Since this board has been so helpful to me over the past couple of years, I thought I'd relay my experience. I realized too late I probably could have routed through MIA and got my miles for less money but will learn for next time.

I paid a little more to fly Nov. 19 rather than go next month. I wanted to get it over with and not have to worry about an ORD connection in December.

The FAA glitches occurred that day but didn't affect me. I was hoping it would because I cut it waaaay close to getting to the airport. I literally went into airport parking at 8:16 a.m. for an 8:40 departure. No line at TSA. Got on board with no problems. A handful of folks boarded after me.

I flew in Y for three of my four segments. I successfully upgraded ORD-SAT so I could get some food and alcohol to help me through the next two segments.

I was worried about a 50-minute connection in ORD but my gate to SAT was just two gates away. I didn't try and leave the SAT airport to soak up the warm air. I considered it but didn't. I ate some crappy guac and chips (major disappointment) and drank a sangria at Rosarios before getting back on the SAT-ORD flight. That was in coach and was a bit of a pain.

I had hoped to get on an earlier flight but we got into ORD a tad late so was stuck at ORD for three hours that night. It was OK.

Perhaps the biggest disappointment was the FAs on my four flights. I brought along two AAplause cards expecting to give them out. I didn't hand out a single one. The FAs on my initial flight had real attitude issues. The flight was about half empty. I was in Y. F went out about half full so no op-up for me (not that I was expecting but to reiterate AA will go out with F not full with golds and plats in the back). The FA in F on ORD-SAT did as little as possible and certainly without much of a smile or pleasant attitude. She didn't do anything wrong per say but she did what she had to do and that was it. However, she was the only member of the crew who recognized me when I got back on SAT-ORD and it was barely that. I fell asleep on the ORD-SAT run and the Y FA took away my drink before I was done and well before landing.

It was a really, really long day and wiped me out physically and mentally. I didn't sleep as much as I thought I would on the flights. I brought along a thick book on the six female monarchs of England and that helped pass the time.

So instead of buying a great pair of boots, I bought an MR. I have no regrets. I will say Mr. Zipadee was more supportive about my MR this year than last year. Thanks again.