Take a tour of the First Class cabin on American’s new Boeing 777-300ER and never leave your desk. I just noticed a link on AA.com to a virtual tour.

No baked on board cookie, but it will give you a good idea what it looks like up at the front of the plane. Go here to check it out.

Earlier this month American Airlines and Klout teamed up to offer people with a Klout score of 55 or higher a free Admirals Club day pass.

If you went to American’s special promotion website and didn’t score a pass there’s still hope: if you increase your Klout you can go back to the site and resubmit your score to qualify.   You have to do this using a different browser or another computer (another option is to use your favorite browser after you clear your cookies and cache).  I heard about this trick from a reader who shared her experience (thanks Margaux!).

Margaux had originally submitted her Klout score but didn’t get the day pass because her score was 45.  She was able to bump up her Klout by linking her other networks and the next day her number increased to 56.  Using another browser she was able to go to the promotion site, try again, and this time she got her free Admirals Club pass!

To link your other networks visit your Klout settings page, select “Connected Networks”, and add as many active accounts as possible

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Wait at least 24 hours for your score to increase.  If you’re not at 55 or higher but you’re close, then spend a few days interacting on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and your other linked networks. With a little time and effort you should see a rise in your number.

If you need more advice about Klout and raising your score, here’s an article that offers several helpful strategies.

Celebrated Living, American’s premium cabin in-flight magazine, is sponsoring a sweepstakes with the winner receiving 50,000 AAdvantage Miles and a weekend golf getaway:

Win a fabulous weekend golf and spa package for two! Golfers, experience Pound Ridge Golf Club, a Pete Dye design just north of New York City, recently emerging as one of America’s premier golf courses.

Then relax at the Spa at Delamar Greenwich Harbor, a luxury hotel and resort, while enjoying a host of other complimentary amenities and concierge services during your stay.

The prize package includes two nights’ accommodations, two 60-minute spa treatments, two rounds of golf (including lunch, golf cart, club and shoe rentals, water, and yardage book), and dinner for two, along with 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles.

If you’ve never played a Pete Dye course then you’re might be unfamiliar with the mixture of pleasure and pain that his golf course designs deliver. Some advice: I’d book the spa appointment so that it happens after you finish your round.

To enter just submit your name and contact information by Aug. 14, 2013 at 11:59 pm CDT.

Go here for complete rules and to enter.

Good luck!

Speaking of Winning AAdvantage Miles...

Don’t forget that the Frugal Travel Guy’s Monday’s Deal of the Day is sponsored by AAdvantage. Go here and share your favorite AAdvantage or American Airlines related tip for a chance to win 2,500 AAdvantage Miles!

Reader Giveaway Results

Last Friday I asked readers to answer this question for a chance to win a free Gogo wifi code:

You and a family member are traveling together to London. Would you choose Main Cabin Extra with the extra room and a stranger on your row, or two seats together and privacy in the Main Cabin?

Here are the results from the random drawing:

Congratulations Juno!

The results were pretty evenly split.  David F, the reader who inspired the question when he shared with me his dilemma choosing between the two airplanes for an upcoming trip with his son, had this to say:

Since I was the one that posted the question earlier this week – this was a pleasant surprise!

Bear in mind I am travelling with my Son – who is 12 . While he is the Seasoned Vet of 5 transatlantic Trips and 2 DFW-HNL – come on be honest what is your first thought when you see a child on your row, I know what mine is! Parent or not! (Lets Face it – we know our children our well behaved – it’s the other parents)

If it was my spouse – It would be a no brainer to go with MCE – and I would do 2 together rather than roll the dice on a center being open – the DFW – LHR is a popular route – can be three flights a day over the summer (4 if you count the BA flight).

But this is a big deal – its been many years of convincing Mrs David F. to allow us to do this. This may sound silly but for us , this is the equivalent of a Father taking his Son hunting/fishing or to the ball game for the first time

Of course the ideal solution would be Biz class, but thats 8K for 2, or find someone with 4 SWU going spare!

Still trying to decide – thanks for the input all!

Thanks David and to everyone who participated!

US Airways Express flight 4560, a DeHavilland DHC-8 operated by Pidemont Airlines, traveling from Philadelphia to Newark managed to make a safe belling landing last night.

None of the 31 passengers or 3 crew members on board were injured.

According to a story published in the New York Times:

“After realizing that the landing gear did not deploy, the pilot circled the airport, trying several more times to get the wheels to come down.

Around 1 a.m., when it became clear that the gear would not work properly, the pilot brought the plane in on its belly.”

Here’s a video of the plane landing shortly after 1 AM eastern this morning.

The pilot certainly deserves a round of applause! US Airways may not serve meals on flights under three and half hours, but their pilots do know how to land planes.

Reader Giveaway – Win a Free Gogo Wi-Fi Pass

If you haven’t already entered, go here for my Gogo Wi-fi Giveaway.

Hope you’re having a great weekend!

So the other day I got an interesting comment from a reader. He’s traveling to London with his son and trying to decide whether to book their flight on American’s new 777-300ER with Main Cabin Extra seats and enjoy the extra room, or instead book their flight on one of the 777-200s that offers more privacy.

American Airlines 777-300ER with Main Cabin Extra

Pros: Main Cabin Extra not only offers more legroom (nearly six inches), the seats are almost three inches wider. They’re a lot more comfortable and roomy than main cabin seating, and there’s a lot more room underneath the seat in front of you. All the Main Cabin Extra seats are in a separate, forward mini-cabin and it feels less dense.

Much better entertainment system.

Cons: The downside for those traveling as a couple is that it’s in a three by three by three configuration. So unless you get lucky with an empty seat, you’re guaranteed to have a stranger sitting next to you.

If you want to sit together, one of you will have to sit in a middle seat.

My Advice: If you’re traveling as a couple, try to get row 16 – it’s the exit/bulkhead row. There’s so much room that everyone on the row (even the person sitting by the window) essentially has access to the aisle.

American Airlines 777-200

Pros: With the 2 X 5 X 2 configuration it’s easy to pick two seat that are together and you won’t have to share the row with anyone else. More privacy. And to access the aisle you only have to inconvenience an friend or family member.

Cons: Smaller seats. Less comfortable.

My Advice: The 777-300ER offers a few rows with 2 X 4 X 2 seating (rows 31, 32, 41, 42). Try to book seats on those rows, you’ll have a much better entertainment system, when the seat in front reclines it intrudes less on your space, and on most routes you’ll have Wi-fi.

777-300ER Rows 31 and 32

777-300ER Rows 41 and 42

(A big hat tip to David F. for an interesting question!)

Reader Giveaway

I’m giving away a free Gogo Inflight Wi-fi code (expires June 30th). To enter all you have to do is answer this question:

You and a family member are traveling together to London. Would you choose Main Cabin Extra with the extra room and a stranger on your row, or two seats together and privacy in the Main Cabin?

No right or wrong answer. Just leave a comment and on Monday I’ll pick a winner in a random drawing.

One entry per person. The deadline to enter is Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.

American is the official sponsor to 30 Broadway and off-Broadway theatres in New York City. They’re also sponsor and official airline to Motown the Musical, and to promote their partnership they’re offering a new sweepstakes with a grand prize of 100,000 AAdvantage Miles and tickets to the show:

As a proud sponsor and official airline of MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, American Airlines invites you to be a part of this one-of-a-kind historical Broadway production.

Chronicling Berry Gordy’s incredible journey, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL features the legendary Motown catalogue and the exhilarating one-of-a-kind sound that launched the careers of renowned music superstars such as Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson and countless others while changing America forever.

Enter your information below for a chance to win the ultimate fan package:

• 100,000 AAdvantage miles

• Two Orchestra Seat tickets to MOTOWN THE MUSICAL

• A special meet-and-greet opportunity

• Accommodations for two-nights at the InterContinental New York Times Square Hotel

• Dinner for two at Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster Harlem restaurant

To enter just submit your name, contact information and your AAdvantage number. The deadline to enter is 11:59 a.m. CT on May 24, 2013.

Go here to enter and for complete terms and conditions. Good luck!

Photo: Mowtown 4 album set
Credit: vintage breda on Flickr

American is planning a one-time run of their new 777-300ER from San Diego to JFK on Sunday, August 4.

American Airlines Flight 12
Departs: San Diego (SAN): 8:50 AM
Arrives: New York (JFK): 5:15 PM

According to a rumor posted in a thread in Flyertalk, the plane is operating as a charter flight on August 3 and delivering some lucky passengers to San Diego to attend the Global Business Travel Association convention.

Despite the three class configuration, it’s being sold as a two class flight: the business class section is being sold as coach with the seats being reserved for full fare passengers and AAdvantage elites (as of 5 PM on Wednesday all the Business Class seats were taken).

According to the seat map the First Class cabin is wide open, but AA.com shows no availability  (I suspect it may be reserved for some special purpose and doubt it will open up).

So if you live in the San Diego area and you’re planning to travel to New York in early August anyway, well here’s your chance to ride the new 777-300ER!  You might even be able to experience the new mood lighting….because of the red and blue colors this is what the cabin crew jokingly refer to as AA Party Mode:-)

DFW Airport and American Airlines recently completed Phase 1 of their renovations to Terminal A.  American has described the project as the “Next Generation Airport Prototype for American’s Customers“.

The remodeled terminal includes a new Priority Check-in space that will serve as a model for future updates to American’s facilities at DFW and other airports.

Priority Check-in is a dedicated check-in area reserved for AAdvantage Elite customers and passengers traveling in First and Business Class. At American’s hubs, like JFK and LAX, it’s a special area semi-cocooned away from the rest of the check-in space. It’s (usually) less chaotic, there are fewer lines, and it provides direct access to expedited security lanes.

Priority Check-in is not to be confused with Flagship Check-in, which is reserved for ConciergeKey customers and passengers traveling in three-class transcontinental flights and in First Class on international flights.

Unlike LAX, MIA, or more recently JFK, and (soon) ORD, DFW doesn’t have a Flagship Check-in facility. But that will soon change!!

According to someone I spoke with at American Airlines, “Flagship Check-In service is offered at JFK, MIA and LAX and will be available at DFW in late 2013.”

Anyway, here’s a photo tour of the Next Gen Priority Check-in at DFW Terminal A. It’s set off in a room, away from the rest of the check-in area. It’s an enclosed space, surrounded by frosted glass.

Signage

Counters

Counters and Kiosks

Kiosks

Seating Area

Direct access to expedited security

American has launched several new routes and (just as they often do) they’re offering bonus AAdvantage miles to promote them. But this time they’ve made the offer a little sweeter.

Typically when they start new service between two cities they’ll offer double redeemable miles, but with these latest promotions they’re doing something new and offering double miles for main cabin fares, and triple miles for paid first class travel.

Earn Up To Triple Miles Between Miami And San Diego

Offer: Beginning June 12, American Airlines will offer daily nonstop service between Miami and San Diego, giving you more choices. To celebrate, you can earn triple miles for travel in First Class, or double miles for travel in the Main Cabin

Flight # 1065
Departs Miami 6:50 p.m
Arrives San Diego 8:55 p.m.

Flight # 1042
Departs San Diego 9:45 p.m
Arrives Miami 5:40 a.m. (next day)

Offer Dates: June 12, 2013, through September 15, 2013

Promotion Code: SAN3X

Register prior to travel. Here’s a link.

Round-trip travel between SAN and MIA earns 4,534 base miles, so this is probably the offer that will most tempt mileage runners.

There are some sub $400 main cabin fares available for late Summer travel, and the lowest first class fare range between $1,000 and $1,100 much of the Summer.

First Class Fares

Coach Fares

If you’re a mileage runner that’s focused purely on Elite Qualifying Miles, then this offer probably won’t appeal to you: at best you’re paying nearly 7.72 cents per EQM. But if you’re looking to earn some elite miles and also earn a lot of redeemable miles, then depending upon your status level and fare, you can earn earn almost enough miles for a round-trip domestic ticket, or bring down your cost per mile to about 2.57 cents per mile.

First Class Here’s a breakdown of the base miles, 50% class of service bonus, triple miles bonus, and elite miles (if applicable)

Coach Here’s a breakdown of the base miles, double miles bonus, and elite miles (if applicable)

Here are the other Double and Triple Bonus AAdvantage Miles Offers:

Earn Up To Triple Miles Between Chicago And Portland, Oregon

Offer: Beginning June 12, we will offer daily nonstop service between Chicago and Portland, Oregon, giving you more choices.

To celebrate, you can earn triple miles for travel in First Class, or double miles for travel in the Main Cabin.

Flight # 2027
Departs Chicago 10:10 a.m.
Arrives Portland 12:30 p.m.
Flight # 2057
Departs Chicago 3:50 p.m.
Arrives Portland 6:10 p.m.

Flight # 358
Departs Portland 7:10 a.m.
Arrives Chicago 1:05 p.m.
Flight # 2040
Departs Portland 1:15 p.m.
Arrives Chicago 7:10 p.m.

Offer Dates: June 12, 2013, through September 15, 2013

Promotion Code: PDX3X

Register prior to travel. Here’s a link.

New Route Between Los Angeles and Eugene, Oregon

Offer: Starting on June 12, you can fly nonstop between Los Angeles and Eugene, Oregon. This service will be offered twice daily on a 50-seat Bombardier CRJ aircraft (operated by SkyWest Airlines).

To celebrate, we’re offering double miles every time you fly this new route through September 15.

Offer Dates: June 12, 2013, through September 15, 2013

Promotion Code: EUG2X.

Register prior to traveling. Here’s a link.

New Nonstop Flight Between Los Angeles and Redmond, Oregon

Offer: Starting on June 12, you can also fly nonstop between Los Angeles and Redmond, Oregon. This flight will be operated once each day on a 50-seat Bombardier CRJ aircraft (operated by SkyWest Airlines).

You can earn double miles every time you fly this new route through September 15.

Offer Dates: June 12, 2013, through September 15, 2013

Promotion Code: RDM2X

Register before you travel. Here’s a link.

Mario Batali’s sons have just published “The Batali Brothers Cookbook”.  It’s a book of family recipies that they put together as a present for their father, Mario Batali’s 50th birthday.  E3GKJQJVTZDF

To promote the book their publisher, Harper Collins, is sponsoring a sweepstakes that’s offering the winner 100,000 AAdvantage Miles and a chance to meet Mario Batali in New York City on the set of ABC’s “The Chew”:

• Signed copy of THE BATALI BROTHERS COOKBOOK
by Benno, Leo Batali and Mario Batali

• Food & Wine Magazine Subscription

• Two pairs of Bistro Mario Batali Edition Crocs

• The full line of Mario Batali pasta sauces and imported Italian pastas

• Three cookbooks from Mario Batali

• Hotel accommodations for two

• 100,000 AAdvantage Miles (enough for 2 Economy AAnytime domestic roundtrip tickets on American Airlines)

• Four Admirals Club One-Day passes courtesy of American Airlines (Enjoy Admirals Club access with personalized service, comfort and exceptional amenities)

• Four in-flight Wi-Fi Passes courtesy of American Airlines (On your roundtrip flight to NYC stay connected during your journey with
access to complimentary Wi-Fi)

The last entry will be accepted May 29, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. (ET).

Go here to enter and for complete terms and conditions.  Good luck!!

Photo: The Batali Brothers Cookbook
Credit: Harper Collins Publishers

Until the end of the month, American is offering reduced mileage AAdvantage awards to Las Vegas:

Limited Time Special To Vegas

Travel Dates: May 7, 2013, through May 31, 2013

Enjoy Vegas! With its magnificent shows, glitzy Strip, great food and bustling casinos, Vegas has something to offer for everyone!

Book an Economy Class award for travel on American Airlines, for only 10,000 miles each way, to Vegas from the contiguous U.S. for a total saving of 5,000 miles on your round trip!

A one-way, coach MilesAAver Award is usually 12,500 miles, so you’re saving 2,500 miles each way. You can book these reduced mileage awards online so you won’t have to pay the ticketing fee, but unless you have AAdvantage Elite status, there’s a $75 fee for booking the award within 21 days of travel.

I wouldn’t head off to Vegas just to take advantage of this offer, you’re only saving 5,000 miles and American usually offers some great bargains if you plan ahead of time.

But if for some reason you need to travel to Vegas by the end of May, and now you’re looking at some pretty steep fares, then using your miles might make more sense, and saving 5,000 miles is a great deal.

Travel has to be completed by May 31, 2103.  Go here to book online and for complete terms and conditions.

Triple AAdvantage Miles with Hilton HHonors

Speaking of Vegas….just a reminder that Hilton is offering 3X AAdvantage Miles at “select Las Vegas hotels” through June 30, 2013.

Photo: Vegas Chinatown
Credit: Edgar Zuniga Jr. on Flickr