The Upgrd Podcast

By Upgrd Podcast - Upgrd Podcast This week we recorded our podcast shortly after Ben arrived on BA 4 - the new Club World Service from JFK to LCY. Ben was comped a round trip by British Airways as a travel blogger to report on this new offering. In addition we were joined by Damian, a frequent United and Lufthansa traveler based in Frankfurt. We discussed: Amenities and service of the Club World Service on British Airways Arrivals in London City Airport US Airways recent downsizing to hub only flying Star Alliance awards in Europe Lufthansa's denied boarding compenstation and more... This was the first podcast edited and uploaded at 35,000 feet. I hope the upload worked! If there are any issues with the audio, please leave a message and it will be fixed once on the ground.

This week we recorded our podcast shortly after Ben arrived on BA 4 - the new Club World Service from JFK to LCY. Ben was comped a round trip by British Airways as a travel blogger to report on this new offering. In addition we were joined by Damian, a frequent United and Lufthansa traveler based in Frankfurt. We discussed: Amenities and service of the Club World Service on British Airways Arrivals in London City Airport US Airways recent downsizing to hub only flying Star Alliance awards in Europe Lufthansa's denied boarding compenstation and more... This was the first podcast edited and uploaded at 35,000 feet. I hope the upload worked! If there are any issues with the audio, please leave a message and it will be fixed once on the ground.

By Upgrd Podcast - Upgrd Podcast This week we are joined by Mark, a frequent US Airways traveler to discuss the US Airways Dividend Miles program. During the podcast we discussed: Delta's recent mishaps when landing and generally when "situationally unaware" A new segment "Your Hometown, Your Airline" where we recommend an airline mileage program based on a particular city. This week we discuss the best airline programs for flyers in Boston. Mark describes US Airways elite levels, elite requirements, and benefits of elite status What not to do when taking photos on an airplane Got any US Airways stories or program information that we missed? What do you think of the Hometown Airline segment - keeper? Leave a comment below. Also please take our survey on airline clubs.  

This week we are joined by Mark, a frequent US Airways traveler to discuss the US Airways Dividend Miles program. During the podcast we discussed: Delta's recent mishaps when landing and generally when "situationally unaware" A new segment "Your Hometown, Your Airline" where we recommend an airline mileage program based on a particular city. This week we discuss the best airline programs for flyers in Boston. Mark describes US Airways elite levels, elite requirements, and benefits of elite status What not to do when taking photos on an airplane Got any US Airways stories or program information that we missed? What do you think of the Hometown Airline segment - keeper? Leave a comment below. Also please take our survey on airline clubs.  

By Upgrd Podcast - Upgrd Podcast Well, not really, but United Airlines is sure trying to give you that impression. Episode 41 is a combination of an episode that we recorded last week, and a second brief recording this morning regarding the new change at United - eliminating the 500 miler requirement for domestic upgrades. In last week's recording we discuss: American Airlines double EQM along with the reduced requirement for using E-VIPs for Executive Platinums United allowing Z fares to be upgraded with miles next year Is Thanksgiving a good time to get bumps? Our blog posts on the newly lunched upgrd.com and more... This morning we discussed the new change to UA's upgrade policy and whether or not it changes our airline affiliations.  

Well, not really, but United Airlines is sure trying to give you that impression. Episode 41 is a combination of an episode that we recorded last week, and a second brief recording this morning regarding the new change at United - eliminating the 500 miler requirement for domestic upgrades. In last week's recording we discuss: American Airlines double EQM along with the reduced requirement for using E-VIPs for Executive Platinums United allowing Z fares to be upgraded with miles next year Is Thanksgiving a good time to get bumps? Our blog posts on the newly lunched upgrd.com and more... This morning we discussed the new change to UA's upgrade policy and whether or not it changes our airline affiliations.  

By Upgrd Podcast - Upgrd Podcast At long last, our "live" recording. This episode is available as both an audio podcast an online as a video. As usual Ben and Hunter do not agree, what is your opinion? We discussed: Our first class upgrades flying to San Diego Hunter's opinion on OneWorld's low ranking compared to Sky Team A reflection on our lessons learned in the first 39 podcasts Our new website and more   Open video   $(function() { var player = $f("player", "/flowplayer/flowplayer-3.1.4.swf", { plugins: { rtmp: { url: '/flowplayer/flowplayer.rtmp-3.1.3.swf', netConnectionUrl: 'rtmp://vid1.upgrd.com/cfx/st' } }, clip: { provider: 'rtmp' } }); // setup button action. it will fire our overlay $("button[rel]").overlay({ effect: 'apple', onLoad: function() { player.load(); }, onClose: function() { player.unload(); } }); });

At long last, our "live" recording. This episode is available as both an audio podcast an online as a video. As usual Ben and Hunter do not agree, what is your opinion? We discussed: Our first class upgrades flying to San Diego Hunter's opinion on OneWorld's low ranking compared to Sky Team A reflection on our lessons learned in the first 39 podcasts Our new website and more   Open video   $(function() { var player = $f("player", "/flowplayer/flowplayer-3.1.4.swf", { plugins: { rtmp: { url: '/flowplayer/flowplayer.rtmp-3.1.3.swf', netConnectionUrl: 'rtmp://vid1.upgrd.com/cfx/st' } }, clip: { provider: 'rtmp' } }); // setup button action. it will fire our overlay $("button[rel]").overlay({ effect: 'apple', onLoad: function() { player.load(); }, onClose: function() { player.unload(); } }); });

By Upgrd Podcast - Upgrd Podcast From the bitten off more than I can chew department comes epsiode 39 about Thai Airways. We are again joined by David who happened to be in Thailand as we recorded this a few weeks ago. Aplogies for the late upload as our live recording in San Diego and new website was a little more than I could handle this past week. We discussed: Earning miles on Thai Redemption on Thai The "Gold Envelope" The San Diego recording and video will be up soon.

From the bitten off more than I can chew department comes epsiode 39 about Thai Airways. We are again joined by David who happened to be in Thailand as we recorded this a few weeks ago. Aplogies for the late upload as our live recording in San Diego and new website was a little more than I could handle this past week. We discussed: Earning miles on Thai Redemption on Thai The "Gold Envelope" The San Diego recording and video will be up soon.

By Upgrd Podcast - Upgrd Podcast A 50 minute flight with a full catered meal and dessert? Are we talking about some far off international carrier? No of course not, unfortunately though you will need a time machine. Listen in to our semi-historical talk about our earliest flight memories as we are joined by veteran traveler Todd, a meterologist at an east coast University. We discuss: United premier travel plus - devaluing status? http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125296377430509937.html   CO's old flights to/from BOS/DEN on the A300. Carved roast beef at your seat. Flying TW's L-1011 BOS-ORY service, and being the only one in F. TWA 747 BOS/JFK/BOS repositioning flight where upgrades were free and easy. Almost never missing an upgrade on Eastern Shuttle in the 80s thanks to their "Executive Traveller Program." Knowing how to get an F seat on the "all coach" Eastern Shuttle. Sometimes they put an L-1011 or A300 on the LGA/BOS service, and savvy flyers would enter the L2 door and turn left instead of right. An F seat was yours for the taking! American Airlines 747 with piano We will be live streaming from the San Diego Film Festival next weekend, make sure you join us and send your question live at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/upgrd (Link will work Saturday, September 26 at 4pm PST)

A 50 minute flight with a full catered meal and dessert? Are we talking about some far off international carrier? No of course not, unfortunately though you will need a time machine. Listen in to our semi-historical talk about our earliest flight memories as we are joined by veteran traveler Todd, a meterologist at an east coast University. We discuss: United premier travel plus - devaluing status? http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125296377430509937.html   CO's old flights to/from BOS/DEN on the A300. Carved roast beef at your seat. Flying TW's L-1011 BOS-ORY service, and being the only one in F. TWA 747 BOS/JFK/BOS repositioning flight where upgrades were free and easy. Almost never missing an upgrade on Eastern Shuttle in the 80s thanks to their "Executive Traveller Program." Knowing how to get an F seat on the "all coach" Eastern Shuttle. Sometimes they put an L-1011 or A300 on the LGA/BOS service, and savvy flyers would enter the L2 door and turn left instead of right. An F seat was yours for the taking! American Airlines 747 with piano We will be live streaming from the San Diego Film Festival next weekend, make sure you join us and send your question live at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/upgrd (Link will work Saturday, September 26 at 4pm PST)

By Upgrd Podcast - Upgrd Podcast In this week's frequent flyer discussion we answer some viewer mail and cover some recent news. Unfortunately when we recorded last week, Continental's new redemption award chart had not yet been released, so some of our commentary is stale already. Outside of this we discussed: San Diego Film Festival / Facebook page Follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/upgrd For "Upgrd - The Movie" do we get Clooney to play Hunter? In the mean time check out Up In The Air http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/upintheair/large.html Hijack? In 2009? 9/9/9 http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/09/09/mexico.hijacking/ Delta's new BE - are tray tables worth getting upset over? http://blog.delta.com/2009/08/31/update-flat-bed-seats/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N06mWF2yq6c VX is a business airline? http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/grossman/2009-09-09-virgin-america_N.htm UA spiffs up cabin. Yawn... http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4507496/ Get the lice out http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/07/delta-flies-empty-planes-transatlantic Do any of you bother with plastic bags and 3 ounce containers anymore? http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-09-08-liquids-ban_N.htm Remember to take advantage of discounted festival passes for the San Diego Film Festival. We will be recording live on September 26th with more details to be posted on our Facebook page.  Also, follow us on twitter.

In this week's frequent flyer discussion we answer some viewer mail and cover some recent news. Unfortunately when we recorded last week, Continental's new redemption award chart had not yet been released, so some of our commentary is stale already. Outside of this we discussed: San Diego Film Festival / Facebook page Follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/upgrd For "Upgrd - The Movie" do we get Clooney to play Hunter? In the mean time check out Up In The Air http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/upintheair/large.html Hijack? In 2009? 9/9/9 http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/09/09/mexico.hijacking/ Delta's new BE - are tray tables worth getting upset over? http://blog.delta.com/2009/08/31/update-flat-bed-seats/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N06mWF2yq6c VX is a business airline? http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/grossman/2009-09-09-virgin-america_N.htm UA spiffs up cabin. Yawn... http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4507496/ Get the lice out http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/07/delta-flies-empty-planes-transatlantic Do any of you bother with plastic bags and 3 ounce containers anymore? http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-09-08-liquids-ban_N.htm Remember to take advantage of discounted festival passes for the San Diego Film Festival. We will be recording live on September 26th with more details to be posted on our Facebook page.  Also, follow us on twitter.

By Upgrd Podcast - Upgrd Podcast The big news of the week is another double elite qualifying mile (DEQM) promotion started by American and, thus far, only matched by United. In this week's frequent traveler podcast we discuss the promotion and: Delta's JFK T3 experience ... again Delta's SkyClub American and United's Double Elite Qualifying Miles Promotion - register now to earn status more quickly Swiss first class pajamas Ben needs help from a foodie Remember to take advantage of discounted festival passes for the San Diego Film Festival. We will be recording live on September 26th with more details to be posted on our Facebook page.  Also, follow us on twitter.