AA Award Changes

My American Airlines saver award trip has changed 5 times in as many weeks. My original arrival time was backed up over 4 hours and I didn't want the new 5 hour connection, so I called reservations. Since the arrival time was greater than 4 hours different, I could pick any available flights to make my trip work, not just saver award flights. This was great news, because I could switch from an obnoxiously early departure time to a reasonable time. Added bonus, the new flight was on an A330 with flat bed seats. This was better than I booked.

Old Flat Bed Seats

Then my flight changed again. The connecting aircraft changed to an all coach E145 and arrival moved back 2 hours to 11:04PM. I booked first class and a 5:30 arrival originally. This was a non-starter and I call AA reservations. I was looking to cancel and rebook for an alternate airport.

No First and No Fun Over 60 Minutes

The reservations agent let me change my arrival airport and pick from any flight with seats. This was great, so I booked a reasonable flight and hope it will stick. I'm also back in first for both segments. The key is being persistent and having flight options to suggest to the phone agents before calling. Also 4 hours difference is the magic number for American agents to offer you anything reasonable.

No Flat Bed Seats, but Open Bar

New CRJ Cabin

The tube is the same diameter, but new CRJ 700's, 900's, and 1000's can have larger bins and in seat power as part of a cabin refresh from Bombardier. Offer not valid on CRJ 200's.

Delta Will Have New Cabins on 20 new CRJ's

Antonov Volga Dnepr

Fun sighting.

Dash-8 Tribute

Great 30 minute tribute to the Dash-8 from Piedmont Airlines.

Boeing 737 MAX Selling Well

The Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are a tweak of the previous version. They are quieter and more efficient, but still the same basic design (just lengthened tube) from before I was born. The new model is also selling well. That's too bad for passengers. Boeing needs a sales flop before they will take out a blank sheet of paper. The 737 is cramped and a fresh design would be more comfortable for passengers. 

737-500, Close Enough

Retro Photo Post

I Enjoy Retro Schemes

Hilton Points are Almost Worthless

Hilton out did Delta. Hilton award nights are dynamically priced and wildly expensive. I'm an SPG guy, but was looking around to see if better hotel program value could be found. It's been a while since I looked at Hilton and YIKES, awards got expensive. I think I'll go Marriott and Hyatt.

Delta Also Has Wildly Expensive Awards