United’s Much Anticipated Announcement: Partnership with Marriott

United scared me on Friday, and I wrote about that fear on Sunday, by saying changes were coming to the MileagePlus program.

That fear was unfounded as United introduced unambiguously good changes to MileagePlus, though very minor changes from my perspective, in the form of a partnership with Marriott.

What does this mean for you?

Status Match

If you're United Gold or higher, you'll get Marriott Gold Status through January 2014.

United’s Much Anticipated Announcement: Partnership with Marriott

United scared me on Friday, and I wrote about that fear on Sunday, by saying changes were coming to the MileagePlus program.

That fear was unfounded as United introduced unambiguously good changes to MileagePlus, though very minor changes from my perspective, in the form of a partnership with Marriott.

What does this mean for you?

Status Match

If you're United Gold or higher, you'll get Marriott Gold Status through January 2014.

What I’d Least Like to See Changed about Each Frequent Flyer Program

United scared me a lot on Friday when it tweeted that changes were coming to MileagePlus.

United still hasn't told us what those changes are, but insists we'll like them.

It's very unlikely I'll like them much. It could be a minor enhancement, but there are very few things I would change about United MileagePlus that United would also change.

What I’d Least Like to See Changed about Each Frequent Flyer Program

United scared me a lot on Friday when it tweeted that changes were coming to MileagePlus.

United still hasn't told us what those changes are, but insists we'll like them.

It's very unlikely I'll like them much. It could be a minor enhancement, but there are very few things I would change about United MileagePlus that United would also change.

Cash & Avios Analysis

When you get to the payment page of booking an award with British Airways Avios, you're offered a rare proposition in the world of frequent flyer miles:

pay the stated amount of Avios + taxes and fuel surcharges
pay 50-90% of the stated amount of Avios + taxes, fuel surcharges, and an extra cash co-pay.

This extra-cash-plus-Avios option is one to consider in advance, so I'll do the work, so you can do the travel.

What's your best play?

I tried to price out the 12 oneworld partners in different cabins on domestic and international routes.

For some routes, no

Huge Discounts on Fairmont Properties on Maui and the Big Island or in Scottsdale

Today is the last day of five weeks of discounted travel packages sponsored by the US Travel Association and American Express called Daily Getaways.

Every weekday at 1 PM ET, a discounted travel package or packages will go on sale and will sell out in a few minutes. Some of the offers will be awesome; some will be duds.

Don’t Miss Out: Luxurious Swiss Business Class Availability This Summer

Swiss Business Class is one of the nicest ways to cross the Atlantic in a fully-flat bed, and it's definitely a product I'm anxious to try.

Hyatt Points for One Cent Each Today Only! Load Up!

Update at 1:02 PM ET: I had two computers and a smartphone ready on three different-sized packages (69k, 36k, and 24k), but all got the "on hold for other customers" message within seconds of 1 PM. This is the first deal I failed to get in on.

Last Chance at Discounted Vegas Packages During Daily Getaways–Incredible Deals Today Only at MGM Properties

Today is the third day of the last week of five weeks of discounted travel packages sponsored by the US Travel Association and American Express called Daily Getaways.

Every weekday at 1 PM ET, a discounted travel package or packages will go on sale and will sell out in a few minutes. Some of the offers will be awesome; some will be duds. Today's is a great shot--and the last shot during the 2013 Daily Getaways--at some great Vegas packages.

Today’s deal is discounted Vegas packages from MGM Resorts.

“I’m Deaf and Mute, and I’d Like Some Vodka.”

I'm preparing to spend my 26th birthday in Uruguay, which has me reflecting on past birthday locations, which have included Spain, Bolivia, Uruguay, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Virginia, and Hawaii.

One of my favorite memories comes from my 20th birthday in Copacabana, Bolivia, which featured a silent vodka purchase, stumbling into an international volleyball match, and being charged to use the shower by a ten-year-old.

Copacabana, Bolivia is a small, dusty town with the best access to Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna in Lake Titicaca.