sit in first
It is now 2013 everywhere in the world (stragglers in Hawaii made it, too!)!
2012 brought many highlights (and thankfully few lowlights) for my family - I hope the same for yours.
The year now ended was marked with some great points-funded travel. Our family trip to Paris, anniversary weekend at the Plaza, dad+kids trip to FLL and a trip up to YYG were all largely funded via this points hobby.
We've just returned home from a wonderful and extremely memorable ...
After last year's great trip to Hualalai, we decided to try something different and head east this year for the holidays. We're heading about 7,000 miles east...to the Persian Gulf!
Whilst an unusual location for American holiday-makers, friends from nearly everywhere else in the world seem to end up visiting the Gulf. And nearly all enjoy themselves. I've been to the region on business before - I quite enjoyed my prior visits.
Now, it is time ...
There's been a bit of blog chatter lately about a special Alaska Airlines is running - offering a 5,000 miles bonus - to join the Alaska Board Room (their airport lounge club). The basic membership costs $450 for a year, though could be as low as $295 if you have high status on the carrier.
American, Delta, United and US Air all have about the same rate card for joining their clubs.
I scratch my head as to why anyone would pay this sort of money to join a single lounge. ...
The first Ritz Carlton Reserve property in the Americas - at Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico - is now open. A former Fairfield County resident and long-term FT'er, 747, was kind enough to share some photos with me from the opening day today.
While I had a very difficult time at the opening of the St Regis Bahia
in 2010 - giving me pause before I visit another new Caribbean hotel for a few years - many aspects of this property look quite promising. With convenient ...
Due to the week-long school closures from Hurricane Sandy earlier this year, many schools, including NYC Public Schools, have pre-emptively cancelled or shortened their planned February 2013 school breaks.
For families with kids planning to travel during this period - probably traveling on non-refundable economy tickets - this change in school schedule could cost them a fortune in change fees (imaging the fees from changing flights for parties of 5 or 6 people!).
American has ...
Ritz Carlton Palm Beach
Overview: Larger five-star resort property on the Atlantic, just south of Palm Beach
Strengths: Service, renovated club lounge, club lounge staff, kids’ club (under renovation)
Drawbacks: Beach (substantial lack thereof), size of hotel (large), dining
Background to the Trip
Last month, I took my son (9) down to Palm Beach for a bit of a father-son getaway. We planned to play a round of golf, have dinner with ...
