Delta Sky Club – Newark – Updates Needed

January 1, 2013 Leave a comment

Delta has done a really nice job remodeling and updating their Sky Club’s in some of the major markets, but, if they are going to have a club in EWR, they really need to update it.  The lounge there has never been spectacularly as it has a small footprint and resulting limitations.  I also realize that Newark is not the major “go to” airport for Delta in the NYC area.  But, on my last visit, here is what the chairs in their business area looked like:

Delta Sky Club - EWR IMG_0516

Come on, Delta!  Are you going to have a Sky Club at Newark or not?

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Earning Mileage Credit (or not) with Int’l. Partners

December 1, 2012 Leave a comment

When you fly your flagship carrier all of the time, you never really have to think about mileage earning.  You know that as long as your frequent flyer number is in the record, you will automatically see your miles post and you probably have a pretty good idea of what bonus miles you might based on your status in the program and the class of fare purchased.

Twice in the past year, I have found out that you cannot make the same assumptions when flying with international partners that participate in your airline’s alliance.

The first instance of this was this past Spring when I took a  China Eastern flight between Beijing and Shanghai.  China Eastern is a full-fledged member of SkyTeam so I made sure my Delta Sky Miles number was in my record.  However, after failing to see the mileage post and a couple of follow-up emails, I found out that the class of service I purchased on China Eastern was not eligible for mileage credit on Delta.

I looked at the terms of service and it was there but who wants to do that when traveling with an alliance partner?

A similar situation occurred this summer when taking some Lufthansa flights within Europe.  I used my United MileagePlus number , Lufthansa’s partner in Star Alliance, and received credit for my Paris to Munich segment but not my Munich to London segment.

Once again, the terms and conditions show that not all Lufthansa fare classes are eligible for mileage credit at United, but what is the point of an alliance if it doesn’t provide you some level of consistency?

So, check the eligibility of fare classes when you are in the same scenario and make a good choice about what FF # to use.

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Hotel 57 Renaissance – New York, NY

November 26, 2012 Leave a comment

Hotel Review

A couple of months ago, I needed to be in NYC overnight on business and the hotel rates were through the roof, even by NYC standards!  While I rarely use points when on a business trip, this was a situation where it seemed like a prudent choice.  A colleague of mine, who is a devoted Marriott brand patron, suggested Hotel 57, a Marriott Renaissance property just around the corner from where my meetings were to be held.

For 35,000 Marriott Rewards points, I was able to avoid a $500+ bill at this boutique-style property.

After staying there, I would say it was well worth the points.  I wouldn’t say my room was spectacular but it was very functional and stylish with great internet connectivity.  The lobby featured a well-appointed bar, the Opia Bar & Lounge, that also provides light dining.  They also have a lovely rooftop lounge with great views of the NYC skyline including the Chrysler building.

Due to my short stay, I did not have the need to avail myself to the services the Navigators there, whom my colleague says are “top notch,” or to dine in their French restaurant.  But, my impression of the property and service was very favorable and I would definitely consider this property again if I could find it at a good rate.

Final Grade: A+

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Delta’s Performance on Airfarewatchdog’s Rankings

October 17, 2012 Leave a comment

In September, Airfarewatchdog came out with a ranking of U.S. airlines based several months of data including data from the Transportation Department and the American Consumer Survey Index.  On first reaction, one could read the rankings as bad news for Delta Airlines as they came out tied for sixth overall (with Southwest).  However, it doesn’t take long for a Delta fan to see some really good news here.

First, the five airlines that beat them were Virgin America, JetBlue, AirTran, Alaska, and Frontier.  In other words, if you want to fly a “better” airline, you will be limited to where you can fly, if you can fly anywhere at all.  For instance, the only of these airlines that has any service whatsoever to my hometown, Lexington, KY, is…wait, NONE of them fly to Lexington.  If I were to drive to Louisville, I would have access to Frontier that provides one flight a day to Denver.  That’s it.  One.

Second, Delta finished above every other legacy carrier – US Airways was eight, followed by American in ninth, and United in last place.  In fact, they beat the other legacy carriers in pretty much every category such as on-time arrivals, fewest cancellations, and fewest mishandled bags.

I’ve been flying for over 25 years now and one thing that I have learned is that almost everyone hates the airline they fly most often.  But, I think Delta does a really good job and this data seems to bear it out.

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Marriott Introduces “Cash + Points” Awards

October 17, 2012 Leave a comment

Marriott recently joined the ranks of hotel programs that offer award redemptions that combine points and cash.  These options have been offered by Hilton’s HHonors program and Starwood Preferred Guest program and I have found them to often be a great value.

For instance, I previously posted about the values I got in Europe this past summer with Hilton at their Munich City hotel and the London Olympia and with Starwood at their Sheraton property in Salzburg, Austria.

I haven’t had a chance to try out Marriott’s new program but hoping that it will offer similar options and value.

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Atlanta Marriott Buckhead – Atlanta, GA

September 18, 2012 Leave a comment

Hotel Review

As a result of this year’s first quarter MegaBonus promotion, I had two free night certificates for any Marriott property that is Category 4 or below which expired Sept. 30, 2012.  I had tried to use these for friends or family members earlier in the year but was reminded that these certificates must be used by the member who earned them.  With the deadline fast approaching and my wedding anniversary coming up, my wife and I were able to go to Atlanta and stay in the Buckhead area for two nights for free.

The Buckhead area has lots of shopping (Lenox Square Mall and Phipps Plaza) and wonderful restaurants in the area.  This Marriott is obviously an older property as evidenced by the dull, concrete exterior that Marriott used to think looked good.  But, the hotel was fresh, the staff was attentive, and the location was great.  There is a newer JW Marriott just a few hundred yards away but that location is a Category 5 property and has higher room rates.

We ate at the Shula 357 Grille in the hotel and it was very good.  While there is still a football motif focused around Don Shula’s coaching days, it is not the clubby steakhouse that you find in a full Shula’s restaurant.  They still had some great steaks but also a nice variety on the menu that is necessary in a hotel restaurant.  Breakfast in the dining room was very well done with a high-energy chef at the omelette station and attentive service.

All in all, a very good value for the money and a nice base if you want to be in this part of town.

Final Grade: A

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First Missed Upgrade of Year for Delta Diamond

September 13, 2012 Leave a comment

It had to happen eventually, I guess.  After 100% first class upgrade success all year long due to my Delta Diamond status, I finally had to sit in the back this week on a PHL to DTW flight.  Maybe it was the end of a major convention in Philly that caused it but hard to complain after the run I’ve had this year.  Even when I have made last minute changes or used same-day confirm benefits to take an earlier flight, I’ve always cleared.  On most flights, I’ve actually cleared several days in advance and haven’t even had to concern myself with the upgrade list.

This is despite the fact that I buy the lowest fare class tickets I can.  I do have the Delta Reserve American Express Card that gives me a little advantage on the upgrade list when compared to flyers of equal status and on the same fare class.  Of course, there have also been some RJ flights this year that did not have a first class section and Delta does not upgrade on international flights (although I did get bumped twice on international flights earlier this year due to oversold situations in coach).

When I look at blog and message postings from other airline programs’ elite members, I feel pretty good about my success rate.  Everyone loves to criticize Delta, but they have treated me great this year and I look forward to sitting in first class, hopefully, and starting a new streak when I fly next week.

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