I was in Austin recently, it’s one of my favorite cities, both for classic Texas and for much more modern culture. One of the things I did over the weekend earlier in the month is picked up tickets for ‘Master Pancake,’ a live Mystery Science Theatre 3000 style performance in a theatre/draft house. So you get something to drink, you can pay extra for comfortable chairs (a very modest upcharge), and watch some cutting-edge comedy. In this case, one of the original MST3K folks joined Austin regulars as they mocked Hunger Games. I may not have the most exciting Saturday nights, but it was a lot of fun. I also returned to some of my favorite barbecue spots, and I learned something about barbecue in the process. I expected consistency — restaurants that have been…
US Airways Sends Me 2 Bottles of Wine, Are They Drinkable?
The American Airlines and US Airways CEOs sat down to pitch their merger earlier in the month to the New York Times, and I was quoted nine times in the ensuing piece. I received a package from US Airways as a followup to those quotes, and I wanted to talk about what was in it and share their side of things. Now, I’ve been quoted in several media outlets recently on the merger. But such is still the power of the Times I suppose that that’s the one which got the attention of US Airways management. I have actually been extremely friendly towards the merger, at least compared to most commentators — which is to say that I’m lukewarm and not openly hostile. I would have preferred to see American Airlines remain a standalone airline.…
“You Mean We Have to Feed Them, Too?” The Hotel Programs That Offer the Most Generous Breakfast Benefits
One hotel loyalty program executive relayed the common refrain she got from hotels in the chain when they first began rolling out a breakfast benefit for their top tier elites — “you mean we have to feed them, too?” And yes – they do — because breakfast is a common benefit of hotel elite programs, at least at the time tier, and it’s something that the better programs need to offer in order to remain competitive. The most coveted hotel elite perk is upgrades, especially to suites. I’ve written in the past that I find Hyatt Gold Passport the most generous with elite upgrades, followed by Starwood Preferred Guest. And I’ve had some of my very best upgrades through the intercontinental Royal Ambassador program (many hotels will provide upgrades to specialty suites) but I knock…
The Sofitel Heathrow and on Choosing a London Heathrow Airport Hotel
Commenter RJ Brown asks about the Sofitel London Heathrow on my post about flying British Airways from London to San Francisco. Just changed my return seats to 5E&5F and reserved the cabana based on your notes…… Also decided to overnight in the Sofitel coming back as it appeared the only hotel that allowed a “walk” from room to terminal…..any experience with that property? I wasn’t going to write up a report on the hotel, but figured that if someone was asking about it, that it might be of interest to others too. Last month I needed a Heathrow overnight. And though I was arriving and departing from Terminal 3, I chose the Sofitel. The Sofitel is attached to Terminal 5 and so most convenient for British Airways arrivals and departures. It’s also the nicest Heathrow…
Return to the Maldives: London Heathrow – San Francisco, British Airways New First Class
Trip Report Index: Introducing and Strategy New York JFK – Abu Dhabi, Etihad First Class Park Hyatt Dubai Touring the Burj al Arab Tea at the Burj al Arab Abu Dhabi – Male, Etihad Business Class Male – Kaadedhdhoo, Maldivian and Transfer to the Park Hyatt Park Hyatt Hadahaa Maldives Kooddoo-Male-Abu Dhabi, Maldivian and Etihad Business Class Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi – Dusseldorf – London, Etihad First Class and British Airways Club Europe London Heathrow – San Francisco, British Airways New First Class The transit process – though requiring two buses to make it from a terminal 1 bus gate over to terminal 5 – was pretty straightforward. Once at T5 I had to go through an immigration queue before getting to the security checkpoint. They hadn’t handed out Fast Track cards on…
Bits ‘n Pieces for April 13, 2013
News and Notes from Around the Interweb: Some of the best vacations — and best values — can be had in the off-season and shoulder seasons. After the US Airways and American Airlines CEOs sat down with the New York Times to pitch their merger, the resulting piece contained reactions from only tw people — yours truly and also Pizza in Motion. He reports that he has subsequently received package with wine from US Airways along with a note arguing that the airline has been improving its inflight service. I understand there’s a box waiting for me as well, and I’ll report on the contents when I’m back in my office to open it. Two African American passengers are suing US Airways because they were forced to change clothes before being allowed to travel first…
Abu Dhabi – Dusseldorf – London, Etihad First Class and British Airways Club Europe
Apr
13
2013
Trip Report Index: Introducing and Strategy New York JFK – Abu Dhabi, Etihad First Class Park Hyatt Dubai Touring the Burj al Arab Tea at the Burj al Arab Abu Dhabi – Male, Etihad Business Class Male – Kaadedhdhoo, Maldivian and Transfer to the Park Hyatt Park Hyatt Hadahaa Maldives Kooddoo-Male-Abu Dhabi, Maldivian and Etihad Business Class Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi – Dusseldorf – London, Etihad First Class and British Airways Club Europe London Heathrow – San Francisco, British Airways New First Class When I originally booked the trip we were scheduled to fly Etihad First Class Abu Dhabi – New York JFK – Washington National. But a friend was getting married in San Francisco the day after I was scheduled to make it back to the US and had to find a…
Return to the Maldives: Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi
Trip Report Index: Introducing and Strategy New York JFK – Abu Dhabi, Etihad First Class Park Hyatt Dubai Touring the Burj al Arab Tea at the Burj al Arab Abu Dhabi – Male, Etihad Business Class Male – Kaadedhdhoo, Maldivian and Transfer to the Park Hyatt Park Hyatt Hadahaa Maldives Kooddoo-Male-Abu Dhabi, Maldivian and Etihad Business Class Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi – Dusseldorf – London, Etihad First Class and British Airways Club Europe London Heathrow – San Francisco, British Airways New First Class It was slightly after midnight when I arrived at the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi via Etihad car from the airport. The place was virtually deserted but for bellmen at the door at front desk agents ready to assist. Even though I was pretty exhausted I still had a the presence…
A New Flight to Upgrade to Asia On
Via Joe Brancatelli’s (subscription-only) Tactical Traveler, Hainan Airlines, the Chinese carrier, says it will launch nonstop flights between Chicago/O’Hare and Beijing. The airline will fly two-class Airbus A330-200s four days a week starting on September 3 And believe it or not, there are people who should care. Already, Hainan Airlines flies Seattle-Beijing. To many, they’re just an obscure Chinese airline. To savvy flyers, though, they’re probably the cheapest ‘out of pocket cash’ airline to upgrade with between the U.S. and Asia. Their frequent flyer program is the Fortune Wings Club. The only Western carrier they partner with is Air Berlin. But you can transfer Wyndham Rewards points into Fortune Wings Club miles. International upgrades are permitted — without cash co-pay — from M fares and above. I’m currently seeing M fares from $1390++ roundtrip on…
Why Can’t US Airlines Provide Great Service Like the Asian Carriers Do?
Over at Lucky‘s blog yesterday he wrote about the American Airlines 777-300ER flight he and I were both on from New York to London last month. He noted that some of the flight attendants on this flight were less than endearing, and one in particular was downright rude. At the same time, he also mentioned that his return flight (he hasn’t posted that part of the trip yet) featured a fantastic crew. And though we were on different flights coming back across the Pond, my return crew was excellent as well. In fact, here’s what I said about the service on the return: The return flight was a different experience entirely. .. the cabin was mostly empty and the crew was in fantastic spirits. The flight attendant serving my aisle, Vanessa, could easily have been…
