OK, I recognize that not everyone can tolerate the aroma of a good cigar.  But that said, if you can, and you are in Oklahoma City, please do yourself a favor and visit Maker’s Cigar and Piano Lounge in Bricktown.  I’ve loved this place since the first time I visited a few years ago, and make it a point to come here whenever I am in Oklahoma City.  Great cigars, great drinks, great service.  And did I mention the free wi-fi?

I received a targeted offer this evening for double Rapid Rewards credits through May 31, 2010.  Be sure to check your inboxes and spam filters.  Definitely worth registering.  I’d post the link but it seems pretty tied to my Rapid Rewards number.  Check those emails!

If not, you should.  Check out this awesome opportunity to win an expense paid trip to Australia’s Gold Coast.  Be sure to comment in the official entry thread.

Folks, you must comment inf the official entry thread to be entered into the contest.  Click on the link above.

Hello everyone from the Sheraton Downtown Oklahoma City.  Working my way through an 8 day business trip to OKC.  I will have a full review of the Sheraton Oklahoma City up within a few days as well as good information on places to smoke, drink, and eat.  Busy this week, but having a good time so far.  More posts coming soon.

Earn triple Delta Sky Miles on qualifying rentals of one day or more at participating Avis locations until March 31.

Mention coupon # MUAA053 when renting.

Official Contest Entry Post

Contest Now Closed

Ever wanted to visit Australia?  I know I have, but readers of Marshall Jackson on Travel will have the opportunity sooner than yours truly!  Thanks to Boardingarea.com and the American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card, you have the opportunity to win a fabulous vacation on Australia’s Gold Coast.

The contest opens today, March 22 and ends March 28.  After entries close on March 28, I will choose one winner randomly, and they will be entered into the final drawing for the grand prize which is a 7-night expense paid trip to Australia’s Gold Coast, including transportation, hotel, meals, and activities.

Here’s what you need to do.  Comment to this post and answer the following question: “What’s your top tip for travelers who want to earn and use their loyalty points?”  Better yet, you can earn additional opportunities by answering the same question when you comment on the contest post on the blogs of other participating Boardingarea.com bloggers.  You can find links to those blogs, full contest rules, and details about the great vacation you can win by visiting the official contest page.  The contest is open to US residents 18 years of age and older.  Note:  per the contest rules, only one entry per blog please.

I’m pulling for you because I hear that the blogger who happens to refer the lucky winner will win an Apple iPad. Good luck, and let’s hear what you have to say.  Comment to this post and answer the following question….

What’s your top tip for travelers who want to earn and use their loyalty points?

Flying Home

Made it home from Tulsa right on time today.  Our Pinnacle operated Delta Connection flight was operated with a CRJ-200.  This isn’t a new observation for me, but I feel like saying it again, the CRJ must have the tightest exit row of any airliner.  Ugh!  Our flight out of TUL pushed a few minutes early, but we took a delay deicing.  This cut into our layover time in Memphis.  I wouldn’t care otherwise, but both Mrs MJonTravel and I had our hearts set on Corky’s Barbeque.  We rushed over to Corky’s, picked up our 2 sandwiches to go, and rushed back to gate B40 only to find that one of the bars near B40 serves Corky’s too!  Oh well.

The flight from MEM to DCA was aboard a DC9-50….which was an equipment change from the planned DC9-30.  I had nabbed exit row seating (12 A and B) for us, but row 12 on the -50 is a few rows ahead of the overwing exits.  Can’t win ‘em all I suppose.  It was still a fun ride for me.  Just so happens that the first airplane I ever flew on was an Eastern DC9-50 from Raleigh, NC (RDU) to DCA way back in August of 1980!  I was a 10 year old unaccompanied minor and I still have the UM button they gave me somewhere.  Heck, this could’ve been that airplane as I understand NWA picked up quite a few former Eastern DC9′s when they shut down.  The ride was smooth and quiet other than a bit of light to moderate chop near Memphis….part of the same storm system that dumped snow on Tulsa.  This particular DC9 was wearing the new Delta colors and blue leather interior too.

And Then the Quick Turn

Tomorrow morning, I head right back to DCA to begin a 7 day trip to Oklahoma City.  This is a business trip, and the Tulsa visit was personal.  If I’d known about the OKC trip a little sooner, I likely could have arranged to just stay in Tulsa, and drive to OKC.  But sometimes it can be tricky to marry up personal and business travel with my employer.  Furthermore, the Tulsa trip was done with Delta’s “Pay with Miles” option.  I’m sure I would’ve lost something somewhere in that transaction.  Better yet, I’ll get miles for the DCA-DFW-OKC trip on American!

I’m looking forward to my stay at the Sheraton Oklahoma City.  Hopefully, my Starwood Gold status will get me a decent room.  I can’t remember the last time I spent 7 nights in the same hotel room!

My Great New Bag

I recently purchased a new Samsonite xSpace 21.5″ spinner from eBags for my travels.  It replaces a similar bag that I never could grow to love.  That’s not a problem I’ll have with this new bag.  In short, it’s wonderful!  Very well designed, and spacious, but sized perfectly for your average overhead bin.  Tomorrow will mark my 3rd trip with the bag, and I can’t find anything to dislike about it so far.  Tomorrow’s trip is a full 7-days, and I’ve managed to pack everything I need for the entire time.  Granted, the business casual dress code for my training class makes things easier in that regard, but it’s still a very roomy bag given it’s compact size.  If you’re looking for a new carry on, this one is worth considering.

This Week

Be sure to check out the fantastic opportunity to win a trip to Australia’s Gold Coast, courtesy of Boardingarea.com and the American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card.  All you have to do to earn a chance to win is comment to the official entry post.  And you can do the same at the other participating Boardingarea blogs to increase your chances to win.

After a 2-night stay at the Doubletree Tulsa Downtown, I have a few comments about the stay so I’ll be posting a review.  Nothing bad, I just have a few observations I want to share.  The people there were very nice.  I even got a handwritten note from the Concierge, Joyce, thanking me for my loyalty.  So thank you, Joyce!  I appreciate the personal touch extended to your HHonors elite guests.

Check back Monday morning, March 22nd, for your chance to win a trip for 2 to Australia’s Gold Coast courtesy of Boardingarea.com and the American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card.  Get some advance scoop on this fantastic opportunity by clicking here.  And be sure to return to Marshall Jackson on Travel Monday morning!

You read that right, beginning Monday, Marshall Jackson on Travel readers along with readers of several of my fellow Boardingarea.com bloggers will have the opportunity to win an indescribably awesome trip to Australia courtesy of American Express and Boardingarea.com.  Check back Monday morning for the scoop, and details on how to enter.

MrsMJonTravel and I are booked on the 6:40am Delta flight to Memphis tomorrow morning, where we’ll connect on to Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Visiting some friends over the weekend, and seeing the Black Eyed Peas in Tulsa too!  We fly back Sunday afternoon, and then I turn right around Monday and fly back to…..wait for it….. Oklahoma City!  Why not stay in Tulsa, and just drive to OKC?  Well, when I booked the Tulsa trip, I didn’t know I’d be in OKC next week.  In fact, I just confirmed the OKC business trip 2 days ago.

It’s a little difficult for me to combine personal and business travel for reasons that I won’t get into on the blog.  So I’ll just do the turn and collect the miles.  I’ll be in OKC for 8 days, and staying at the Sheraton Oklahoma City.  I should have a review of the hotel ready by midweek.  My project will keep me in OKC over next weekend.  Any suggestions on what to do while I’m there?  I’ll certainly go see the Oklahoma City National Memorial.  What else?