SD Flyer
Nov 3, 99, 6:00 pm
I needed to visit an old colleague to talk about doing business together. I had originally planned to stop in MSP the way home from CHI two weeks ago, but that got cancelled, so here it is in excruciating detail (I have seen alot of posts about playing the "fare game". I love this, and will discuss it here.
NW198 01NOV SAN-MSP
I exchanged my old MDW-MSP ($154) ticket for SAN-MSP. The o/w fare was only $184 due to NW matching Sun Country's (code?) new MSP-SAN route and pricing. I had booked the ticket on Biztravel, which let me exchange my old one for the new one via the web. Great feature, but when I went to request an upgrade (CO gold) AFTER booking the ticket, there was no way to do it. Turns out that you have to call if you don't request the upgrade at booking.
I was upgraded two days prior to seat 2A. The plane left on time at 6:30, and was apparently one of the new A319s, with 16 seats in F/C. Unfortunately, this brand new plane still had ugly blue tone-on-tone paisly fabric seats. Eck! Howsabout some leather on the new jets, NW? Furthermore, there was NO video or audio...why order new planes for 4 hour flights without video?
On the plus side, the flight was very pleasant, with plenty of magazines (literally stacks in one of the closets) and a unique (for me) breakfast service where F/C pax were able to choose any or all of items such as: Quiche Florentine, Warm cinnamon rolls, bagel, cereal, etc. That was good, and even coach pax got a (more limited) selection from a list. You could eat as much as you wanted, too. Nice selection, but not very elegant presentation. There were printed menus on a simple card with Chinese and Japanese translation. No artwork or "welcome message" though. Arrival was on-time, and I followed the flight with a visit to the newer Worldclub in MSP, which was very nice. AT&T phones and internet stations were not functioning, though. AT&T was probably a network problem.
01NOV Doubletree Hotel Park Place (MSP)
I stayed at this property once before, and it was OK. This time, completely unacceptable. I reserved a N/S King and was placed in a smoking room with two doubles without even being told or asked. Very bad Service. Once told that they were out of N/S rooms, I accepted a smoking king on the 13 floor. I new I would be unlucky when the elevators opened to a 70s decor hallway with a stench of smoke. Some other issues with torn sheets and falling ceiling plaster led me to insist on taking Doubletree up on their 100% satisfaction guarantee. After explaining the situation to the manager, he insisted on refunding my money in full, though I had wanted to pay for the in-room movie, which I liked. I might try it again, but I think there is a new HI express nearby. Really the worst part of the stay (except the smoke in room/hall) was the fact that the check-in staff put me in a smoking room without even saying anything or apologizing. That's really bad training!
02NOV HP 2189F SAN-MSP
HP had a discounted, unrestricted fare "W" for around $300, and I had used the one-way from this fare type with a non-refundable fare from SAN-ORD. I had already changed the return once, paid the fee, then not used it. I was delighted and surprised when HP offered to change it again for free, as a courtesy. Reminds me of the days of paper tickets, when you could change multiple times and pay the fee once.
Anyway, I got to the airport at 1pm for a 444pm flight. Hoping to jump on a NW non-stop, I asked HP to print out my e-ticket. I took this deeply discounted ticket to NW (no lines at 1pm at MSP) who looked at it and agreed to accept it (was endorsed HP only). They "would have to charge the $75.00 fee" since it was a discounted ticket, though. That was ludicrous. It wasn't even their ticket. This statement sounded like a moneymaking scheme. Yes we'll take the ticket, just pay us $75 for the convenience. Alas, NW did not have a flight until 5pm, and I decided to save the $75, preserve my upgrade, and stick with HP.
I then went to the Worldclub on the Green consourse. They didn't want me to come in with my platinum card, because I was flying HP and not NW, even though I flew in on NW. The agent let me do it "just today", though, which was nice except the club was terrible. No internet, no FEDEX. After going back outside to prepare and send my FEDEX, and not wanting to cause another "Platinum Crasher" stir, I lugged my carry-on to the RCC, where I waited until my flight. BTW, MSP has a nice area with desks and a FEDEX drop, and an internet kiosk at gate 69.
OK...I checked in for the HP flight, which was posted as MSP-PHX-SNA on the board. The gate agent was informing each puzzled pax that the SNA post was a mistake, and yes, the plane was going to SAN. All sorts of disheveled characters were asking for upgrades on this A320 flight, luckily, I was confirmed two days prior. The flight took-off with first class full and was actually quite nice. The movie was boring (Bowfinger), but steak and garlic potatoes were quite tasty. Other dishes were Salmon (very popular and gone for us row 3ers) and Chicken. Coach was snack bags only. Nice choice of Johnnie Walker Black and The Glenlivet scotches, but no Makers (my fav). The drawbacks were no towel service, and only one F/A for all twelve pax. This made the initial drink and dinner service quite slow, but fine for refills and remainder of flight. Also, the tiny video screen is way too far away for row 3. They need a second one. The F/A did call pax by name several times througout the flight.
Though not technically a connection, this plane stopped for over an hour in PHX, and I got off to look around. The new HP club was not yet open, and the entrance was covered in plastic. No food concessions yet, except a nice Starbucks with plenty of seating. Very quiet on a Tuesday night.
Our 8:09 departure to SAN (not to be confused with the 8:08 flight) was fairly empty. 10 pax in F/C, with at least 4 non-revs. We almost didn't go due to fog, but the weather held out. Overall, HP is great. Their frequent fare sales and partnership with CO make them a good choice. I only wish they would fully integrate the AMEX lounge privilidges in with HP/CO/NW.
I will fly SAN-ORD next week for $219.00 with no Sat. stay. Keeping my fingers crossed for the upgrades. Thanks for reading!
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SD Flyer
NW198 01NOV SAN-MSP
I exchanged my old MDW-MSP ($154) ticket for SAN-MSP. The o/w fare was only $184 due to NW matching Sun Country's (code?) new MSP-SAN route and pricing. I had booked the ticket on Biztravel, which let me exchange my old one for the new one via the web. Great feature, but when I went to request an upgrade (CO gold) AFTER booking the ticket, there was no way to do it. Turns out that you have to call if you don't request the upgrade at booking.
I was upgraded two days prior to seat 2A. The plane left on time at 6:30, and was apparently one of the new A319s, with 16 seats in F/C. Unfortunately, this brand new plane still had ugly blue tone-on-tone paisly fabric seats. Eck! Howsabout some leather on the new jets, NW? Furthermore, there was NO video or audio...why order new planes for 4 hour flights without video?
On the plus side, the flight was very pleasant, with plenty of magazines (literally stacks in one of the closets) and a unique (for me) breakfast service where F/C pax were able to choose any or all of items such as: Quiche Florentine, Warm cinnamon rolls, bagel, cereal, etc. That was good, and even coach pax got a (more limited) selection from a list. You could eat as much as you wanted, too. Nice selection, but not very elegant presentation. There were printed menus on a simple card with Chinese and Japanese translation. No artwork or "welcome message" though. Arrival was on-time, and I followed the flight with a visit to the newer Worldclub in MSP, which was very nice. AT&T phones and internet stations were not functioning, though. AT&T was probably a network problem.
01NOV Doubletree Hotel Park Place (MSP)
I stayed at this property once before, and it was OK. This time, completely unacceptable. I reserved a N/S King and was placed in a smoking room with two doubles without even being told or asked. Very bad Service. Once told that they were out of N/S rooms, I accepted a smoking king on the 13 floor. I new I would be unlucky when the elevators opened to a 70s decor hallway with a stench of smoke. Some other issues with torn sheets and falling ceiling plaster led me to insist on taking Doubletree up on their 100% satisfaction guarantee. After explaining the situation to the manager, he insisted on refunding my money in full, though I had wanted to pay for the in-room movie, which I liked. I might try it again, but I think there is a new HI express nearby. Really the worst part of the stay (except the smoke in room/hall) was the fact that the check-in staff put me in a smoking room without even saying anything or apologizing. That's really bad training!
02NOV HP 2189F SAN-MSP
HP had a discounted, unrestricted fare "W" for around $300, and I had used the one-way from this fare type with a non-refundable fare from SAN-ORD. I had already changed the return once, paid the fee, then not used it. I was delighted and surprised when HP offered to change it again for free, as a courtesy. Reminds me of the days of paper tickets, when you could change multiple times and pay the fee once.
Anyway, I got to the airport at 1pm for a 444pm flight. Hoping to jump on a NW non-stop, I asked HP to print out my e-ticket. I took this deeply discounted ticket to NW (no lines at 1pm at MSP) who looked at it and agreed to accept it (was endorsed HP only). They "would have to charge the $75.00 fee" since it was a discounted ticket, though. That was ludicrous. It wasn't even their ticket. This statement sounded like a moneymaking scheme. Yes we'll take the ticket, just pay us $75 for the convenience. Alas, NW did not have a flight until 5pm, and I decided to save the $75, preserve my upgrade, and stick with HP.
I then went to the Worldclub on the Green consourse. They didn't want me to come in with my platinum card, because I was flying HP and not NW, even though I flew in on NW. The agent let me do it "just today", though, which was nice except the club was terrible. No internet, no FEDEX. After going back outside to prepare and send my FEDEX, and not wanting to cause another "Platinum Crasher" stir, I lugged my carry-on to the RCC, where I waited until my flight. BTW, MSP has a nice area with desks and a FEDEX drop, and an internet kiosk at gate 69.
OK...I checked in for the HP flight, which was posted as MSP-PHX-SNA on the board. The gate agent was informing each puzzled pax that the SNA post was a mistake, and yes, the plane was going to SAN. All sorts of disheveled characters were asking for upgrades on this A320 flight, luckily, I was confirmed two days prior. The flight took-off with first class full and was actually quite nice. The movie was boring (Bowfinger), but steak and garlic potatoes were quite tasty. Other dishes were Salmon (very popular and gone for us row 3ers) and Chicken. Coach was snack bags only. Nice choice of Johnnie Walker Black and The Glenlivet scotches, but no Makers (my fav). The drawbacks were no towel service, and only one F/A for all twelve pax. This made the initial drink and dinner service quite slow, but fine for refills and remainder of flight. Also, the tiny video screen is way too far away for row 3. They need a second one. The F/A did call pax by name several times througout the flight.
Though not technically a connection, this plane stopped for over an hour in PHX, and I got off to look around. The new HP club was not yet open, and the entrance was covered in plastic. No food concessions yet, except a nice Starbucks with plenty of seating. Very quiet on a Tuesday night.
Our 8:09 departure to SAN (not to be confused with the 8:08 flight) was fairly empty. 10 pax in F/C, with at least 4 non-revs. We almost didn't go due to fog, but the weather held out. Overall, HP is great. Their frequent fare sales and partnership with CO make them a good choice. I only wish they would fully integrate the AMEX lounge privilidges in with HP/CO/NW.
I will fly SAN-ORD next week for $219.00 with no Sat. stay. Keeping my fingers crossed for the upgrades. Thanks for reading!
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SD Flyer