mystery flight around the state of Texas. Since this is episode 10, we are taking a few extra Dear Ted listener questions this week including upgrd.com member portishead's question on the relative value of miles in other programs Nate from Orlando's question about which airline program to use now that he has moved to Orlando Josh, a previous Dear Ted writer, provided a number of great travel gear links including a travel bag with airline buckle, power adapter for American Airlines, and other useful tips. And we ask in this week's poll, how far would you go to attend a frequent flyer meetup? Next week we are recording together in Las Vegas on Saturday, February 21st. Next week's podcast, episode 11, will not be ready until Monday the 23rd at the earliest. Please ask questions below or send an email to: feedback (at) uprgrd.com

In this week's travel podcast we discuss the Continental Airlines Do (meetup event) that just took place. Ben discusses the events and activities that occurred including a mystery flight around the state of Texas. Since this is episode 10, we are taking a few extra Dear Ted listener questions this week including upgrd.com member portishead's question on the relative value of miles in other programs Nate from Orlando's question about which airline program to use now that he has moved to Orlando Josh, a previous Dear Ted writer, provided a number of great travel gear links including a travel bag with airline buckle, power adapter for American Airlines, and other useful tips. And we ask in this week's poll, how far would you go to attend a frequent flyer meetup? Next week we are recording together in Las Vegas on Saturday, February 21st. Next week's podcast, episode 11, will not be ready until Monday the 23rd at the earliest. Please ask questions below or send an email to: feedback (at) uprgrd.com

By Upgrd Podcast - Upgrd Podcast In this week's podcast we begin to look at services provided in the premium cabin, starting with pre-departure drinks and hot nuts on take off. In addition we discuss: Ben's Priority Club bonus mile bonanza The newly released air traffic control recording from US 1549 US Airways double elite qualifying mile promotion Pre departure drink service Hot nuts after take off - does it make or break a flight? see poll. Our Ask Ted reader mail asks whether to book upcoming overseas hotels through Priceline for a discount or through one hotel chain for status Please leave a comment below!

In this week's podcast we begin to look at services provided in the premium cabin, starting with pre-departure drinks and hot nuts on take off. In addition we discuss: Ben's Priority Club bonus mile bonanza The newly released air traffic control recording from US 1549 US Airways double elite qualifying mile promotion Pre departure drink service Hot nuts after take off - does it make or break a flight? see poll. Our Ask Ted reader mail asks whether to book upcoming overseas hotels through Priceline for a discount or through one hotel chain for status Please leave a comment below!

By Upgrd Podcast - Upgrd Podcast In this week's podcast we look at what we travel with both in our bags and the bags themselves. In addition: Ben reviews his experience on Northwest and some of the changes to Delta's frequent flyer program Mike and Matt discuss the GoGo internet on American airlines Should mistake fares be honored? American's current issue with the number of life rafts on their 767-300 series aircraft The bags we carry and the equipment in them including noise canceling headphones, aircraft power adapters, computers and other items What do you carry in your bag? What is your bag? Let us know below with a comment.

In this week's podcast we look at what we travel with both in our bags and the bags themselves. In addition: Ben reviews his experience on Northwest and some of the changes to Delta's frequent flyer program Mike and Matt discuss the GoGo internet on American airlines Should mistake fares be honored? American's current issue with the number of life rafts on their 767-300 series aircraft The bags we carry and the equipment in them including noise canceling headphones, aircraft power adapters, computers and other items What do you carry in your bag? What is your bag? Let us know below with a comment.

By Upgrd Podcast - Upgrd Podcast Sorry for the delay in releasing this week's podcast, let's just say there were some technical difficulties. This week's Upgrd podcast continues our main topic discussion of hotel programs. In addition we discuss: When/If will airlines offer double elite qualifying miles (DEQM) and will they charge for it this year? Will new flat beds decrease your upgrade success? (see poll) US Airways continues to handle the flight 1549 incident with aplomb, Spirit airlines - not so much. United Airlines staggering loss - can Glenn go any lower? Our main feature: an introduction to Starwood's guest program, including levels, promotions, and redemptions Do you think flat beds are going to decrease your chances of an upgrade? How long can Glenn continue with mounting losses at United? Did Matt sell you on switching to Starwood? Let us know with a comment below!

Sorry for the delay in releasing this week's podcast, let's just say there were some technical difficulties. This week's Upgrd podcast continues our main topic discussion of hotel programs. In addition we discuss: When/If will airlines offer double elite qualifying miles (DEQM) and will they charge for it this year? Will new flat beds decrease your upgrade success? (see poll) US Airways continues to handle the flight 1549 incident with aplomb, Spirit airlines - not so much. United Airlines staggering loss - can Glenn go any lower? Our main feature: an introduction to Starwood's guest program, including levels, promotions, and redemptions Do you think flat beds are going to decrease your chances of an upgrade? How long can Glenn continue with mounting losses at United? Did Matt sell you on switching to Starwood? Let us know with a comment below!

By Upgrd Podcast - Upgrd Podcast In this week's upgrd podcast we start our discussion of hotel loyalty programs. Topics include: How ready are you for a US Airways 1549 type of incident? US Airways bizarre status buy up program http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/dividendmiles/preferred/buy-up-to-preferred.aspx Where do you stay when traveling? One hotel chain, or just the cheapest? (see poll for your favorite hotel chain) An introduction to hotel programs with the discussion of Hilton's program Listener mail in our "Dear Ted" section asking whether mileage running before a transatlantic (TATL) flight is a good idea with tight connections Matthew's public transportation nightmare getting to LAX and missing check in Our poll this week asks what hotel chain you frequent. We want to cover hotel programs that our listeners participate in. See poll to the right. Other links mentioned in the show: http://www.airbedandbreakfast.com/ - rent an air mattress from someone in a city you visit http://www.betterbidding.com/ -  a website to look up recent Priceline.com hotel prices