American Miles Are On Sale Too

American is following US Airways' lead and selling miles at a discount.  The American deal gives up to a 50% bonus on purchased miles.  This isn't a very good deal because 90,000 miles costs $1,809 and that isn't enough for a business class award to Europe.

American Airlines 737 Taking Off From LGA

US Airways Is Selling Miles For Cheap Again

US Airways is running a 100% bonus on purchased miles again, up to 50,000 free miles.  If you want to fly around the world in business class, 90,000 miles will cost $1,575.  I wouldn't buy miles to hold onto them, but only buy them to top off my account for an award I'd want to book soon.  These promotions happen every month or two.

You Don't Have to Fly US Airways When Burning Their Miles

Taking a Few Pictures Along The Way

I brought my good camera and lens on my mileage run last weekend and got two dozen fun pictures that will make their way into future posts.  I played with the zoom and was able to catch some fun details.

US Airways Flight Deck Crew at PHL

Double Free Night Credits Bonus at Omni Hotels

I signed up for every hotel loyalty program I could find as part of a research paper I am writing for class (8 weeks until I graduate!), including Omni Select Guest.  Today I found an email promotion for double free night credits on all stays before April 1st (not sure if it's a targeted promotion).  This isn't a status fast track bonus, but just a free night award fast track.  Even though I have no plans to stay at an Omni (I need SPG stays), I signed up.  You never can know travel plans for sure.

There's an Omni hotel in San Francisco

Lufthansa Slim Line Airbus Seats

Slim line seats are coming to the US, Southwest is adding narrow seats and extra rows on their jets.  Lufthansa (and Swiss and Austrian Airlines which they own) has updated their Airbus fleet with these seats.  They are super skinny and have almost no padding. They are fine for a one or two hour flight, but I wouldn't want to be stuck in them for longer than 2 hours.  I do like the seat pocket redesign that provides more knee room.

Lufthansa Slim Seats

Leg room and seat back design

Center seat blocked for business class

First Mileage Run of 2013

I'm taking my first flights of 2013 this weekend and am flying just for the miles.  I found and booked a cheap fare to PHL with an out of the way stop in each direction.  I'm not going to leave the airport in PHL, just get on the airplane I took in and go home. The primary purpose of this trip is to inexpensively boost my elite mileage total.  I also hope to do some reading and work on homework.  One day I'll have a job that gets me 1K status with work travel (again).

United A320

Delta Regional Jet Coach

Frontier (nee. Midwest Airlines) used to run a hub in Milwaukee that would take you to most big and mid sized cities east of the Rockies.  I heard they had cut back service, but I didn't know it was so extreme that you couldn't even get a flight from New York to Milwaukee. The only option out of LGA was Delta on a CRJ700.  I dislike the CRJ family of aircraft because they feel cramped. Add a fat guy (there is no way to report someone who needs to buy a second seat, but oh how I wish I could) and there is no space at all.  Two miserable hours after take off I landed and rejoiced at being able to move my arms and legs.

Delta Connection Coach Seats

Delta Connection Coach

Delta Connection CRJ700