November 2012 Status Run & a little NFL

[serfty]

re: November 2012 Status Run & a little NFL

How did you find a U class JASA MEL-SYD-LAX? or did you book it MEL-LAX at the cheap "classic award rate" and change it afterwards to include a stopover?

Great TR btw!

Just MEL-LAX for booking (expertflyer for U class alerts)

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Steps 14826

Now at ORD H/K A/C after a shower, was off aircraft K15 at 6:15am, but F/L not open 'til 6:30.

My next flight is an AeAgle for concourse G so not heading back to the end of K.

Easy flight, boarded, took off eye-mask on, ear plugs in and seat reclined MAX as soon as permitted - next thing I know "prepare Cabin for landing".

 

[Kangol]

re: November 2012 Status Run & a little NFL

Just MEL-LAX for booking (expertflyer for U class alerts)

Oh, so how did you get the SYD-LAX, I'm guessing that was also a U class JASA? With the MEL-SYD a separate JASA?
I must be missing something here about a link between U class alerts on MEL-LAX and getting a SYD-LAX booking?

 

[serfty]

re: November 2012 Status Run & a little NFL

Oh, so how did you get the SYD-LAX, I'm guessing that was also a U class JASA? With the MEL-SYD a separate JASA?
I must be missing something here about a link between U class alerts on MEL-LAX and getting a SYD-LAX booking?

There is generally plenty of U availability on earl morning MEL SYD flights 10 months out - it's the LAX flights that are tough.

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Steps: 15749

Walked to G concourse, the gate is beside the A/C so can watch the inbound.

ORD is a big place, the AA gates only a part.

Outbound is a CR7, e/f shown 2 of 9 first seats allocated and about 20 PAX in coach - light load.

With the inbound from LAS, the flight time was quoted as 2:40 - I reckon I slept for 2:20 of that.

Looking to nap to Newark.

 

[serfty]

re: November 2012 Status Run & a little NFL

Steps: 16606

Now at EWR A/C

Straight forward flight - flew over some of the "great" lakes.

Interesting breakfast options: cereal, oatmeal or fruit plate - I chose the latter.

Another 45 minutes sleep.

Will post pics soon.

Boarding for MIA.

 

[Simo]

re: November 2012 Status Run & a little NFL

Yep I like to flights where i sleep most of the entire trip.

 

[serfty]

re: November 2012 Status Run & a little NFL

...
Will post pics soon....

I chose the Fruit Plate:

lunch EWR to MIA:

Fish Taco (better than it looks/reads). Rice was light, moist and fluffy, fish was not really overcooked like many of these types of dishes can be.

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Steps: 18779

Now at MIA E "oneworld" lounge - no bar here, it's self serve. Some pics of afternoon catering below.

Flight South was uneventful, sat beside a repositioning AA FA. Had quite a good chat. Most interesting "Galley Goss" was AA are looking at catering First Class to 120% of meals.

Had Fish Taco as above and slept for about an hour.

Now have some detective work to attend to.

My 6:40PM flight to SJU is delayed. AA and E/F indicated by 20 minutes, Tripit & Flightstats indicate 107 minutes.

 

[serfty]

re: November 2012 Status Run & a little NFL

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Well, I went to the E lounge to check it out and it's somewhere between AA's A/C's and and their domestic Flagship Lounges.

All this has a little fortune for me (and my pedometer - it gets a rest), my flight was to depart from gate D2, while it is delayed by 20 minutes, I now leave from gate E9, so no need to head back to D.

Consider MIA and the fact the D concourse is ~1.5km in length: (https://maps.google.com.au/maps?ll=25.797612,-80.282035&spn=0.01503,0.027595&t=m&z=15)

(The "oneworld" lounge is above E2)

 

[serfty]

Steps: 21138

Now in hotel room, probably the last time I stay here as they have introduced a 14% "resort" fee. Now I don't expect to pay this on check out as when I booked the fee was not being charged and certainly not indicated on the confirmation.

Flight from MIA was pretty normal - they really need 7' high bouncers at the gate to control the passengers - as soon as they started scanning BOP's for boarding, most of those waiting at the gate charged up.

Eventually, boarding did take over 40 minutes ( I napped in my seat a fair bit during the process) before they could close the doors. Inflight We had an efficient crew who simply filled/replace any empty glasses. Dinner was a pasta or a 'grilled chicken' breast; I took the latter. It was smallish, but ok. Slept the last 30 minutes.

2:15 minute flight time, but 15 minute+ tarmac taxi was required each end.

 

[serfty]

Steps: 22285

Back at SJU airport reasonably refreshed - sipping a really weak coffe at the A/C here.

Today I have four AA segments with two 40 minute connections, one at ORD, the other at MIA.

The MIA is of more concern - AA flight plan timings have already reduced this to 36 minutes in at Gate 38 and out from Gate 20.

Checking the MAP (above) I suspect boarding will be underway when I arrive & that's the best case.

 

[kevrosmith]

re: November 2012 Status Run & a little NFL

Now in hotel room, probably the last time I stay here as they have introduced a 14% "resort" fee. Now I don't expect to pay this on check out as when I booked the fee was not being charged and certainly not indicated on the confirmation.

Is this the Airport Hotel at SJU? When I stayed there Sept 27, I booked one or two weeks before through Expedia... couldn't find them on the Best Western site, and then worked out they had left the chain. I didn't see any mention of the resort fee, and didn't get charged anything extra when I checked out. It very well could've been introduced in the last few weeks since then too.

At MIA, I was fortunate that my flight from SJU landed at gate D1 and my flight to ORD departed from gate D3. When I was leaving SJU, it was showing the flight to ORD as D42 or something, so I was expecting a bit of a hike. Was pleasantly surprised and relieved when the FA announced the adjusted gate number! It meant I got to go check out the A/C lounge above D15, but didn't dare leave airside to check anything else out.

Enjoy reading the trip report and comparing to my experience as a Status Run newbie. Posting the trip report as you go is a sensible idea. I haven't had the time to post since I got back!

 

[moa999]

re: November 2012 Status Run & a little NFL

Between the resort fees and the "fixed price" taxis plus bag charge plus fuel surcharge plus tip, SJU can add up.

 

[serfty]

re: November 2012 Status Run & a little NFL

Between the resort fees and the "fixed price" taxis plus bag charge plus fuel surcharge plus tip, SJU can add up.

It was the SJU airport Hampton Inn - they did not charge the fee, it was never mentioned. However, I suspect any future bookings will incur it.

The taxi's do add up; around $35 for the return. I would try the airport hotel next time, I could have booked it on Monday for AUD145 all up on Expedia.com.au.

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Steps: 23624 (Posting via Gogo)

In several stays at this hotel, it was the first time I had actually been around at 6am for the breakfast they have - it was a typical Hampton Breakfast that did the job.

In flight breakfast was a choice of cereal or omelet; choosing the latter I was served something that would easily pass as a "Frittata" - it was ok.

My flight touched down at MIA 9:24, but did not reach the gate until 9:32after a very slow taxi. First off at 9:33 I hightailed it along the concourse and up the escalators (in an Easterly direction) to station three where a tram had just arrived. Getting off at Station 2 I used a waiting elevator to go straight down to the concourse (the Escalators led down in a Westerly direction and it would have put my some 70 metres further down the concourse.

Boarding was nearly complete when I arrived at the gate with only about a dozen still in the airbridge.

No time for a lounge on this occasion.:-|

When I originally booked, the MIA connection it was 70 minutes but after several schedule changes it was down to 40; similarly with that for ORD, it came down from 75 minutes to 40. With the changes there were no real options to rebook longer transits.

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On the flight to LGA (FlightAware ✈ American Airlines (AA) #1132 Flight Tracker) I was given a "Snack/Lunch" choice of cheese and fruit or a small chicken wrap.

I took the first option, which was really all I needed.

Now sitting back to relax and maybe have a nap in the last 1¼ hours of the flight.

 

[serfty]

re: November 2012 Status Run & a little NFL

Steps: 24422

Now at LGA await my scheduled 2:05pm flight. Inbound is running late; due to land at 1:38, I am not sure if they can turn it around that quickly.

Watching a bit of NFL here - there's a Broncos at Cincinatti game on TV - I'm planning to be at that ground next Sunday to see the Giants visit.

Looking out the A/C window I can see my gate and it looks like my MD80 has just shown up.

 

[serfty]

re: November 2012 Status Run & a little NFL

Steps: 24838

In air on Gogo. I anteed up $15 for a day Gogo pass given three flights with the facility today.

Boarded 1:50, flight ½ full - even a few seats free in First. Pushed back 1:10.

Even so, the engines did not start taxiing for another 10 minutes and that was slow.

Took off 2:42pm ... now scheduled to arrive 9 minutes late.

On board given another snack -same choice as this morning, this time I chose the chicken wrap. Until recently AA PM and evening "snacks" have really been meals - this is most definitely a snack.

Interesting though - it is rather Thai style with pickled Papaya and Carrot shreds on the side and a lemongrass / chilli sauce. The chicken itself is somewhat spiced.

photo to follow (when I am not using Gogo) ...

 

[dfcatch]

Great TR Serfty,

I'm planning on the airport hotel too I think.... Seems the sensible idea.

Did your MIA-LGA and LGA-ORD flights depart from the same concourse?

 

[serfty]

re: November 2012 Status Run & a little NFL

...
Did your MIA-LGA and LGA-ORD flights depart from the same concourse?

Yes - but I had plenty of time and fortunately LGA is relatively small for AA, although I am not sure C and D concourses are connected airside, but it was an effective 95 minute connection in any case.

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Steps: 25220

No time for lounge at ORD with a disembarkation right on 40 minutes. There were both a new arrival gate and a new departure gate from that previously advised. On disembarkation into the K4 gate area I was disoriented. I found a monitor bank and discerned the H15 flight was delayed and now departing 6:30pm!!! What??? then I realised it was a different flight number and a close inspection showed a new gate for my LAX flight which was "on time". Still, how to get there?

The concourses were not obvious from where I was. So I carefully followed the signs (well Duh!) which eventually led me to H from where Gate 12 was easily sighted. After a further brisk walk to the gate I saw a group of people disappearing down the airbridge so I assumed boarding had commenced and strolled past several groups of people waiting patiently in front of entry to the Priority AAccess queue. As I walked between the tapes I heard over the PA the initial call for first class PAX - oops!

Maintaining the demeanor of such a DYKWIA moment, I sailed on to the BP reader, had it a scanned then proceeded to board, without looking back.

Anyhoo, my flight left on time and now awaiting the "evening snack" presentation.

 

[serfty]

It seems AA have had a major menu restructure for First class since the beginning of November and I am rather impressed, bioth with what I posted about earlier and now.

Now, while the meals are generally smaller, the meals themselves are markedly different.

Until now they have been characterized by large salads, dips and salty "chips" or "Pita Crisps".

I can't post photos currently, but will soon. Howver, this evening the choice from ORD to LAX was between a Cold Salmon salad and "Indian Chicken". I had the latter but the guy next to me had the salad - it was a largish cutlet on a bed of salad. Gone were the pite crisps/dips.

I had the latter wich I would describe as a mild "Butter Chicken" with basmati rice accompanied by a cucumber and tomato raita salad.

I enjoyed the change immensely.

 

[penegal]

re: November 2012 Status Run & a little NFL

Now in the "Club at LAS" - D concourse. Used my Amex PP to enter. More here: The Club at LAS - Las Vegas It took a bit to find. I have been using the United Club at D concourse (D35) here as it is also a PP lounge, but decided to try something different. Eventually I had to log into the McCarran free Wifi to search for it - the entrance is indeed not obvious.

This one is closer to the D gates that AA employ. My step count is up a bit as I took a walk as well as the airside train over to the recently opened T3. There is a lounge there I could have used but E2 is really a bit far from D8.

I actually quite like "The Club at LAS". It's a basic lounge, but the staff have generally been super friendly when I was there. They give it a homely feel, remembered my name, provided table service, etc.

 

[penegal]

re: November 2012 Status Run & a little NFL

Great TR serfty, it brings back memories

Now in hotel room, probably the last time I stay here as they have introduced a 14% "resort" fee. Now I don't expect to pay this on check out as when I booked the fee was not being charged and certainly not indicated on the confirmation.

Is this the Airport Hotel at SJU? When I stayed there Sept 27, I booked one or two weeks before through Expedia... couldn't find them on the Best Western site, and then worked out they had left the chain. I didn't see any mention of the resort fee, and didn't get charged anything extra when I checked out. It very well could've been introduced in the last few weeks since then too.

I'm planning on the airport hotel too I think.... Seems the sensible idea

I saw that Hampton have introduced a resort fee, which really detracts from it as a MR hotel. Many of the other properties in Isla Verde also now have resort fees. On longer stays, the fee is more palatable as one can actually use the facilities if so inclined, but for a mileage run it is a bit of a joke.

I have stayed at the airport hotel twice before. It is very basic (think motel), but extremely conveniently located landside - it is right near the AA check in area. Breakfast is included in most rates, but also quite basic. A toasted bagel with cream cheese on the way out will help quell the hangover on the way to the AC in the morning.

Although very basic, the 'value' is money saved on taxis, resort fees, etc. - Ideal for an overnight turnaround.

 

[serfty]

re: November 2012 Status Run & a little NFL

Steps: 27803

In NZ lounge at LAX T2, will be boarding soon enough.

Arrived early into LAX - into T4 6:10am.

I camped under the A/C for a bit, tapping into their wifi before around 7pm heading on the departure road level around past TBIT, T3 and to the far East end of T2 for NZ checkin. I was a bit tough navigating past the (tour group?) passengers disgorging from a multitude of buses in front of TBIT - oblivious to the rest of the world around them, including myself trying to get through.

Anyways that added another 2K step or so.

Arriving at T2 check in, the queue was longer in the premium (with 4 agents) than the economy (with 6 agents). I took the economy check-in and was heading to security 1 minute later.

I am in Business Premium - upgraded using some of the remaining vestiges of my *E status - although I did swap my Velocity number into the FQTV field (FQTS is still Airpoints) after arriving into the lounge. It was done without batting an eyelid other than standard confusion over FQTS (for status) and FQTV (for accrual).

Lounge was absolutely packed with a Virgin Atlantic (?) flight delayed and those with access of the full NZ1 and NZ5. The former two have boarded and it's a bit easier here. Food has improved a little since the last few times.

I had a shower after arriving as well. Really good to get into some clean clothes I had been saving.