Global Entry Pre Check Win

I finished my Global Entry registration this week and already am seeing the benefits (United paid for it, Platinum and 1K perk; otherwise $100 for 5 years).  Your Global Entry code also makes you eligible for TSA Precheck on all participating airlines, just enter your Global Entry code when booking or at check in. This is great because standard Precheck users are only eligible on a single carrier that sponsors their membership. This is a big win that will make flying US Airways today much more pleasant. 

Got PreCheck

Interesting Fairmont & RIMOWA Promotion

I read a fun email from Fairmont offering two free RIMOWA carry on bags with a stay in a Fairmont Gold room.  The bags retail for $595 and I set to work trying to find a way to make it a deal worth doing.

As a member of Fairmont President's Club, we are pleased to provide you with an exclusive opportunity! Enjoy Fairmont Gold and Suite accommodations at select destinations across North America* and arrive in style with two RIMOWA Salsa Deluxe Cabin Multiwheel® cases. An offer this good doesn't come around often—get ready to pack your (new) bags!

I ran the numbers and the cheapest trip would be about $1200 for two from Denver ($400 air, $700 hotel, $100 car + incidentals). Search airport codes YQB, YYZ, BOS, PHX, YOW, BDA, SFO in ITA Matrix if you want to give it a try.  If I lived in Phoenix, the $700 for a stay-cation (I hate that term and concept) and the carry on bags would be worth while.  Oh well, there will be other promotions and I love my Briggs and Reilly bag.  It was fun to dream for a minute.

Another Deal Will  Come My Way

Bid Miles On Simulator Time

United is auctioning off 2 hours in a flight simulator and bidding is only at 123,000 miles (bidding ends tomorrow). This is a truly unique award because you can't buy this experience with money and shows the real value of frequent flyer programs.  This isn't a discount, but an opportunity that would not be available without miles and makes the unattainable accessible. 

United Airlines A319

UPDATE 7/26 - The auction wound up going for 135,000.  Not bad considering the two free flights to Denver would cost 50,000 miles plus maybe 15,000 miles for the hotel stay.

Easy Way to Check International Travel Requirements

IATA has a great website to check international travel requirements, an outstanding resource to have handy.

Frankfurt is a Great Place to Connect

Pic of the Day

Fun shot taking off from Long Beach after the grand prix. 

CRJ-900 Take Off

British Airways Avios Award Chart

British Airways doesn't post their award chart, but lets you only price specific routes.  To save you the trouble of making your own award chart, here's the one I created.  The prices are for economy and are the same for British Airways, their oneworld partners, and Alaska Airlines.  Multiply by 1.5 for premium economy, 2 for business, and 3 for first.  Prices are per segment too, not total trip distance (find segment length or airport range), so avoid connections.  

Cost	Max Dist
4500	650
7500	1150
10000	2000
12500	3000
20000	4000
25000	5500
30000	6500
35000	7050
50000	7500

25,000 Miles To Go SFO-LHR On British Airways

GVA-FRA-Sheraton Frankfurt Airport-ARN

I wanted to change my United award ticket after I started travelling and it was easy really.  A few caveats, I’m a 1K member, so there was no fee, (a fee may apply to general members), also I was not changing my city pairs or connection point, and finally I verified availability before booking.  That said, the process went smoothly really.

Lufthansa Cityline E190 Coach Seat Recline

Geneva was proving to be a bit dull, so I wanted to grab an earlier flight into Frankfurt.  I had booked an overnight connection and was happy to get to the Sheraton Frankfurt Airport in time to grab a bite in the outstanding club lounge.  Lufthansa had plenty of availability too, so it was looking promising.

Business Class Seats Lufthansa Cityline E190

The one complication was that I had no way to economically call United (this type of change can’t be made online).  Google Voice is charging for calls originating from outside the US and I never signed up for Skype.  Luckily my girlfriend was able to help.  I gave her my United number, pin, directions on the flight I wanted changed, and an overview of what to expect.  After a few minutes, I got an itinerary update from United and a reply email reporting success.  Easiest flight change ever, I didn’t even have to wait on hold.

Intra Europe Lufthansa Snack

Another bonus is that I went from coach on a full CRJ-900 to coach on a 40% full ERJ-190.  The E-190is a great 100 seat plane and there was plenty of space for everyone.  The flight from Geneva to Frankfurt was only an hour and light snack was served in coach.  It was a bumpy flight, but things went smoothly on arrival.  My bag quickly appeared at baggage claim and it was a quick walk across the terminal to the Sheraton. 

The Sheraton Frankfurt Airport hotel is my favorite airport hotel in the world.  I even stayed there when I was visiting Frankfurt rather than going to a hotel downtown (the rail link form the airport is fast and reasonably priced).  The hotel service is very good and the club lounge has an outstanding breakfast (including omelet station) and dinner presentation.  The rooms are fresh and well maintained too.

Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Club Level Room

Things did not go as smoothly the following morning.  I was scheduled on the first flight to Stockholm at 7:10 AM.  The security lines were long and slow (last time I went through the First Class Terminal with no problems), so I didn’t have much time to grab a bite in the lounge (also packed with long lines).  I soon had to go to the gate and the plane was at a remote parking position so a bus ride was required.  I always like being one of the last to board so I am not stuck on the bus forever. 

That idea didn’t go well because the first bus filled up and pulled away with 12 passengers waiting for the next bus, which pulled up immediately.  Then we waited for 30 minutes until we were told the plane left without us.  We were rebooked on the next flight 2 hours later and given €250 cash vouchers (really, they just added $315 to my checking account).  I’m fine with being paid $100 an hour to sit in the Senators lounge and waiting for the next flight.

Lufthansa A321 Intra Europe Snack and Seat

The flight to Stockholm was fast and enjoyable with great views heading north.  The aircraft was a new A321 and the middle seat was empty.  The sandwich was good too.  Upon landing there was a cabin announcement apologizing to those that missed the earlier flight and informing us that our checked bags had already arrived.  I quickly grabbed my bag, bought a ticket for the Arlanda Express train and was heading into Stockholm.