Wasn't bad at all

My carry on baby was a great flyer yesterday. She didn't mind it at all or make a peep. There were loud children and people watching TV without headphones, far worse to sit next to than my kid.

Sorry Fellow Travelers

Sorry to everyone on my Southwest flight, I brought an 8 week old as my carry on item.

Pilatus is an interesting aircraft company based in Switzerland. They have always been the rugged option for operations in less than idea areas. Here's a video of their new PC-24 taking off and landing on a dirt strip.

JP Morgan Reserve Card Guide to Benefits

JP Morgan mailed me an updated guide to benefits outlining changes coming in August to the Reserve card. I don't have a JP Morgan Reserve card. It does look cool.

Boeing Buys Embraer - Kinda, Not Really

Boeing is taking over Embraer's commercial aircraft operations, kinda through a joint venture. I guess it was cheaper than designing a new aircraft like the 717 and smaller than the 737-700. This is a response to Airbus taking over the C-Series aircraft. It's all confusing, but blank sheet aircraft design for Airbus and Boeing is only for wide bodies these days.

Happy America Day

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Happy travels.

Delta Airlines GDPR Request

As an Irish citizen, I made a GDPR request to Delta Airlines through their web form (Ask A Question > Privacy & Data Protection) last week. Delta rejected my request because I don't live in the EU. Some companies read the law to include EU citizens out of the EU, but Delta apparently does not agree. 

Contact privacy@delta.com with any GDPR questions.

Farewell Fairmont President's Club

FPC was the best value in rewards programs when I started travelling for work. 10 nights earned a free night starting with night 30. Didn't matter the rate or hotel, it was great. They also gave out spa/restaurant certificates. I also enjoyed the bag tags that Fairmont would pay to FedEx the bag it was attached to back to my house if it was lost and found.

I also miss Dividend Miles

Dear Andrew Bussa, 

We wish to inform you that effective 2 July 2018, Fairmont President’s Club will be integrated with the award-winning loyalty program, Le Club AccorHotels. As you may know, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts was acquired by AccorHotels in 2016, a global travel and lifestyle group based in Paris, France.

As a result of this change, your membership in Fairmont President’s Club will be replaced with a membership in Le Club AccorHotels on 2 July 2018.
Please note the following:
• As of 2 July 2018, your membership to the Le Club AccorHotels loyalty program will be governed by the terms and conditions of the program available here. If you benefit from your program after this date, this will indicate your agreement with these terms and conditions. You are of course free to decline to take advantage of the benefits of Le Club AccorHotels by informing us here. You would then lose the benefits that you could have acquired as part of Fairmont President’s Club.*
• To enable us to continue to best respond to your needs, to measure your satisfaction, to improve our customer knowledge and to personalize our offers and the commercial communications that we may send you and, if relevant, to manage your membership of the Le Club AccorHotels program, the personal information that you have provided as part of your relationship with Fairmont and Fairmont President’s Club will be transmitted to the entities of the AccorHotels group. Of course, you are free to decline transmission of this information by informing us here. Objecting to this transmission will automatically result in you being unable to benefit from the changeover to the Le Club AccorHotels program.*
Your Fairmont President’s Club profile indicates you have declined the option to receive marketing information from Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and/or Fairmont President’s Club. Le Club AccorHotels will continue to respect your privacy and communication preferences. 

For more information, you may wish to visit the Fairmont President’s Club Members’ Integration Website. 

Thank you for your loyalty. We look forward to welcoming you at Fairmont again very soon.

Remember to get Rebates from Online Shopping

I love Mr Rebates for online shopping rebates. Airline mileage malls are great when there's a bonus offer.

Cash Back Works on all Airlines

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Simplify Your Credit Cards

There are some many cards out there with different bonus categories that it is difficult to keep a clear view of what's the best card to go with a purchase. Simply your wallet. Focus on 2 or 3 core cards and relax a little.

Another key tip is to use a card at every opportunity. Cash doesn't earn points.

Farewell eMiles

eMiles seems to be shutting down. I haven't used them in a while since it was a poor return on my time.

I did earn some United miles from them.

Airline GDPR Requests

I'm testing the waters for airline GDPR requests. American Airlines and British Airways are the most promising, but I haven't made it to the end of either. I have an open request with Delta and Lufthansa Group. United replied to me with a change of address link, I don't think they knew what I was asking.

Stay tuned! I'll share the results and process.

Fun Picture

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Cool, but I'd Rather Not Go for a Ride

JW Marriott Contest

Sign up to win a bed or 3 night stay.

Fiji Airways to be first oneworld connect partner

The first airline to join in the new capacity as a oneworld connect partner will be Fiji Airways.

Fiji 737 Tail Detail

oneworld connect partners will provide select alliance benefits to frequent flyers from any oneworld member airline travelling on their flights, with a more extensive range of benefits offered with their oneworld sponsors.

oneworld aircraft

Customers with Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby status in any oneworld member airline’s frequent flyer programme will be able to use priority check-in desks, where available.  Also, customers with Emerald or Sapphire status will be offered priority boarding.

Also oneworld

The additional benefits offered by oneworld connect partners to customers from their oneworld sponsors and vice versa include, through check-in of passengers and their baggage for journeys including connections between a connect carrier and any of its oneworld sponsors, the ability to earn and redeem frequent flyer rewards, and earn frequent flyer status points, for eligible flights. 

oneworld again

Frequent Flyer Packing Post

I was included in a write up on frequent flying packing tips.

The Key is to Relax

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.