Written by TravelUpdate @ BoardingArea
Amtrak has some great train journeys in the United States and the Coast Starlight is no exception. This takes around 34 hours to get from Los Angeles to Seattle, with plenty of views along the way to make it worthwhile. I once took the California Zephy…
Author: TravelUpdate
Hotel Review: A compact room at the tommie Hollywood in Los Angeles
Written by TravelUpdate @ BoardingArea
tommie Hollywood is a new hotel that opened in Los Angeles on 1 December 2021 and I visited in January 2022. This is probably the newest hotel I have ever had the pleasure of staying in, and it is part of the Hyatt chain. My friend made the booking and…
Did you know there is a United Douglas DC-8 at the California Science Center?
Written by TravelUpdate @ BoardingArea
I was on my way to the California Science Center in Los Angeles to view the exhibits and see the Space Shuttle Endeavour when something caught my eye. A complete United Douglas DC-8 was sitting in front of a building right beside the road. That was pro…
How grim is the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge in Los Angeles?
Written by TravelUpdate @ BoardingArea
Passengers travelling on long distance Amtrak trains in sleeper accommodation are able to access the lounge before leaving. If they are all like the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge in Los Angeles, then I fail to see the benefit here. A friend and I had book…
Limited Time Offer: HSBC Travel Rewards Mastercard (Canada)
Written by TravelUpdate @ BoardingArea
HSBC Canada recently announced a couple of exciting products to their credit card lineup. Particularly, the HSBC Travel Rewards Mastercard® should interest the readers of this blog which comes with 20,000 points with minimum spend of $2000. Best of a…
Changes to World Of Hyatt award chart, no need to scream into a pillow!
Written by TravelUpdate @ BoardingArea
Am sure most of you have read about the upcoming changes to the World Of Hyatt award chart. Starting March 22, 2022, 146 hotels will change categories in the award chart. But its not all bad news. Here is my assessment of the changes, and why you need …
Review: The W Seattle, so what is it really like staying at this hotel?
Written by TravelUpdate @ BoardingArea
The W Seattle is the very first W hotel I have had the pleasure of staying in. After getting the Amtrak train from Los Angeles to Seattle, my friend and I arrived at King Street Station just before 8pm. Considering the hotel was relatively close, we de…
Full Review: LightPhone II, A Good Non-Smartphone Option
Written by TravelUpdate @ BoardingArea
After ditching my smartphone in late 2020, I’ve not looked back. It was a needed change, and there are many moments I’m glad to not be as utterly connected to the internet-world as I used to be. There are days I’ve literally forgotten my phone at home …
Couple that stole $3.6bn also bought multiple gift cards
Written by TravelUpdate @ BoardingArea
The couple stole a total of $3.6bn, but also used a small portion of their heist to buy Walmart, Uber, Hotels.com & Playstation gift cards.
British Airways reminded me I have an eVoucher… that I’d forgotten about!
Written by TravelUpdate @ BoardingArea
I received an unexpected e-mail from British Airways the other day. Apparently I have an eVoucher full of flight credit available to use and they were reminding me about it. Considering I think of myself to be pretty efficient and well organised, this …
Does anyone remember the one of a kind Airbus A340-8000?
Written by TravelUpdate @ BoardingArea
Imagine being in a position where money is no object and you can do whatever you like. Apart from one or two travel bloggers who seem to be flying in this rarified atmosphere, it is something most of us are unable to relate to. Enter the Airbus A340-80…
Almost Losing My Phone: A Cell Phone Protection Coverage Benefit Reminder
Written by TravelUpdate @ BoardingArea
Have you ever had to make a cell phone protection coverage benefit claim through a credit card? I came close this past week.
Review: Oh Pho! Just how good is Alaska Airlines First Class from Seattle to Denver?
Written by TravelUpdate @ BoardingArea
It’s remarkable how much one good experience can influence your thoughts about a brand. I once flew Alaska Airlines first class from Vancouver to Los Angeles and I enjoyed it so much I’ve been looking forward to flying with them again. Fast forward 16 …
Unruly Family Causes Emergency Landing, Bank of America Fraud Ordeal, and Dystopian Hong Kong Restrictions
Written by TravelUpdate @ BoardingArea
Here is the latest set of interesting stories and news from around the travel web that I found enjoyable or useful and hope you do, too!
Review: Alaska Airlines North Satellite Lounge Seattle, with hot pancakes, free Mimosas and mighty views!
Written by TravelUpdate @ BoardingArea
Having done my research before travelling, I knew the best Alaska Airlines lounge in Seattle was the North Satellite lounge. Opened in July 2019, it is the flagship lounge for the airline at its home base. Even though our flight departed from one of th…
Is It Worth Spending $25,000 for Delta Platinum Medallion Status?
Written by TravelUpdate @ BoardingArea
I’ve been planning to use the Delta Platinum Amex card to earn Medallion status this year. However, I am now rethinking this plan. Here’s why:
Looks great! Finnair unveil new business class seats and introduce premium economy class
Written by TravelUpdate @ BoardingArea
Finnair is spending €200 million on brand new business class seats, the introduction of premium economy and a refresh of economy class. The new seats have been unveiled today and they’re looking great. The new cabins will be installed on all the onewor…
Who wants a little peek at the American Airlines Admirals Club in Denver?
Written by TravelUpdate @ BoardingArea
I recently passed through the American Airlines Admirals Club in Denver, a lounge I reviewed extensively four years ago. Since we’ve had a pandemic in that time, has much changed? The short answer is no, much remains the same. One thing that was no lon…
Review: Intercontinental Athenaeum Athens
Written by TravelUpdate @ BoardingArea
The InterContinental Athens offers a nice stay, but falls short of that luxury feel you expect from IHG’s flagship brand. Here’s my review:
Spirit and Frontier Merger: Hurdles for Approval
Written by TravelUpdate @ BoardingArea
Spirit and Frontier Merger: Hurdles for Approval The Spirit and Frontier merger has rocked the United States aviation scene. Long seen as a merger of equals and complementary networks, the news still shocked even seasoned industry observers. The big qu…