All Questions
63 questions
81
votes
10
answers
270k
views
How big is "too big" for an airline seat? At what point will you be required to buy two tickets?
As I said in another question, I'm bringing my parents to visit me here in Sweden next year.
My mother is around 280-300 pounds and 5'6" (130-135kg, 1.67m). I am concerned that she might be asked at ...
- 10.8k
61
votes
14
answers
9k
views
What techniques, tricks or otherwise have you used to get upgrades on flights?
I've travelled a lot. Living in New Zealand or the UK means anywhere is likely a flight, but I've always flown economy. Twice between LA and Auckland I managed to get the exit row after talking ...
- 160k
55
votes
7
answers
8k
views
Would a non-business traveler ever benefit from collecting air miles, as compared to simply buying the cheapest ticket available?
Looking at various air miles programs around the world, it seems to me that they're only useful for business travelers, who basically get free flights out of their employer's pocket. However for a ...
- 81.7k
48
votes
3
answers
24k
views
Can I wear a bulletproof vest while traveling on British Airways from Heathrow?
I'll be wearing it all the time anyway once I arrive at my hostile destination but how about wearing it during the flight? It makes sense to wear it in case someone try to hijack the plane.
- 9,228
14
votes
3
answers
9k
views
What tips or tricks can you use to get "upgraded"/better hotel rooms?
(Inspired by this question on flight upgrades),
Most non-budget hotels have various categories of rooms - perhaps larger rooms, "Executive" rooms, suites, and so on. What tips or tricks can you use ...
- 12.4k
8
votes
1
answer
3k
views
How does the SNCF Voyageur program work?
I'm planning some TGV trips soon, but despite being a member of two different Railteam frequent traveller programs already, from this question it doesn't look like I'd be able to credit the journeys ...
- 63k
5
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Can I switch OneWorld airline loyalty schemes and retain my benefits?
I am currently American AAdvantage Executive Platinum, and am considering switching to earning through the British Airways Executive Club instead, with the hope of reaching Gold this year (the ...
- 12.4k
33
votes
4
answers
9k
views
Can I pass through the airport security with a de-activated Bazooka?
My flight is from Washington, D.C. (IAD) to London Heathrow , with British Airways.
Important Details
The Bazooka will be bought legally from a shop in Maryland
British Airways' website explains in ...
- 9,228
11
votes
2
answers
23k
views
Miles & More: What is a booking class?
I'm member of the frequent flyer program Miles & More. Now I wanted to request additional miles for a flight during summer 2011 when I wasn't yet a member. To fill out the online form, I have to ...
- 51.6k
11
votes
3
answers
11k
views
Do you earn miles for trips that you flew, but you didn't buy?
I am being flown out by a company for an on-site visit. Will I earn miles for this trip, or will the company?
- 2,401
11
votes
2
answers
19k
views
Can you earn miles with different airlines for the same one flight, if they are part of the same loyalty program?
For example, I flew British Airways LAX-LHR. I wanted to get miles on Alaska Airlines so I sent in the boarding pass, etc and received credit.
I also have a mileage plan with American Airlines. ...
- 113
34
votes
3
answers
12k
views
Travel agent didn't append MR to my name and my name ends in MS. This caused my first name to be put as Ms on ticket
Whenever I book a flight through any travel agency/website; they always make a data entry of my name as "BADWAL/SHUMSMR". However, this time I decided to book with Expedia India; and they just ...
- 459
23
votes
7
answers
58k
views
How I find the BA-equivalent booking reference for an American Airlines-managed reservation?
Note: I do this regularly, so I am looking for a faster option than calling the airline on the phone - I'd like something I can do online.
I have booked a reservation with American Airlines on aa.com....
- 12.4k
20
votes
2
answers
23k
views
If I book a return journey with British Airways and miss the first flight, can I still use the return flight? [duplicate]
I booked a return journey with British Airways.
If I miss the first flight can I still use the return flight?
- 217
7
votes
2
answers
3k
views
How to change my loyalty program online before check-in?
I have made a booking with Lufthansa and initially listed my Miles & More account for credit of eventual miles gained. However now I want to credit the miles that will be gained from the flight to ...
- 26.4k
6
votes
4
answers
42k
views
Is Spirit Airlines's $9 Fare Club worth it?
Has anyone tried Spirit Airlines's $9 fare club membership ($60/year)?
What do you get with your membership, and what makes it worth it?
- 217
3
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Heathrow change in terminal flight UK Border control check?
I am traveling from NYC to Mumbai via London. Assume my connecting flight belongs to different terminal.
If I have to change terminal at Heathrow, do I need to go through UK Border control ?
- 537
2
votes
2
answers
7k
views
British Airways to Qatar airways : baggage transfer with separate tickets
I will be flying from Aberdeen (Scotland) to London Heathrow on one ticket with British Airways. I have a second separate ticket for a flight with Qatar airways from London Heathrow to Doha and with ...
0
votes
2
answers
727
views
Questions about MileSAAver Economy rewards
I'm looking into using AA rewards miles toward a family flight next summer. I've looked at the AA award chart and the MileSAAver Economy tickets sound appealing because of the low cost in miles, but ...
- 1
38
votes
5
answers
13k
views
Why can't I take food from the plane when entering the US?
I was on a BA flight recently (LHR-JFK) and I was given a sealed cheese and tomato sandwich by a flight attendant about 90 minutes before landing. Everyone else was given a similar sandwich, probably ...
- 8,119
32
votes
4
answers
10k
views
Can aircrew order me not to stand in the aisle?
It's Ramadan and I am planning to travel on British Airways, I will have to stand in the aisle for praying, is it the aircrews' right to ask/order me to go back to my seat?
- 9,228
28
votes
4
answers
15k
views
How can I tell if a flight itinerary is fake?
I tried calling the airlines, and I tried tracking apps.
How can I tell if this flight itinerary is fake?
I spoke to the person before they boarded their flight.
The flight is with British Airways, ...
- 321
21
votes
6
answers
3k
views
How can I calculate the value of any given airline's miles?
Very often, I'm torn between taking a cheaper flight, and taking a slightly more expensive one where I will accumulate airline mile and loyalty status. I'm torn about how to decide in these ...
user65735
16
votes
3
answers
7k
views
Can I claim miles if I bought the tickets but didn't take the flight?
Due to odd circumstances I didn't have a chance to take a flight. I already bought the tickets and I wasn't able to cancel anything.
Can I still request miles (Miles & More)?
- 263
15
votes
2
answers
4k
views
If an airline goes bust or insolvent, what happens to frequent flyer miles and reward tickets?
I have a good number of frequent flyer miles with Jet airways, which is running into financial troubles. This is getting me a little worried and I have the following questions about it:
I have used ...
- 4,167
14
votes
1
answer
5k
views
When you fly for free using miles, do you earn miles?
Two questions:
If I "buy" a flight using miles, will I earn miles on that flight? In my case, I'd be using American Airlines miles to buy an American Airlines flight.
What about if I use American ...
- 2,401
13
votes
2
answers
655
views
How to find an appropriate frequent flyer program?
In the last months I flew a lot with different airlines, mainly Swiss, AirBaltic, Aeroflot and AeroSvit. Now I was wondering if there is a frequent flyer program covering as much as possible of these ...
- 51.6k
13
votes
1
answer
117k
views
What's the difference between MileSAAver and AAnytime reward tickets on American Airlines?
What's the difference between MileSAAver and AAnytime reward tickets on American Airlines, once they have been booked? Do they have different cancellation or change policies, for example?
I'm looking ...
- 12.4k
12
votes
3
answers
802
views
How to Reduce the Price of an Awards/Points 'Free' Flight?
Yesterday, I did a redemption for a flight on American Airlines using AAdvanatge points. The flight costs about $800 when booked normally though AA or aggregators like Expedia (tried several and there ...
- 46.3k
12
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Is there a reason why airlines prevent laptops from being used during takeoffs and landings even though some allow tablets and smartphones?
Airlines like Delta and British Airways recently started allowing passengers to use tablets and smartphones during takeoffs and landings, yet they still restrict the use of laptops to within the air ...
- 318
12
votes
2
answers
12k
views
What's the difference between SkyTeam and Flying Blue?
I am going to reserve a flight with Air France and I just subscribed to the Flying Blue program (Air France + KLM).
Is this program the same as SkyTeam?
I mean, the miles I earn in Flying Blue ...
- 389
11
votes
5
answers
48k
views
Can I use regular headphones on transatlantic British Airways 747 flights?
I will soon be traveling, Economy class, transatlantic on a British Airways 747. I was hoping to use my over-the-ear headphones with their armrest entertainment system rather than the earbuds they ...
- 657
11
votes
4
answers
42k
views
Can I see which seats are available on a British Airways flight before I book?
Some airlines (for example, American Airlines do this) offer a seat availability checker so you can see which seats are currently booked on a flight - there are limitations, since some seats might ...
- 12.4k
9
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Why did BA want to read the sequence number from my boarding pass?
Earlier this week, I flew LCY->EDI on BA. I was in 1B (bulkhead seat at the front, treated as exit row), and had a boarding pass stored electronically on my phone.
In LCY your boarding pass gets ...
- 3,708
8
votes
3
answers
15k
views
Can you get frequent flyer miles from all code-share airlines, or only same alliance ones?
For example, Qantas and British Airways are both One World. If you fly with one, you can usually claim miles with the other (except some award seats).
What about China Eastern Airlines, who code-...
- 160k
8
votes
2
answers
431
views
Is it possible to use one frequent flyer program for status and another for earnings?
Say I have elite status on one airline in an alliance but I want to accumulate miles in another airline in the alliance. Can I give one number for the purpose of status recognition and the other for ...
- 183
8
votes
4
answers
10k
views
What are "500 Mile Upgrades"?
On my American Airlines AAdvantage account, I see a lot of references to "500 Mile Upgrades".
I don't quite understand how these work. Can someone explain what these are for (and what does the "500 ...
user82
8
votes
1
answer
11k
views
What differences are there between First Class and Business Class on BA long-haul?
Later this year, I'm travelling First Class with BA longhaul (It's a miles reservation, I'm not that rich!). I've travelled Business (Club World) with them before, but I'm curious about what ...
- 12.4k
7
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Recurring roundtrip flights (every weekend)
As the title suggests, I am looking into the option of recurring roundtrip flights every weekend. Friday outbound, Sunday inbound. From Vienna to Paris and then back. To be with my family.
I found ...
6
votes
1
answer
166
views
Specifying a Eurostar or SNCF frequent traveller number when booking through Loco2?
Following the help given in this Travel.SE answer, I now know the trick for specifying my Eurostar or SNCF frequent traveller number when booking a ticket through the SNCB website. Now, I find myself ...
- 63k
6
votes
2
answers
209
views
Cost-effective choices for lounges at Tallinn, Oslo, Helsinki airports?
In these lounges you pay about 30 euros for one visit. Assuming 15-20 travels per year between Tallinn, Oslo and Helsinki:
Are there any cheaper methods to stay in lounges like bonus programs or ...
6
votes
1
answer
501
views
Can Hostelworld Gold membership numbers be shared among multiple accounts?
Is a Hostelworld Gold membership locked to one particular account, or can it be used when make booking from separate accounts to get a discount? If the latter, then does Hostelworld invalidate cards ...
- 38.5k
5
votes
1
answer
350
views
Would ANA still honour reward ticket if Jet airways goes bust
I have frequent flyer miles with Jet airways, with which I have booked a ticket with partner airline ANA.
Now Jet airways is struggling with finances and things are getting worse. I have a confirmed ...
- 4,167
5
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Is it still possible to find mileage run flights and if so, how?
I need about 8000 miles by the end of the year to retain my Elite status with Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles (and consequently my Star Alliance Gold level). In my mind, spending some money to do a ...
- 3,145
5
votes
1
answer
13k
views
Can I get miles for flights I pay for someone else Alaska Airlines
I traveled to Hawaii with my wife but I forgot to include my Alaska Mileage plan when I reserved the tickets. I submitted my request trough Alaska retro credit website and mine went trough but when I ...
- 235
5
votes
1
answer
334
views
Which frequent flyer programs allow pooling of status credits?
I know the Virgin Australia Velocity frequent flyer program allows pooling of travel into a single beneficiary for a whole family. This can be useful where one person travels a lot while the rest ...
- 14.5k
5
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Do I have to go through customs, recheck my bag, during my Heathrow layover?
I am flying from Tehran (Iran) to Toronto, with a connection at Heathrow.
I land with British Airways and then I will fly with Air Canada to Toronto. I am an Iranian citizen, not having a UK visa, but ...
- 51
4
votes
2
answers
14k
views
Is one hour between connecting flights at Heathrow Terminal 5 enough?
GF and I have a flight from Montreal (YUL) to Rome (FCO) via Heathrow (LHR) Terminal 5. Both flights are on British Airways and were booked on the BA sites at the same time.
Arriving at LHR at ...
- 14.7k
4
votes
1
answer
121
views
Can I credit travel on one RailTeam member to the frequent traveller program of another?
I know that with airline alliances and partnerships, you can credit flights on one airline in the alliance/partnership to a frequent traveller program of another. Does the same thing apply for travel ...
- 63k
4
votes
1
answer
217
views
Can I earn SNCF Voyager points, for a booking made without the membership number?
Having now worked out what the SNCF Voyageur program is, I've gone ahead and joined it, as I've a number of TGV journeys coming up in the coming months.
The slight wrinkle is that most of these TGV ...
- 63k