Congratulations to Jeff G! You’re the random drawing winner for the 1,000 AAdvantage Miles and the Marcus Samuelsson cookie. Thanks to everyone that participated!

This coming Friday I’ll be giving away a bag of the new Marcus Samuelsson spiced nut mix and another 1,000 AAdvantage Miles.

Speaking of winning miles and travel

If you spend any time at all in the AAdvantage forum at milepoint, then you’re probably familiar with the very knowledgable and always helpful milepoint Guide, Destination David. When he’s not helping out in the forums, you’ll find him on his blog sharing travel tips, writing about AAdvantage Miles, and following the latest oneword news.

Yesterday, he wrote about a new sweepstakes from oneworld member Cathay Pacific: With the winner traveling round-trip to Hong Kong in Cathay’s new Premium Economy seating, which includes more room, wider seats, and upgraded meal service.

Check out this post on David’s blog for complete details.

Now about those 50,000 AAdvantage Miles in the headline…

American Way Magazine is sponsoring a 3 night vacation at the L’Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana:

L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles offers the ultimate in hospitality and accommodations, plus non-stop Vegas-style gambling action. Located two hours from the Houston metropolitan area on beautiful Contraband Bayou in Lake Charles, Louisiana, the locale has a rich and fabled history. L’Auberge boasts a

• Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole golf course,
• swimming pools,
• a lazy river,
• sumptuous dining options,
• a secluded spa,
• exercise facilities,
• shopping,

One lucky winner and guest will enjoy a fabulous vacation package, which includes

• 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles,
• three nights deluxe hotel accommodations at L’Auberge Casino Resort in a pool-view room,
• dinner for two at Ember Grille & Wine Bar,
• private cabana for a day with poolside lunch,
• and winner’s choice of one of the following extras:
• two rounds of golf,
• a 50-minute rejuvenating massage for two in Spa du Lac,
• or $100 to spend at the resort’s retail outlet of winner’s choice.

The deadline to enter is May 31, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. CDT. 

Fine print: open only to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry.
Prize Value: $3,265.00.

Even if you’re not a big gambler, you’ll find things to see, like the World’s Largest Collection of Mardi Gras costumers at the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu.

Go here to submit your entry and for full terms and conditions.

Good luck!

Good Morning.   American Airlines is holding a media event today, where it is expected that they’ll be making some announcements about enhancements their making to the customer experience and an update on their aircraft modernization plans.

Click Here for live updates from the news conference, which begins at 10AM CST, or follow @aadvantageGeek and the #AAnews hashtag on Twitter.

(Note: I’m not completely sure of the logistics at the event and and wifi may not be available, so live updates may not be possible.  To paraphrase the local news anchor: stay tuned to this page for details).

As part of the their restructuring, American announced that “a decision has been made to accelerate the return of the ATR-72 aircraft operated in Dallas/Fort Worth to the lessors, effective Jan. 31“

Those cities that were formerly served by the ATR-72s are now going to be served by regional jets.  From the press release at AA.com:

American Eagle Airlines, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, is replacing all of its ATR turboprop aircraft operating from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Fourteen markets throughout Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas will have all-jet service beginning Jan. 31. The airline will operate the daily flights with a combination of 37-, 44- and 50-seat jets.

“We are pleased to once again provide jet service to all Eagle destinations from our hub in Dallas/Fort Worth,” said Gary Foss, Managing Director – Network Planning for American’s regional network. “We know our customers will enjoy the comfortable, quiet ride of these Embraer jets, enhancing their overall travel experience.

These cites can all look forward to an upgrade in service:

College Station, Texas
Fort Smith, Ark.
Joplin, Mo.
Killeen, Texas
Lawton, Okla.
Longview, Texas
Lubbock, Texas
Monroe, La.
Shreveport, La.
San Angelo, Texas
Waco, Texas
Wichita Falls, Texas
Texarkana, Texas
Tyler, Texas

Go here to read more.

Photo: Sounds and Songs of the Jet Set
Credit: Epiclectic on Flickr