Kyle is out on vacation, so … Kyle is in – the younger, arguably cooler, and definitely taller Kyle, that is. Our podcast editor & social media guru, Kyle Thomas, joins Gunnar on the show to recap his recent flight in United’s new “Elevated” Polaris business class cabin over to London and answers the question: How does it stack up against his beloved Delta One?
Plus, the guys talk through some troubling trends with American AAdvantage miles, and review some Resy/Tock news.
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In This Episode
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- 00:00 – A different (& better) Kyle weighs in with a business class take
- 02:42 – Megan welcomes back the show from Charleston
- 03:24 – Something Hot: Avios are getting … easier to redeem?
- 05:18 – Another Something Hot: So are Amex dining credits?!
- 07:35 – Something Cold: The long-dreaded AAdvantage devaluation is underway
- 14:32 – A word from our sponsor: Monarch!
- 15:36 – The Extra Mile: Kyle pits United Polaris against Delta One
- 16:53 – Highlights & misses from United’s new “Elevated” Polaris biz class
- 31:20 – Final scorecard from United Polaris
- 31:32 – Kyle recaps the wins & losses from 10 (!!!) Delta One flights
- 42:09 – & a scorecard from Delta One
- 42:35 – And the final verdict is…
- 47:18 – A listener asks: Where to credit miles for a Lufthansa redemption?
- 51:58 – On the Spot: Tips to maximize a short stay
Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot
We were in Japan for over a month this spring and when we tallied up our 10 favorite experiences none were in Tokyo and only one was in Kyoto. We loved Takayama, Nagano, wild areas in Shikoku and the Japanese Alps, and the rural areas in Western Honshu. For onsens that aren’t crazy crowded try the area around the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway in the mountains near Kamikochi.
BTW, before you go to Japan go online and listen to Japanese pronunciation of place names. Narita, Haneda, and even Kyoto and Tokyo aren’t pronounced the way you probably think and Japanese speakers might not understand you if you use English pronunciation. (For example, Tokyo and Kyoto are both two-syllables.)
Can I have more info about the vpn to use for getting more points?
Hi Mary, search Rakuten for “Express VPN” or “Nord VPN.” Both regularly offer close to 100% back – 100x points when you have your Rakuten account set up that way – for these purchases. At 100% cash back (100x points), you’re essentially buying points for 1 cent apiece if you don’t plan to use the service. Just don’t forget to cancel before the promo rate expires!