Returned from Phoenix, AZ with good things to say about the local Arizona wine, newly renovated American Airlines Admirals Club at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), and -- of course -- the beautiful scenery. It is absolutely beautiful country.
Read moreCathedrals, Marvels, and Great Spots: Why America's airports aren't "like a third world country"
There's a rumor afoot that America's airports "are like from a third world country". Listen, not all airports are created equal. Some are better than others. Each excel at different things. There are absolutely stunning airports the world over (including in some developing nations), and also some pretty terrible ones. Book your next layover at one of our favorites to see for yourself.
Read moreFive strategies that take the stress out of airports and air travel
If the thought of schlepping to the airport, waiting in line, and facing a delay or a long layover raises your blood pressure, let me take a shot at helping you change your mindset. Remember that you can't enjoy the your journey if you screw up the the basics. Nail the little things that take immense stress away from the very first moment.
Read moreEscape the city to exquisite dining at Virginia Wine Country's Ashby Inn, an hour from Washington
We stopped at the Ashby Inn in Paris, an unincorporated village straight out of Americans' stereotypical vision of a small English town (or, the Hobbit). The setting is positively idyllic, the type of place at which you stop for lunch between wineries, and then realize hours later that you've sat in the garden until your next destination has closed. Situated about an hour outside of Washington, the Ashby Inn is an absolute no-brainer for city escapees, romantic weekenders, and winery wanderers alike.
Read moreReviewing new American Airlines Admirals Club renovations with Phoenix as case study
Travel through the airport, step out of the chaos, pick up a glass of wine. That's what airport lounges are built for. Happily, American Airlines has been remaking their Admirals Clubs at key airports for well over a year. If Phoenix is any indication, I think American is making really good strides.
Read moreDeciding if a premium travel credit card makes sense, and choosing the best one for you
Travel aficionados are abuzz about premium travel credit cards. All of the great travel perks you get with them beg two questions: Does it make good cost-benefit sense for you to get one of the big three premium credit cards, and if so, which one is right for you? We'll break it down and help you decide.
Read moreIs the AMEX Centurion Lounge worth it? At Dallas - Fort Worth, resoundingly yes!
If DFW is any indication, the Centurion Lounges are the best in the domestic American business. Nothing out there (that I've seen) comes close. I'd actually go to the airport early, stay late, or book another long layover just to have dinner here. That said, there aren't many of them, so you won't get much value if you're not a frequent traveler through Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, New York - La Guardia, Miami, Seattle, and San Francisco.
Read moreCoastal Massachusetts wine country is a great excursion in a state known for other things
Concentrated along the South Coast of a state whose reasonable summer temperatures and oceanfront destinations, phenomenal universities, and rich history already attract visitors aplenty, Massachusetts wine country -- like its counterparts in higher production states -- offers the good and the interesting alongside a few duds. We have several favorites.
Read moreNew Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card is the best card for free travel with great perks
I am an unabashed advocate of making travel free, comfortable, or both by smartly using travel credit card points, perks, and incentives.With the exception of a few very specific circumstances, the new Chase Sapphire Reserve card is absolutely the best bet for those wishing to maximize the travel benefits they receive from a credit card. I heartily recommend you get one if you can.
Read moreNational Aviation Day + National Photo Day = Our best #PlanePics of 2016. Also a mystery.
We're celebrating National Aviation Day, Friday, August 19, 2016! We'll also go ahead and, not coincidentally, wish Orville Wright a very happy birthday. He'd have turned 145 years old today. Wilber definitely got the short end of the quasi national holiday stick. We're celebrating with favorites from our stash of aviation photos we've taken this year. Two photos below, and only two photos, depict the exact same plane spotted on two separate occasions 1,010 miles away from one another. Which photos?
Read moreNomad's Leather Charging Wallet is my new traveler's essential for keeping charged on the go
I've been carrying around the new Nomad Leather Charging Wallet, and have been really surprised at how great this portable battery wrapped in a high-quality leather wallet is for travelers and every day active people on the move. It's really a great answer to challenge of never having enough juice for your phone when you need it.
Read moreRight now, August 2016, is the time to hold off opening a new travel-oriented credit card
Anyone who had been thinking of applying for a high end premium credit card in pursuit of free and perk-laden travel (which we fully support) should consider waiting it out through August to see how the dust settles on these two competing stories that have been unfolding the last week or so.
Read moreUsing status challenges to get elite airline status (ahem, free wine in nice seats) faster
There is a tremendous difference in overall experience quality from the standard non-elite and the various frequent flier status tiers. Status challenges are truly the way to earn these promotions if you are brand new to frequent travel (perhaps you've changed jobs or have moved far from family), or if your circumstances have only just now put elite airline status on a particular airline within reach.
Read moreTravel from casual to business suit to athletic shoes and back again... in one carry-on bag
The Briggs & Riley Domestic Carry-On Upright Garment Bag is the perfect bag for busy travelers that must transition seamlessly from casual to business suit to athletic shoes and back again. I wouldn't travel with any other full-size carry-on.
Read moreSouthwest's and jetBlue's reward programs offer simple ways to quickly earn free travel
Frequent-flier rewards programs generally fall into one of two categories, each suited to a different type of traveler. Knowing which to favor based on the type of traveler you are will help you get the most from your airline rewards, and actually use them faster! Today we're going to tackle what I call the "Points for Dollars" frequent flier reward programs that make Southwest and jetBlue particularly attractive for travelers who like to keep things simple and who want to earn free tickets quickly.
Read moreApple CarPlay changes car rental for travelers seeking navigation and their own music
Rental cars are great because they give you flexibility to get anywhere you need at any time, and the chance to try out different cars over time. Some car brands on the lot now have Apple CarPlay built in. This is a game changer for those of us who love the ability to easily navigate music on our iPhone while driving, seize long drives to make phone calls, or who are relying on in-car GPS navigation to get where we're going.
Read moreHappy Fourth of July, the holiday for all Americans. Now go thank a TSA employee!
The Fourth of July is the only major holiday that isn’t somehow underpinned by religion, race, occupation, or memorial. Simply put, it’s a holiday for all. Your Wine:Thirty Flight friends have two wishes. The first is that you celebrate the holiday for all. The second is that you wish a sincere thanks to the next Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employee you come across at the airport. Wait, what?
Read moreTop five travel gear for people who don't have time to prep for the places they're going
You're going places, but you're busy. You probably live in a city, have a job that just won't quit, have to stay at least somewhat connected, and probably don't have all the leisure time in the world to get your life together before you travel. When I travel, I'm not worrying about liquids in plastic bags, toothbrushes, throwing my stuff together, hauling my tech gear, and figuring out where to get my next hit of battery power.
Read moreAboard the vintage Douglas DC-3 airplane, recalling travel from an era of suits and fancy hats
Ambling up those stairs into the cabin, it's not tough for the mind's eye to conjure men in suits and ladies in fancy hats finding their seats and drawing their curtains, reading their newspapers and smoking their cigarettes in the soft light of each lamp. Hat racks hang above the original seats, which are unbelievably far more narrow than the confines we now "enjoy", for passengers were a bit more svelte in those days. A buffet in the aft part of the cabin served hot meals (and, dare we ask, wine?) alongside fine china and silver.
Read moreRonald Reagan Washington National Airport, one of America's best, celebrates 75 years of history
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport - better known to locals simply as "National Airport" or "National" - celebrated 75 years this week since its opening on June 16, 1941. We've been thrilled by this not just because National (IATA code "DCA") is quite literally in our back yard (we watch planes land from our dining room), but also because we're proud of the truly outstanding airport we have right here at home in Arlington, VA.
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