Observations From A Quick Mileage Run

In December, the Flight Deal post a great deal from DCA to BOS (nonstop) for only $98. I was just about to go to bed when I saw the post, but decided to jump on it. At the time, I was 1200 miles short for Aegean Gold Status.  I quickly booked a weekend trip for Martlin Luther King Weekend and decided to book another quick mileage run.

Yesterday, I went on the mileage run. A quick four hour trip. My goal was to be back in DC for brunch with a friend. As I do with every trip, here are my thoughts:

   National Airport (DCA) is a great airport for two reasons:

      1) The Metro Goes Directly To The Airport
         

          The Metro entrance is through those doors and down that hallway is security.

      2) Great Views of the Monuments from the ground and air:

         The Capital in the far background:

        The Pentagon from the air:

      3) US Airways Won My Heart With Biscoff Cookies

           

           On both my US Airways the new American, they gave Biscoff Cookies. I am addicted
           to these things. My first introduction was during US Airways GrandSlam. I ordered
           these from Biscoff get a "hit."

     4) 40,000 Miles US Airway Barclays Credit Card Offer

          On both flights, the flight attendants were hawking the new 40,000 Mile Barclays' Credit
          Card offer. If you applied in air, you got a bonus 500 miles, regardless of approval.
          The attendants didn't mention an annual fee; therefore, I assume its the $89 offer.

     5) Eating Healthy In An Airport is Difficult

         One of my 2014 goals is to eat healthier. One of the unhealthiest activities in my life is
         travel. Especially, during mileage runs. I tend to eat whatever is available and airport
         food is not always healthy.

         In Boston, I was looking for a quick breakfast and decided on this egg white avocado
         on a skinny bagel and a banana:

       

     
          Overall, this sandwich was a fail. It had a lemon aioli, which over-powered the
          entire sandwich. However, the sandwich was only 400 calories, so a win!

       6) Who is Pen Air?

            This airline had a plane here. It peaked by interested, so I did some research.

            Pen Air is an Alaskan based airline that has a East Coast hub at Boston Logan. From
            Logan, Pen Air flies to Bar Harbor (BHB), Long Island Islip (ISP), Plattsburg (PBG)
            and Presque Island (PQI).

           More research will be needed to find out why they are on the East Coast.

        7) Exit From The Back of The Plane

             On my way back from Boston, the flight attendants announced that we will be
             deplaning from both the front and back of the plane. Since I sit in the last row,
             I was one of the first people off the plane. This was a double first for me.

                   1) Deplaning from the back of the plane at DCA

                   2) Being the first off the plane.

             Have you every deplanning from the back at DCA?

The most important question you might be wondering. Yes, I made our brunch reservation at 1:30 pm at
Matchbox....

Overall, a great Sunday!          
     
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Follow us on Twitter @doit4thepoints!

See Something, Say Something

When you ride the metro in Washington, DC, every five minutes the same message comes on. If you see something, say something...

After the events in Boston this week, this phrase is more important than ever. The best line of defense against future acts of terrorism is a vigilant public. It is every Americans responsibility to stay alert and let authorities know if something does not seem right. One person speaking up can safe the lives of thousands. Many forget that it was a hot dog stand vendor that stopped the bombing in Times Square. He told police officers about a car that was smoking. He alone saved hundreds, if not thousands of lives.

Why do I write this on a points/travel blog?

The reason is simple. We, frequent travelers, are in high traffic areas more often than the average American. How many times at the airport do you see a bag unattended? When you see this, do you tell someone? If you are like me, you are rushing to the bathroom, the gate or grab something to eat before your next flight, so we move on, leaving the bag unattended. We justify not telling someone about the bag by saying someone else with more time will. My guess is that 99% of us use that justification.

You see something, you must say something....

CNN today has an article on Vigilance Key To Safe Travels. In the article, the author says, "If the past is any predictor, Americans may forget they're part of the solution and move on." This sediment is so true. We fall complacent about our safety. We tell ourselves, "we live in America, the safest country in the world." It is only after tragic events are we awaken from our la la land and brought back to reality. For a few days after the event, we remain on high alert, but eventually we fall back into our complacent state. It is then that we open ourselves up to greater danger.

Again, if you see something out of place, say something. We are the final line of defense, but only if we leave our comfortable complacent state.



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter @doit4thepoints! Have a question for us?

E-mail us at chris@doitforthepoints.com or jd@doitforthepoints.com

1,000 Bonus Points for US Airways Shuttle Flights

HT Heels First Travel

Since we are a DC based blog, I wanted to pass along this offer to our fellow DC Business Travelers.

US Airways is offering 1,000 bonus miles for each US Airways Shuttle flight taken through February 28, 2013. This is in addition to the 500 Preferred-qualifying miles that you get already. You must register here, book and travel in the month of February to earn the miles. From the wording of this offer, previously booked flights will not trigger the bonus.

FYI: A shuttle segment is a nonstop flight from Washington (DCA) to New York City (LGA) or Boston. 

The nitty gritty, fine details:

"Travel on any US Airways Shuttle flight between February 1 - 28, 2013 and earn 1,000 bonus miles for each segment flown. A US Airways Shuttle segment is any nonstop flight operated between Washington DC (DCA), New York City (LGA) and Boston. Customers with itineraries that do not contain a US Airways Shuttle flight are not eligible for bonus miles. Customers with itineraries that contain a US Airways Shuttle segment will only receive the bonus for that segment. For example, if you fly from New York (LGA) to Washington DC (DCA) to Phoenix, you’ll earn the promotional bonus only on the New York (LGA) to Washington, DC (DCA) US Airways Shuttle segment. Bonus is earned on base flight miles only on flights operated by US Airways Shuttle. Miles bonus will not count toward Preferred status. US Airways will award bonus miles one to two weeks after you register and travel has been completed."

This is a pretty generous bonus. Normally, this is for stand alone shuttle flights. In this case, if a segment of your flight itinery has a shuttle flight, than the bonus is triggered. Not a bad promotion if you need to go to these cities from Washington, DC.

Important: You must register to get the promotion. Here is the link again.