As 2011 ends and 2012 starts I have been looking back on my previous posts and realized they lack the details that most readers would want to know. Not that I have any readers, but I that is not the point. As my gift to myself this Black Friday was a new iPad 2 (with 8000 bonus miles with Chase Ultimate Reward), it is easier to write the trip reports in real time. It has been a struggle to remember what I want to write by the time I get to actually sit at the keyboard, and I hope that writing them at somewhat real-time will improve the reports.
 |
| New way of writing trip reports |
My first report for the year will be a short, one night, business trip to Huston Texas. Now don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against Texas, as strange as it is, but Huston just does not impress me. Maybe because I always come for short trips, but it just not a place I can imagine myself staying any significant time in. This trip is complicated as it is because our travel requirement is to go on United. Alas, our travel department still is not aware that Continental and United are one company now, so the direct flight to Houston, even when marketed as United, does not count for the purpose of the travel as United. Which means I have to fly through O’Hare, in January, one way on a tight connection. Oh, the joy. The only bright side for this predicament is that I will be so much closer to obtaining the *G status on A3.
United offered to buy up to first class on the DCA-ORD and ORD-DCA for $175 which a little too rich for my blood. On the IAH – ORD section the allow buy up for $150, which I actually considered buying – but then again, does UA first class for 2:30 hours flight worth it? Continental allows me to upgrade ORD – IAH for 7,500 miles, which is not a bad deal, but still too rich for my blood. I rather use my miles for international J or F redemption.
UA 0627 DCA – ORD, connecting to UA 1729 ORD – IAH
Checking in was not easy as it should have been, as United and Continental do not seem to have their act together yet. My first leg is combination of United flight and Continental flight. While I could get a boarding pass for the UA flight, for my connection on Continental I only received instructions on how to get a boarding card in Chicago. Not a good start for a long travel afternoon.
Couple that with the fact that my taxi driver was late, my flight is currently (boarding time) delayed by 30 minutes and still there is no plane at the gate - things are not looking good. At least I have a two hours connection in Chicago to sort all those problems out.
Sitting at the gate at DCA make you appreciate the amenities of the airport. Despite having to right to exist (apart from being convenient for members of Congress) the airport is my airport of choice. It is on the Metro which means it is easy to get to. It is spacious, provides free charging stations, free wireless and all in all small enough to remain pleasant. Of course if your flight leaves from the old terminal you can forget all that I have said as the old terminal is probably one of the worst in the world. Think of a third world country airport and take it down couple of notches.
Now UA 625 connecting to CO 1729
Luckily for me the previous United flight to Chicago was delayed as well. The plane is practically half empty so I easily changed my flight to UA 625 which left DCA almost at the time that the original 627 should have left (but still was not at a gate).
The flight was uneventful. The Airbus 319 had enough leg room even in economy minus and with a chair empty next to me it was quite comfortable flight. Service was good for economy with the flight attendants attentive and providing a service with a smile. All in all not a bad flight.
 |
| No Economy + for me |
In Chicago I managed to finally get my Continental boarding pass from the Chicken machine. Why it could not have been done in DCA is beyond me.
Curtsy of American Express Sky guide Executive Club which refunds me up to 12 visit to airport club a year for the sum of 2.99 for the first two months and then $30 for the rest of the year (Amex will bombard you with offers like that at the moment you will open a new card) I purchased my 50$ day pass to the United Club at B17 even though it was far from my gate. I like the new design and open air atmosphere at the club. The food and drinks are typical United Club and nothing to write home about. I did manage to get my boarding cards for the return tomorrow and put A3 number on them through the nice lounge agent.
 |
| The B17 United Club entrance |
CO 1729 was a pleasant surprise. This the first time in quite a while, that I have been on a Continental flight. While boarding was hectic at best, we all got to the plane in plenty of time prior to the deadline. I had an exit row all to myself, and on the Boeing 730-900 it meant that I could actually have both leg space and a "ghetto" bed to myself. The DirectTV personal IFE was a little annoying but once I've discovered how to close it off the iPad provided the entertainment for the flight. All in all it was a nice flight. The only problem with getting so late to IAH was to find a taxi (even if I disregard that the signs do not lead you to the right place to find them).
 |
| Exit row leg space |
Checking in at the Hilton was a breeze once someone was nice enough to open the door at midnight. For my total surprise my online check in had stuck (the first time ever) and I even got to keep the room I've checked. I was upgraded to a suite, not that it mattered for one night. I was just told to come down to the restaurant for breakfast and no coupon was given (more on that later).
The room itself is dated, but nice and big and would just do for one night. No view to speak off but this is about Houston not about the hotel. Unfortunately it seems it was not thoroughly cleaned as one of the trash can was not empty. I've discovered it only in the morning.
After consuming breakfast at the restaurant they have told me I should have gone to the "special room" and not the main restaurant. I was not charged though. So if you are here just pay attention.
All in all, a perfectly acceptable visit for one night.
UA 230 connecting to UA 629
On the way back I used the United Club again - this time an old Presidential Club which is much nicer than the old United Club (though the old RCC at ORD B17 still wins on design). About the same spread of food, free alcohol (are you paying attention United) free WiFi (and no password) and the view of the runway. The lovely lounge attendant had tried to find all the ways she can to let me in without paying:
“Are you on International Business or First class today?”
“No.”
“Are you a star Gold member?”
“No.”
“Did you came on a Continental flight”
“Yesterday, but that does not count, does it?”
And so it continued. It was quite comical really.
All in all a nice experience, much better than the one I am used to on the RCC when the fee to get it is reimbursed.
UA 230 was delayed coming in, and therefore late getting out. With only 45 minutes to connect in Chicago things could have gone sour real quick, especially as UA 629 was the last flight of the day to DCA. My only recourse would have been the flight to IAD which leaves 20 minutes later. However, not only we managed to get back the 30 minutes delay, we also managed to get in earlier. The flight was totally packed to the gills, unfortunately with not so frequent flyers which means deplaning took much longer than it should. I have managed to get my connection to with some time to spare. The flights themselves were uneventful. I was happy to get home sometime after midnight.
No comments:
Post a Comment