2012 - Year In Review

2012 was a busy year! I flew 140,595 miles (new high score), 108,115 of them paid with cash (partially financed by my real job).  Inexpensive trans-con trips in February and cheap tickets to San Juan, PR in fall helped me reach and race past 1K status.  Work travel was better than expected and I took advantage of a $300 DEN-SJU fare that allowed two stops in each direction (I never left the airport in SJU on any of my 5 visits) that let me cheaply go from not quite Premier Exec to comfortably 1K.  

Paid Travel in 2012 - http://www.gcmap.com/

All Flights from 2012 - http://www.gcmap.com/

Selected favorites from 2012:

• Helsinki was a great city to visit and a delight to experience.
• The Park Hyatt Tokyo was far and away the best hotel of the year, maybe ever.
• The A340-600 was my favorite new airplane (for me) to fly; it feels special.
• ANA business class was the best of 2012.
• HEL (Helsinki) is my new favorite airport (FRA is a close second).
• "I flew around the world" is a fun new phase I can use (thanks US Airways Dividend Miles Around the World fare).
• Writing this blog, it really is fun.

Thanks for reading this year and I hope you have a great 2013 filled with new adventures.

US Airways A320 First Class Lunch Review

I had a bad first impression with US Airways first class last month.  They got a second chance last week and I had a much better experience.  I was on an older, former America West, A320 and the seat reclined about 1 inch.  There was no wifi (first class has to pay if available) or other form of entertainment offered other than the meal service.

US Airways First Class Lunch - It's Chicken

The meal service was a choice of chicken or pasta.  I went with chicken (too many bad pasta experiences, even though it looked good for my seatmate) and enjoyed it thoroughly.  There was great flavor to the main dish. I also like the Caesar salad and cheese and tomato dish. Desert was a light lemon cake, but I didn't eat much because I was comfortable full from the main dish.  A snack basket with chips, cookies, and other treats was passed around after about two hours and available to pick over until landing. It's a nice touch I hope United will copy and help cement a good experience despite an uncomfortable seat.

US Airways First Class Dessert

US Airways Express CRJ-900 First Class Review

I flew on a new (for me) aircraft type today.  The CRJ-900 is the stretched version of the CRJ-700 and doesn't feel very spacious. The windows are narrow and the overhead bins are tiny (Embraer jets have bigger windows, usable bins, and feel more spacious). The seat was comfortable and had plenty of leg room, even with my backpack under the seat in front.  The first class service was spartan (45 min flight) with a single drink and a small snack bag.  Not a bad flight, but the CRJ-900 feels obsolete even though it's a newer model.  I have another flight in US Airways first class today, so things can still improve.

US Airways CRJ-900 First Class Seat 

US Airways CRJ-900 First Class Seat Reclined

Merry Christmas pt.3

Even the local Marine Corps air station is in the Christmas spirit.

USMC Fighter Jet Lit For Christmas

Merry Christmas pt.2

Merry Christmas

Denver Snow Day

It's a snowy day in Denver, but things are running smoothly at DEN. I can't wait to get someplace warmer.

Frontier Jets at De-Icing

United MileagePlus Program Changes in 2013

I looked at the MileagePlus benefits chart today and saw that it was "Effective March 3, 2012 through January 31, 2013."  I'm worried about what changes will be coming.  Airlines are especially bad at announcing changes in advance and program changes tend to be drastic.

United 757 at Newark

UPDATE:  Massive inflation!!!  There will be two award charts, one for United and one for partners.  Premium cabins on partners will not be worth while.  Book now while your account still has value.

La Quinta Returns Elite Card

The La Quinta Returns Elite card must be a constant reminder that life isn't going as well as planned.  The same can be said of Priority Club Gold bag tags.

La Quinta Returns Elite Card

I Have An Idea

I'm working on an idea. If it goes well, I'll share it.  If it doesn't go well, I'll probably share it too.

Idea Button on an ERJ145

2013 Travel Has Started - Booking At Least

I booked my first trip for 2013. Just a cheap (sub $200) to PHL with an out of the way stop in each direction. Never too early to start re-qualifying for status.  There are some cheap fares in January and February too. I found my fare using ITA Matrix and searching for UA, UA+ in the advanced routing codes for airports within 500 miles of LGA.

Even United Knows I'm Flying For Miles

Boeing Airplane List Prices

Ever wonder what a new airliner sells for? I have and found the list prices for Boeing airliners.  The twist is that these planes don't sell for list prices.  I've heard discounts could be up to 50%, but final sale prices are never disclosed.  Like shopping at a car dealer, no one should pay the sticker price.

United Airlines 777-200ER Lists for $258,800,000

Airplane       2012 $ in Millions Average
737 Family
737-700                     74.8
737-800                     89.1
737-900ER                94.6
737 MAX 7                82.0
737 MAX 8                100.5
737 MAX 9                107.3
747 Family
747-8                          351.4
747-8 Freighter         352.0
767 Family
767-200ER               160.2
767-300ER               182.8
767-300 Freighter    185.4
767-400ER               200.8
777 Family
777-200ER               258.8
777-200LR               291.2
777-300ER               315.0
777 Freighter            295.7
787 Family
787-8                         206.8
787-9                         243.6

Airport Art - Moline, IL

Many airports have art displays to make the travel experience more interesting and localized (Madison, WI selling cheese curds is the best localization example).  Most art displays feature local topics.  A great recipe for an interesting exibition at CDG, but less interesting for MLI.

Airport Mural That Represents the Quad Cities

Vote for Me!

I entered an Airbus contest on Facebook and am in the finals, but I need your help! Vote for my Lufthansa photo here: https://apps.facebook.com/contestshq/contests/303002/voteable_entries.  Thanks!

Frontier Airlines December 2012 Discount Coupon Code

Take 5% off Economy, 10% off Classic or 15% off Classic Plus fares. This promo works on regular AND sale prices...so don't miss out. Use promo code CHOICE when you book and choose the best deal.  Book by 12/10/12. Fly 12/17/12 to 1/21/13.

An Unrelated Picture From Boston, Frontier Goes There

Sign up for Frontier email alerts and you can receive these specials too.

United Express ERJ145 Exit Row

Exit rows are the first class of Southwest Airlines and 50 seat regional jets. The ERJ-145 has a ton of leg room in row 12 and is my favorite 50 seat jet. It feels much more spacious than the CRJ-200, it's main competitor.  You can really notice the difference, especially on longer flights.

Exit Row 12 on United Express ERJ-145

United Express ERJ Going to Chicago

United Airlines 787 Dreamliner Spotted at Denver

I spotted United's new 787 Dreamliner at DEN last night. It looks slick and a little like a 767. The cockpit windows and nose section really stand out and there were quite a few people stopping to take a look.

United Airlines' New 787

United Airlines' 787 Wingspan Looks Huge

Time to Start Planning 2013 Adventures

Now that I made 1K for 2012, I am able to relax about status (SPG stays #24 and #25 are booked, so I’m safe).  It feels great not to worry.  The problem is 2013 is just around the corner and my business travel won’t get me close to 1K in 2013.  I’m looking for cheap United flights early in 2013 to get a status head start and maybe find some cheap deals to new places.

Sunset at Denver Airport on United 737

Denver isn’t the cheapest airport and there isn’t a close alternative (COS is 2 hours drive, but the fares aren’t great there either).  There are a few flights to Oslo or Stockholm for about 6.5c per mile flown.  Not bad, but not great.  I haven’t been to either city, so I’m tempted to book.  The price is a little high for just the miles and the fare has a two night stay required.  I wouldn’t mind a short vacation, but I’d rather go when it’s warm and there is sunlight.

US Airways Jet in New York

Domestic flights aren’t any cheaper from Denver; I’m looking at 8c a mile.  There are some cheap transcon flights (BOS-SNA for 4.5c / mi), but I’d need to reposition to a coast and that’s not cost effective unless I fly a few round trips.  There aren’t any cheap day trips out there, so very frustrating.  I guess I’ll go back to ITA Matrix and search some more.

United Shop Discount Code

The United Shop is offering 10% off purchases November 26th with promo code UNITEDCYBER12.

US Airways A320 First Class to PHX

Work let me book first class!  This was a first for me.  My corporate travel policy, like most, requires booking the lowest available fare.  For a last minute late night trip from DEN to IND, the discounted first class ticket (A fare class) was cheaper than the full fare coach ticket (Y fare class).  Flying first from DEN to PHX fit the policy.  I have never paid to fly first and was excited to see what US Airways had to offer.

US Airways Airbus First Class Seat - Does Not Recline

As it happens, all they offer on evening flights is Shock Top beer, Cape Cod chips, friendly service, and a seat that does not recline.  The broken seat isn’t a standard offering, but the cabin was full and I couldn’t change seats.  I emailed US Airways and they said they would alert maintenance.  No real (coupon, discount voucher, drink ticket, etc.) apology was offered.  Bummer.

US Airways first class meal review here.

Holiday Travel Tips

Thanksgiving and the holiday season is a popular travel time for infrequent travelers and families (amateurs), so things might not run as smoothly as normal.  Here are a few tips to help with holiday travel:

• Allow Extra Time for Everything – It’s amateur hour.  People will be traveling heavy, with families, and with different mindsets.  Lines will be longer, people will be confused, walking slowly, and be totally absorbed with their situation and oblivious to those around them (this happens every day, but is worse around the holidays).  Strollers will be everywhere.  Give yourself extra time to deal with these impediments and they’ll bother you less.
• Relax – Stay calm.  It’s possible the people in front of you in line haven’t flown since the TSA banned liquids/shoes/common sense at airports.  Becoming angry will not improve the situation.  See step #1.
• Ear Plugs – They really work.  The plane and airport will be full of loud kids that are poorly supervised.  You can’t make children behave, but you can block out their loud antics.
• Exit Rows are Kid Free – No one under 15 is allowed in an exit row.
• Be Nice to Airline Staff – A smile goes a long way to making everyone’s travels better.
• Try Flying at Off Peak Times – I doubt a family will book a red eye or flight before 8am if they can avoid it.  Flying on the holiday is usually less busy and cheaper than the days right around it too.  

Happy Travels!

Airbus A350XWB - Go Buy One

Airbus has a new website out promoting the A350 XWB.  The first one is being assembled and flight testing should start next year.  It looks like a great jet to fly and United has some early orders placed.  I'm excited.

A319 - A Smaller Sibling of the A350

ANA 777-300 Business Class Flight Tokyo to LAX

After my amazing stay at the Park Hyatt Tokyo, it was time to return home.  The Narita Express was on time and check in was a breeze.  Narita airport (NRT) has some great duty free stores and I was excited to check them out.  Unfortunately, the strong Yen took all the fun out of duty shopping in Tokyo.  If it were 100:1, the prices would be great, but at 80:1 I didn’t find any deals.  I did spend my leftover money on some Hello Kitty stuff for my niece, she liked it.  

ANA 777-300 NRT-LAX

After shopping, I went lounge hopping.  First stop was the United Club.  The lounge is huge, bigger than any in the USA.  They had lots of yummy sushi (for a westerner) and a draught beer machine that pours a perfect pint.  Next up, thanks to Priority Pass form the Palladium Card, was the Korean Air lounge.  It was small and nicely decorated, good liquor, but limited food items.  Finally I visited the ANA business class lounge.  I might have been the only westerner in the place.  The lounge is large and had some good views of the field.  The snacks were more Japanese in focus, but I still enjoyed a few sushi rolls and beer.

ANA Business Class Lounge Tokyo - NRT

United Club Tokyo - NRT

I left the lounge in time to make it to the gate before boarding started.  I was really excited to fly the 777-300 (my first trip on the stretched model), fly with ANA (first time in their care), and experience a new business class (new to me and the world).  I was such an excited nerd; I even wore a Boeing t-shirt.  The seats are great.  They are in an offset staggered layout, so no one is next to you.  It feels very private and is exceptionally quiet.  The seat is a little narrow and maybe 5’10’’ long when flat.  I’m 5’10’’ so it felt a little cramped.  I was also the tallest person I saw, so I guess these were designed with the home market in mind.  The TV is large and had a good selection of movies, more than enough to keep me entertained over the Pacific.  ANA doesn’t hand out amenity kits, but has slippers waiting at your seat.  There is a basket of goodies at the small lounge in the rear of business class with eye masks, ear plugs, lotions, and a few other items.  A fun observation is the lavatories have a built in bidet system like on Japanese toilets (I didn’t try it out).  Every seat in business class was booked, but it didn't feel crowded.

ANA 777-300 Business Class Seat

ANA 777-300 business Class Flat Seat

Forward Business Class Cabin ANA 777-300

ANA 777 Business Class Leg Room

ANA Business Class Seat Storage Area

The meal and drink service started shortly after takeoff.  I opted for the western meal and a martini.  The meal was very good, but the steak was outstanding.   After the meal service ends, flight attendants won’t come by unless you ring the call button (a different method than US carriers), but they are quick to respond and friendly (again, different from US carriers).  There is a list of meals and snacks available any time on demand.  I went for a breakfast cheese burger instead of the omelet.  I also got a cheese plate to add some Roquefort cheese to the burger and try to replicate the best burger ever at The Spotted Pig in New York.  It still didn’t compare, but was still good.

ANA Business Class Western Appetizers

Delightful Steak Tender and Tasty 

Fun and Tasty Parfait Dessert 

Roquefort Cheese Snack - ANA Business Class

ANA Cheese Burger Snack, Add Some Roquefort

Once on the ground at LAX, it was a lengthy taxi to the gate, then a breeze through customs (the American citizen line was fast at least).  An earlier flight to Denver was boarding, so added my name to standby and grabbed a quick bourbon and Coke at the United Club.  I went back to the gate and waited.  I was the only standby to clear and got an exit row seat.  I was happy to trade first class for 3 fewer hours at LAX.

ANA Boeing 777-300 First Class

Here is a picture of the new ANA first class suites on the 777-300.  They exist in real life, but not for miles redemption so this was the only view I had.  The seat looked huge and every one was booked too.

ANA 777-300 First Class Seat

Good Chase Credit Card Sign Up Bonus

I am NOT compensated by Chase for this post.  

I don't want to be one of those bloggers that pushes credit cards ad nauseum to try and make a buck.  I just thought this is a good deal worth sharing.  

I applied for the Chase Ink Bold card this week to grab the $500 bonus on the card after spending $3,000.  I have enough United miles for now and cash is still more versatile.  If you don't think you have a business, you're wrong.  Firstname Lastname Consulting (or Photography/Racing/etc.) is a Sole Proprietor business with your SSN as the tax ID.  No fee for the first year and no reason to keep it a second.

https://www.chase.com/online/business-credit-cards/ink-business-credit-cards.htm

Happy Travel Daydreams

Park Hyatt Tokyo Review and Tourist Views on Tokyo

As part of my new ‘travel without doing any actual research’ initiative, I’ve been basing my plans on tourist cards, with good success, and movies, with limited success.  I decided to base my trip to Tokyo on Lost In Translation, it’s a good movie (on Netflix) and a much better depiction of modern Tokyo than Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo or MacArthur.  I had done a little research in 2011 when I booked a $700 round trip on United.  The earthquake struck the morning I was scheduled to depart, so my plans were put on hold while my Yen appreciated. 

Room With A View, Room 4303

Many scenes in Lost In Translation are set at the Park Hyatt Tokyo so, with some help from my dad’s Hyatt points, I booked a room.  This turned out to be an excellent idea.  The Park Hyatt is one of the best hotels, if not the best, I’ve ever visited.  The rooms are large (huge by Japanese standards) and the service is impeccable.  There is standard twice daily housekeeping and they even fill up the ice bucket (with Scotch bar quality ice cubes too).  The staff was very courteous and the facilities top notch.  I asked for a room with a view facing the city and got a room on the 43^rd floor so I could do my Lost In Translation picture.

Park Hyatt Tokyo Two Queen Bed Room

Park Hyatt Tokyo Bathroom Tub

My Toilet's Control Panel

Tokyo is like New York, just without a grid system.  It’s big, expensive, most people don’t speak English well, and disgustingly hot in the summer.  It has a great skyline, a few parks and temples, and the gardens at the Imperial Palace.   The gardens are my favorite place in Tokyo.  They are large, immaculately maintained, and free.  They are beautiful and relaxing.  I just sat on a bench for 20 minutes at one point and just watched the world go by.  I loved it.

Tsukiji Fish Market - Long Lines and High Prices

Imperial Palace Gardens Tokyo

Imperial Palace Gardens and Tokyo Skyline

Tokyo Skyline

It's best not to play 'guess what sound this made?' or 'what sea creature was this?' while eating in Japan.  I was a little adventurous on my flight to Tokyo and enjoyed the eel and other odd things served.  Once on the ground, I was much less daring.  I went to McDonald’s twice.  I did try some street food and it was good and looked like chicken.  I also went to the New York Bar at the Park Hyatt Tokyo.  I had one of my top three burgers (and by far most expensive) ever.  I got there before the band started and enjoyed the sun set.  

New York Bar Cheese Burger  ~$60

New York Bar - Park Hyatt Tokyo

Mega McMuffin - It's Amazing

I'm Not Sure What It Is, But It's Only Y500

I really liked the new buildings and unique modern architecture of Tokyo, so enjoy a few more pictures.

Park Hyatt Tokyo - Floors 39 to 52

Sun Rise in the Land of the Rising Sun