Hi ,
I am travelling from JFK to Abu dhabi on Mar 29.
flight - EY2. Can some one check business class to upgrade.
I am travelling from JFK to Abu dhabi on Mar 29.
flight - EY2. Can some one check business class to upgrade.
↧
Business class load check
↧
US immigration preclearance on all flights at AUH?
Are all US-bound EY flights subject to US immigration preclearance? I was wonder because they have a JFK-bound flight at 2:30 am is that one available for US preclearance?
↧
↧
TravelReady and Return on a Different Airline
TravelReady is telling me my US passport will not meet the expiration date requirement for a US to UK flight on VS in August, even though it will still have 9 months on it at that time. I think that is because they don't see my return flight a week later on BA. Has anyone seen any issues with this? Or maybe I will just go ahead and get it renewed now.
↧
AM Amazon Card still Alive in Amazon after Card Closure
This AmEx Biz Amazon card was opened and linked to a Prime Amazon account. Had some issues. So we called AmEx and closed it. That was more than one year ago.
Whenever we tried to open a new AmEx Amazon card, we saw the old AmEx Amazon card still in Amazon account. We contacted both AmEx and Amazon many times. No one was able to break the link between AmEx and Amazon. So it is not possible to open a new card account since the old card is still alive in Amazon account. But AmEx stated clearly that this card has been closed. Amazon said this card has been removed as a payment method.
Not sure if anyone has had the same situation.
Whenever we tried to open a new AmEx Amazon card, we saw the old AmEx Amazon card still in Amazon account. We contacted both AmEx and Amazon many times. No one was able to break the link between AmEx and Amazon. So it is not possible to open a new card account since the old card is still alive in Amazon account. But AmEx stated clearly that this card has been closed. Amazon said this card has been removed as a payment method.
Not sure if anyone has had the same situation.
↧
RC (Atlantic) vs FI (Iceland Air) for Faroe islands
I'm thinking RC is better option in terms of faster flight, more likely to be able to land in borderline weather from what i've read. any input here?
also how much of a buffer should i give myself between Faroes -- Iceland and flight home to North America? Flights are in early August. Option is either 2 days or 9 hours.
also how much of a buffer should i give myself between Faroes -- Iceland and flight home to North America? Flights are in early August. Option is either 2 days or 9 hours.
↧
↧
Lounge access for family of five - Are we out of luck?
My wife and I are both Oneworld Emerald (both AA EXP's). We have three kids, ages 9, 6, and 4. We are taking a spring break trip to Europe in April. Our outbound includes a JFK-LHR leg and return includes LHR-CLT. If traveling by myself, I would normally take advantage of the Soho lounge at JFK on the outbound and the CX and/or QF lounges at Heathrow T3 on the return.
However, my understanding is that Oneworld lounge access policy is one guest per person - which would mean my wife and I could each bring in one of our children as a guest - but our third child would be out of luck.
Are we stuck with no way for all five of us to access these lounges? Or is there some workaround that I'm not aware of? I mean, I do love the CX First lounge at LHR enough that perhaps I'd make one of my kids stay out in the terminal while the other four in the family went inside, but my wife may have an issue with that...
Appreciate any insight on the topic...thanks!
However, my understanding is that Oneworld lounge access policy is one guest per person - which would mean my wife and I could each bring in one of our children as a guest - but our third child would be out of luck.
Are we stuck with no way for all five of us to access these lounges? Or is there some workaround that I'm not aware of? I mean, I do love the CX First lounge at LHR enough that perhaps I'd make one of my kids stay out in the terminal while the other four in the family went inside, but my wife may have an issue with that...
Appreciate any insight on the topic...thanks!
↧
receipts don't match
Purchased 2 partner tickets on Alaska and immediately realized I goofed on the date, so canceled it and rebooked. Got an email from Alaska acknowledging the cancellation and saying refund would go to original form of payment...but the amount they listed was $76 less than the email for the purchase. I assumed this was partner fees so when the refunds group emailed a few days later I told them they should also refund the partner fees since it was within 24 hours. They said they refunded what they charged the card, and going into my credit card statement they were correct. Starting over and booked with the correct dates -- received confirmation email with the amount to be charged to my card. Went into credit card site and the numbers are again different -- by the same $76.
This is a personal trip, but I typically use the emails on my expense reports. This would have worked out in my favor, but it is strange nonetheless. Any one else seeing this?
This is a personal trip, but I typically use the emails on my expense reports. This would have worked out in my favor, but it is strange nonetheless. Any one else seeing this?
↧
QR international op upgrades?
I'm not under the impression any program typically upgrades elites on international flights, unless a flight is oversold. Recently saw someone on Facebook note they experienced operational upgrades on flights that were not oversold, as emeralds; on BA and QR. Iirc the BA included a J to F.
Is there any strategy or anything to explore here? If I don't use points for J outright, I typically upgrade into it particularly on QR. Trying to understand if there's a different strategy I could employ as OWE, or if these anecdotes should be considered absolute miracles?
Is there any strategy or anything to explore here? If I don't use points for J outright, I typically upgrade into it particularly on QR. Trying to understand if there's a different strategy I could employ as OWE, or if these anecdotes should be considered absolute miracles?
↧
GE at IAD
Mods, please move as necessary...not sure where else to post.
Three weeks ago, I breezed through IAD GE.
Tonight, arrival at IAD. Many GEers. Two GE agents.
But both agents were conducting interviews, fingerprints, photos for conditionals. It took me 20 minutes to get out. I could see that the 'Passenger Experience Team' member was frustrated because she was hearing the complaints.
Is this a new practice re: GE interviews?
Three weeks ago, I breezed through IAD GE.
Tonight, arrival at IAD. Many GEers. Two GE agents.
But both agents were conducting interviews, fingerprints, photos for conditionals. It took me 20 minutes to get out. I could see that the 'Passenger Experience Team' member was frustrated because she was hearing the complaints.
Is this a new practice re: GE interviews?
↧
↧
Acceptable ticketed vs. cancellation rates? Do airlines complain if you cancel many?
I have a AS route I fly, to commute, from city A<>B. I am out Friday, back Sunday. I typically fly this 2-3 times a month. These are personal flights.
The problem: I don't always know what weekend I want to go in advance, but I fly 40% of them.
The route is currently on sale..
Would anybody be upset if I booked one ticket for each weekend through the next 6 months, flew 40% of them, and cancelled 60% for store credit typically early in the week of departure?
I don't want to get fired as a customer, but I'm also guessing this is a bit expected.
The problem: I don't always know what weekend I want to go in advance, but I fly 40% of them.
The route is currently on sale..
Would anybody be upset if I booked one ticket for each weekend through the next 6 months, flew 40% of them, and cancelled 60% for store credit typically early in the week of departure?
I don't want to get fired as a customer, but I'm also guessing this is a bit expected.
↧
Namibia With the Kids
Welcome to my first-ever trip report! Thanks for clicking; I hope you enjoy it. Please feel free to leave either encouragement or discouragement as may be warranted so that I can create better reports in the future. I will warn you in advance that this report will be fairly heavy on text.
I'm no stranger to world travelling, but after reading some very entertaining reports on FT in the past several years I decided that last years family trip to Namibia would be the perfect opportunity to wade into the creation of my own reports. This report wont focus too much on flights, for reasons that I wont get into, but will be mostly destination-focused, covering some highlights from the 9 wonderful days we spent road tripping around Namibia.
But first, lets meet the cast of characters who are likely, nay guaranteed, to appear:
dfw88 Your host on this journey who, sadly, thinks hes much wittier than he actually is.
Mrs. dfw88 Wonderful wife of your host, borderline narcoleptic, adventurous, good sport about everything except snakes.
Mini dfw88 #1, aka the Engineer oldest child of dfw88, elementary-school aged, precocious, analytical, often too smart for his own good.
Mini dfw88 #2, aka the Observer middle child of dfw88, not quite in school yet, outrageously silly but also empathetic; notices and remembers everything he sees.
Mini dfw88 #3, aka the Anarchist youngest child of dfw88, just barely not a toddler anymore, doesnt believe in rules, directions, or instructions from any source, basically just does his own thing.
This report will be divided into five parts:
![]()
Namibia's one of those places where you can make the shape with your hand. Michigan people know what I'm talking about.
I'm no stranger to world travelling, but after reading some very entertaining reports on FT in the past several years I decided that last years family trip to Namibia would be the perfect opportunity to wade into the creation of my own reports. This report wont focus too much on flights, for reasons that I wont get into, but will be mostly destination-focused, covering some highlights from the 9 wonderful days we spent road tripping around Namibia.
But first, lets meet the cast of characters who are likely, nay guaranteed, to appear:
dfw88 Your host on this journey who, sadly, thinks hes much wittier than he actually is.
Mrs. dfw88 Wonderful wife of your host, borderline narcoleptic, adventurous, good sport about everything except snakes.
Mini dfw88 #1, aka the Engineer oldest child of dfw88, elementary-school aged, precocious, analytical, often too smart for his own good.
Mini dfw88 #2, aka the Observer middle child of dfw88, not quite in school yet, outrageously silly but also empathetic; notices and remembers everything he sees.
Mini dfw88 #3, aka the Anarchist youngest child of dfw88, just barely not a toddler anymore, doesnt believe in rules, directions, or instructions from any source, basically just does his own thing.
This report will be divided into five parts:
- The Getting There Part
- The Animal Part
- The Coast Part
- The Sand Part
- The Getting Home Part
Namibia's one of those places where you can make the shape with your hand. Michigan people know what I'm talking about.
↧
QF website - first class classic awards defaulting to economy cabin
Is anybody else experiencing this glitch?
The QF booking engine defaults straight into economy class when selecting one sector apparently available first class reward seats (e.g. LAX-SYD on QF, BRU-DXB on EK, HND-HEL on JL)...
The QF booking engine defaults straight into economy class when selecting one sector apparently available first class reward seats (e.g. LAX-SYD on QF, BRU-DXB on EK, HND-HEL on JL)...
↧
Using Etihad frequent flyer number vs AA on Comfort fare
I'm looking into booking an EY Comfort fare that includes one leg with a US domestic flight on B6 and another on AA. We have FFNs for EY and AA though haven't been EY frequent flyers in years.
I was looking up the partnership to see how the miles acquired would be for AA and I found this guide with several codes.
However, I couldn't find what the Economy Comfort code would translate to in that guide. So does anyone know how to figure that out? And in general, are that big pros and cons to using EY's number vs using AA's on EY flights?
I was looking up the partnership to see how the miles acquired would be for AA and I found this guide with several codes.
However, I couldn't find what the Economy Comfort code would translate to in that guide. So does anyone know how to figure that out? And in general, are that big pros and cons to using EY's number vs using AA's on EY flights?
↧
↧
Family Friendly Hotels
I'm starting to plan a spring 2026 trip to Europe since we enjoyed ourselves so much last year. We talk about our trip all the time and we'd love to just do the same again.
But our family has grown from a single 1.5 yo, to what will then be a 3yo, who sleeps in his own bed, and a 1.5 year old likely still in a crib.
From my experience, European hotels are more strict on occupancy and sometimes list limits on the room descriptions. North American hotels typically do not limit and/or more often than not allow rollaways, but I've had no issues with 2+2 when a sofabed is standard.
What are some family friendly options that officially allow 2+2 or better in a single standard room or SUA-eligible suite? The hotels do not necessarily need to be geared towards kids, but rather not require two rooms to accommodate all of us.
Please post Europe-area and other hotels where you've successfully fit 2+2.
I'll start:
Il Tornabuoni (Florence, IT): 2 queen suite is standard suite. Officially allows 2+2
HR Paris: standard suite has king + murphy bed, . Officially allows up to 4 adults
GH Indian Wells (Indian Wells, CA): standard room and standard suite has sofabed
HR Huntington Beach (HB, CA): standard suite has sofabed
HR Maui (Maui, Hi): standard room and standard suite has sofabed
GH Playa del Carmen (PDC, MX): standard suite has sofabed
But our family has grown from a single 1.5 yo, to what will then be a 3yo, who sleeps in his own bed, and a 1.5 year old likely still in a crib.
From my experience, European hotels are more strict on occupancy and sometimes list limits on the room descriptions. North American hotels typically do not limit and/or more often than not allow rollaways, but I've had no issues with 2+2 when a sofabed is standard.
What are some family friendly options that officially allow 2+2 or better in a single standard room or SUA-eligible suite? The hotels do not necessarily need to be geared towards kids, but rather not require two rooms to accommodate all of us.
Please post Europe-area and other hotels where you've successfully fit 2+2.
I'll start:
Il Tornabuoni (Florence, IT): 2 queen suite is standard suite. Officially allows 2+2
HR Paris: standard suite has king + murphy bed, . Officially allows up to 4 adults
GH Indian Wells (Indian Wells, CA): standard room and standard suite has sofabed
HR Huntington Beach (HB, CA): standard suite has sofabed
HR Maui (Maui, Hi): standard room and standard suite has sofabed
GH Playa del Carmen (PDC, MX): standard suite has sofabed
↧
The Definition of a Valuable Item
I recently had a damaged baggage case where my bag broke and the items inside went missing. I submitted a damaged bag + lost property with the receipts attached.
However, an overcoat worth £840 was deemed as a valuable. Whilst it is certainly not cheap, there were no guidelines issued from BA regarding the criteria of a valuable item. A plain rejection without an explanation of what constitutes a valuable seems to be inadequate.
However, an overcoat worth £840 was deemed as a valuable. Whilst it is certainly not cheap, there were no guidelines issued from BA regarding the criteria of a valuable item. A plain rejection without an explanation of what constitutes a valuable seems to be inadequate.
↧
UA to open IAH Ground Service Equipment Facility & Tech Operations Training Facility
United Airlines Breaks Ground on New $177M Ground Service Equipment Facility and Opens New State-of-the-Art Technical Operations Training Facility at George Bush Intercontinental AirportPhotos(2)
United has invested $3.5 billion to build and upgrade modern facilities at IAH since 2015
IAH Terminal B Transformation, designed to accommodate a projected 36 million future passengers, is on track to open next year
HOUSTON, March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- United announced another investment in its Houston hub today by breaking ground on a new 140,000-square-foot Ground Service Equipment (GSE) Maintenance Facility at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and opening a new, state-of-the-art Technical Operations Training Center at the airport that will give employees a cutting-edge training experience.
United is the largest airline in Houston, with more than 14,000 employees and more than 500 daily departures. These planned infrastructure improvements underscore the airline's continued commitment to the employees and customers who live in the Houston area. Since 2021, United has invested more than $32 billion worldwide including billions in modern infrastructure, cutting edge technology and nearly $10 billion alone in employee raises.
"At United, we believe that investing in our people and our facilities is the key to maintaining our leadership in the aviation industry," said Vice President of Airport Operations, Phil Griffith. "With these new facilities, Ground Service Equipment Maintenance Facility and the Technical Operations Training Center, we are enhancing our ability to maintain a world-class fleet while empowering our employees with cutting-edge tools and training. This investment reflects our long-term vision for Houston as a critical hub for United's operations and our commitment to sustainability, efficiency, and growth."
United expects the new $177 million GSE maintenance facility to open in 2027 – it will support the airline's fleet of more than 1,800 ground service vehicles and give United's Ground Service Equipment maintenance team, comprised of more than 130 employees, even more resources to perform critical tasks like charging batteries, fabricating metal, and monitoring electronic controls with improved infrastructure and modernized workspaces.
The new, $16 million Tech Ops Training Center (TTC) will support the airline's plan to take delivery of hundreds of new planes by 2032 and the 91,000-square-foot facility includes sheet metal and composite training shops, desktop simulators, as well as scenario-based engine maintenance and inspection trainings.
Additionally, the new Training Center will house a cutting-edge $6.3 million Move Team Facility, strategically designed to centralize United's Super Tug operations. United's IAH Move Team manages over 15 Super Tugs across the airfield, efficiently moving hundreds of aircraft daily to support flight departures, remote parking areas, and Technical Operations Hangars. This significant investment in both the Tech Ops Training Center and Move Team operations further bolsters the airline's growth under the United Next strategy. United Next is poised to transform the customer experience, with plans to introduce more than 500 new, narrow-body aircraft into its fleet, increase the total number of available seats per domestic departure by nearly 30%, dramatically reduce carbon emissions per seat, and create tens of thousands of high-quality, unionized jobs by 2026.
"By opening our Tech Ops Training Center, we are setting a new industry standard for real world and specialized training opportunities for United technicians," said Maria Deacon, Senior Vice President of Technical Operations at United. "We're also extremely pleased to break ground on a new GSE maintenance facility which will revolutionize our capacity to maintain our fleet of ground service equipment for decades to come."
Meeting Growing Demand and Advancing Sustainability Efforts
The GSE maintenance facility design is targeted to meet LEED Silver certification and will be twice the size of the current facility, which was built 40 years ago when IAH had only 37% of its current gates.
This facility is part of United's continued efforts to lay a foundation for future growth at IAH. To date, the fleet in Houston is comprised of over 1,100 pieces of electric ground service equipment (eGSE), reinforcing the airline's commitment and investment to lead and electrify Houston. Houston is home to our largest fleet of electrified GSE equipment, which requires less maintenance and reduces air pollution.
The new GSE maintenance facility will provide much-needed space to meet both current and future needs. Key features include:
- A 25% increase in repair space
- A 60% increase in shop space
- An 80% increase in storage capacity
- A 50% increase in shared spaces
This significant investment in GSE maintenance highlights United Airlines' ongoing commitment to the local community and workforce. The new GSE facility will foster job creation as United continues to grow its Houston operation.
In Houston, the airline hired more than 2,100 people locally in 2023 and added over 600 new team members in 2024. This expansion is also expected to create an additional 4,000 construction jobs. According to a recent study by Compass Lexecon, United's direct employment in Houston contributes to more than $1.2 billion in economic activity annually. Including the Terminal B project, United has invested more than $3.5 billion in its Houston facilities since 2015.
Technical Operations Training Center Ensures Skills for Growing Fleet
United Airlines' $16-million state-of-the-art Tech Ops Training Center (TTC) in Houston consolidates new hire and advanced skills training for Tech Ops employees in a 91,000-square-foot facility. The TTC provides a comprehensive, hands-on learning environment and is an investment to ensure that United's technicians are well-equipped with the knowledge and expertise needed to maintain the airline's growing fleet with precision and efficiency.
The Technical Operations Training Facility boasts sheet metal and composite training shops, desktop simulators where technicians can learn aspects of Boeing 737 and 787 troubleshooting, as well as scenario-based engine maintenance trainings, such as specialized aspects of aircraft maintenance, like borescope and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) engine inspections. The TTC allows us to train on simulators and specific aircraft components in a shop environment, rather than in a traditional classroom only environment. Hands-on instruction in these skills increases knowledge retention and an enhanced learning experience without taking aircraft out of service.
Continued investment in Houston
United is the largest airline in Houston, with more than 14,000 employees and more than 500 daily departures. These recent investments follow United's launch of the Terminal B renovation and expansion project, slated for completion in 2026. This project will add 40 gates for larger aircraft, increasing capacity by 40% for passengers traveling both domestically and internationally from IAH. The redeveloped terminal will also include a spacious United ClubSM, the largest in the network, with panoramic views of the airfield.
↧
J award seats close to departure date
Hello folks:
I currently have booked an award J seat for travel on Dec 2 (USA West coast to TYO), but would like to change it to Dec 5. I know that the best course of action is to wait till some time in November to make this date change. However, I am not sure when I should glue my eyes to the computer screen to make this change. Do award seats become available 30 days, 21 days, 14 days, 7 days, or X days prior to departure? I did glance through the "ANA Award Availability" thread but could not find the most current answer. I would like to set a calendar entry for this date and then make sure I log into my account before 9am Japan time to grab a seat.
Thanks a million! Have a great day.
I currently have booked an award J seat for travel on Dec 2 (USA West coast to TYO), but would like to change it to Dec 5. I know that the best course of action is to wait till some time in November to make this date change. However, I am not sure when I should glue my eyes to the computer screen to make this change. Do award seats become available 30 days, 21 days, 14 days, 7 days, or X days prior to departure? I did glance through the "ANA Award Availability" thread but could not find the most current answer. I would like to set a calendar entry for this date and then make sure I log into my account before 9am Japan time to grab a seat.
Thanks a million! Have a great day.
↧
↧
Avios points never deducted (post flight)
I booked a flight using Avios back in August to fly in January. The points were never deducted from my account, which I'd read on other threads as something that happens rarely... but I fully expected them to be deducted eventually. It's now 2 and a half months post-travel and the points are still sitting in my EC account.
I double-checked on my ticket and it shows that I paid via Avios (plus credit card for taxes).
One wrinkle might be that in late October, I got an email from BA saying "Your filght has been cancelled"... though it was not, it was only moved to 20 minutes later, and the flight number was the same.
Is it possible that these points are never going to get deducted?
I double-checked on my ticket and it shows that I paid via Avios (plus credit card for taxes).
One wrinkle might be that in late October, I got an email from BA saying "Your filght has been cancelled"... though it was not, it was only moved to 20 minutes later, and the flight number was the same.
Is it possible that these points are never going to get deducted?
↧
Breeze at ITH today!
I got my hopes up that some new air service for Ithaca might be in the works, but Flight Aware indicates that the plane, which flew in from PVD, subsequently took off for TOL. I'm guessing that it was a charter for the Cornell Men's Ice Hockey team, which plays Michigan State at Toledo on Thursday for the Division I championship.
↧
United Carry on bags
Have not flown United in years (been flying Delta) and much has changed. I see they don't allow ANY carry on bags on the basic econmy fare, but they allow them on standard economy. There are all sorts of warnings and some conflicting info on the website.
1. Standard economy supposedly allows both a carryon and a personal item. Is this correct?
2. Is the carryon in Standard economy at no charge, or does Standard Economy just give you the right to pay United even more to take a carry on?
3. The warnings about carry on bags indicate specific dimensions. I've used the same bag for over 20 years and it has fit in all overhead bins, but it is about 1/2" larger in one dimension and 3/4" larger in another than the dimensions on United's site. How strict are they on this?
1. Standard economy supposedly allows both a carryon and a personal item. Is this correct?
2. Is the carryon in Standard economy at no charge, or does Standard Economy just give you the right to pay United even more to take a carry on?
3. The warnings about carry on bags indicate specific dimensions. I've used the same bag for over 20 years and it has fit in all overhead bins, but it is about 1/2" larger in one dimension and 3/4" larger in another than the dimensions on United's site. How strict are they on this?
↧