The second attempt took place in mid-June, but kind of fell apart. What with all the exposions, plauges of locusts, and the like, I just couldn't complete it. (Well, that's what it felt like, anyway.)
The first problem was that AA changed their service classes on all flights outside of the US. They are rationalizing them with a view to beginning true 3-class (and true 1st class) service. So what used to be First Class, with a 50% COS bonus became Business Class, with a 25% COS bonus with the same service and fare, effective June 21. Well, my first segment was before then, so I'd at least get 50% on the first segment. Still, the benefits were so profound that it was easy to justify repeating the stunt. And extra 25% on the remaining and future segments was still a treat.
Well, I got to Dallas, but then I had to go to New Orleans. Then to Mobile. Then to Baltimore. Then to Marinette, WI. All the while buying return trips, with the full expectation of one day returning to DFW, to pick up my now long delayed 2nd MHD, now with BMG, for whiter whites.
It felt downright bizzare, and it played heavly on me, adding to the stress of an already stressful trip. I was leaving behind a string of broken promises (to fly the return portion of the tickets) and my beloved MHD, now with BMG, for improved traction, was getting farther and farther away, disappearing like a sunset in what many people call the west, but true westerners like myself call Texas, or the "middle."
By the time I got to Chicago on the way back from Marinette, I decided I'd had enough, and went home. Not directly home, 'course. Home, via YYZ, for the extra miles. Amazing what mileage junkies will do for extra Q-miles, isn't it?
Eventually, I cashed in all the return trips, except for the original. I still have until June to use it, although I'm not sure I will. Refunding the remainder of the ticket is problematic, as having only travelled to DFW, a refund would result in me owing AA a thousand dollars or more, for a one-way F ticket on YVR-DFW.
A valiant attempt, but one doomed to failure from the start.
[This message has been edited by Ken hAAmer (edited 11-28-2000).]