United Destroys The Other Half Of MileagePlus

United is completing their destruction of MileagePlus by changing how mileage earning works.  Starting in 2015, miles earned for flights will be based on the fare price (not including tax) rather than the distance flown.  The new earning method, paired with award price inflation last year, removes any hope of earning a decent rate of return on air travel. It should be easier to redeem miles because far fewer will be in circulation.  I suspect I'll earn more miles on the ground now, even if I fly three or more times around the equator each year.  Maximizing credit card bonus and other earning options will be critical to my 2015 earning strategy.

The Sun Is Setting On MileagePlus

My last sliver of loyalty to United will be from their Million Miler program.  I'm almost 70% to lifetime Gold status and Star Alliance Gold status.  United did change the benefits for their Million Miler program before, I just hope I can cross the 1,000,000 lifetime flight mile mark before they  change it again.

Upgrade Didn't Clear Email

I love seeing emails from United with the subject "Elite Upgrade Notification" because it allerts you to a confirmed upgrade.  The "Save now on DIRECTV on your upcoming flight" is a new email for me and confirms my upgrade is hopeless. 

No Luck

Fun Photo

Happy travels!

Even Flying Allegiant Is Better Than Not Flying At All

Boeing Store 20% Off Sale

As a quick follow up to their free shipping sale, the Boeing Store has 20% men's apparel and model airplanes.  It's a great opportunity to buy a PacMin 747-400 model for cheap.

Boeing 717 - Also For Sale Cheap

Iceland Air Advertising In Denver

Iceland Air has some great outdoor advertising in the Denver area to promote their direct flight to Reykjavik.   All the ads follow the same formula, a stunning photo of nature in Iceland and some short copy about long days and short nights.  It's very memorable for me because I love the inspirational nature of the ad.  Now if only their flights weren't so expensive; they charge like you are going all the way across the Atlantic when you are actually stopping half way.

Iceland Air 757 at Denver

Prosper Loan and United MileagePlus Miles Promotion

Earn 1 mile fore every $1 loaned, up to 35,000 miles; no prepayment penalties either.  I was interested in taking out a loan, paying it back the next day and pocketing 35,000 for a negligible interest expense.  Then I looked at the fees page and saw a loan origination fee of 2% to 5%.  Yikes, I'm not paying 2c to 5c a mile, never mind.

Let This Offer Fly By

United DC-8 Model

This is what travel on United was like back in the days of the original Hawaii Five-0.  The Wings Over The Rockies Museum had this and other cool models and some full size planes too.