Free Callaway Wedge From Embassy Suites

Register and stay one night at an Embassy Suites hotel and get a free Callaway wedge (full rules).  This is a sweet promotion that makes me want to spend a night at Embassy Suites on my next business trip, and I don't even golf.  Crowne Plaza was giving away Taylor Made clubs in 2008.  I could have earned a free $1,200 set, but decided to stock up on SPG points instead.  I stand by that decision.

I Mostly Take Airplane Photos

Alaska Airlines Coach Food

Alaska Airlines is promoting their food in coach; it actually looks pretty good too. I had always been a fan of their premium beer options including Alaska Amber.  United flirted with premium beer and spirits briefly, the the days of Leinenkugel's and Maker's Mark on board have long passed.  The Alaska food offerings also look just and good and comparably priced to food in the airport, so next time I fly with them, I just might skip eating in the terminal and enjoy a buy on board meal instead.

Alaska 737

Fun Photo

Fun picture I snapped landing at SAN.  Did you know in the 40's SAN had sea plane facilities?  The ramps are still there, check out Google Maps.

757 Night Landing at SAN

Southwest Rapid Rewards Point Value Drop

Southwest Airlines is devaluing Rapid Rewards points.  The new value is 1.43 cents per point; the old value was 1.67 cents per point for Wanna Get Away fare.  0.24 cents per point adds up over time, 2,500 extra points for a $250 fare or removing about $120 in value from a 50,000 point balance.  Southwest is at the forefront of pricing awards based on the underlying ticket cost (dollar ticket price x points per dollar = award cost), not a flat rate region to region pricing (North America to Europe = 60,000 points regardless of ticket prices). United and Delta are likely to follow in the next few years, so I am intently interested in how the new program model works in real life.  It doesn’t seem to be working well.

Southwest 737 at GEG

Point inflation should be expected in flat rate region award chart models to reflect higher ticket prices over time.  Since point per dollar awards already account for rising ticket prices, points inflation should not be expected.  A point should have a fixed dollar exchange rate in these models.  Breaking that exchange rate peg will devalue the currency in the eyes of its holders and they will be less likely to hold large amounts in the future.  It’s just like monetary policy with real currencies.  This inflation hurts, but my balance is less than 30,000 points, so I’ll be ok.  I have a much larger United balance that I need to start burning through because any inflation there will bite much harder.

United Airlines First Class Sundae Dessert

United changed from a cookie to a sundae bar for dessert on long flights in first class.  A generous helping of vanilla ice cream topped with your choice of chocolate, caramel, walnuts, strawberries, whip cream, and cherries. It was an amazing surprise.

My Sundae on IAD-SAN

Good Travel Day

Good travel day so far.  Star Alliance Gold members can use the Lufthansa lounge at IAD or DTW even if they aren't flying Lufthansa.

Lufthansa Lounge IAD - LH Likes Roses

Overnight Mileage Run Checklist

I'm going on a mileage run trip this weekend and I'd like to share my checklist of what I need to pack.

• Pillow – Couch pillows work for window seat types, neck pillows are best for middle and aisle seats.
• Blanket – I sleep better with one on flights, but odds are your aircraft won’t have any on board.  I actually bought a few new Envoy blankets from US Airways, they travel well and are comfortable (and only $5).
• Eye Mask – Helps me sleep no matter the time of day.
• Ear Plugs – Much better option than sleeping with my clunky Bose headphones.  Bring a few pairs.
• Power Strip – There are never enough outlets, so make your own.
• Headphones – Great for tunes, in flight entertainment, and just blocking out ambient noise.  I like my QC15’s, but my old QC3’s may have been better for travelling.
• iPhone Charging Cable – IT will run out of amps without a charge or two.
• Laptop and Cord – Get some work done, watch a DVD, or wander the internet.  The iPhone screen gets tiring fast.
• Backpack – Travel light, no need for a roller bag if you don’t plan to stay in a hotel.
• Change of Underoos – Just because you don’t plan on staying in a hotel doesn’t mean you won’t.  Canceled flights, missed connections, and bumps happen (bumps rock because they can usually pay for the trip).
• ID – It’s a short trip without one.
• United Club Card – Always nice to have on hand, required if flying US Airways because they can’t look up your membership any other way.
• Pills – Tylenol, Pepto-Bismol, melatonin, and anything else you might need.
• Water Bottle – Stay hydrated to feel better.
• Charmin – Spending your next 36 hours or more in an airport or on an airplane, you’ll probably want something better than what’s provided.
• Reading Material – I bring The Economist and a book, in flight magazines are good too, but get repetitive after a second reading.

United 737 at DEN