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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United is back in Save A Nickel Mode

United Airlines is back trying to save a nickel rather than make a dollar. I prefer their cheap mindset because when they try to make a dollar, they add more seats and remove padding from aircraft.

A320's Were Comfortable 

Free shipping at the Boeing store!

Wine Flies Free on Alaska Airlines

Check a case of wine free if you are departing the west coast on Alaska Airlines. Cool program, but remember to over use the bubble wrap.

Off Valid on These Aircraft Too

Day Trip to LAX

Southwest Airlines is amazing. Maybe not every flight, but the concept is great. My wife earned a companion pass from the Chase card, so we are looking for fun trip ideas. We decided to jump on a cheap fare SFO-LAX and back later that day. Our itinerary gave us 9 hours on the ground, but we booked with points, so we could cancel without fees if there was a long delay.

Great for a Quick Hop

We got a rental car and had a great time looking at art and eating at local favorites. We had enough time even with LA's bad traffic and Budget's slow service.

I'd recommend our itinerary to anyone.

• The Peterson Automotive Museum: home to an amazing collection or motorized art.
• Carney's: best hot dogs west of the Rockies.
• The Getty: amazing space and a good collection of paintings.
• Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles: get the #13, breast and a waffle. The Inglewood location is close to the rental car drop offs and next to a gas station.

Win a Trip to Spain on Iberia

Win a trip to Spain. The official rules say that 2 coach tickets SFO-MAD are worth $11,720. I suspect you can argue down the 1099 for tax season if you win. 

The Winner Will Fly an A330

20% Off at Boeing Store

Boeing is spreading the love for Valentine's Day with code LOVE218 for 20% off.

LUV Airlines 737-700

Lufthansa is Changing their Iconic Livery

It's a step down.

It Was Perfect

UPS Keeps the 747 Program Alive

UPS is keeping the 747 program alive with an order for 14 more 747-8's. They also picked up 4 767-300's. I bet they got a smoking good deal.

There are many cheap used 747-400's available

United Ran Out of Gates at SJC

Bad weather in Denver caused United to be backed up on gates in SJC. We parked on the ramp and took a bus to the terminal. Very odd, my flight was from Denver and early.

Good Morning Colorado

I love watching the sun rise at the airport. Getting to the airport in time to see the sun rise is usually annoying.

United Buying 3 Used 767-300's

Hawaiian is going for Airbus to fly from the islands with the A321 and A330, so they are retiring their 767-300's. United bought 3 to cheaply grow the fleet.

Hawaiian is keeping the Boeing 717 for intrastate flights

United Needs New Paint

This Airbus would be a great candidate for new paint. I would also enjoy a new paint scheme too.

I Didn't Think Continental's Look Would Last

Bad Photoshop Avis

This aircraft must be massive or two photos were poorly merged.

Happy Travels

United Airlines flies 2 of the 5 longest routes with IAH-SYD and LAX-SIN. They both use the 787-9 Dreamliner and last over 17 hours. I flew DFW-SYD and it was a long trip even in business class.

17 Hours is a Long Time in Coach or Business Class

Emirates Buys 20 More A380s

Emirates must have got a heck of a deal from Airbus to keep the A380 program alive for a few more years. They ordered 20 A380s with options for 16 more.

Good Deal When You Are the Best Customer

Fun Photos