“To Plat or not to Plat, that is the question.†I started pondering this last night after updating my mileage spreadsheet to see that after flying what I have booked for the rest of the year, I’ll be about 11,000 miles short of Premier Platinum next year. I had long resigned myself not to go…
My travels/observations
Category Archives for My travels/observations.
Always, ALWAYS Double Check Phone Agent Bookings Online for Errors
I booked a new United Airlines reservation over the phone yesterday using a canceled ticket from earlier this year… and the agent (or SHARES, United’s reservations system) made a mistake. I’m very much a do-it-yourself kind of person when it comes to making airline reservations and prefer booking trips myself directly on United’s website. Normally,…
I ‘Died’ During My 90-Second Airline Evacuation Drill. Would You?
The year was 1993 and I was an intern with United Airlines in Flight Dispatch at their corporate headquarters in suburban Chicago. Weekly, I’d fly out to Denver (Stapleton) for scheduled intern meetings among other activities, and I was fortunate to participate in an evacuation exercise at the flight attendant training center. I posted this…
A Father’s Day Tribute to My Dad, Aviation Style
If you recall from my Mother’s Day post, I have a wonderful Mom who snuck through a side door of United’s headquarters in the 1980s to buy me something unique for my birthday from their logo shop. My Dad is equally fantastic and did everything he could to encourage and foster my passion for airlines,…
Lounge Review: American Airlines Admirals Club – Denver International Airport
I decided to use my free American Admirals Club day pass (courtesy of their recent promotion with Klout) in Denver last month, and bring you a brief lounge review. It’s located above concourse A at the north end of the A-gates bridge from the Jeppesen Terminal near an elevator shaft. The overhead signage made it…
No More Airport Nude-o-Scope Images in the US, Are You Still Opting Out?
The TSA has replaced all X-ray imaging displayed to operators of the controversial backscatter machines at airports with the “Gumby” stick figure version common on the millimeter wave machines, NBC News reported. According to the report: In a letter released Thursday, TSA administrator John Pistole told the House Homeland Security committee that as of May…
Captured! The Embarrassing Photo of Me on My First Flight Ever
I had big plans for this holiday Monday off to get one of the four amenity kits several generous readers sent me reviewed, but alas… the sun isn’t cooperating here in Northern Nevada to capture decent pictures of the next kit in line for a review. I’ve instead decided to embarrass myself and post a…
Blog Giveaway: $100 Hyatt Hotels and Resorts Gift Card
Earlier this month I attended the fantastic BoardingArea.com blogger conference in Colorado Springs and won a $100 Hyatt promotional card. “I won†translates into one of you won. The card is valid for up to $100 on a single purchase until August 31, 2013 at any physical hotel location in the United States. Here’s a…
Why Hoarding Loyalty Points Is Sometimes Worth It
Conventional wisdom in the miles and points arena is that you generally shouldn’t hang onto a huge loyalty program balance. “Earn and burn” is the more popular motto these days as redemption rates rise quickly and programs evolve to make using your hard-earned points more difficult. But let me tell you… am I ever grateful…
A Quick Look at the Refreshed ‘Denver West’ United Club
United Airlines is reportedly spending $50 million this year to renovate and refresh many of its United Club locations, and I had the chance to visit the recently redone Denver West location yesterday. Basically what they’ve done is swapped out the seating for new chairs, tables and counters identical to what’s in the newest club…