Posted by Marshall Jackson on February 26, 2009 under American Airlines, Commentary / General Info, Delta Air Lines | 
Yes, I’m off the road for a bit. I do have one personal trip planned in a few weeks, but otherwise, I’m off the road until April unless something unforeseen comes up. This happens every year, and every year I get bored. Not that I don’t have enough to do. The reason I’m off the road is that I have more work to do locally this time of year. I’m bored because I miss the hubbub of travel. I love getting to/from the airport, hanging out waiting for the flights, and jetting my way to another city in no time at all. Call me crazy, but that’s just the way I am.
This will be over soon enough, and I’ll be out and about again. In the meantime, perhaps I’ll have some more time to post! I know I’ll have some more time this weekend. The saddest and happiest day is approaching….March 1. The new program year for your favorite frequent flyer program, and the end of my era as a Delta Medallion member. Thankfully, I’ve got AAdvantage Platinum to live for! And a whole year of travel trying to re-earn Medallion status.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on February 22, 2009 under US Airways |
In a bow to competitive reality, US Airways will drop it’s goofy $2 dollar charge for water, soda and coffee on March 1. The official press release will be out tomorrow, but details of the change can be viewed here.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on February 20, 2009 under American Airlines, Southwest Airlines |
Yes, you heard it here first. I am really starting to like Southwest Airlines. Actually, I’ve always “liked” Southwest, I’ve just never had so many opportunities to use Southwest.
This week, I had to travel down to North Carolina for last-minute personal reasons. A quick search on AA.com yielded roundtrip transportation on an American Eagle RJ for a whopping $600 dollars. At that price, the use of miles for such a short flight becomes a reasonable option. MileSAAver awards (25,000 miles) were available, but American’s rediculous last-minute award booking fee of $100 dollars makes this option less attractive. I would’ve jumped on it anyway, were it not for another option: Southwest Airlines.
I could’ve booked nonstop 737 jet service from BWI to RDU for $250 dollars. However, I happened to have a Rapid Rewards ticket available. I checked availability of seats, there was plenty, and better yet, at perfect times. I booked the Rapid Rewards ticket in minutes, no muss-no fuss. Final cost? Five dollars! No last-minute confiscatory fees, and no hassle. BWI, while not as convenient as Reagan National (DCA) for me, is not difficult to get to. I can take the MARC commuter train for $6 dollars each way to BWI from Washington’s Union Station, and that’s what I did. I just missed the outbound MARC train, so I opted for Amtrak instead. This added $6 dollars to the cost of my trip. Total cost for the whole trip: $27 dollars (including METRO to/from Union Station)!
I could’ve purchased full-fare transportation (Business Select) on Southwest for $311.20, all-in. And with that, gotten a free cocktail and priority boarding whether I’d ever flown the airline or not. Folks, you can’t shake a stick at that, especially when you consider that American’s DCA-RDU full coach roundtrip fare is… wait for it…. $1751.20! No, that is not a misprint. Another important aspect of this equation is that if your travel plans change when flying Southwest, they will not confiscate your money if you can’t make the trip. You can apply the balance of non-refundable fares to future travel on Southwest without charge. That is something to think about.
I’ll be purchasing a ticket for the same route next month. Trust me when I say that I will remember Southwest. They made it possible for me to attend a very important event, and I won’t forget it.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on February 19, 2009 under Southwest Airlines |
That’s right. Southwest has announced new service to Boston Logan this year! I did not expect this, but I suppose it’s only part of a logical progression for Southwest. Here’s a link. Hat tip to PlaneBuzz.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on February 16, 2009 under Credit Cards, Hilton HHonors |
I previously posted about reports of this new card from American Express. The application is now live on the American Express website. Click here.
I won’t detail all of the benefits of this card, but suffice it to say that it offers what I feel to be a compelling benefits package including a complimentary membership in Priority Pass, and of course, complimentary Gold VIP membership in Hilton HHonors for the first year.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on February 14, 2009 under Safety and Security |
I took short business trip to Atlanta from Washington, DC (DCA) this week. This was my first trip since signing up for Clear (R). Let me get this out early in the post. Clear simply rocked. As long as I continue to travel at least once per month, and especially to Atlanta, I will not be without Clear.
Departing DCA Wednesday morning, crowds were very light, and the regular security line looked fine. However, I presented myself at the Clear kiosk where I was greeted by helpful employees eager to shuttle me through my first time using their product. My boarding pass was checked and compared to the name on my Clear card, and then I was escorted to the kiosk. It took a couple of tries for the machine to recognize my fingerprint, but I think that is more my not being used to the best way to place the finger on the scanner than anything else. In what seemed like seconds, my identity was verified and I was escorted directly to the x-ray. The Clear representative asked how many bins I would like and they placed them on the scanner for me. I placed my laptop and other items in the bins, and I walked through the metal detector. Time from arrival at Clear to being inside security: 3 minutes, tops. Yes, that rocks!
The real reason I think this card pays for itself is the security quagmire that is Atlanta. I’ll be losing access to the Delta elite lines come March 1, so there goes any hope of getting through security in a semi-reasonable amount of time.
My Clear experience in Atlanta speaks for itself. I had plenty of time, but the regular line was quite crowded. I presented myself at the Clear kiosk where I was again greeted by pleasant employees with smiles on their faces. Got a good fingerprint scan on the second try this time (I’m learning!!). And with that, I was sent towards security. At the end of the line, another Clear representative was waiting to greet me along with a TSA officer who compared my Clear card to my boarding pass. I don’t remember TSA looking at my clear card in Washington. No worry as it only took a second or two, and then was pointed towards the dedicated x-ray lane for Clear customers. It appeared that others were allowed to use the lane, but Clear representatives will escort you past the unwashed and directly to the machine, where another Clear rep again retrieved the number of bins you need to get through x-ray. And with that, I was through.
The detector caught me this time, but I think that may have been caused by my placing my Clear card in my pocket rather than back in my travel wallet? Can’t say for sure. In any event, time from fingerprint scan to being through the metal detector: well under 5 minutes. You simply can’t top that.
Clear is well worth the money if you travel at all, and I can’t say enough about how great their people were. It’s a nice upgrade to the travel experience, and I recommend it without reservation if you regularly use airports where Clear has a presence.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on February 13, 2009 under Commentary / General Info |
I awoke around 2am this morning, TV still blaring in my hotel room, to the news about Continental Connection 3407. These things give a little pause to all of us who travel. I don’t know if you’ve ever lost anyone you know in a plane crash. I have. There’s no feeling quite like it. Say a prayer for the families and friends of the victims tonight.
However, we soldier on. I’m waiting for my flight home from Atlanta right now. It will probably be alright, but we all have something to think about. I’ll talk to you over the weekend.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on February 8, 2009 under Delta Air Lines, Hilton HHonors, Safety and Security |
Let me begin my post about the week ahead by talking about the week that’s just ended. Last week included my 39th birthday (yes, I really am 39). My bride put together a fantastic birthday happy hour for me. Had a great time visiting with friends. And then I promptly repaid her by losing my wedding band somewhere between the gym and home on Friday evening. I feel kind of lost without it. And no, I’m not making that up. She has been pretty understanding, and even humorous stating that if it doesn’t turn up soon, the next one will be engraved with “If found, please call the dumb*** that lost it at…..” We’ve turned the house upside down. I’ve retraced my path 3 times. It is simply nowhere to be found. I’m going to give it a few more days, and then we will go on a shopping trip for a replacement. We plan to get a temporary band soon, and pick up something a little nicer on one of the islands we’ll visit on our May cruise. Yes, I’ll be paying for both!
Now that I’ve gotten that off my mind, I’ll talk about the week ahead. Tentatively, I’ll be back in Atlanta Wednesday through Friday. I’ll be flying Delta, and staying at the Embassy Suites Centennial Olympic Park. I need to be close to the office, and that’s the most convenient hotel. I can walk to work, pass by the Starbucks at CNN Center, and be in the office in 20 minutes. This will likely be my last flight as a Delta Medallion (not by choice). I’m gonna miss you Medallion Status! Here’s hoping I re-earn the privilege this year! My issues with certain aspects of SkyMiles aside, Delta has treated me pretty well as a customer and I am going to make a concerted effort to achieve and maintain some level of Medallion status this year.
I’ll post a trip report upon my return, and will be sure to include details of my first trip using Clear (R).
Posted by Marshall Jackson on February 4, 2009 under Credit Cards, Hilton HHonors |
Hilton and American Express are introducing a new co-branded credit card. The Hilton HHonors American Express Surpass Card is coming soon to a wallet near you. I first learned about this on FlyerTalk. Apparently, the card will not be officially introduced for a few more days….but when it is, I think it will be worth considering. The card comes with several enticing benefits including:
- Complimentary HHonors Gold status for the first year (must spend $20,000 per year thereafter)
- Spend $40,000 per year and receive HHonors Diamond status, Hilton’s top tier
- 40,000 bonus points with your first purchase
There are several other benefits but be advised, the Surpass card has a $75 dollar annual fee. Not all that bad for what you get in my opinion. The Gold status alone makes this card worth considering.
