Apr 13, 2015, 12:34 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Topic Index
Links to FlyerTalk's major forum categories are in the blue website header. Look at either the JUMP TO FORUMS area, or click the FORUM menu. Each major category hosts specialized forums dedicated to discussions of particular topics. Some of the most requested or hardest to find topics are listed below:
–A–
Abbreviations, acronyms on FT > HELP menu or dedicated Glossary link in page footer
AirBnB, VRBO, etc. > Miles and Points > Hotels and Places to Stay > Non-hotel Lodging Services including Airbnb and VRBO forum
Airline codes (many, but not all) > HELP menu or dedicated Glossary link in page footer
Airlines > Miles & Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs category
Airport codes > HELP menu or dedicated Airport Code Lookup link in page footer
Airports (connecting, layovers, terminals, ground transport, etc.) > Destinations > Region category > Country or Major City forum (where airport is located)
–B–
Baggage rules (maximum sizes/weights/pieces) > Miles & Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs category (select ticketed airline)
Baggage - also see Luggage listing
–C–
Car rental > Miles & Points > Car Rental Programs and Ride Services category
Card churning > Miles & Points > Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs category
Checkpoints > Travel & Dining > Travel Safety/Security category
Connections, airport transits, MCTs, layovers > Destinations > Region category > Country or Major City forum (where airport is located)
Coupon Connection > The Coupon Connection and related issues in Technical Support and Feedback (read wiki post)
Credit cards > Miles & Points > Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs category
Cruises > Travel & Dining > Cruises
Customs/immigration > Travel & Dining > Travel Safety/Security category
–D–
Debit cards > Miles & Points > Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs category
–E–
Expedia, Travelocity, etc. (online travel agents) > Travel & Dining > Online Travel Booking and Bidding Agencies forum
–F–
Feedback to Admin > Technical Support and Feedback Forum
FlyerTalk Rules > HELP menu or FORUM menu
–G–
General travel questions/discussion > Travel & Dining > TravelBuzz forum
Gift cards, prepaid cards > Miles & Points > Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs category
Glossary > HELP menu or dedicated Glossary link in page footer
Ground transport (taxis, uber, limo service, buses, not rental cars) > Destinations > Region category > Country or Major City forum
–H–
Hotels > Miles & Points > Hotels and Loyalty Programs category
–I–
Immigration/customs > Travel & Dining > Travel Safety/Security category
Insurance > Travel & Dining > Travel Products forum
ITA Software tips, advice > Travel & Dining > Travel Tools forum
–J–
Jargon, acronyms, abbreviations, slang > Help menu or dedicated Glossary Link in page footer
–K–
Kayak, Orbitz, etc. (online travel agents) > Travel & Dining > Online Travel Booking and Bidding Agencies forum
–L–
Luggage advice (brands, types) > Travel & Dining > Travel Products forum
–M–
Manufactured spending > Miles & Points > Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs category
Matrix ITA Software - tips, advice > Travel & Dining > Travel Tools forum
–N–
Name Problems on travel documents, passports, other IDs > Travel & Dining > Travel Safety/Security category
–O–
Off-topic, non-travel questions/discussion > OMNI > a restricted-access forum for longtime, contributing members; non-travel threads started by members who are not yet eligible for OMNI will be locked or deleted
Online travel agencies (Expedia, orbitz, etc.) > Travel & Dining > Online Travel Booking and Bidding Agencies forum
–P–
Passport questions/problems > Travel & Dining > Travel Safety/Security category
Pets (traveling with) > Travel & Dining > Special Interest Travel category
Prepaid cards > Miles & Points > Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs category
–Q–
–R–
Rental car questions/discussion > Miles & Points > Car Rental Programs/Partners category
Ride Services (e.g. Uber, Lyft, etc.) > Car Rental Programs and Ride Services > Ride Services, Including Uber and Lyft forum
Rules (FlyerTalk) > Help or Forum
–S–
Safety while traveling > Travel & Dining > Travel Safety/Security category
Suggestions to Community Director or Admin > Community > The Suggestion Box
–T–
Taxis, limos, buses, etc. (ground transport, not rental cars) > Destinations > Region category > Country or Major City forum (see Ride Services listing)
Technical support (FlyerTalk site functionality)> Technical Support and Feedback Forum
Terminology, acronyms, abbreviations > Help menu or dedicated Glossary Link in page footer
Transits, transfers, connection times > Destinations > Region category > Country or Major City forum (where airport is located)
Travel miscellany - travel topics that don't fit any other forum > Travel & Dining > TravelBuzz forum
Travel products > Travel & Dining > Travel Products forum
Travel Tools for searches, comparisons, availability checkers, tracking, organizing > Travel & Dining > Travel Tools forum
Trip/travel Insurance > Travel & Dining > Travel Products forum
–U–
–V–
Visas (for foreign entries, immigration) > Destinations > Region category > Country forum
Visas - tool IATA TIMATIC (what the airlines use for guidance on whether you will fly or not)
VRBO, Airbnb, etc. > Miles and Points > Hotels and Places to Stay > Non-hotel Lodging Services including Airbnb and VRBO forum
–W–
–X–
–Y–
–Z–
Updated 10 Jul 2017 - JDiver
Links to FlyerTalk's major forum categories are in the blue website header. Look at either the JUMP TO FORUMS area, or click the FORUM menu. Each major category hosts specialized forums dedicated to discussions of particular topics. Some of the most requested or hardest to find topics are listed below:
–A–
Abbreviations, acronyms on FT > HELP menu or dedicated Glossary link in page footer
AirBnB, VRBO, etc. > Miles and Points > Hotels and Places to Stay > Non-hotel Lodging Services including Airbnb and VRBO forum
Airline codes (many, but not all) > HELP menu or dedicated Glossary link in page footer
Airlines > Miles & Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs category
Airport codes > HELP menu or dedicated Airport Code Lookup link in page footer
Airports (connecting, layovers, terminals, ground transport, etc.) > Destinations > Region category > Country or Major City forum (where airport is located)
–B–
Baggage rules (maximum sizes/weights/pieces) > Miles & Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs category (select ticketed airline)
Baggage - also see Luggage listing
–C–
Car rental > Miles & Points > Car Rental Programs and Ride Services category
Card churning > Miles & Points > Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs category
Checkpoints > Travel & Dining > Travel Safety/Security category
Connections, airport transits, MCTs, layovers > Destinations > Region category > Country or Major City forum (where airport is located)
Coupon Connection > The Coupon Connection and related issues in Technical Support and Feedback (read wiki post)
Credit cards > Miles & Points > Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs category
Cruises > Travel & Dining > Cruises
Customs/immigration > Travel & Dining > Travel Safety/Security category
–D–
Debit cards > Miles & Points > Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs category
–E–
Expedia, Travelocity, etc. (online travel agents) > Travel & Dining > Online Travel Booking and Bidding Agencies forum
–F–
Feedback to Admin > Technical Support and Feedback Forum
FlyerTalk Rules > HELP menu or FORUM menu
–G–
General travel questions/discussion > Travel & Dining > TravelBuzz forum
Gift cards, prepaid cards > Miles & Points > Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs category
Glossary > HELP menu or dedicated Glossary link in page footer
Ground transport (taxis, uber, limo service, buses, not rental cars) > Destinations > Region category > Country or Major City forum
–H–
Hotels > Miles & Points > Hotels and Loyalty Programs category
–I–
Immigration/customs > Travel & Dining > Travel Safety/Security category
Insurance > Travel & Dining > Travel Products forum
ITA Software tips, advice > Travel & Dining > Travel Tools forum
–J–
Jargon, acronyms, abbreviations, slang > Help menu or dedicated Glossary Link in page footer
–K–
Kayak, Orbitz, etc. (online travel agents) > Travel & Dining > Online Travel Booking and Bidding Agencies forum
–L–
Luggage advice (brands, types) > Travel & Dining > Travel Products forum
–M–
Manufactured spending > Miles & Points > Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs category
Matrix ITA Software - tips, advice > Travel & Dining > Travel Tools forum
–N–
Name Problems on travel documents, passports, other IDs > Travel & Dining > Travel Safety/Security category
–O–
Off-topic, non-travel questions/discussion > OMNI > a restricted-access forum for longtime, contributing members; non-travel threads started by members who are not yet eligible for OMNI will be locked or deleted
Online travel agencies (Expedia, orbitz, etc.) > Travel & Dining > Online Travel Booking and Bidding Agencies forum
–P–
Passport questions/problems > Travel & Dining > Travel Safety/Security category
Pets (traveling with) > Travel & Dining > Special Interest Travel category
Prepaid cards > Miles & Points > Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs category
–Q–
–R–
Rental car questions/discussion > Miles & Points > Car Rental Programs/Partners category
Ride Services (e.g. Uber, Lyft, etc.) > Car Rental Programs and Ride Services > Ride Services, Including Uber and Lyft forum
Rules (FlyerTalk) > Help or Forum
–S–
Safety while traveling > Travel & Dining > Travel Safety/Security category
Suggestions to Community Director or Admin > Community > The Suggestion Box
–T–
Taxis, limos, buses, etc. (ground transport, not rental cars) > Destinations > Region category > Country or Major City forum (see Ride Services listing)
Technical support (FlyerTalk site functionality)> Technical Support and Feedback Forum
Terminology, acronyms, abbreviations > Help menu or dedicated Glossary Link in page footer
Transits, transfers, connection times > Destinations > Region category > Country or Major City forum (where airport is located)
Travel miscellany - travel topics that don't fit any other forum > Travel & Dining > TravelBuzz forum
Travel products > Travel & Dining > Travel Products forum
Travel Tools for searches, comparisons, availability checkers, tracking, organizing > Travel & Dining > Travel Tools forum
Trip/travel Insurance > Travel & Dining > Travel Products forum
–U–
–V–
Visas (for foreign entries, immigration) > Destinations > Region category > Country forum
Visas - tool IATA TIMATIC (what the airlines use for guidance on whether you will fly or not)
VRBO, Airbnb, etc. > Miles and Points > Hotels and Places to Stay > Non-hotel Lodging Services including Airbnb and VRBO forum
–W–
–X–
–Y–
–Z–
Updated 10 Jul 2017 - JDiver
Where to find information about...
Apr 11, 2019, 11:35 am
#92
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
This is a good site to check for rail/ferry options between the UK and Ireland:
https://www.seat61.com/
https://www.seat61.com/
May 8, 2019, 8:25 am
#94
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 7
Best place for a per diem traveler thread?
After looking through all of the search results for posts and the wiki, I'm not finding a specific thread for those of us on a per diem system. I'd love to start a thread on this; where would you recommend I post it?
May 8, 2019, 8:56 am
#95
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Probably Travel Buzz, but with that topic covering so many hotel forums, as well as the dining forum and even the credit card forum, not sure how much traction it would get as a stand-alone thread. There are prior threads in that forum about expenses and per diem (search term: "per diem" with the quote marks).
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travelbuzz-176/
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travelbuzz-176/
May 10, 2019, 12:13 pm
#96
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC suburbs
Programs: UA LT Gold (BIS), AA LT Plat (CC SUBs & BD), Hilton Dia (CC), Hyatt Glob (BIB), et. al.
Posts: 3,297
Some forums have threads for questions about award travel, presumably for redemptions using that forum’s program. Is there a correct thread to post requests for assistance with booking award travel when one has multiple options for using miles and/or points (i.e. AA, UA, Delta, Membership Rewards, Ultimate Rewards)? Is it considered posting the same post if one asks the same question on more than one of the specific program threads? Thank you.
May 10, 2019, 12:52 pm
#97
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,321
Some forums have threads for questions about award travel, presumably for redemptions using that forum’s program. Is there a correct thread to post requests for assistance with booking award travel when one has multiple options for using miles and/or points (i.e. AA, UA, Delta, Membership Rewards, Ultimate Rewards)? Is it considered posting the same post if one asks the same question on more than one of the specific program threads? Thank you.
Should not post the same question on multiple threads but if you're asking about how to use United points to travel from Timbuktu to Tokyo in one thread, it's fine to ask about using Amex points for that travel in a different forum. In general though, detailed trip planning services are best obtained through the many paid award booking services out there if the information shared on this site as to.how to search for options etc doesn't sufficiently help.
May 20, 2019, 2:49 am
#98
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 12
Hi, I've been a lurker here on and off for specific flights. But this question is a little different. I'm wondering my best strategy, my son will be going back and forth between the same routing for college for 4 years. Both airports are in what I'd guess you call secondary cities.
I can give you more details on our situation if you'd like, but my real question is: What is the strategy to this? I am ready to do the legwork, but unlike a one-off trip somewhere, I don't know how to approach it. Nor was I sure which forum to post on since I don't know what airline I want.
Related questions:
Our details--PDX - BNA. He would travel about 4x rt/year. Not counting any trips we might make to visit him. We don't have a lot of miles anywhere. Accounts at Delta, United and Alaska Air.
I can give you more details on our situation if you'd like, but my real question is: What is the strategy to this? I am ready to do the legwork, but unlike a one-off trip somewhere, I don't know how to approach it. Nor was I sure which forum to post on since I don't know what airline I want.
Related questions:
- Go cheapest flight every time?
- Figure out the carriers with the best hubs for our route? And how do I do that? Run lots of queries on Kayak repeatedly until I see a pattern?
- Stick with 1 or 2 carriers and build miles?
- Should he get a Visa card with one of the carriers?
Our details--PDX - BNA. He would travel about 4x rt/year. Not counting any trips we might make to visit him. We don't have a lot of miles anywhere. Accounts at Delta, United and Alaska Air.
May 20, 2019, 1:08 pm
#99
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 315
I can give you more details on our situation if you'd like, but my real question is: What is the strategy to this? I am ready to do the legwork, but unlike a one-off trip somewhere, I don't know how to approach it. Nor was I sure which forum to post on since I don't know what airline I want.
The more important thing for you is points earning. You want a credit card which is good points earning on airfare, such some Chase cards that are 3x and some AmEx that are 3x or even 5x. And often there does turn out to be one carrier who often has the best route and pricing for you; if that is the case you may want a credit card with that airline in order to get free bags.
May 20, 2019, 3:21 pm
#100
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
But if you did want to build up miles on discounted tickets, your best option would be Alaska which awards miles based on distance flown and not the price of the ticket. They have two flights a day to BNA from SEA (0955, 1650) and two back to SEA (0735, 1725). Looks like connections from/to PDX would work with those.
Alaska, like it's competitors, offers basic economy and regular economy. The basic economy fares are the cheapest and most restricted and come with limited seat assignments (last few rows of coach, otherwise assigned at the gate) and no checked baggage. The basic economy fares are not refundable and cannot be changed at all. You'll need to sort out which type of flyer your son intends to be as you start purchasing tickets.
I use a Chase Sapphire Reserve for 3X on travel, but if you're not going to be able to take advantage of the Priority Pass lounge access that comes with that, that $450 card ($300 in travel rebated), it would not be a good fit for you. Alaska does have its own credit card with a 40K signup bonus with minimum spend, but the only bonus category is airfare (3X). It does come with a $99 companion ticket which you might be able to take advantage of if two of you visit and fly together, as well as a free checked bag for up to 6 passengers on the same booking. If you did get that card, probably best to use it only on airfare for Alaska as other cards have better rewards for other categories. We have a whole forum here on credit cards you might want to look over before deciding the best fit for you.
Tom in Cairns
Alaska, like it's competitors, offers basic economy and regular economy. The basic economy fares are the cheapest and most restricted and come with limited seat assignments (last few rows of coach, otherwise assigned at the gate) and no checked baggage. The basic economy fares are not refundable and cannot be changed at all. You'll need to sort out which type of flyer your son intends to be as you start purchasing tickets.
I use a Chase Sapphire Reserve for 3X on travel, but if you're not going to be able to take advantage of the Priority Pass lounge access that comes with that, that $450 card ($300 in travel rebated), it would not be a good fit for you. Alaska does have its own credit card with a 40K signup bonus with minimum spend, but the only bonus category is airfare (3X). It does come with a $99 companion ticket which you might be able to take advantage of if two of you visit and fly together, as well as a free checked bag for up to 6 passengers on the same booking. If you did get that card, probably best to use it only on airfare for Alaska as other cards have better rewards for other categories. We have a whole forum here on credit cards you might want to look over before deciding the best fit for you.
Tom in Cairns
May 23, 2019, 10:50 am
#101
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 12
Thanks to you both for your thoughts.
About the Visa cards... After the 2008 meltdown, I decided to stay away from big banks. And since then, reading about Wells Fargo. They just seem like such sharks. I will read the credit card forum for details.... but briefly, do you feel Chase is any different? If my son opens a Chase card, are there hidden fees and stuff like that? Or are you thinking I should open the card?
Thanks for the tip about Basic Economy. A very good reminder, and yes, I want him to have a checked bag. I saw another family come to the airport with luggage only to find out they had purchased Basic Economy. Ouch.
Finally.... if I'm hunting for best routings, it sounds like there's no shortcut to this or you would have addressed this. As in, I have to just keep running momondo, skyscanner, kayak and see what comes up, correct?
Thanks so much!
About the Visa cards... After the 2008 meltdown, I decided to stay away from big banks. And since then, reading about Wells Fargo. They just seem like such sharks. I will read the credit card forum for details.... but briefly, do you feel Chase is any different? If my son opens a Chase card, are there hidden fees and stuff like that? Or are you thinking I should open the card?
Thanks for the tip about Basic Economy. A very good reminder, and yes, I want him to have a checked bag. I saw another family come to the airport with luggage only to find out they had purchased Basic Economy. Ouch.
Finally.... if I'm hunting for best routings, it sounds like there's no shortcut to this or you would have addressed this. As in, I have to just keep running momondo, skyscanner, kayak and see what comes up, correct?
Thanks so much!
May 23, 2019, 1:30 pm
#102
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 12
Thanks to you both for your replies! Good reminder about Basic Economy. Not a route we'd go.
Curious about the credit cards.... I've avoided big banks since 2008. And now Wells. They feel like sharks to me. Do you have good experiences with Chase?Would you have your young adult open a card there? I'm thinking hidden fees he might not notice... etc.
So just to confirm: there's not a shortcut to figure out the common routings, right? You just started pulling up kayak, momondo, skyscanner etc and looked for patterns.
Thanks again!
Curious about the credit cards.... I've avoided big banks since 2008. And now Wells. They feel like sharks to me. Do you have good experiences with Chase?Would you have your young adult open a card there? I'm thinking hidden fees he might not notice... etc.
So just to confirm: there's not a shortcut to figure out the common routings, right? You just started pulling up kayak, momondo, skyscanner etc and looked for patterns.
Thanks again!
May 23, 2019, 1:44 pm
#103
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,601
Thanks to you both for your replies! Good reminder about Basic Economy. Not a route we'd go.
Curious about the credit cards.... I've avoided big banks since 2008. And now Wells. They feel like sharks to me. Do you have good experiences with Chase?Would you have your young adult open a card there? I'm thinking hidden fees he might not notice... etc.
So just to confirm: there's not a shortcut to figure out the common routings, right? You just started pulling up kayak, momondo, skyscanner etc and looked for patterns.
Thanks again!
Curious about the credit cards.... I've avoided big banks since 2008. And now Wells. They feel like sharks to me. Do you have good experiences with Chase?Would you have your young adult open a card there? I'm thinking hidden fees he might not notice... etc.
So just to confirm: there's not a shortcut to figure out the common routings, right? You just started pulling up kayak, momondo, skyscanner etc and looked for patterns.
Thanks again!
May 23, 2019, 2:43 pm
#104
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
You want to know about any surcharges for foreign transaction if your son plans summer travel outside the U.S. (can range from 0% to 3% depending on card - the cards I have with 3% stay home - and you really do need a backup card should something happen to your primary card while traveling), and you want to avoid getting hit with Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) outside of the country. This is a profitable system where a merchant offers to let you pay in your home country currency without letting you know the exchange rate will be unfavorable and you'll pay 3-5% additional built into the exchange rate they use. Insist on paying in the local currency when you travel outside the U.S.
Tom in Melbourne, Australia this morning
May 31, 2019, 11:38 pm
#105
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 23
I have been trying to find a flight from NYC to MAD leaving near the end of August to just before Christmas and the prices are quite high. I have checked numerous sites and I keep running into the issue where the ticket says "Economy" for example for British Airways but there is Basic Economy and Economy. The problem is you can't tell one form the other. I need to check a bag so is there a way to tell if the ticket includes a checked bag or if there is an additional charge. On Google Flights, the only option I can find is an option for Carry On bag. Ive looked at Skyscanner, Momondo, StudentUniverse etc At this point I may need to buy a Basic Economy ticket and then pay $60 each way for the checked bag. Is there a better way to search? I need to find the least expensive option. I have spent hours searching and am becoming frustrated at the ambiguity. Thanks for your help!