Travel Tidbits—News You Can Use Regarding Jet Lag, Long Security Lines and Frequent Flier Miles

Can Chronic Jet Lag Kill? If the answer to that question is “yes” then I know a few people who are close to kicking the bucket. In all seriousness, recent tests on mice suggest that chronic jet lag and other behavior involving sharp light-cycle changes, like rotating shift work, could shorten a person’s lifetime. The study done by University of Virginia scientists found that disrupting the circadian rhythms (the 24-hour physiological cycle of humans and many animals) for test mice increased the mortality of especially older mice. During the course of the study the scientists adjusted the light-cycle of the … Continue reading

Airline Credit Cards—“The Travel Addiction”

I live in the Wisconsin. My parents live in Hawaii. Needless to say, we do a lot of flying back and forth to see each other. (They like to see my 2-year-old daughter as much as possible.) So, after about a dozen offers to apply for an airline credit card (generally you earn one mile for every dollar you charge), I broke down, applied and received my new American Airlines platinum card in the mail. I couldn’t wait to break it in. I received the card a few weeks before Christmas. Just in time to have it accompany me on … Continue reading

Hawaii or a Plasma TV

I am a member of United Airlines frequent-flier program. I have been for more than 20 years and it has paid off. At least once a year I accrue enough miles to qualify for a free round trip ticket to Hawaii. But, today I received a letter asking me to reconsider using my frequent-flier miles for award travel. Instead, United is trying to entice me to redeem my miles for a 27-inch high definition TV. The letter details how United is becoming the latest carrier to allow frequent-flier program members to redeem their miles for a variety of items such … Continue reading