Benjamin J Travel – Page 3 – Benjamin J Travel

Join Aer Club, Aer Lingus' New Loyalty Program and Earn 250 Bonus Avios

Join Aer Club, Aer Lingus’ New Loyalty Program, and Earn 250 Bonus Avios

16 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Aer Lingus is replacing their Gold Circle loyalty program with Aer Club and will join the Avios currency along the rest of the IAG family which includes British Airways, Iberia, and Vueling. If you join Aer Club before August 31, 2017, you’ll receive 250 bonus Avios points. If you’re an existing Gold Circle program member, you’ll need to login to your Gold Circle account and activate your Aer Club membership. Per the campaign email: We’d like to extend the opportunity to…

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American Airlines Announces New Flights to Budapest, Prague and Venice

American Airlines Announces New Flights to Budapest, Prague and Venice

16 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 3 comments

Exciting news travelers! for American is launching two new exciting transatlantic routes from Philadelphia (PHL) to Budapest (BUD) and Prague (PRG) and from Chicago (ORD) to Venice (VCE). These new routes will be seasonal during the peak summer travel season. Per the press release from American Airlines: Budapest and Prague will be new destinations on American’s route map. The airline currently offers service to Venice from Philadelphia. This summer, American began service to Amsterdam and Rome from Dallas/Fort Worth, and…

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New Lounges for the Priority Pass Network (Including Sleeping Cabins in Paris!)

New Lounges for the Priority Pass Network (Including Sleeping Cabins in Paris!)

15 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Priority Pass is an independent airport lounge access across 130 countries around the globe. While a Priority Pass membership can be purchased, it’s now more common for cardholders of many premium credit cards to have a Priority Pass membership included in their card membership. Priority Pass has the most extensive lounge network in the world. Priority Pass has recently announced threw newest additions to the their network. Here are the newest additions tot he Priority Pass lounge network for July and…

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Lounge Review: Returning to the Iberia Velázquez Sala VIP Madrid | Terminal 4S | Using Your oneworld Elite Benefits on Iberia Award Travel Takes Work

Using Your oneworld Elite Benefits on Iberia Award Travel Takes Work

13 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

I’ve just returned home from my nice week in Madrid and had somewhat of an interesting trip home. As a follow-up to my prior post on booking this trip, I was worried I”d signed myself up for a frustrating flight experience with Iberia.. I’ve had plenty of frustration with their strange baggage policies, slow agents at Madrid, and dingy aircraft. I’ve come to learn that using Your oneworld Elite Benefits on Iberia award travel takes work. As a OneWorld elite status…

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My First Experience Booking a Flight via US Bank Altitude Rewards Flight Points Find Blog Review Credit Card

My First Experience Booking a Flight via US Bank Altitude Rewards

11 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

I’ve had the US Bank Altitude Reserve Card for a few months now and it’s become one of my top go-to cards, especially for the 3x points earning on mobile wallet payments. I’ve accumulated a nice stash of Altitude points and I had a good opportunity to redeem some of these points for a flight booking. So how was my experience booking a flight via US Bank Altitude rewards? I had already had a particular flight in mind form Chicago…

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Trip Report: British Airways Club Europe | A321 | London Heathrow to Madrid Airline Blog Review

Trip Report: British Airways Club Europe | A321 | London Heathrow to Madrid

10 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 1 comment

After a nice Business Class flight with American Airlines from DFW to London, the final leg of my journey would be from London Heathrow to Madrid. I’d be flying about British Airways in Club Europe aboard an Airbus A321, a workhorse of BA’s intra-Europe fleet. I had about a three hour layover at Heathrow and I spent most of my time in the Galleries First Lounge in Terminal 5. Although, ideally, I would have rather spent my time in the…

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Trip Report: American Airlines Business Class | 777-300ER | DFW to London Heathrow Blog Review August 2017

Trip Report: American Airlines Business Class | 777-300ER | DFW to London Heathrow

8 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

I’ve written extensively about American’s Business Class product on the 777-300ER on the DFW to London route as well other routes like Sydney to Los Angeles. But I wanted to write-up a “mini review” of my latest journey aboard American Airlines Business Class. Boarding from Gate D23 (which I despise for it’s compact space), the boarding process started right on time for AA 78 from DFW to London Heathrow. Boarding was slow as there was only one agent scanning boarding…

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My Next Travel Gamble: Flying Home With Iberia via Chicago Madrid Terminal 4S

My Next Travel Gamble: Flying Home With Iberia via Chicago

8 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 3 comments

As you may know, I’m currently spending the week in Madrid. I flew American and British Airways Business class on the outbound which was an overall pleasant experience. For the return, I booked a rather undesirable routing home via Amsterdam with an overnight layover on Iberia and American Airlines. I had planned to return home this Saturday but the overnight layover didn’t put me back in Dallas until Sunday. Thanks to my Executive Platinum status with American Airlines, I can…

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Lounge Review: Galilei VIP Lounge | Pisa International Airport Blog Airline Review Italy

Lounge Review: Galilei VIP Lounge | Pisa International Airport

7 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Bound for London, my sister and I were flying British Airway from Pisa to London Heathrow after wrapping up a nice time in Florence and the surrounding region. While we were staying in Florence, there a more flight options out of Pisa than the Florence airport. Plus, award availability on British Airways was much better from Pisa. After riding the train from Florence, we took the brand new Pisa People Mover to the airport. The ride takes less than 5…

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Trip Report: American Airlines 787-9 Economy Class | Dallas DFW to Paris CDG Blog Airline Review

Trip Report: American Airlines 787-9 Economy Class | DFW to Paris

3 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

Making my may to Paris for a quick extended weekend, I’d be traveling with American Airlines in 787-9 Economy Class. I was pleased when American “upgraded” this route from an older 777-200 to a 787-9 although now that nearly all 777-200s have been retrofitted, the 787-9 is newer but a slightly smaller passenger capacity. Before departure, I spent about an hour in the DFW Amex Centurion Lounge before heading to my gate about 15 minutes before departure. American loves to…

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Trip Report: British Airways 777 Club World | DFW to London Heathrow Dallas Blog Review

Trip Report: British Airways 777 Club World | DFW to London Heathrow

2 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Thanks to the joint transatlantic venture between OneWorld partners American Airlines and British Airways, there isn’t a shortage of flight options between Dallas (DFW) and London Heathrow (LHR). We had purchased tickets from Dallas to Budapest in British Airways Business Class cabin (branded as Club World) for a fantastic cash price. We were looking forward to the experience in 777 Club World and our trip to Budapest. Our journey started in the Amex Centurion Lounge at DFW but ultimately spent most…

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Collect 3 extra miles for every € 1 spent on airberlin.com Travel Promotion

Air Berlin Promotion: Collect 3 extra miles for every € 1 spent on airberlin.com

1 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Are you planning any flight bookings soon with Air Berlin? Now might be a good time to book with a chance to earn bonus topbonus miles based on dollars spent. Through August 27, 2017, you can collect 3 extra miles for every € 1 spent on airberlin.com. While mileage earnings on flights with topbonus are based on distance, this appears to be an additional bonus based on dollars spent. Per the email campaign from Air Berlin: Book your flights on…

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Making my way to Nice for a week in Provence, my the final leg of my outbound journey would be in aboard Swiss A320 Business Class. After a nice journey aboard Swiss' 777-300ER in Business Class from Los Angeles to Zurich, I was looking forward to another Swiss flight. My connection in Zurich was just under two hours so I spent most of my time in the SWISS Business Lounge in Terminal A. About 15 minutes before scheduled boarding time, I headed over to Terminal A and to our boarding gate, A81. Boarding started right on time and I boarded with the Priority group for Hon Circle, Miles & More Senator, Business Class, Miles & More Frequent Traveller, and Star Alliance Gold passengers. Boarding was orderly and I was the first passneger to board so I had a chance to snap a couple of quick photos of the cabin. Swiss' Business Class cabin on the A320 is standard for European Business Class cabins with a 3-3 layout just like the Economy Class cabin. However, for extra comfort, the middle seat is blocked in Business Class. The curtain between Economy and Business can be moved to adjust the size of Business Class depending on demand. On Swiss, the middle seat is not blocked with an extra tray table like it is on British Airways in Club Europe. We were served a light afternoon lunch for this short 90 minute flight. To be honest, I did't know exactly what I was eating as there were no menus distributed. It appeared there was an egg quiche, a pate with fish eggs, and a tiramisu style dessert. The food was a tasty but it also helped that I was quite hungry. Our final approach offered a lovely view of the Nice and the surrounding Côte d'Azur.

Trip Report: Swiss A320 Business Class | Zurich to Nice

29 July, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Making my way to Nice for a week in Provence, my the final leg of my outbound journey would be in Swiss A320 Business Class. After a nice journey aboard Swiss’ 777-300ER in Business Class from Los Angeles to Zurich, I was looking forward to another Swiss flight. My connection in Zurich was just under two hours so I spent most of my time in the SWISS Business Lounge in Terminal A. About 15 minutes before scheduled boarding time, I headed…

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Hotel Review: Cork Airport Hotel | Cork, Ireland Blog Review

Hotel Review: Cork Airport Hotel | Cork, Ireland

28 July, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

On a trip with my dad to Ireland, Cork was one of our planed overnight stays. However, it was not in our original plans to stay at the Cork Airport Hotel. I’m a master of travel planning if I must pat myself on the back. But on this trip, I made a rare mistake of booking a hotel stay on the wrong date. Ooops! Overall Rating: 4 of 5 Stars Location: 4 of 5 Stars Service: 4 of 5 Stars…

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Lover of Travel and Aviation? 20% Off Gear at 08 Left Promo Code Coupon AvGeek Gear

Lover of Travel and Aviation? 20% Off Gear at 08 Left

27 July, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.1″] As a fan of all things travel and aviation, I am surprised that I hadn’t heard of 08 Left until the end of last year. I cam to discover their site after a good friend and fellow #AvGeek bought me one of their awesome canvas prints. After my first look at their website, I couldn’t decide what to buy first! 08 Left is an #AvGeek shop with aviation and travel-oriented artwork, apparel, household items and accessories….

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Airfare Promotion: 30% Off WOW Air Flights to Tel Aviv

Airfare Promotion: 30% Off WOW Air Flights to Tel Aviv

27 July, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

Tel Aviv and Israel near the top of your travel to-do list? Well this morning, WOW Air released a 24 hour promotion, offering 30% off WOW Air flights to Tel Aviv with the promo code WOWTELAVIV. Booking must be done by July 31, 2017. Per the email campaign from WOW Air: Soak up the sun by the Mediterranean Sea, visit world renowned museums, explore inspiring historic sites and enjoy the vibrant Tel Aviv nightlife in one of the most visited…

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Lounge Review: oneworld Business Class Lounge LAX | Los Angeles

Lounge Review: oneworld Business Class Lounge LAX

26 July, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

After a long light from Hong Kong, I found myself with a long layover at LAX. With time to kill, I decided to check out the oneworld Business Class Lounge LAX in the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). I had access to the more upscale Qantas First Lounge in the same terminal but I wanted to sample something new. Access to the oneworld Business Class Lounge LAX access is permitted to oneworld elites with Sapphire or Emerald status or those traveling in…

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$5 USD Discount on First Food Order With Chase Pay

$5 USD Discount on Food Orders With Chase Pay

26 July, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Happy Wednesday, travelers! While not necessarily travel related, I’m always up for a deal or coupon. Mobile payments are becoming more and more common and some credit cards are now even incentivizing mobile payments. If you’re a Chase customer and haven’t looked into Chase Pay, there’s a promotion until the end of July on restaurant orders. Per the Chase promotion: Use the Chase Pay app and get $5 off the first time you order ahead from your favorite restaurants. Use…

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Trip Report: Qantas A330 Economy Class | Sydney to Melbourne

Trip Report: Qantas A330 Economy Class | Sydney to Melbourne

24 July, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 1 comment

Making our way from Sydney to Melbourne, a Qantas A330-200 would be our ride for the short ride between Australia’s two largest cities. This trip report will cover our overall experience in Qantas A330 Economy Class on a domestic Australian route. I’d booked this particular segment with British Airways Avios as the cash price was bit pricey for such a short flight. British Airways (BA) Avios still represent a great value for short haul redemptions, especially outside on flights outside…

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Lounge Review: British Airways Terraces Lounge | Berlin Tegel Blog Review

Lounge Review: British Airways Terraces Lounge | Berlin Tegel

23 July, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

After a nice long weekend in Berlin, it was time to fly from out Berlin’s Tegel Airport (TXL). Arriving a bit early, we decided to spend some time in the British Airways Terraces Lounge in Terminal A. TXL is an older airport but I love the clean, yet brutal design of hexagonal terminal, a throwback to the 1960s. However the layout at TXL is a bit confusing to the unfamiliar passenger. The location of the Terraces Lounges is a bit vague…

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