The 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

By Upgrd Podcast - Upgrd Podcast Welcome to the first podcast recorded in 2009! As it is the start of the year, we provide a wrap up of 2008 with a review of our most memorable flying and start afresh with predictions for 2009. We review Josh's decision from last week's poll and discuss other topics. In our predictions we mention some major carriers that might finally buckle under the current economy. We want to know which of the major carriers will have the biggest downward change in 2009? From selling off major routes, to being bought out, to declaring bankruptcy. Which of the big guys will have the biggest change?

Welcome to the first podcast recorded in 2009! As it is the start of the year, we provide a wrap up of 2008 with a review of our most memorable flying and start afresh with predictions for 2009. We review Josh's decision from last week's poll and discuss other topics. In our predictions we mention some major carriers that might finally buckle under the current economy. We want to know which of the major carriers will have the biggest downward change in 2009? From selling off major routes, to being bought out, to declaring bankruptcy. Which of the big guys will have the biggest change?

By Upgrd Podcast - Upgrd Podcast Happy New Year and welcome to episode 4 of The Upgrd Podcast. This week we discuss some of the trouble's of traveling during bad weather this year and in the past. In addition we answer listener mail, discuss the Swiss sale fare, and touch on mileage running. Topics include: Mike's ordeal traveling through the Northeast on Christmas eve Past weather related travel issues during the Denver storm of 2006 Bumps and Voluntary Denied Boarding (VDB's) when traveling during winter or other peak travel seasons The Swiss (LX) sale fare Our reader mail section "Dear Ted" includes two questions including: How to extend business trip segments to reach the next status level, and whether or not to change a return flight BOS-LAX (see poll, more below) Our favorite mileage run software including itasoftware.com and the FareCompare.com tools Ben's tutorial on using ITA Software to construct mileage runs and other topics. In our Dear Ted section, Josh from LA asked if he and his wife should cut their vacation to Boston short by two hours to fly first class in the American Airlines 767-300 series plane with angled lie flat seats instead of their current 757 flight with the old style leather seats. Please vote on the right and tell us your comments below!

Happy New Year and welcome to episode 4 of The Upgrd Podcast. This week we discuss some of the trouble's of traveling during bad weather this year and in the past. In addition we answer listener mail, discuss the Swiss sale fare, and touch on mileage running. Topics include: Mike's ordeal traveling through the Northeast on Christmas eve Past weather related travel issues during the Denver storm of 2006 Bumps and Voluntary Denied Boarding (VDB's) when traveling during winter or other peak travel seasons The Swiss (LX) sale fare Our reader mail section "Dear Ted" includes two questions including: How to extend business trip segments to reach the next status level, and whether or not to change a return flight BOS-LAX (see poll, more below) Our favorite mileage run software including itasoftware.com and the FareCompare.com tools Ben's tutorial on using ITA Software to construct mileage runs and other topics. In our Dear Ted section, Josh from LA asked if he and his wife should cut their vacation to Boston short by two hours to fly first class in the American Airlines 767-300 series plane with angled lie flat seats instead of their current 757 flight with the old style leather seats. Please vote on the right and tell us your comments below!

By Upgrd Podcast - Upgrd Podcast This week's podcast is now online (finally!). We discuss: Listener mail in our "Dear Ted" section: a frequent flyer in San Francisco can't decide whether to stay with American, or switch to United Delta Airlines introducing wi-fi on their shuttle flights What's your choice in First class breakfast? Omlette or fruit plate? Vote now on the right hand side of the website. Public transportation options in and out of the three major New York airports (JFK, EWR, and LGA) including the M60 bus, A or E subway, AirTrain and LIRR train. Find out which of our contributors causes the most damage to aircraft (hint: it's Ben!) A review of last week's favorite airport poll and other tips and tricks In addition, Matthew discusses a recent trip with Captain Flanagan of United Airlines. Read this Wall Street Journal article and watch this video for more information on a favorite United employee. Please leave comments, criticism, or suggestions below!

This week's podcast is now online (finally!). We discuss: Listener mail in our "Dear Ted" section: a frequent flyer in San Francisco can't decide whether to stay with American, or switch to United Delta Airlines introducing wi-fi on their shuttle flights What's your choice in First class breakfast? Omlette or fruit plate? Vote now on the right hand side of the website. Public transportation options in and out of the three major New York airports (JFK, EWR, and LGA) including the M60 bus, A or E subway, AirTrain and LIRR train. Find out which of our contributors causes the most damage to aircraft (hint: it's Ben!) A review of last week's favorite airport poll and other tips and tricks In addition, Matthew discusses a recent trip with Captain Flanagan of United Airlines. Read this Wall Street Journal article and watch this video for more information on a favorite United employee. Please leave comments, criticism, or suggestions below!

By Upgrd Podcast - Upgrd Podcast In this week's episode, we start off with a couple of "secret" pieces of information followed by a debate about the best (US)airport. After listening, please vote in our poll to the right. Our main feature this week is an introduction to airline alliances and mileage runs. We discussed: Airlines Alliances: including OneWorld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam. We covered their composition, strengths, and differences. Mileage Runs: flying for the sole purpose of accumulating elite qualifying miles or redeemable airline miles. Our contributors discuss tools they use to plan mileage runs and the different variations on how mileage runs are defined. The podcast is closed out with two news articles on recent United airlines changes including The ability to purchase elite checkin, security line access, and preboarding Blocking of award availability on Star Alliance partner airlines Please leave comments below!

In this week's episode, we start off with a couple of "secret" pieces of information followed by a debate about the best (US)airport. After listening, please vote in our poll to the right. Our main feature this week is an introduction to airline alliances and mileage runs. We discussed: Airlines Alliances: including OneWorld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam. We covered their composition, strengths, and differences. Mileage Runs: flying for the sole purpose of accumulating elite qualifying miles or redeemable airline miles. Our contributors discuss tools they use to plan mileage runs and the different variations on how mileage runs are defined. The podcast is closed out with two news articles on recent United airlines changes including The ability to purchase elite checkin, security line access, and preboarding Blocking of award availability on Star Alliance partner airlines Please leave comments below!

By Upgrd Podcast - Upgrd Podcast Welcome to the Upgrd Podcast, which will cover everything related to airlines, hotel, and other travel upgrades and elite programs. In this first episode, we introduce our contributors, cover some recent news, and give a brief intro for listeners new to upgrading. News includes: US Airways recent reinstatement of elite benefits OneWorld appointment of Gerald Arpey as CEO Delta and their confusing MaxMiles promo The Delta and Northwest program merger Add the upgrd podcast to iTunes now, by following this iTunes link. Please leave a comment below with questions, comments, or questions for our next episode.

Welcome to the Upgrd Podcast, which will cover everything related to airlines, hotel, and other travel upgrades and elite programs. In this first episode, we introduce our contributors, cover some recent news, and give a brief intro for listeners new to upgrading. News includes: US Airways recent reinstatement of elite benefits OneWorld appointment of Gerald Arpey as CEO Delta and their confusing MaxMiles promo The Delta and Northwest program merger Add the upgrd podcast to iTunes now, by following this iTunes link. Please leave a comment below with questions, comments, or questions for our next episode.