Starbucks Rewards Changes Announced In Advance

Starbucks is changing their My Starbucks Rewards program next month and told all their members about the changes well in advance.  This is how award program changes should be handled; a clear explanation of what's new and what's gone provided well in advance of the change.  Airlines and hotels often make the change and then (not always) announce it.  Customers fear change, but when it is clearly explained in advance, it lessens the impact and helps create a positive customer experience.

US Airways Company Store Discount Coupon Code

When dropping into the US Airways Club in PHX, I noticed a nice merchandise display from the US Airways Company Store.  I also noticed a coupon code.  Use promotion code USCLUB to save 10% your order.  There wasn't any fine print on it, but I tested it and it worked on regularly priced items today.

US Airways A319

Star Alliance Round the World Planner

Looking for a great way to kill time at work?  Want to plan that dream trip?  Try out the Star Alliance Round the World Trip Planner.  This web app lets you build, price, and buy RTW fares on Star Alliance carriers.  It's great fun too.  

United's Star Alliance Livery 757

The Round the Word fare includes up to 29,000, 34,000 or 39,000 miles. Your journey has to start and end in the same country, but not necessarily in the same city. You have to include 3 to 15 stopovers (stops greater than 24 hours). The prices are based on distance and home country (full terms and conditions).  Enjoy!

Frontier Airlines September / October Discount Coupon Code

Frontier Airlines is offering 5% off flights in the continental US with coupon / promo code FRONTIER.  Book by 10/12 and fly by 3/17.  Use the code as much as you like. 

Frontier Airlines September Promotion

Bad Airline Coffee Epidemic

United Airlines once had good coffee, just last year actually.  US Airways had a decent brew too.  From recent experience, airline coffee, both in the air and on the ground, has been either bad or undrinkable.  This is a serious problem that is growing out of control.  How hard is it to get some Dunkin' grounds and add hot water? I doubt it costs that much more for good coffee than bilge water. Airlines need to fix this quickly because I need a strong cup of Joe before I land, but I can’t grab coffee before takeoff or I can’t sleep. Alaska Airlines just started serving Starbucks on board, so they may be the lone exception to this despicable trend.

US Airways Club Coffee

United Club Coffee

14 Hour Layover in London and 6 Hours in Moline, IL

As the final part of my trip, I scheduled a 14 hour layover in London (stops less than 24 hours don’t count as your free stopover), 2 hour stop at O’Hare, and a 32 minute layover in Moline, IL (MLI).  The London layover was great because I could leave the airport, see a friend, and enjoy London just before the Olympic games started.  The Moline layover was the only way to fly to Denver.  It wasn’t the same aircraft for both segments, so there was a serious chance I would miss my connection (I’ve flown tight connections before on the same plane, making it impossible to miss your next flight).

Olympics Greater

London was great! After reading The Economist, I was expecting long lines at every point in the airport. There was no line at customs and LHR was packed with friendly volunteers to point you on your way. 

London

What is it?

London was putting on their best for the world.  Everything was lit up, there was a large public art display, and most people were exceptionally friendly.  I really enjoyed walking along the river at night.  There was some much happening, great places to eat, and brilliant sights.  There were also dozens of the Olympic statues painted in different ways scattered about town.  The mascot was ugly, but some artists did great work despite the handicap.

Sunset by Arsenal's Emirates Stadium

Lottery Fund Public Art

The blue Tube line doesn’t run 24 hours, so don’t plan on taking the Tube for a very early departure. We decided to play it safe and take a cab; all the horrors of LHR were supposedly in full effect and a minimum of 2 hours was needed. The check in and security line the next morning was miniscule.  We made it from to cab to the Star Alliance lounge (showers, wifi, and a decent breakfast spread) in less than 20 minutes.  This might be the first time The Economist was wrong. I doubt the speedy LHR experience or The Economist being wrong will be repeated soon.

Star Alliance Lounge at LHR

The flight from LHR to ORD on a United Airlines 767 was pleasant.  We booked (yes, my friend still wanted to sit next to me after a week of travelling together) the second exit row on the plane and had plenty of space.  Breakfast was a tasty waffle (adding a pound of sugar to it helped) and I settled in attempting to watch a movie and fall asleep.  Neither activity went well.  After a quick sandwich before landing, we were at O’Hare.  My friend was heading into Chicago and we parted ways.  

Seat 21A on a United Airlines 767 from London

United Airlines Coach 767 Breakfast From London

I saw a departures board and it seemed like every United Express flight was delayed.  I went to the United Club to get some help going to Denver, but a direct flight was cancelled and there were no seats through connection points.  I was left to cross my fingers that my ORD-MLI would arrive in time to catch the MLI-DEN flight.  I missed it by 15 minutes.  After 6 hours of killing time (free wifi, walking the terminal, starting a fire, etc.) the last flight out started boarding and I was heading home. A fast trip that felt interminable at times had come to a close.

Empty Terminal at Moline, IL

My E170 to Denver

Good Morning From IAD

Sunrise is a pretty time to be at the airport, stop for a moment and enjoy it sometime.

Sunrise at IAD