How Is Norway?

I don't know how Norway is because I never left the secure part of the airport.  To top off my status miles in 2013, I flew to Oslo for an hour and left on the same 757 that brought me. I was upgraded the whole way, so it was a pleasant experience. I did enjoy the small bit of Norway I experienced, but I didn't leave the airport, so I won't add it to my country list.

757 Seat DEN-EWR

My flight from Denver to Newark went quickly and uneventfully.  I went with the chicken salad because the other option was the gross Continental cheese burger.  I slept most of the flight and read the rest away. I didn't pick up Hemispheres magazine because I wanted to save it in case I ran out of other things to do on later flights.

Chicken Salad Lunch - Never Pick the Burger

The flight to Oslo left a half hour late and eliminated a third of my time in Norway.  Once boarding began, I was excited to grab my seat and give it a test drive.  The BusinessFirst seats on international 757's are fully flat and have a 15in-ish tv.  The seat is comfortable and easy to sleep in.   The tv was a let down because the movie offerings were not very good.  Luckily I was distracted by food and felt tired.

United 757 Business First Seat

Starter

Outstanding and Tender Steak

I slept most of the way and suffered through the first few minutes of a few films after dinner.  Once we started landing, I packed up all my stuff (it didn't take long, I only had a backpack) and was ready to sprint off the plane. I only had an hour to make my flight and I still needed to clear customs and security. 

SAS Star Alliance Gold Lounge - OSL

Seating in OSL

Customs was a breeze thanks to my EU passport.  I then took the door for international connections, so I didn't have to leave the airport and endure more security screening. I printed off all my boarding passes before leaving Denver, an important action because the security staff wanted to see my boarding pass before allowing me to the international wing.  With less than an hour on the ground I attempted duty free shopping (bad selection and astronomical prices) and relaxed at the SAS lounge.  Before I could finish my beer at the lounge, I had to leave for the gate.  There is a customs check before boarding so build in some extra time for that and other delays. 

Lunch

Snack Before Landing

Once on board I found my new seat and got comfortable.  We left on time and I enjoyed the meal service before sleeping the rest of the way.  I flew through US customs (thanks Global Entry) and was able to catch an earlier flight to Denver too.  A great trip, though I only saw airports.  A few tips for flights like this:

• Print all your boarding passes out before leaving your first airport.
• Pack a change of clothes, pack light.
• Bring enough to keep you busy if the tv breaks or has nothing worth watching.
• Stretch out and go for a stroll now and again.
• Stay hydrated.

Below Freezing Business Trip

I'm on a business trip in Chicago and it will never get above freezing, though it is 30 degrees warmer than Monday (yes, you notice).  I've been day dreaming of trips to warmer destinations, like Tahiti or Iceland.

Air Tahiti Nui A340 at LAX

I Flew Airbus #7000

I flew the 7,000th Airbus aircraft, an A321 delivered with some fanfare in December 2011.  I remember reading about this milestone and was excited to fly on a famous aircraft.  Inside the plane looked a little tired and well used.  My previous aircraft that day was a newer A321, both better than an American MD-80 or 757 (my other options for this business trip). US Airways will continue to take new Airbus jets into 2015.  I like Airbus A320 series jets more than Boeing 737's, so while I'm excited to fly new US Airways planes, United's new 737's seem almost obsolete.  

7000th Airbus - US Airways A321

2014 - The Year of Points Inflation

2014 will be the year of points inflation.  The points game won't die, but all the fun will be sucked out of it.  Award prices will be going up, up, and way up, while earning opportunities will be curtailed. United award prices are increasing Feb 1, 2014, 40% for United flights and 80% for partner flights in premium cabins (Lufthansa flights can be booked, but it won't be worth while). United is also borrowing a page from Delta and requiring a minimum spend requirement for status qualification, in addition to the miles requirement. 

From 135,000 Miles in First to Over 200,000

Delta will be increasing prices on their award chart, though it will go little noticed because there is so little discount award space, I haven't redeemed a Delta award in ages. When US Airways and American become a single carrier, March 31, I expect the US Airways award chart to vanish, taking with it the 90,000 mile around the world in business class award. Southwest is changing the Wanna Get Away fare from 60 points per dollar to 70 points as well.

Delta Lost Its Luster

Hotels and other programs are increasing prices too.  Hertz applied about a 10% inflation rate to their chart.  It didn't sting too badly because they announced it well in advance and 10% isn't too bad every few years.  Hyatt is adding a new award tier so the extreme values at 22,000 points will be ok values at 30,000 points.  A free bottle of Coke is 25% more today than yesterday too.  As usual, every year more hotels move up in reward tier category than move down too; a less noticed form of inflation.  

25% More Points in 2014

2013 - Year in Review

I flew 40% fewer miles in 2013 than 2012, a meager 84,686 miles in 76 segments, and will only be Platinum status next year.  I will miss 1K when it expires Jan 31 and will be sitting in coach much more frequently.  With award chart inflation and new rules for status in 2014, this might be the last year I play the miles game.  Luckily I have a new job with a large business travel component.

2013 flights - www.gcmap.com

Some highlights from 2013's adventures:

• Nevada Nuclear Test Site Tour - An amazing tour and fascinating experience I will be talking about for years. 
• EBACE Conference - I had a blast experiencing the private aviation trade show in Geneva.
• Long Beach Airport - Cute little airport where US Airways will check bags 30 minutes before your flight.
• 5 Mile Odometer - New low score in the rental car odometer game.
• New Airports - Long Beach (LGB), Spokane (GEG), Raleigh (RDU), Geneva (GVA), Stockholm (ARN), Oslo (OSL), Harrisburg (MDT), and Akron (CAK).
• New Aircraft - None flown, but I sat in a few new business jets.

Favorite Pictures of 2013

Landing at SAN

Delta Jets at LAS

Water Taxi in Geneva

United 737's at EWR

Cool Take Off Picture at LAS

Frontier Airlines 2014 Discount Code

http://www.flyfrontier.com/promo-code/fly2014
Frontier Airlines will offer a 14% discount on domestic fares from Monday, December 30, 2013, through 11:59 p.m. Eastern time, Sunday, January 5, 2014. The discount will apply to regular and sale fares for domestic travel from January 6, 2014, through March 12, 2014. Blackout dates of January 31 to February 1, 2014; February 3, 2014; and February 13-17, 2014, apply.

Frontier Airbus Collection in Denver

I Flew to Oslo For An Hour Yesterday

DEN-EWR-OSL-EWR-DEN in about 32 hours. This will most likely be my last mileage run because United is including a minimum spend requirement ($10,000 & 100,000 miles for 1K) in 2014.  Status will only come from work travel now.  Eventually I will make 1,000,000 miles on United and be lifetime Gold, but until then it will be rough going.   My quick trip to Oslo will pay dividends next year because I will be Platinum and have a small chance for upgrades and enjoy some fee waivers.  I'll share more details on the trip soon.

Departing EWR on UA38 to OSL