I'm back from my Hawaii vacation/cruise. It was fantastic. But something odd happened at LAX on the Saturday we flew to HNL.

We paid for regular coach tickets. I inquired about upgrade using a class of service milage award. Nothing was available for the LAX-HNL leg, but 2 seats were avaialable for the return, so I cashed in 30,000 miles for 2 one-way class of service upgrade. I also requested, just for the heck of it, standard, sticker upgrades. I figured no way, as I can't even get upgraded LAX-DFW (i have a thread about that).

Well, it comes time to go. I get to the ariport and we check in. My companion asks about having seats togehter, and the agent says, you aren't right now, but you do on the return. This confused me, as we had been assinged exit rows for the LAX-HNL segment. My friend picked up on it before me, but the agent was telling us we were in first class for this segment as well. So, I figured my upgrade had cleared, and not for one, but two seats!! Amazing..

But this is where is gets strange. The agent said he needed to re-ticket our ticket. He pounded away at the keyboard. For a LONG time. Seriously, we were at the counter for 20 minutes. I could not fiugre out what the hell wa going on. We *were* in first, but I don't know what he was doing. When it was over with, he told me I had $18 coming back to me. Huh?? What?? I don't get it. He said don't look a gift horse in the mouth. I quickly agreeded. Anyway, we were in first, not together, but we were able to switch seats with a solo traveller and sit together.

So, today, I decided to go to aa.com and look at my account. For LAX-HNL, it shows base miles as 2,556 miles. But for bonus, it shows 3,195 miles. Huh?? To top it off, my upgrade sticker balance has *not* had anything deducted from it for that trip.

So, what the heck happened?? Did I get an op-upgrade (two seats?????) What was up with the re-ticketing and the $18 refund??


Anyway, the flights were fantastic. I *really* made the flight enjoyable, and it wa a great way to start a vacation. Serice was fantastic. I like the new seating configuartion on the 767, but they are a bit narrow, especially when you recline all the way.