Tag Archives: American Airlines

Use American Airlines and US Airways Miles for a Trip to the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon National Park

Use American Airlines and US Airways Miles for a Trip to the Grand Canyon

Last weekend, I booked my flight from Orange County, CA (SNA) to Flagstaff, AZ (FLG) to visit the Grand Canyon.  That was before the American Airlines and US Airways frequent flyer programs “merged.”

There is an airport literally 5 miles from the Grand Canyon National Park aptly named the Grand Canyon National Park (GCN) airport.  Unfortunately no major airlines fly into that airport. The next closest airport is Grand Canyon Pulliam Airport (FLG) in Flagstaff, AZ. The distance from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon National Park is approximately 85 miles, so you will probably need to rent a car to get to the Grand Canyon (which is what I am doing).

FLG-Grand Canyon Driving

Luckily for us, US Airways flies from Phoenix to Flagstaff a few times a day. Now that you can use American Airline miles on US Airways operated flights, you can use American Airline miles to get to Flagstaff.  Continue reading →

$200 Airline Reimbursement for AMEX Platinum Members

AMEX Plat Card

$200 Airline Reimbursement for AMEX Platinum Members

It’s January 1, so it’s time to set up your $200 airline reimbursement.  If you have an American Express Platinum (Personal, Business, or Mercedes Benz version), you qualify for a $200 airline reimbursement each calendar year (Jan 1 – Dec 31).  You can also purchase airline gift cards with your Platinum card and get that purchase reimbursed as well.  I will show you how to do that.

Go here and log into your American Express account.

AMEX Airline

Read the entire post to learn more here.

My 2014 Resolution: Travel Somewhere Every Month!

Happy New Years 2014

My 2014 Resolution: Travel Somewhere Every Month!

Good morning 2014!  I hope you all had a fun and safe New Years Eve, from wherever you are.  It’s January 1st and time to make your New Year’s resolution.  This should be something fun and exciting, not something boring like losing weight or cleaning out the garage.  Which is why (for the second year in a row), I have decided my 2014 New Years Resolution is to travel somewhere every month.  Here is how I did in 2013:

  • January – 2 weeks in Europe (Amsterdam, Dusseldorf, Paris, Munich, Cologne, and Brussels).
  • February – Albuquerque, New Mexico for 4 days by myself, such a strange city.
  • March – Honolulu for a week (First Class via IcelandAir/Alaska Airlines deal) for my brother’s Spring Break (you’re welcome Davis!).
  • April – Delaware to visit a friend and drove to FTU DC / Tyson’s Corner.
  • May – nothing :(, well, I started Travel with Grant on May 1.
  • June – nothing :(
  • July – Vancouver and Whistler for 2 weeks with my parents and brother.
  • August – nothing :(
  • September – FTU Tampa for the weekend with my friend Jim.
  • October – Galápagos Islands for a week with Jim (great deal from Miami for $380 round trip).
  • November – Las Vegas Hilton Timeshare for the weekend and Carmel / Monterrey Bay for Thanksgiving week.
  • December – Does driving to Six Flags Magic Mountain count?  I got a season pass!

This  photo should sum up my travel for 2013.  Any questions?

GC Map for 2013

What is your New Years resolution for 2014?

My Travel Predictions (Both Good and Bad) for 2014

2014 New Years

My Travel Predictions (Both Good and Bad) for 2014

Happy holidays everyone!  As 2014 quickly approaches, I wanted to share my predictions for 2014, regarding airlines, hotels, and credit card rewards.  Feel free to agree, disagree, or share your own comments below.

Airlines:

  • British Airways – I think the 4,500 and 7,500 (maybe even 10,000) Avios award prices will go away or the entire award chart will be revamped.  The current prices are just too good.
  • Alaska Airlines and Delta Airlines – since there has been a lot of fighting over routes to/from SEA and SLC, I think Alaska will no longer allow you to earn or redeem miles with Delta.
  • American Airlines and US Airways – after the merger, we will see some new “enhancements” (aka devaluations) to the new award chart.  Maybe off-peak awards will be changed or removed.
  • Southwest Airlines and AirTran – hopefully the merger goes through smoothly and quickly.  I look forward to using Southwest Rapid Reward Points for flights to Hawaii, Mexico City, and other tropical destinations south of the border.  I also think the 50,000 Southwest Rapid Reward sign up bonus will no longer count for companion pass status, it is just too easy to get Companion Pass.
  • Hawaiian Airlines – merge with another airline, maybe JetBlue or Alaska Airlines.
  • Lufthansa  – revamp their award chart after everyone signs up for their credit card.
  • Virgin Atlantic – miles will be transferable 1:1 with Virgin America and Virgin Australia.

Hotels:

Continue reading →

Travel with Grant at CES Las Vegas (January 9-10) and FTU in Seattle (April 25-27)

CES 2014

Travel with Grant at CES Las Vegas (January 9-10) and FTU in Seattle (April 25-27)

Good evening everyone, sorry for missing so many days of blogging, I’ve been very busy with work lately and went to see Anchorman 2 last night and got home late.  Now that I finally have a few minutes to blog, here’s whats new.

I will be at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas on Thursday and Friday (January 9-10) – will anyone else be there?  It is my first time and I have always wanted to go, so I am really excited.

Secondly, it’s time for another FTU (Frequent Traveler University) aka travel-blogging conference.  If you read the big blogs on Boarding Area, Million Mile Secrets, The Points Guy, etc and want to meet the bloggers in person, this is the event for you.

Ticket Options:

Tickets to the event, held Friday-Sunday April 25-27 at the Seattle Airport Marriott are $100 and include alcoholic drinks on Friday night, as well as lunch on Saturday and Sunday.  You can purchase tickets here (tickets will sell out quickly since only ~400 tickets will be available).

FTU SEA Ticket 2

Continue reading →