Tuesday, October 27, 2015

This guy used a frequent-flyer loophole to take a $60,000 trip in a first-class suite on Emirates — here's what it was like

After a quick breakfast, I decided to get a refill of champagne and sit on one of the many spacious couches lying around the lounge. As I made myself comfortable, the lounge assistant came over with my carry-on and put it next to me, without me even asking.
If you're looking to fly in style, it doesn’t get much better than a first-class suite aboard the iconic Emirates airline.
Travel blogger Sam Huangrecently cashed in his Alaska Airlines frequent-flyer miles for a $60,000 trip around the world, and luckily he took plenty of pictures documenting what it was like.
"Unlimited Dom Perignon, wild caviar, and a shower spa while flying 40,000 feet in the air — it's no wonder the Emirates First Class Suite is consistently named one of the best airline seats in the world," Huang writes over at his travel blog,TopMiles.
Huang's trip spanned 11 cities, seven countries, and five continents, and he managed to pay only $300 for the journey — in addition to cashing in his frequent-flyer miles — by taking advantage of a clever loophole when booking the trip. After checking with the airline, Business Insider can confirm that the booking was legitimate.

Becky Watts's stepbrother tells court how the 16-year-old fought for her life as he killed her - but claims he was only trying to make her pass out

  • Matthews (pictured alongside his girlfriend Shauna Hoare) said he never meant to kill the 16-year-old but later admitted to having anger issues, telling the jury: 'If you corner a rat, then you will attack'
  • Becky Watts's stepbrother has told jurors of the moment he inadvertently killed the 16-year-old as he tried to handcuff her and force the schoolgirl into a suitcase during a botched kidnap attempt.
    Nathan Matthews claimed he tried to make the teenager pass out by using a grip he said was 'like strangling' but which 'doesn’t completely restrict the air', as Becky desperately fought for her life.
    The 28-year-old then told how 'something didn't feel right', adding: 'I checked for a pulse and she didn’t have a pulse.'
    Taking to the witness box on the first day of his defence, Matthews described how he put on a mask and knocked on the schoolgirl's bedroom door before wrapping Sellotape around her mouth and trying to force her into a suitcase when she answered.
    Matthews said he put handcuffs on Becky when she got down on her knees but then punched her and put his fingers on her nose to 'make her pass out' when the teenager began resisting.
  • RANKINGS: Here's who has the best chance at being our next president

    Meet the front-runner
    With less than 100 days to go before the first actual votes of the 2016 presidential race are cast, the summer of the "outsider" has quickly become the autumn of the "outsider."
    In the Republican field, real-estate tycoon Donald Trump and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson continue to dominate. They consistently account for more than 50% of the GOP vote in national and early-state polls.
    And among the Democratic roster, self-described democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) has become the clear alternative to the party's front-runner, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

    Spectre stars join royals for James Bond world premiere


    Time for a drink? Daniel looked ready to let his hair down and part

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry have joined the stars of new James Bond film Spectre for its world premiere in London.
    The royal guests were met by director Sam Mendes and producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson ahead of the screening at the Royal Albert Hall.
    Daniel Craig, who has played 007 for a decade, was the first to arrive on the red carpet on Monday night.
    He told the BBC: "It's changed my life and I've loved every second of it."
    The star also admitted that he "hated" watching himself on screen, but said "I love playing James Bond".
    Craig said Mendes was "one of the best directors there is" and that he had enjoyed being "creatively involved from the very beginning".

    JIMMY FALLON HOSPITALIZED WITH HAND INJURY ... Taping Cancelled



    0626-jimmy-fallon-tmz-01Jimmy Fallon is laid up in a New York City hospital this morning after having surgery on his hand ... TMZ has learned.
    After taping his show on Thursday ... we know Jimmy did dinner at Upper East Side restaurant Scalinatella. He posed for pics with a table full of female fans.
    We're told Jimmy left the restaurant around 9ish ... and went home.

    Sad Tribute to a young female Corps member who died in an accident last night


    Temi Omolabake died last night October 26th in a motor accident in Zamfara state on her way back to Sokoto from Sango Ota, Ogun State. She was a 2015 batch A Corp Member serving in Sokoto state. May her soul rest in peace, amen. A friend of hers wrote her a tribute. Read after the cut..

    30 cities you have to visit at least once, according to travelers

    BrugesShutterstockWith its romantic canals and cobblestone streets, Bruges, Belgium, is a real-life fairy tale.
    Condé Nast Traveler recently released the results of its annual Readers' Choice Awards.
    This year, more than 128,000 travelers submitted millions of ratings and thousands of comments that the magazine's editors used to create lists of favorite cities, hotels, and resorts.
    One of these lists declares 30 cities the best in the world for travelers. From bustling urban centers to a quaint Swiss city nestled on a river, there's a destination for every type of traveler.

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