Passport Day in the USA - March 9, 2013

My purpose on this "hobby" blogging website is, in very basic terms, to just share travel-related (mainly) information that I 1) either directly experience, or 2) come across when reading more dedicated bloggers.  I pick and choose the information I want to share based on what I find extremely useful or what I think y'all may find useful or enlightening.  I love to travel; and even MORE I like to travel at the lowest cost in the best class.

I follow a multitude of "professional" bloggers that detail out every single event surrounding the points and miles world.  As one would expect, the amount of repetitive data is astounding.  What I've resigned myself to doing in those situations (where everyone is talking about the same thing) is trying to find the best detailed information and just link to it (after all, kudos goes to those people); if I think it's even useful.  I don't want to  be known as an information copier.

With that being said, I came across a nice piece from Traveling Well For Less.

It's about Passport Day in the USA.  I has no idea they did this and it sounds like a very good idea.  On March 9, 2013 (a Saturday), several passport agencies and facilities are open (check the hours for your desired facility) in order to apply and/or renew passports without making appointments (usually a requirement).  In addition, it is a SATURDAY where you most likely don't need to take a day off.  

This day is probably best for families since children under 16 years old need to have both parents, in person, to get a passport.  The agencies also have activities for the kids while the whole process takes place.  Nice!

Anyways, I had never heard of Passport Day and thought some people may get some benefit out of it.

Hotel Award Changes... Bad!

In the past few weeks, most major hotel chains have "updated" their loyalty programs for 2013.  For most, if not all, the changes were not in our (consumer) favor.

For a great write-up in this, please read this post by The Points Guy.

How does that effect my loyalty spending?  I'm not sure yet.  

Currently, all of our personal spend was going to our Hilton Citibank Reserve card.  I chose this card for our personal spending since it comes with Gold Status (which is enough status at Hilton) and 2 free night certificates when signing up.  In addition, if we spend $10K on it during our card membership year, we get a free night certificate.  These can come in handy during weekend trips.  On top of that, the category bonuses are useful and I wanted to stock up on Hilton points for their very aspirational properties (ie. Maldives, Bora Bora, Hong Kong, Thailand, Maui).  But now that those properties will probably require even MORE points to stay there, it may not be worth continuing  my current spending path.  I need to re-evaluate where our spending goes.

My work spending, and some personal spending, has been focused on meeting minimum spend requirements to receive sign-on bonuses.  This is almost complete and then my work spending can be dedicated somewhere.  

Without a full analysis, it looks like I may just focus everything on Starwood.  Their cash & points option still appears the best.  But only time will tell.  

AA and US Airways Merger a DONE DEAL!

As being reported from someone in the know, American Airlines and US Airways have reached a deal to become one.

Personally, I am excited as it may mean some better routes for me and better reaching in some distant countries.  I am not worried about my AA and US Airway miles since they will probably just combine so they'll all be in one basket.

Exciting times at AA!

Southwest LUV is in the Air Deal (BOOK TODAY!)

I should have posted this information sooner, but got crazy busy the last couple of days.

Today is the last day to purchase Southwest tickets under their LUV is in the Air deal.  This deal allows for some nice pricing on flights (some as low as $49 one way).

Keys to the tickets:

- 10 day advance purchase

- Must purchase by midnight TODAY

- Travel between 4/3/13 and 6/8/13

- Valid every day except Sunday

If you have some trips upcoming, I WOULD JUMP ON THIS NOW!  

While SW is based here in Dallas, it's tough to use for long trips since, by laws, all SW flights leaving Dallas have to stop in another Texas city or a neighboring state city (Wright Amendment).  This is all ends in 2014 which may bring SW into play as an airline option for me.

In addition, SW is offering DOUBLE points on all their flights through 5/15/13.

Some good stuff from SW right now.

2013 Mileage Run #1 - Segment #4

The Finale (BOS-DFW)!

Alas, here I am on the plane leading me back to square 1 (home).  The quick stop in BOS was uneventful, just a shower in the Admirals Club to freshen up after the redeye flight from LAX.

For the second straight flight I didn't get upgraded.  So I ended up going 2/4 for complimentary upgrades.  I knew this was a risk, but I am OK with it.  On this flight I am in the exit row and there is no one in the middle seat (better elbow room for me).  Like I mentioned earlier in the mileage run posts, Boston was/is having some mad deals with cheap fares between DFW and LAX.  So I'm not the only one jumping on these flight (this weekend).  Next weekend, when I do this all over again, looks much more open in First Class.

Overall, all flights were on time or early, I racked up a nice chunk of Elite Qualifying Miles (my goal after all), watched 3 movies, got plenty done on my laptop, and was comfortable for the most part.  Now I can focus on the main task at hand today....... Go 49ers!!!

Thank you American Airlines for a fun 27+ hour Mileage Run!

2013 Mileage Run #1 - Segment #3

The Red eye (LAX-BOS)!

I didn't have much time in Los Angeles; just a quick stop in the Admirals Club for some Internet connection.   After quickly blogging and checking a few other things, I was back at the gate.  Again, I had no confirmed upgrade here and things weren't looking good.  When I checked into the Admirals Club, they told me I wasn't even on the upgrade wait list.  The put me on, but I was second on the list.  Lesson learned: make sure I'm listed immediately all the way through on mileage runs.  I had the agent put me on the list for my last leg (BOS-DFW) and she did and told me I was at the top.

Well, the upgrade didn't work.  The name at the #1 position did get upgraded; I was one short.  Oh well, this was work anyways.  Upon boarding I was pleased to find out that I was in the Main Cabin Extra seats.   These are seats located in the first few rows of Economy and have a few more inches of legroom.  Given my 6'5" height, the extra legroom was appreciated.  

For some reason I was either unaware or forget this about the Main Cabin Extra.  I was worried before boarding because I hadn't even been able to secure an exit room.  In end, all was fine.  I could actually stretch my legs under the seat in front of me.

I did pull out my laptop and iPad for Internet stuff, but quickly realized that I was tired and sleep would be in the cards for this flight.  I slept the entire flight.  Of course it's not the best quality sleep (tossing and turning for comfort), but it was sleep nonetheless.  As we arrived in BOS, there was a thin layer of snow on the ground.

Again, it was off to the Admirals Club, this time for a shower and some water.  Just one flight left, and here's to hoping it's in First Class!

2013 Mileage Run #1 - Segment #2

My four hour layover in Boston consisted of blogging, grabbing a slice of pizza, and watching a movie (Premium Rush).  I found the Boston Admiral Club to be very comfortable to kill a few hours.  

As the time to board grew closer, I kept checking the seat availability in First Class for my BOS-LAX flight to check my chances of being upgraded.  They slowly decreased from 3 (when I landed) to 1 when I made my way to the boarding gate.  The plane started boarding and I was still just #1 on the upgrade list.  Then BAM, Mr Pouey you are upgraded.  NICE!

Upon boarding the plane I recognized Detective Fusco from the hit TV show Person of Interest sitting a few seats away.  I also quickly realized that a flight attendant (who I would later find out is called Lesley) was going to make this flight fun.  Man, did she throw out some funny one liners.  I think everyone in First loved this lady.  I will definitely write a letter to AA about how great she was.

Shortly after take-off it was a nice dinner of Prosciutto, salad and Chateaubriand.  I complimented the meal with a couple delightful glasses of Malbec and finished it off with a great ice cream sundae.  

On this flight I enjoyed 2 movies (The Cold Light of Day and Here Comes the Boom).  Both were watched on the entertainment tablet (Samsung Galaxy) provided by AA.

                                                                                                                                                               The flight was mainly in the dark, but I was able to snap a photo early in the flight that had some nice colors.

I don't usually talk to me seat mate(s), but the guy next to me, on his way to Sydney, started up a few conversations.  Somewhere in there he managed to pry out of me what I was doing.  He was curious and sorta understood.

All in all, the flight went quick.  No wifi, just movies and a little shut eye.

Upon arrival I made my way to the Admirals Club in LA and checked to see what my status was for my next flight (return to BOS) as far as upgrade.  Doesn't look good.  Cattle Class here I come.

The next flight will have wifi so I may play around on my laptop for a while.

I expect the return flight to Boston to be quick since there are strong winds heading east.  Should be around 5 hours of flight time.

See y'all on the next!

2013 Mileage Run #1 - Segment #1

I figured it may be fun to take y'all along for a mileage run (MR) so you can read, and possible see, what it's like.  Plus, it adds something more for me to do during all my free time in the skies and on the ground.

If you are up-to-date, you know that I am on a Dallas-Boston-Los Angeles-Boston-Dallas mileage run.  A trip SOLELY for the purpose of accumulating miles (in this case mainly for Elite Status).  The reason I am doing this MR is that I received a special offer from AA for DOUBLE qualifying miles for any flight(s) I take between 1/22 and 2/22.  Based on cost, time and benefit, this is a worthwhile trip.  Regularly, I would get 8,345 qualifying miles for this trip (the actual miles flown); however, thanks to my offer, I will get 16,690 (a nice chunk for my requirement of 100,000 by 12/31).  

So segment #1 was DFW-BOS (yep, I work in airport codes).  Departure time was a reasonable 8:15am (although the Mrs will argue "reasonable" since I had to get her out of bed to take me to the airport around 7:15..  bless her heart; I love her!).  The actual flight time was just under 3 hours and we arrived into BOS early around 12:30 local time.

I had received a confirmed complimentary upgrade days before the flight so I was already aware of my First Class comfort on this flight.  Upon arrival to the airport I flew threw security (seriously, like 20 seconds total time).  There was no line and I received Pre-Check where I didn't have to take off any clothing or remove anything from my carryon.

After a stop at Starbucks for a mocha frap (yep, I'm addicted), it was onto AA flight 1106.  My seat this trip was 5A (window).  The boarding process was fast and everyone looked to be on board by 8am.  It seemed that this gave time to the captain to come out from his seat and come shake all our hands (in First) and just thank us for flying with him.  It was very cool (never seen that before).  He even struck up conversations with a few passengers.  I just thanked him for flying us safely.

After take-off a watched Dallas fizzle out behind me, but not before seeing my apartment complex, work office building and other familiar landmarks.  Once we got the OK, I pulled out the old Macbook Pro and got going on electronic errands (I pay monthly for GoGo wifi connection).  I had several things to do (i.e. book flights and hotel rooms for the Mrs and I for upcoming trips, research things, chat a bit with the Mrs over iMessage, keep an eye on the Chelsea match, etc).  

I did pause from my computer activities for breakfast; a very nice Egg and Cheese Quesadilla, with potatoes and sausage.

So this flight I was kept entertained and busy by my computer.  The flight went by QUICK and was SUPER smooth; I don't think I felt ONE bump the entire flight.  This bodes well for smooth flying all day.  I had a chance to snap a couple of shots that I thought were cool visuals from high above.  They don't come out as nice with the camera, but whatever.

NYC

Snowy over PA

We landed about 10 minutes early and now the mystery starts.  I have no further upgrades confirmed ahead of time.  Seems like Boston (lately) is a mecca for cheap flights so I'm sure there are others doing what I'm doing in and out of BOS.  Using Expertflyer, I am able to keep an eye out on seat availability. There is hope on all flights.  Upon leaving the plane I headed to the Admirals Club where they were able to tell me that I am top of the upgrade list with 3 seats (which I knew from Expertflyer) available for the flight to LAX.  They told me to check back later to hopefully be able to confirm the upgrade.  FINGERS CROSSED.  

I have just over 2 1/2 hours until I board.  I'll spend the time on my laptop in the Admirals Club and probably get a bite to eat here shortly.

See you after the next flight (which I don't think has wifi).