1) rapid travel chai had posted his travels to the democratic people's republic of (north) korea. in his four-part series beginning here. such a fascinating read to a country that so few people are able to access, including travel on the world's only one star airline, air koryo. there's certainly a flair of americanism in his post, but it is so descriptive. it's a place that i'd want to try going one day, once all the hubbub subsides. apparently, while it's good to go with a sense of curiosity, it's important to exercise such curiosity in a safe manner.
2) the points guy asks if it's polite to ditch your traveling companion for tsa PreCheck in america. this is a program which allows for expedited security screening at airports. with PreCheck, you get to go through security without taking off your jacket and shoes, without removing your liquids, and without removing your laptop. the line is also significantly shorter. this is significant for me because while i don't have PreCheck via being an elite member of an american frequent flyer program, i am eligible because i am a part of the trusted traveler program (nexus). the most relevant part of his post to me was the fact that he was eligible for PreCheck despite having an international leg in his itinerary -- i was always under the impression that having any international leg in the entire itinerary would preclude you from being able to use PreCheck.
anyway, to answer the question, i think it's completely fine. i was allowed priority screening in canada with my nexus pass back when the bf didn't have his, and i totally took advantage of it while traveling with him to edmonton. the bf went to the regular lines, and he came out less than 30 seconds later. but still, does it really make sense for both of us to be in a long line?
3) UA insider, a company representative on flyertalk, had posted about united's plans to re-introduce different subscriptions to the united club, checked baggage, and economy plus. as a non-us star gold member, i get the first two for free anyway. but the subscription for economy plus is interesting to me. right now, i'm probably at 50/50 the number of times that the agents will upgrade my seat to economy plus by virtue of having star gold. and for longer flights, economy plus is certainly much more comfortable. a part of me toys with the idea buying a pass, but the bigger part of me realizes that i'm way too cheap.
4) starwood's q2/3 double take promotion went live sometime last week. the link to register is here.
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