The description from Tyler Cowen’s Washington, DC dining guide remains correct — mini bar “takes many chances and doesn’t always hit.” But it doesn’t need to when they’re serving you 35 different things over the course of a couple hours. The “caviar” made of peas is fascinating, an amazing creation, the texture is just right — but tastes like, well, peas. The Friday night before last when I ate there was the most fun I’ve had at a meal, purely over the food, in a long time. It’s my second favorite meal of the past twelve months behind Tetsuya in Sydney — which puts it ahead — in terms of sheer enjoyment — of the Inn at Little Washington, CityZen, Citronelle, 2941, Indebleu, etc. Minibar is a restaurant within a restaurant. It’s just six stools…
Missing Baggage: a Tale of Two Airlines
Dec
20
2005
When I’m traveling on my own I’ll do everything possible to avoid checking luggage. That will remain my strategy, at least until Ted Stevens succeeds in limiting carryons (from one carryon to… one carryon). But when I’m on a three week trip involving multiple climates it isn’t possible. And when I’m traveling with my wife for a long weekend, and she packs enough that we have to check her bags, I tend to check mine as well. Even without a connecting flight that turns out to be a mistake. Back in June I flew in from Melbourne on Qantas and transferred my bags to Alaska. This was in the midst of their baggage handler unpleasantness, and one of our four bags was sent to Reno instead of Seattle. The baggage service office was extremely apologetic,…
American Elite Buyback Returns
Dec
18
2005
American is offering its annual elite buyback offer for Gold and Platinum members who did not requalify during 2005. Depending on the number of miles you flew and the status you already have, you can pay $299 – $599 to retain that status through February, 2007.
Weird Hotel Innovation
Hotels are great for romantic getaways. Apparently, though, this isn’t true just for people. HotelChatter points to this MSNBC story from August on a Sao Paulo motel which caters to love-seeking dogs. The air-conditioned pet love motel room, with a paw print decorative motif, has a special control panel to dim the lights, turn on romantic music or play films. “The owner has to know what kind of DVD will excite his or her dog,” Marinho said with a chuckle. The dog motel, which opened this month, costs $41 for two hours, making it more expensive than the least luxurious rooms at the Opium, which cost $45 for four hours. “We also have a wedding agency that matches up dogs and if the female dog doesn’t get pregnant, we offer artificial insemination services,” said Marinho
Two Elite Changes at American
Dec
15
2005
American AAdvantage Gold elite status can be obtained for 25,000 miles or 30 segments. Platinum is 50,000 miles or 60 segments. (Both can also be obtained via a fasttrack challenge.) However, Executive Platinum has been obtainable only by flying 100,000 miles — so segment qualification existed for the “EXP” level. Supposedly American will announce shortly that next year they’ll introduce segment qualification for their top elite level. Just like United, 100 segments flown in a year will earn top-tier elite status. American has also announced a price increase for 500-mile segment upgrades. They’ll go from $25 to $30 when purchased online or at a kiosk. Over the phone or otherwise ‘assisted’ the price will be $35.
Is Ted Stevens Even Worse Than the TSA?
Jacob Sullum finds himself defending the TSA against an even bigger idiot. As the New York Times piece he cites explains Mr. Hawley said that checkpoint screeners were opening one bag in four to look for scissors and small tools spotted on X-rays, and that this was a distraction from identifying greater threats. “It’s not about scissors, it’s about bombs,” Mr. Hawley testified. “Sorting through thousands of bags a day at two or three minutes apiece to sort out small scissors and tools does not help security. It hurts it.” But Stevens wants to reduce the number of bags going through checkpoints, to make it easier for the TSA to Take Scissors Away: Mr. Stevens proposed instead that the security agency reduce the number of bags that passengers may carry on board to one from…
Mileage Pro Book Available with Free Shipping
Just got my copy of Mileage Pro in the mail. I plan to read it on my flight to Miami Friday morning. Alas, I ordered too early — OAG is offering free shipping through December 31st with promo code DGD5MY (I’d have saved $3.95!). Use the promo code at checkout and hit ‘recalculate’ and the cost of shipping and handling will come off. Oh well, I paid full price for shipping when I ordered it a week or so ago. I guess that’ll help me give the book for Christmas. An introduction to the book and free chapter can be found here.
Northwest’s Customers are Just Dying to Earn Miles
Dec
13
2005
Northwest now requires travelers seeking a bereavement fare to join its frequent flyer program first. Jokes about bereavement fares are probably in poor taste, so I’ll leave it at that.
More Devaluation of Amtrak Guest Rewards
Amtrak has announced changes to its reward chart effective January 3, 2006. Business and first class redemptions on Acela Express and Metroliner trains go up 500 points apiece (to 8,000 and 10,500 each way respectively). $50 gift cards go from 5000 points to 6000 points, a 20% increase. It used to be that Amtrak points were worth a penny apiece when redeemed for merchandise at this level. That penny-a-point parity threshold has now been breached. However, if you want to retain that purchasing power you’ll need to redeem 10,000 points for newly introduced $100 gift cards set to be on offer next month. I got the news in my online statement which arrived by e-mail today. Three weeks notice isn’t enough for these kinds of changes — but it’s better than the no-notice changes Amtrak…
US Citizens Permitted to Visit North Korea in 2006
My colleague Curtis passes along that Koryo Tours will be making available North Korea trips for US citizens in 2006. They brought 150 of the total 190 US citizens attending the Arirang Mass Games in 2005, and North Korea will be repeating the games in 2006. Tours are offered from Beijing. Scroll down to the bottom part of the page for details on US citizens visiting the DPRK. Personally I find visiting the country to be intriguing, it’s one of the most backward repressive regimes on the planet and international exchange and visits can only serve to open it up to the rest of the world and benefit its people. I’m also not concerned about the government earning foreign currency from visitors, to some extent even that can only serve to help a people while…
