Transferring Hertz Points

I didn't know this was an option from Hertz. The Southwest partnership looks like the only enticing value. As with most transfer opportunities, don't transfer points unless you need them or there's a limited time bonus. Always remember the relative point values. 

Hertz Values

Time to start thinking about holiday award travel

I like to star planning early and am thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas season travel later this year. I have a few ideas and a few programs with miles, so it gets complicated quickly.

I Feel Like I Have Too Many Delta Miles

Southwest Airlines Infant Fare

The Southwest Airlines infant fare isn't really a deal. I love the idea of having a row to ourselves as a family of three and I called reservations to ask how much an infant fare would cost. The Wanna Get Away fare was $205 round trip. The infant fare is a modest discount off the Anytime fare of $716. It's not worth buying if a Wanna Get Away fare is available.

I Hope The Infant in Arms Family Has an Open Middle Seat

ANA Flying A380s to Hawaii in 2019

ANA picked up 3 A380s as is customizing them exclusively for Hawaii flying. I like the focus on the leisure market and the fun touches and changes they made from standard ANA aircraft. 

ANA Aircraft Always Look Great

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Babies are tiring. That’s why the 737-600 and A318 are hard to find.

Baby Boeing 737-600

It's a Baby

My wife and I just had our first child. I'm grounded for a while, but planning adventures for 3 now.

Baby United Express Plane

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Denver has some great views

KLM Combi 747-400

Combi airplanes are cool.

Thinking of Europe

All the Air France strike news has rekindled my interest in flying to Europe. Seriously. Lufthansa has strikes about 1/3 of the time I have a reservation with them. Memories. Last time I got to fly British Airways and Air France. The time before got me my first ride on a 747-8. All those trips were bought with miles, but Lufthansa paid cash to rebook me, so I earned miles. Strikes can be fun.

G-VWIN Flying Scrap or Saved?

Is the former Virgin Atlantic A340-600 G-VWIN flying scrap or will it see passengers again? UAM announced they bought the aircraft for dismantling. It landed in Tupelo, MS for likely it's last flight. Then a few weeks later I spotted it flying into SFO. It stayed for two days then went to Manila. There's a A330/340 heavy maintenance base there. Will G-VWIN see the sky again? At least some parts will.

The 787-9 is Replacing A340-600's at Virgin

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I take a lot of pictures.

50,000 Chase Points for a new Mortgage

Cool deal - Chase will give you 50,000 bonus Chase rewards points if you have a Sapphire card and open a new mortgage.

Southwest is a Chase transfer partner

AA 25% bonus miles when you convert your hotel points

Good deal if you have 20,000 SPG points, you'll get 31,250 AA miles. Don't forget to register first. The deal works with most, bit not all, AA hotel partners.

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Cool shot.

I like this Picture

VA 747-400 Departing LAS

Another Reason to Not Seat Switch

I was recently asked to seat switch on a flight. I was able to easily decline because I'm not a good flyer facing backwards. Another reason to not seat switch is in flight purchase receipts are emailed based on the seat you are in, not the name on the card. The basic reason I don't seat switch is that I picked my seat because I wanted to sit there. Sorry, not sorry.

Just Say NO to Seat Switching

Alaska is Making Things Simpler

Alaska Airlines learned for others' mistakes in making their Virgin America acquisition. Their goal is to make things simple and transparent. I like that.

I Love the New Look

Allegiant Departs Hawaii

Flying a dense 757-200 to Hawaii on Allegiant was too miserable, so the company pulled out. They won't be missed.

Awful Way to Start a Holiday

United Lifts Then Crushes My Spirits

I was on the United event awards page and saw a complementary happy hour event I could attend. Except I wasn't invited. An IT error showed me, a lowly Gold member, an event exclusively for lofty Global Services members. Cool to know these events exist, though shrinking travel budgets at work won't even get me to 1K.

As a member with United Global Services® status, you and a guest are invited to a complimentary private cocktail reception at International Smoke.

The night will include a few words from United's Executive Leadership, time to network with your fellow United Global Services members, and passed hors d'ouevres and drinks. Each guest will also leave with a commemorative gift. See below for package details and instructions. 

As one of our most valued members, we hope you join us for a night to say thank you!   

Please note:

• This listing page does not serve as your ticket or entry to the event. Please select one package from the drop down menu and follow the prompts to check out. If the order was successful you will receive an email confirmation within moments. If you did not receive a confirmation email this means your transaction was not successful and you will not be granted access to this event.  Please call us directly at 312-###-#### if you have any questions.
• Space is limited and only ticket holders will be allowed entry. We recommend registering for a ticket as soon as you can.
• This complimentary offer is to United Global Services members (and one guest per member) and is by invitation only. This is a shared experience. Limit one package per person. One package includes two tickets.
• Each guest must be at least 21 years of age
• Attire is business casual

This experience includes*:

• Two tickets to attend a cocktail reception at International Smoke on Wednesday, April 18 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. pacific time 
• Passed hors d'oeuvres and food stations
• Open bar including beer, wine and spirits
• Commemorative gift

US Airways vs. American

I prefer the US Airways colors on CRJ's. Rumor has it that US Airways interiors are still on the inside.

US Airways CRJ-900

AA CRJ-700

Starwood/Marriott Grounds Delta Partnership

As part of a detailed program update, Marriott/SPG announced they are ending the Delta partnership. I liked having the free checked bag, but the closest to an upgrade I saw was being first to not clear.

Sorry Frequent Delta - SPG Customers

Yesterday, SkyMiles partner, Marriott, announced a series of changes to the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG®) and Marriott Rewards programs. 

As a result of these changes, please be informed that:  
The Crossover RewardsTM program will continue through July 15, 2018, with all current benefits being honored through that date. We expect to have more to share on this program before July 15. Visit SkyMiles News and Updates for more details.
Starting in August 2018, SPG and Marriott Rewards will implement a new structure for earning airline miles on stays and converting points to miles.

Lifetime Starwood SPG Platinum Kit

My SPG lifetime platinum kit arrived from FedEx! I earned my status about 3 months ago. My accomplishment was confirmed on the website, but the kit took a little while to ship. It had some standard SPG copy on platinum status along with two cool items.

1) A map of all my credited stays. Stays paid with points before those counted to elite status are not included. Still cool to look around the globe at my past 10 years.

2) A metal SPG membership card.

Tour The New United Polaris Lounge at SFO

Never mind, that sold out in about 10 minutes. I didn't ever catch the price. I guess I'll need to fly business class on United later this year to have a look.

Star Alliance Premium Cabin Can Access Too

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Traffic Jam at SFO

American Airlines Loves the Dreamliner

American just ordered 47 more Dreamliners from Boeing. Wow!

Existing American 787

Hilton Changed HHonors Earning

Hilton is making their program less attractive for infrequent guests, like me. The new earning scale favors Gold and Platinum members. It doesn't bother me much because they are my second back up chain. Redemption options are too expensive anyway, so this won't change my booking preference.

Photo from Guam

I'm Flying Again

It feels like it's been a while since I was in air. It wasn't that long really.

I'm Excited to Fly on a 737-900ER

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I enjoyed watching aircraft from the San Diego airport too. Fun weekend destination.

Great Airport Bar

The best airport bar is the Ballast Point Brewery in Little Italy San Diego. Though not at the airport, the aircraft come within a few hundred feet of you.

Great Views

Great Lakes Airlines Stops Flying

The looming pilot shortage finally struck. Great Lakes has ceased operations. 

Props No Longer Spinning

United Kill Count

I'm more likely to fly United if pets are less likely to be on board.

Ramirez is my favorite political cartoonist.

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A Good View is Required for a Great Lounge

Atlas Air is Growing

Cargo hauler Atlas Air is growing with 2 used 777 freighters and 4 used 747-400 freighters. I bet they got a better deal on the 747's.

Cargo Airlines, like me, Enjoy 747's

PURCHASE, NY, Tuesday, March 6, 2018 --   Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: AAWW) today announced the acquisition of two Boeing 777 Freighters from LATAM Airlines.

Both 777 aircraft will operate in ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance) service for DHL Express through Atlas' Southern Air subsidiary, with the first starting service this month and the second expected to begin service at the end of the second quarter of 2018.

The first of the two aircraft was previously operated on a CMI (crew, maintenance and insurance) basis for DHL Express by Southern Air. The second aircraft will increase the number of 777 freighters owned or operated by the company to 12.

“These 777 freighters enhance our position in this attractive aircraft type and are consistent with our strategy of growing the operations that we acquired as part of Southern Air,” said Atlas Air Worldwide President and Chief Executive Officer William J. Flynn.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

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I like this one.

Better than the View Inside

ANA has a much more interesting online shop than American air carriers' stores.

Dreamliner With Low Hours

Credit Card Rankings

The two best No Fee credit cards available in the USA right now are from Wells Fargo and Fidelity. CreditCards.com has an interesting review of the card landscape. The more information you have on what your next card will, the better.

Cash Back Work For All Airlines

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Fiji Airlines is One of the Best Designs

Check Your Mileage Expiration Dates

A friendly reminder: check your mileage expiration dates. Buying something through the online mall is an easy and cheap method to earn miles and reset the expiration date.

Delta Miles Don't Expire

United Miles Expire

Local Plane Spotting

I live about 5 miles away from the SFO runways and enjoy plane spotting in the afternoon. Here's a few snaps.

I would love a longer lens than my current 70-200mm. Anyone want to chip in for a 200-500mm Nikon? I could also stand to upgrade my 11 year old D80 body.

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