This page is designed to provide you go-to information for some of the most popular topics in travel, award redemptions, and tools to make your life easier. I hate have to go through multiple sites to find the information I need, so my goal is to update this page on a regular basis with these tips, tricks and shortcuts to what you need to know.
- Inside Amtrak’s Select Executive Status
- Inside Amtrak’s Select Plus Status
- Inside Amtrak’s Select Status
- Redeeming Amtrak Points: Sweet Spots
- How to guarantee your Amtrak ticket is always less than $50.
- The secret to the best Amtrak Business Class seating.
- Amtrak’s Acela Express First Class meal service times.
- Accessing United Clubs and Amtrak Lounges Using Each Other’s Membership
- What fare codes should you look for when booking an award ticket?
- Where should you search for airline award space?
- Beware of First Class awards with Business Class seats.
American Airlines
- What’s known about American’s Helix/Eagle ranking system
- A listing of all AAdvantage partner gateway cities.
- Using ExpertFlyer to find same day confirmed flight changes on American Airlines
- How to receive an upgrade on a British Airways Avios domestic US ticket
Delta Air Lines
Elite Status
Inflight Services
- A comprehensive list of all airlines with inflight WiFi
- A few tricks to selecting a better economy class seat
Disney
Airlines
- Which airlines don’t have baggage fees?
- Why you should always make sure you have a lot of future trips booked before calling an airline.
- A list of all major fifth freedom routes in the world.
- Should you take miles or a travel voucher as compensation?
- What’s the best way to react to a flight delay and cancellation?
Hyatt
- What year will a stay spanning two calendar years count in?
- How to redeem Hyatt Gold Passport Points for cash.
- Book Hyatt stays via Twitter
- Why MLife Platinum status is worth it.
- How to always avoid the 1 night cancellation penalty at Hyatt.
- Which Hyatt Regency and Grand Clubs are closed on weekends?
Ticket Booking
- How to get the lower price of a ticket back when it disappears online.
- How to hold a reservation on AA.com for 48 hours, and not 24 hours.
- How to book and receive discounts on Rail Europe.
- Always check your award tickets after making any changes
Hotels
- Strategies for checking into your hotel early
- Resort fees: the good, the bad, the ugly
- Always bill things to your hotel room to earn more points
- My 5 hotel habits every time I check-in
Credit Card Benefits
Airports
- The secret to free parking at Reagan National Airport
- What’s the best way to get to and from an airport?
- Why I always get to my gate 10 minutes prior to boarding
Blogging
On Location
- Free year-round concerts in Amsterdam
- The best way to explore Amsterdam
- A hidden oasis inside Albuquerque Airport
- How to use your Verizon Wireless cell phone plan abroad.
- The largest open air flea market in the US.
Manufactured Spending
Jamie Larounis is an avid traveler, blogger and miles/points educator. Traveling well over 100,000 miles a year and staying in hotels for over 100 nights, he leverages miles, points and other deals to fly in first class cabins, and stay in 5-star hotels. The Forward Cabin shares his experiences, musings, reviews, tips, tricks, resources and industry news with you, the fellow traveler.