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March 31, 2007
Enterprise Buys Vanguard, the Parent Company of National and Alamo
Enterprise Rent-A-Car has acquired Vanguard Car Rental group, which owns the National and Alamo car rental brands.
What does this mean? Find out here for National and here for both National and Alamo.
Posted by Canarsie at 6:35 AM
March 29, 2007
Five FT Finds
An FTer birthday this week - wish markbach a happy birthday on 4th April.
Jenbel and chrissxb have set up a fantastic consolidated do thread. So I am looking for 1 more new find to showcase each week. Any suggestions please by PM (click here)?
New news - spotted the A380 on it's recent visits to USA? If not then you wont be in this article.
Something from the talking heads, err Talk Board - Talk Board is now voting on making Swiss Airlines a subforum for Lufthansa Miles & More.
Something random - for security clearance for an internship, all international travel in the past 7 years needs to be entered. This could be painful for some.
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 7:46 PM
I Can See Clearly Now The Food Is Not Good.
Veteran FlyerTalk member and connoisseur Sweet Willie asks "What are some of your 'go for the view, but skip the meal' places?" in the thread whose title is The view is great, the food is not.
I suppose that a corollary might be that if the food is good, the view is not.
Waiter, please seat me at that table with the view of the pile of garbage lying next to that moldy brick wall, please...
I have eaten at Windows on the World a few times and thought the food was pretty good, although I had heard others complain about it. The cost of the food was quite pricy, to be sure, but it was good - and, of course, one could not beat the view, day or night!
Alas, do not try to call this restaurant for a reservation. It was located in New York at the top of one of the World Trade Center towers, and ceased to exist on September 11, 2001.
Posted by Canarsie at 6:15 PM
March 28, 2007
Can One Really Fly 4,000,000 BIS Miles?
For those of you who do not know, BIS means "butt-in-seat", as opposed to earning frequent flier miles other than actually flying as a passenger on an airplane, such as from a credit card.
The reason why FlyerTalk member CAVU asks the question Is 4 million "BIS" miles and complimentary Platinum status really achievable? is because the current requirement of earning annual complimentary Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Platinum Medallion status is having greater than 4,000,000 Million Miler miles, which these days can generally only be earned by flying as a passenger on Delta Air Lines on a paid airfare.
Is it truly possible? Find out the answers in the Is 4 million "BIS" miles and complimentary Platinum status really achievable? thread.
Posted by Canarsie at 8:11 PM
...So What Happens if You Sneeze?
The story about a Coughing girl booted from aircraft. is rather bizarre.
I was all choked up just reading about it.
Talk about clearing the airways - in more ways than one...
Posted by Canarsie at 8:03 PM
March 27, 2007
How to search on FT?
When Bearbear asks if there is a search instructions sticky somewhere on FT, Randy Petersen puts out the call for a FT FAQ on this. Can you help?
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 7:43 PM
Why aren't you flying with us?
WineIsGood got a surprise call asking why flights on AA had dropped away. That is a nice initiative. Do any other airlines call their (past) customers?
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 6:56 PM
Challenge To Jamaica Mon
martian is getting married (congratulations) and would like some help getting a friend from Norway to the wedding in Jamaica. The wedding is mid-summer and they have a limited budget. Are you up for the challenge?
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 12:52 PM
March 26, 2007
Smoked Meat
FlyerTalk member and food aficionado Sweet Willie - as well as other FlyerTalk members - have some recommendations for you on where to find the best place to savour a smoked meat sandwich in Montréal in the Montreal’s famous Smoked Meat or Viande Fumee thread.
If you are unfamiliar with smoked meat, you must read this thread. If you have never tried it, I urge you to sample some the next time you find yourself in the Canadian province of Québec - specifically, in Montréal.
Posted by Canarsie at 1:39 AM
March 25, 2007
Can you reserve a flight online without ticketing?
Which sites offer this useful feature?
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 7:24 PM
Future FTer?
laila asks for help in choosing a name for a baby who will hopefully be a future frequent flyer.
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 6:55 PM
March 22, 2007
Horrors of ex-elite flyers club
How would you feel to lose elite status? Check out this thread commenting on the NY Times news article.
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 8:08 PM
Five FT Finds
An FTer birthday this week - wish Dorlee a happy birthday on 27th March.
Jenbel and chrissxb have set up a fantastic consolidated do thread. So I'll soon be looking for 1 more new find to showcase each week. Any suggestions please by PM (click here)?
New news - visitors to USA will soon be required to give all 10 fingerprints at immigration.
Something from the talking heads, err Talk Board - Talk Board is considering whether Swiss and Lufthansa airline forums should be merged.
Something random - what would you do if you were told just before boarding that the one restroom on this aircraft is inoperable?
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 7:42 PM
March 21, 2007
Odd airline names
According to www.airlinecodes.co.uk there have been 2 Kiwi airlines, both of which are out of business. Perhaps fitting since a Kiwi is a flightless bird.
What odd airline names have you come across?
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 7:52 PM
Hotel requests
Please hotels, can you always upgrade me. Oops, not that kind of request. Check out some hotel room design requests.
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 7:29 PM
March 20, 2007
Hall of Fame?
Judge for yourself which Bizarre hotel hallways deserves the title.
Whatever is posted there is presumed to be the truth and only the hall truth...
Posted by Canarsie at 10:39 PM
You Paid for Business Class. An Elite Frequent Flier Member Claims You Do Not Belong There - He Does...
...and he tells you that you should go back to China.
What would you do?
I would first tell him that I have never been to China, but that is another story.
Read the incredible story as related by FlyerTalk member pvtwong in the Upgrades are based on availability. Rude Person thread and see if you are not seething by the time you are finished reading.
I personally believe that pvtwong handled the situation incredibly well.
Some people think they are entitled to everything.
Posted by Canarsie at 10:39 PM
Have You Ever Experienced a Food Orgasm?
Apparently, FlyerTalk member world_citizen has experienced one, according to fellow FlyerTalk member francophile as posted here...
Posted by Canarsie at 10:39 PM
Where Can One Find the Best Pool Service?
No, not the game. I do not snooker around here, nor have I ever felt that way - but I am off-cue at this point.
If you asked "Water you talking about", you have stroked in the right direction.
When in the lap of luxury at a hotel, pool service can help add to a swimmingly delightful experience.
Please feel free to dive right on into the discussion in The Best Pool Service thread instead of floating on by, but please try not to make waves when posting there or go off the deep end. The content that you post should create enough of a splash without fellow FlyerTalk members getting board.
Posted by Canarsie at 10:39 PM
Vending Machine Dinner?
I am simply coining the name of this thread.
Frankly, I have never eaten a vending machine for dinner - and that will never change.
However, there are many FlyerTalk members who travel frequently and often find themselves with no other choice that to eat what is offered from a lone vending machine.
Find out when, where and what they ate for dinner, courtesy of the venerable vending machine.
Posted by Canarsie at 10:39 PM
Favorite Street Food?
Frankly, not only have I never eaten vending machines for dinner, I also have never eaten a street either - but that is not my asphalt.
If you are simply lane around trying to court a street vendor into selling you his wares on that lonesome boulevard, you have come to the right place, as reading the Favorite street food? thread is the right avenue for finding out what food FlyerTalk members have found - and subsequently eaten - from street vendors around the world.
I do realize that I road the puns way too far this time by paving this entry with a bunch of them...
Posted by Canarsie at 10:39 PM
FTer finds knife on plane during mileage run
Will Mrp Alert be forever getting the SSSS special treatment by TSA? Check out the unfolding story.
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 8:25 PM
Small airports
I once flew into an airport that was so small the planes used the driveway to take off and land, and the terminal consisted of a bus shelter. Exaggeration aside, what are some of the small airports you have visited?
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 8:11 PM
Coach class PTV, AVOD & LiveTV
Bored on board? PlaneHunter has compiled a handy listing of airlines offering personal tvs (PTV), audio-video on demand (avod) and live tv (live tv) .... in coach / economy class. Check out the airlines and aircraft with these services here.
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 8:07 PM
March 16, 2007
5,000 Priority Club Points Per Night at the InterContinental Bucharest
FlyerTalk member Savage25 posted this excellent news in the (FARE GONE) NW: YVR-BUH (Vancouver-Bucharest) $235CAD all in thread.
While the information was posted for those fortunate enough to snag a mileage run to Bucharest from Vancouver or Toronto, this offer is available to all Priority Club members - and the InterContinental property in Bucharest is not the only Priority Club property that is currently participating in this offer.
Sometimes the best information is not necessarily the thread itself, but rather information posted and buried within a thread.
Posted by Canarsie at 11:11 AM
March 15, 2007
Share a room?
What to do if you enter your newly assigned hotel room and find it is, ahem, already occupied? Has this ever happened to you?
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 9:10 PM
Attention seeking passenger?
What if it is someone else who is attention seeking?
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 9:08 PM
Five FT Finds
An FTer birthday this week - wish DragonBoy a happy birthday on 18th March.
Jenbel and chrissxb have set up a fantastic consolidated do thread. So I'll soon be looking for 1 more new find to showcase each week. Any suggestions please by PM (click here)?
New news - ANA's Los Angeles office was searched by the FBI.
Something from the talking heads, err Talk Board - vegasflyer asks for airline and hotel employee forums.
Something random - Lufthansa CEO spotted flying in a United middle seat!
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 8:45 PM
Caution to Women Traveling Alone...
...especially in a part of the world that may be considered dangerous...
...would you do it? Is it adventurous or simply foolish to do so?
Read all about it in the Traveling alone in supposedly dangerous countries thread.
As a bonus, if you do not already know the definition, find out what the term snog means and how it is used in a sentence - and whether or not you want it to happen to you...
Posted by Canarsie at 12:23 AM
March 14, 2007
Show them the money
Are frequent flyer programs designed for loyalty or as a profit centre in their own right? Check out the debate here.
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 9:45 PM
March 13, 2007
The Naked Truth About Salads...
...is that some people like to dress them up.
Others, however, would like to leave their salads alone. Bare those tomatoes and cucumbers for all the world to see!
Lettuce assume that you like to pour dressing on your salad. Opine on this topic by posting in The Salad Dressing Thread, where oil bet that you will find that thread peppered with discussion pertaining to all sorts of preferences as to how to address dressing a salad.
If you disagree with an opinion, please do not assalt the FlyerTalk member who posted it.
Posted by Canarsie at 12:01 AM
March 12, 2007
FT Photo Contest
The first (of many?) FT photo contest is now running. Submit your entry or check out the great pics. Maybe even get some travel ideas.
(Warning - don't open the thread if on dial in.)
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 8:21 PM
March 11, 2007
Qantas business class - good news / bad news
Qantas has announced some improvements in their first and business class offering. Yay. The bad news, some of the improvements are limited to a handful of flights. Boo. Find out more on this thread from the QF forum.
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 5:12 PM
Ghost flight
Not the first time that airlines have felt the need to operate ghost flights and likely not the last either. What are ghost flights you ask? Check out the flight is empty.
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 5:08 PM
March 9, 2007
Chat with Randy Petersen Himself!
Beginning today, FlyerTalk member and founder (but no longer owner) Randy Petersen cordially invites you to chat with him regarding the sale of FlyerTalk to Internet Brands.
There are a total of six chats scheduled over the next five days, including today. The last chat is scheduled on May 13, 2007.
If you have questions, comments or concerns pertaining to the sale of FlyerTalk and would like to chat with Randy, please click here for details.
Posted by Canarsie at 11:32 AM
March 8, 2007
Five FT Finds
An FTer birthday this week - wish holmedown a happy birthday on 11th March.
Jenbel and chrissxb have set up a fantastic consolidated do thread. So I'll soon be looking for 1 more new find to showcase each week. Any suggestions please by PM (click here)?
New news - gun found in ex-mayor's carry-on luggage.
Something from the talking heads, err Talk Board - the Mileage Run forum restructure proposal passed and has already been implemented. Check out the new look here (don't forget to click on the subforums). bobbrownson asks if FT can have a serviced apartments forum?
Something random - apparently KLM is joining the small club of airlines seating 10 across in a 777. Remind me to avoid KLM longhaul in Y.
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 1:58 PM
March 7, 2007
Doublle-Boiled Forest Frog Plaster W/coconut Juie.
Doesn't that sound so delicious that it whets your appetite?
This is just one of many very Funny food names on menus found around the world.
Before you read that thread in its entirety, be sure to order such delicacies as green teeth, meat craps with monkey gland sauce, chest of pig enamelled, west celery fries the tripe, and every form rape, with a meal-ending dessert of cigarette pie. Once you have acquired your gastronomic delights, kick back, relax and enjoy...
...just don't do it near me.
Posted by Canarsie at 10:55 PM
An Improved Calendar for Award Availability at www.delta.com
There is no better source than FlyerTalk member RealDLInsider to update FlyerTalk members who are also members of the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles frequent flier program.
Improved award availability is discussed in this edition, titled RealDLInsider – Award Availability.
If you are a Delta Air Lines SkyMiles member, reading the above thread is a must.
Posted by Canarsie at 9:40 PM
Is This a Cover Up?
In the What are your favorite travel clothes? thread, find out what threads FlyerTalk members like to wear while traveling.
I personally prefer a pair of jeans, sneakers, socks, and a T-shirt, polo shirt or other comfortable shirt. That suits me just fine.
I hope nobody pants or says "oh, shirt" if someone posts that they travel in their "birthday suit" - otherwise, they need some sense socked into them...
Posted by Canarsie at 9:28 PM
FlyerTalk Has Been Sold.
This news is quickly becoming common knowledge around FlyerTalk.
However, if you have questions about the sale of FlyerTalk, Randy Petersen, who is the founder of FlyerTalk, has got answers. He has set up the Q/A with Internet Brands (purchase of FlyerTalk) thread, which you can peruse to read all about the details of the sale of FlyerTalk directly from the source.
Posted by Canarsie at 9:21 PM
March 6, 2007
My hotel is my home
Submitted by FTer nixande.
BostonJim writes he is homeless and has moved into a hotel. I'm sure he's not the only homeless FTer.
In the words of nixande.
I did this for several years in Germany. I always had a problem with the residency registration. In Germany you have to have a Meldeadresse (official address) registered with the government. It was always extremely difficult to convince them that my residency was in a hotel.Beyond that one of the funniest experiences in my life was the day I moved out. The other guests looked at me very strangely as I carried out a tv, mini-fridge, about 150 DVD's, two lamps, a rolled-up carpet, etc.
Perhaps even funnier was when someone from the hotel wanted to check that I was taking out only things that didn't belong to the hotel. The manager came over and said, loosely translated, "mr. cbellero has spent enough at this hotel that he can take anything from the room that he wants".
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 8:13 PM
Fly to China, get a free game of golf
When flying Star Alliance. Find out more here.
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 7:42 PM
On Which Side is the Gasoline Tank Cap?
Don't you feel fuelish when you drive into a petrol station and you are not certain on which side you are supposed to fill the vehicle with gasoline?
I would tend to gauge that you would simply burn at the thought, just like FlyerTalk member BamaVol. He is the liter of that thread because he launched it, and he felt power-less when it happened to him. I am certain that some people would really feel like a real dipstick if it happened to them.
Get pumped up by reading the Which side is the gascap on? thread until you have had your fill - but please do not leave the thread too oily or too late.
Posted by Canarsie at 1:06 AM
March 5, 2007
Correction: Not Only Can One Earn Northwest WorldPerks Miles...
...but one can also earn Continental Airlines OnePass miles, Delta Air Lines SkyMiles, or US Airways Dividend Miles from e-miles.
Thank you to FlyerTalk member chexfan for bringing to my attention on correcting what I posted on The Gate on February 22, 2007:
An Easy Way to Earn Northwest Airlines WorldPerks Miles....
Posted by Canarsie at 10:07 PM
Should hotels inform their guests of certain conventions?
Say a group in the adult entertainment business is holding a convention at your hotel. Do you want to be informed?
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 8:00 PM
Back-scatter xray and minors
If you haven't read the news in Travel Safety/Security forum (or canarsie's post on The Gate) about back-scatter technology, then you may not appreciate the concern about using this on minors.
Check it out. It is ugly.
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 7:26 PM
Exit row seating
Open to all or restricted? What do you think? Check out the discussion.
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 7:13 PM
March 3, 2007
On Train Upgrades?
I did not railize that one can upgrade on an Amtrak train, but it is railly possible. I am not line to you or trying to railroad you.
Hitching up to the On Train Upgrades? thread will get you on the right track on how to do so and what the chances are of upgrading on board a train with a coach ticket. Other FlyerTalk members are using their engine-uity to break the tie of how to successfully upgrade on a coach ticket for TrainTalk - er...I mean FlyerTalk - member Train McGhee from Chicago to Seattle who hopefully will not get steamed by the answers.
Posted by Canarsie at 7:11 PM
That's it...I quit!
No, no, no - not me! I am not quitting writing for The Gate!
Normally, a thread title such as That's it...I quit is usually authored by a disgruntled frequent flier member who has had it with a frequent flier program and is "searching for greener pastures". After all, there are dozens of threads such as this.
However, in this case, the FlyerTalk member who posted this thread is not a frequent flier, but rather an airline employee.
Click on the link above and find out from which airline this FlyerTalk member has resigned and why.
Posted by Canarsie at 7:02 PM
Spring, and the Smell of Brooklyn is in the Air...
...okay, I will admit - that did not sound as good as I thought it would.
Nevertheless, Spring arrives later this month in the Northern Hemisphere, and you know what that means...
...it is time to start thinking about the world-famous 2007 dhammer53 Brooklyn Reality Tour - Sat. May 19.
Actually, because seats fill up fast, the time to have started thinking about going on this tour was probably last autumn. Every year has been a sellout. However, one never knows when a seat may open up before May 19.
I am ashamed to admit that I have not gone on this tour despite being a native Brooklynite. Hopefully I will schedule some time to make the pilgrimage and return to my original home of Brooklyn in New York. Perhaps I will learn something from FlyerTalk member dhammer53, who is the host of the tour.
Hint: For those of you who want to visit the famous Brooklyn neighborhood of Coney Island, you had better visit this year because much of it will be demolished and renovated after the end of summer this year. However, do not fret: the world-famous Cyclone wooden roller coaster will survive and remain as a fixture in Coney Island.
Posted by Canarsie at 6:51 PM
SkyTeam Airline Comparison
If you are an frequent traveler on airlines that are members of the SkyTeam alliance and wanted an easier way to compare such things as round-the-world airfares, award fare classes and award levels between different SkyTeam alliance airlines, you are in luck!
Please see the New Skyteam matrix website and find out why FlyerTalk members are raving and excited about an Internet web site generously developed and offered by FlyerTalk member Gnopps.
Posted by Canarsie at 6:43 PM
March 1, 2007
Five FT Finds
An FTer birthday this week - wish johanmm a happy birthday on 3rd March.
Jenbel and chrissxb have set up a fantastic consolidated do thread. So I'll soon be looking for 2 new finds to showcase each week. Any suggestions please by PM?
A FT Do in the next 30 days - traditional fare at Las Vegas 2 March, Thai for dinner - yum. There is still time to make it no matter where you are (well maybe not from Timbuktoo).
A FT Do in the next 3-6 months - more fine company, beef and malbec than you can shake a stick at (not that that is necessarily the order of importance :p ). Head to Buenos Aires for Cow Do III 31 Aug - 2 Sep.
Something from the talking heads, err Talk Board - birdstrike proposes a recurring FT photo contest.
Something random - travellers who want to avoid entering USA (eg due to visa requirements or immigration hassles) have gotten 2 new ways between Australia and NZ and Canada without any stop or transit in USA. First Air NZ announced seasonal (northern winter) flights between Auckland and Vancouver. Second Air Canada announced nonstop flights from the northern winter between Vancouver and Sydney.
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 7:05 PM
A380
Will roundtheworld be the first FTer to fly on an A380 flight? Well done (I am envious)!
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 5:02 PM
Thanks Techies ^
FT is back up, before I got any withdrawal symptoms. Yay.
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 12:17 PM
Gremlins
A few gremlins have gotten loose on FT and people's posts are getting scrambled up. The techies are working on it so please be patient for normal service to resume.
In the meantime, imagine some light telephone music. Please hold and we'll be fixed in no time. Please hold and we'll be fixed in no time. Please hold and we'll be fixed in no time. Please hold and we'll be fixed in no time. Please hold and we'll be fixed in no time.
On second thoughts, better to imagine something nicer. Hmmm free upgrade to longhaul first class, and mega free points. Hmmmm.
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 11:39 AM