
How to jump on a big 747 like this for a domestic trip (Photo: InSapphoWeTrust / Flickr)
TravelSkills’ 10 most popular posts over the last week (descending order):
1 Get on it while you can! One easy, last chance to ride a United 747
2 How’d that happen? Another airline declares bankruptcy
3 Screamin’ deals: Fares to Europe tumble
4 Routes: Southwest, Delta, American, United
5 Up or down? It depends: Airfares all over the map
6 Gimme a break! Airlines face new scrutiny over surcharges
7 Big job ahead for Marriott How would YOU merge Starwood & Marriott? [Poll]
8 More, better food on Delta, United & American
9 Great comments! Excuse me, do you speak English?
10 Bay Area to London for $299 + United non-stops to Singapore? + New Paris route + more

Chris McGinnis on CNN at SFO
Off to Australia! Hey folks! I’m off to Sydney, Australia for four days this week to give QANTAS a try and write up a Trip Report. Plus I’ll be checking out Sydney’s 5 newest business class hotels. And I’ll dip into the city’s famous Mardi Gras celebration on Saturday. Have you been to Australia lately? What should I see, where should I eat? Please leave your comments below or email me.
Are you elated or worried about the impending merger of Marriott and Starwood? How would you suggest the two hotel giants merge their many brands? Stay tuned to TravelSkills for a post about our meeting last week with Marriott’s top loyalty brass! And be sure to offer your two cents because Marriott is listening!

The view from my room at the JW Marriott LA Live, Los Angeles where I stayed for Marriott’s “Future of Loyalty” forum (Photo: Chris McGinnis)
Links to stories from other sources that we thought you’d like to read:
What’s it like to be Global Services on United?
Delta’s newest, edgiest Donald-Sutherland-voiced commercial
Earn 10,ooo IHG Rewards points for stays in NYC, DC
Why did American threaten to dump Gogo?
Take a look at plans for world’s largest airport in Istanbul
Dubai International gets new billion dollar terminal
Starbucks loyalty program follows airlines “spend more get more” mantra
A first class “bunk bed” proposed
Experts question security of in-flight Wi-Fi.
Crackdown of Uber. Lyft at Newark Airport may be back on.
Southwest flyers can use Pay With Amazon to access in-flight Wi-Fi.
Virgin America’s Elevate program hits 4 million members.
Australia gives final OK to Qantas-American transpacific partnership.
Climate change could make flights longer, more turbulent.
Choice Hotels loyalty program adds vacation rental option.
Norwegian passenger poll shows data on in-flight Wi-Fi usage.
NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: Should I tip my Uber driver? + Boeing 747 nearing its end? + Bargain hunters travel guide for 2016 + World’s best airline lounge? + Fares to Europe tumble
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