The Cranky Flier » Miscellaneous

Cranky on the Web (May 14 – 18)

CF — Sat, 19 May 2012 10:45:39 +0000

In the Trenches: Benefits – Intuit Small Business Blog
The menu of benefits to be provided to employees is surprisingly large. They aren’t all paid, but it’s still a bit of a minefield.

Want to Earn More Miles? Get a Credit Card and Help Cranky

CF — Wed, 02 May 2012 10:45:03 +0000

I’ve received a lot of expressions of support from readers over the years wishing that they could do more to help support Cranky financially. Until today, the main way you could help was by using Cranky Concierge, and that’s not changing. But there are many of you who don’t need or want our service. So what else can you do?

Starting today, I’m getting in on the credit card game. A lot of our clients ask us about ways to get more miles to use for trips, and one of the best ways is by signing up for credit cards. You’ve probably seen a million other blogs talking about different credit card deals, and there’s a good reason. Credit cards pay pretty solid referral fees.

You’re not going to see me writing about credit cards and pushing deals. That’s not what The Cranky Flier is about, and I have no interest in changing that. But I will be maintaining a page on the site (you can see the link in the menu bar up top) that will have the latest credit card deals. Maybe, on occasion, if there’s something truly amazing, I’ll post on a Wednesday (as I’m doing today) so that it doesn’t interfere with the regular posts. But don’t expect to see that often.

So, if you’re in the market for a new credit card or you’re just looking to get some miles, check the page out and see what’s there. If you have any questions, email me at cf@crankyflier.com and I’m happy to answer them. Here’s a list of the cards that I have on the page today:

Citi® Platinum Select® / AAdvantage® Visa Signature® Card

British Airways Visa Signature Card®

Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card– FREE FLIGHT

Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express

United MileagePlus® Club Card

United MileagePlus® Explorer

The Platinum Card® from American Express

American Express(R) Premier Rewards Gold Card

Chase Sapphire^SM Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred^SM Card

Citi ThankYou^SM Preferred Card – 25,000 points – $250 in gift cards

Topic of the Week: Upgrading with a Baby

CF — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:45:10 +0000

This became a big discussion on Twitter, so I thought I’d bring it here. In a couple months, my wife and I are taking the little guy on his maiden voyage, and we had the chance to upgrade using miles on a cross country trip. Would you do it with a newborn or not? It was a mixed bag on Twitter.

(We actually did do it, but of course, we’ll be incredibly conscientious about any noise.)

Topic of the Week: 2011 Flying Summary

CF — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:45:01 +0000

The year is just about done for, so it’s time to look at how much flying we all did. My two trips across the pond helped to offset the lack of flying toward the end of the year. What did your year look like?

Miles: 38,310 (34,202 last year)
Segments: 26 (26)
New Aircraft: Bombardier Q400
New Airlines: Allegiant, Spirit
New Airports: Kelowna (BC), London/City, Shannon
Most Common Aircraft: A320 (7 flights)
Most Common Airline: US Airways/JetBlue (5 segments each)
Most Common Airport: Long Beach (6 dep/3 arr)
Most Common Non-Directional Route: Long Beach – Phoenix (3)

Cranky on the Web (December 19 – 23)

CF — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 11:45:28 +0000

Pack patience for air travel amateurs – CNN Out of the Office
’tis the season for amateur travelers to come out of the woodwork. Here are some thoughts on how business travelers can navigate it.

In the Trenches: Recognizing Our Own Recognition – Intuit Small Business Blog
Just talking a little bit more about how to deal with getting recognized as a Top Travel Specialist by Conde Nast.

Virgin America dogged by reservations glitches – USA Today Today in the Sky
Ben got into some more detail about the Virgin America reservation system problems and he cited my post on the subject.

Tech tames travel’s travails – The Detroit News
A brief mention at the end about Cranky Concierge. Though we don’t actually have an app.

Alaska Airlines Menu Tasting Was Eye-Opening – Conde Nast Daily Traveler
A different look at my visit to the Alaska Air kitchens this week.

Cranky on the Web (December 4 – 9)

CF — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 11:45:44 +0000

In the Trenches: What to Give Employees for the Holidays? – Intuit Small Business Blog
It’s holiday time, and that means it’s time to figure out the best gift to give to those who contribute to the success of the business. But what should it be?

Surviving the holiday travel season Cranky style – The Madeleine Brand Show on KPCC
I had a fun chat with Madeleine about airplane etiquette. You can listen here.

Cranky on the Web (October 24 – 28)

CF — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 10:45:30 +0000

If you’re wondering where my CNN column has gone, it hasn’t disappeared. I’m just going to be writing a little less frequently. The next one will go up on Monday, and as always, will be linked to from here. I’m also hoping to have something new to report in the next two weeks.

In the Trenches: Standing in the Customers’ Shoes – Intuit Small Business Blog
It’s never fun to get stuck, but my experience this week has been great for helping me relate to clients.

Cranky on the Web (October 17 – 21)

CF — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 10:45:49 +0000

In the Trenches: Repeat Clients – Intuit Small Business Blog
There’s nothing better than having repeat clients, so I’m always trying to figure out the best way to increase that business.

United, American airlines challenge proposed new fees (poll) – Cleveland Plain Dealer
I’ll be writing more about proposed aviation taxes next week, but here’s a preview of my thoughts (with a very non-elegant quote).

Honoring the Flight Crews That Died Ten Years Ago Today

CF — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 13:01:59 +0000

It’s a rare Sunday post here on Cranky, but of course, it’s no ordinary Sunday. It’s been 10 years since four aircraft were hijacked and flown into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania, and this is the fifth year that I’ll be following Holly Hegeman’s lead in honoring those flight crews that died while they were just doing their jobs.

There’s a heightened awareness of the event this year since it’s the 10th anniversary, but that’s really just a number. It’s not any easier or harder for those families who lost someone than it was last year on this day. So let’s forget about the pomp and circumstance and just honor those we lost in our airline family.

American 11 (Boston to Los Angeles)
Crashed into World Trade Center
John Ogonowski, Dracut, Mass., Captain; Thomas McGuinness, Portsmouth, N.H., First Officer; Barbara Arestegui, flight attendant; Jeffrey Collman, flight attendant; Sara Low, flight attendant; Karen Martin, flight attendant; Kathleen Nicosia, flight attendant; Betty Ong, flight attendant; Jean Roger, flight attendant; Dianne Snyder, flight attendant; Madeline Sweeney, flight attendant

United 175 (Boston to Los Angeles)
Crashed into World Trade Center
Victor J. Saracini, Lower Makefield Township, Pa., Captain; Michael Horrocks, First Officer; Amy Jarret, flight attendant; Al Marchand, flight attendant; Amy King, flight attendant; Kathryn Laborie, flight attendant; Michael Tarrou, flight attendant; Alicia Titus, flight attendant; Robert J Fangman, flight attendant

American 77 (Washington/Dulles to Los Angeles)
Crashed into the Pentagon
Charles Burlingame, Captain; David Charlebois, First Officer; Michele Heidenberger, flight attendant; Jennifer Lewis, flight attendant; Kenneth Lewis, flight attendant; and Renee May, flight attendant

United 93 (Newark to San Francisco)
Crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania
Jason Dahl, Colorado, Captain; Leroy Homer, Marlton, N.J., First Officer; Sandy Bradshaw, flight attendant; CeeCee Lyles, flight attendant; Lorraine Bay, flight attendant; Wanda Green, flight attendant; Deborah Welsh, flight attendant

Topic of the Week: Earthquakes

CF — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:45:03 +0000

We might be used to quakes on the west coast, but the one in Virginia this week took a lot of people out there by surprise. Anyone have any good air travel stories surrounding the quake? Were you delayed or canceled? Were people unnecessarily freaking out?