Airbus Shop Sale

Take 30% off with code PRIVATE2017 at the Airbus shop, you also save by not paying the 19% sales tax built into the prices. Shipping is steep, but this is a good deal.

Spirit Airlines A319

Let's Not Bother to Pretend

The sales pitch for support animals doesn't even pretend it's to help the infirm, it's just to bring your dog on vacation for free. I would think people so emotionally handicapped should not be flying. They are, supposedly, on a razor's edge in the best of times. They would be a danger to others in case of an emergency. 

Add I Saw for Free Pet Travel

Also a dog won't help nervous flyers. Try a teddy bear; Boeing sells aviation themed bears. The teddy bear is better to travel with, not inconvenient to others, and requires no attention if sleeping. If you have a serious fear of flying, get over it. Really, it's that simple and classes are available so you can get over it. Solve problems people, that's the best way to go through life.

Fly Private if You Want To Bring a Pet

Happy 2017

I knew it was coming, but it still stings. I'm also expecting less generous saver award availability and other more direct forms of points inflation.

All My Work Last Year Vanished

Thinking of Future Adventures

2016 - Year In Review

I saw penguins in the wild! This has been a long standing travel goal and I was able to accomplish it in 2016. It was part of a round the world trip I took with four one way mileage awards. I also enjoyed driving around southwest Australia (get full coverage and satnav from Hertz). I also made progress on my quest for lifetime status. I am now 75 nights away from lifetime platinum status with SPG (and Marriott). I'm also 150,000 miles from lifetime Star Alliance Gold thanks to United.

2016 wasn't all smooth sailing. I had two United trips cancelled and refunded because of irregular operations. It was extra frustrating because I lost upgrades, status opportunities, and two days. Lufthansa also went on strike and interrupted a trip to Europe with <24 hours notice. Air Canada also canceled a transatlantic flight on me. I flew a total of 159,969 miles this year.

2016 Paid Travel

2016 Total Travel

Travel Highlights of 2016:

• Best inflight experience: British Airways A380 first class. The seat and service were superb. QANTAS's A330 business class from SYD to PER was outstanding and vastly superior to their A380 business class product. The slow cooked lamb on QANTAS was also my favorite inflight meal. Their domestic service is the best I've ever experienced.
• Plane spotting at airport hotels is fun. Just ask for a room with a good view and they usually can accommodate. Having an airport scanner helps.
• I won a Lufthansa FCT ducky. 
• The Air New Zealand 75th anniversary exhibition in Auckland was a fun surprise. The Pima Air & Space Museum was fun and is available year round.
• New Aircraft: E175, B789.
• New Airports: GUM, AKL, PER, JNB, CPT, ORY, TUS, HKG, MEM.

Favorite Photos:

View of London from my A380 Seat

Aircraft at HNL

Lounge View at IAH in the Morning

Paris is Lovely

Denver also Photographs Well

Southwest 737-300 Take Off from PVD

Brussels Airport - Sigh

I Love 747's

I Really Love 747's

737 Landing at SYD

Strangest Shower Handle of 2016

As Adam Carolla has ranted and raved, shower handles in hotels are complicated and need some standardization. Starwood hotels should all use the Heavenly Shower System or the Speakman Anystream 2005. I'm batting less than .500 this year on those items. There is no standard for the shower control handle(s). I prefer a basic Grohe model, but I'm not running things yet. The winner of 2016's contest for the strangest, pictured below, was at a Westin and told the temperature. I experienced worse function and worse design, but this is the all around winner for strange.

Westin SFO Shower

Fun Photo

How did your status quest go in 2016?

Morning At Denver International Airport

SPG and Total Rewards End Partnership

SPG and Caesar's Total Rewards are ending their relationship at the end of the year. Not a big loss, but still inconvenient for some.

Viva Las Vegas