Next in the series of comparisons of the major US airlines’ credit cards comes the United MileagePlus Explorer card. This card sits as a middle card, offering entry-level perks without a high annual fee. This card competes with the Delta Gold Card, the American Aviator Red Card, and the American AAdvantage Platinum Select Card. Historically,Continue reading “United MileagePlus Explorer Card (2025 update!)”
Tag Archives: travel-tips
Let’s go to Oklahoma. Part 1: Richmond to Charlotte
For the next couple flights, we’re going to take a break from longer flights and talk about a couple short flights. This next trip was from Richmond, VA to Oklahoma City via Charlotte. When I booked the ticket, first class was available for only $90 more than economy, and since that $90 would cover twoContinue reading “Let’s go to Oklahoma. Part 1: Richmond to Charlotte”
Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards New Summit Card
About a year ago, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines merged into one company. They’re maintaining the two separate brands but operations are being managed primarily by Alaska Airlines from Seattle. As part of this merger, Alaska Airlines is trying to position itself as the U.S.’s 4th global carrier (much like what JetBlue was trying toContinue reading “Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards New Summit Card”
San Francisco to IAD two ways
The next set of flights to discuss are not the most exciting flights, so I’ve combined them into one post. A few months ago, I published a review of San Francisco to Washington DC (DCA) in two directions in coach. Now, I have a follow-on review of a very similar flight: San Francisco to WashingtonContinue reading “San Francisco to IAD two ways”
Spring Break to Europe Part 2B: Aer Lingus to SFO!
After my short flight from Manchester, I headed for passport control. Unfortunately, my flight arrived at about the same time as flights from the United States, so the “other” passport line was extremely long and slow. I explained to the agent that I had come in from Manchester and was on my way to the United States,Continue reading “Spring Break to Europe Part 2B: Aer Lingus to SFO!”
United MileagePlus Quest Card (2025 update!)
This post is to update my review of the United MileagePlus Quest card. This card exists are part of the series of comparisons of the major US airlines’ credit cards. This card is United Airlines’ upper-middle card, offering enhanced perks without the annual fee of a Club card. This card competes with the Delta PlatinumContinue reading “United MileagePlus Quest Card (2025 update!)”
Spring break to Europe! Part 2: Aer Lingus across the Irish Sea
It’s very uncommon that my second post from a trip is the beginning of the return trip to the United States. But that’s the situation we find ourselves in with this next report. I spent about a week in Europe, but there wasn’t a lot to report on for this blog. To get from London to Paris,Continue reading “Spring break to Europe! Part 2: Aer Lingus across the Irish Sea”
Spring break to Europe! Part 1: BA
For our next flight adventure, we’re heading to London on British Airways. As readers will know, this has been a very common method for me to get to Europe since I moved to San Francisco in 2022. In the case of this trip, my destinations were London, Paris, and Manchester, so this flight, once again,Continue reading “Spring break to Europe! Part 1: BA”
Chase Sapphire Reserve: 2025 updates!
It’s officially time to revisit the Chase Sapphire Reserve. June 2025 brought with it a huge update to this card, and a massive increase in the annual fee from $550 to $795. There’s a strong and continuing trend of credit card issuers to increase annual fees while offering more credits to offset those fees. NoContinue reading “Chase Sapphire Reserve: 2025 updates!”
Backtracking through New York. This time on American!
On the way back from DC, I was once again heading through NYC. This time, however, I was flying American Airlines, which can only mean one thing on this blog. Yep, it’s another Flagship First Transcontinental review! This review is split into two parts because I’ll use this first part as my review of theContinue reading “Backtracking through New York. This time on American!”
Michael's travel blog 