Just completed a two night stay at the Dayton Marriott. It’s an older Marriott close to downtown Dayton, but still not really near anything. However, if you have to be in Dayton, and prefer a full-service hotel, I have to say that the stay was pleasant.

The front desk staff was friendly and acommodating, and the room, while smallish, was equipped with the new Marriott “Revive” bedding which makes for a very comfortable rest. I was on the Concierge Level which occupies the 5th and 6th floors of the hotel. The Concierge Lounge was located on the 6th floor, and had a very nice spread for Breakfast, Dinner and dessert in the evenings. I did not dine in the hotel restaurant, but did partake of some lighter fare in the bar, “Gambits.” The staff was friendly and efficient. I never wanted for a thing.

The hotel is equipped with an above average gym, indoor pool, and business center in the lobby area. All rooms are wired for high-speed internet, and the common areas offer wireless access. As is standard at full service Marriott Hotels, there is a $9.95 fee, but roaming access is offered for $6.99 per day if you are a subscriber of some carriers including T-Mobile.

Overall, the Dayton Marriott was a nice hotel equipped with everything most any business traveler needs. I’ll certainly stay again.

Well, US Airways and Southwest didn’t jump on board for the latest $6 dollar fare increase, so the “Big Six” have dropped their latest attempt to raise prices. I think this was just a case of United seeing what they could get away with. When everyone didn’t jump on board, they rescinded the increase. I love how United cited high fuel prices as the reason for this given that prices have dropped fairly significantly in the last few weeks. Granted, fuel prices are still historically high, but still…..I think this is just another “test” run to see how much the traveling public will bear. Don’t be surprised if there is another attempt to raise prices in the not so distant future.

I (along with every other AAdvantage member) received an email today from Dan Garton, the Executive VP of Marketing at American Airlines. In that email Dan announced that once again, American Airlines travelers will be able to say thank you to an employee who provides outstanding customer service. American will be mailing a stack of employee recognition certificates to it’s elite flyers to handout to employees who go above and beyond.

Prior to 9/11, American had just such a program which was called Someone Special (SOS). The certificates could be turned in for free travel passes on AA. The memory is a little fuzzy now, but I think they could be redeemed for some other trinkets as well. This excellent program was one of the very first things to be cut by AA in the aftermath of 9/11. It may not sound like much, but the agents on my team acted like they’d been handed a 20 dollar bill everytime they got one from a customer. Little things do make a difference, and I’m glad to see that AA has seen fit to bring back a similar program. Let’s hope they don’t axe it at the first opportunity this time.

So…AA elites…be on the lookout for these certificates, and hand one out when an employee does right by you. They appreciate it more than you think. And frankly, good service seems to be such a rarity nowadays that when it does happen, I think some recognition is warranted.

I spent the week on the road. Things began with a 5:30am cab to National Airport (DCA) and progressed from there. The first leg of my journey was to Springfield, MO via Chicago O’Hare on United. The first leg was mainline with a connection to United Express operated by Skywest. I had a seat in United’s Economy Plus section so legroom was adequate, and service was fine. I’m sure there were some elite travelers who were a little ticked on this first leg as the normally mainline service was operated by a Ted airplane, so there was no first class section. The connection was aboard a 50 seat regional jet. This flight was crowded and I was seated on the bulkhead next to a gentlemen who felt all the armrests belonged to him. Those planes are small enough without being seated beside those who lack courtesy, but I digress. Otherwise, the flight was fine which is the norm for any regional jet operation flown by Skywest in my experience.

The hotel for Springfield was a Hampton Inn located on Ingram Mill Road. It was standard Hampton Inn, basic amenities, hot breakfast included and free wireless internet. All the basics, and the stay was fine. I checked in early and the lady at the front desk went out of her way to find a room that was ready.

I was suffering from a head cold during the first half of the trip so I’d expected to dine on a first class meal of of peanut butter and crackers. This required a drive to the store, but I never made it there. As I was passing through downtown Springfield, I came across an interesting looking restaurant, Flame Steakhouse and Wine Bar. Well, I figured anything with wine bar and steak in the name had to be ok, so what the heck, I parked in went in. I found a very nice restaurant with a posh atmosphere, attentive service, friendly people and best of all, a great steak! I had the 12 oz ribeye accompanied by a Mark West Pinot Noir for those of you keeping score. I ordered medium rare, and it was perfectly prepared. So give Flame a try should you pass through Springfield sometime.

Mid week took me to Tulsa in my one-way rental car. The hotel for this part of the trip was the Marriott Southern Hills in South Tulsa. I’d read some less than flattering reviews of the hotel on FlyerTalk, but was pleasantly surprised with the stay. As a Marriott Rewards Gold Member, I was upgraded to the Concierge Level, and was able to check-in at 11am. The room was standard Marriott, including the new Marriott bed so all was well. The concierge lounge on the 11th floor was great with a very nice staff and not a bad spread of food compared to some I’ve visited.

While the purpose of my visit was business, having lived in Tulsa for a number of years, I took the opportunity to see some old friends. Dining at In the Raw Sushi at Brookside (they’ve added a second location known as “on the hill”) which I previously posted about, and on my final night in Tulsa, a relatively new restaurant, Stonehorse Cafe. The restaurant is located in the Utica Square shopping area, and I would certainly recommend it if you are in Tulsa. We dined on appetizers so I can’t speak to the entrees, but my friends are frequent diners and really bragged on the food. The service was friendly, and the food I did have was good. Utica Square also happens to be home to the Polo Grill, a really great Tulsa restaurant.

Friday finally came, and it was time to head home. The return trip was again on United, beginning with a United Express flight operated by GoJet Airlines from Tulsa, and a mainline United 757 from Chicago to DCA. Both flights were on-time, and I even managed to use a soon to expire upgrade coupon I had to sit in first class on the Chicago to DC segment. United offered a choice of shrimp ceaser salad or a warm chicken sandwich for lunch. I chose the salad which was surprisingly fresh, of adequate proportion, and accompanied by warm bread and followed with a warm chocolate chip cookie. The cabin staff had their work cut out for them serving lunch to 24 first class passengers on such a relatively short flight, but they got it done and were friendly and attentive throughout the flight.

It was a good week. Busy with work, but it was great to be able to see some old friends, experience a new city and be out of the office for a bit. But as the title says….it’s good to be home.

I’m booked on a flight to Raleigh tomorrow afternoon. A friend of the family passed away suddenly, and I would be disappointed in myself if I don’t at least show up. I’m booked on American. I was able to use miles for the trip, which helps. AA is offering a 15,000 mile short haul award right now, and I was successful in booking one which made it possible for me to be there. Their $100 dollar fee for short notice booking will be a subject for a post at a more appropriate time. I won’t be able to stay for long as I’m flying out of DCA Monday morning for business, but it’s times like this when convenient access to air service makes all the difference.

You heard it here first. Today, October 9, 2006, Mesa Airlines d.b.a. United Express flight 7139 from RDU to IAD was on time! Not only were they on time, but both flight attendants were reasonably pleasant.

Those of you who fly Mesa often will understand what an accomplishment this was. I posted earlier that I’d managed to mostly avoid Mesa during my travels on United this month, and I have. I believe this will be the only Mesa flight I endure during October. If only every Mesa flight could be like this, I wouldn’t work so hard to avoid them.

Other items of note during the brief weekend trip. My first flight on a United Express (operated by Shuttle America) Embraer 170 was on Saturday. Nice airplane. United has equipped that fleet with a first class cabin and Economy Plus seating. Makes a big difference. This flight was on time as well, although we did have to wait for a gate upon arrival in Raleigh.

As a result of the new TSA rules allowing small amounts of personal toiletries, we did not check luggage. We packed our travel size toiletries in the clear quart-size zip top bags that TSA calls for and sailed right through security. You do have to place these items on the belt separately, and TSA did verify that they were of the appropriate size in both Dulles and Raleigh. Raleigh even had a TSA rep positioned at the security checkpoint entry checking everyone’s toiletries. Dulles on the other hand was still playing the video message stating that you could not carry these items through the checkpoint. Update your video message TSA!

All things equal, not a bad series of flights, and security went smoothly at both airports. I’ll be on the road again next Monday, and will post a trip report when I can.

Just a brief word to the wise…. If your airline offers online check-in, use it! Save yourself the hassle of standing in line at the airport and print your boarding pass 24 hours in advance right at your home computer. Checking a bag? Use online check-in anyway. Many airlines offer a special line for baggage check if you have already checked in, and you can always drop your bags at curbside.

I’m flying tomorrow, and I already have my boarding pass. Online check-in is one way to save yourself some hassle when you fly, so use it!

If you’re looking for a new credit card that offers rewards points, might I suggest that you consider the new Marriott Rewards Premier Visa Card.

As a new cardmember, you will receive 15,000 bonus points after your first purchase, a free night stay certificate upon account opening (and each year on your account anniversary), and most intriguingly (for me at least) 15 nights of stay credit each year. This guarantees at least Silver Elite status in the Marriott Rewards program, and better yet, will give you a leg up on the 50 nights of credit needed for Gold Elite, or 75 nights for Platinum Elite. Additionally, you get 5 points per dollar spent at Marriott Hotels, 2 points per dollar on all airline, rental car and dining expenses, and 1 point per dollar for all other purchases.

As you might’ve guessed, I carry this card. Dependent upon your travel patterns, there may be other cards such as the Starwood Preferred Guest Amex, that are better for you. But if your travels include frequent Marriott stays, I think this card is an excellent value! I use it for all my travel expenses and the points really do add up fast. You can find a link to the application on Marriott’s website.