A while back Northwest was offering $108 roundtrip fares out of Phoenix to a number of destinations, so I decided to book a few tickets and take advantage of these unbelievable fares.

I flew out on the (Saturday) morning flight from PHX to MSP, with good cabin service and an edible breakfast (cheese omelet and sausage) in F (CO Platinum Elite upgrade). Lounged in the new MSP WorldClub and caught a DC-9 flight to MSY. Very good service in F and a very good lunch service. In fact, if I were served this very same meal in a restaurant, I wouldn't be disappointed. The meal was a bowl lined with a tortilla and topped with rice, black beans, chicken, yellow peppers, and cheese. Accompanying this was a spinach salad, dinner roll, and cheesecake.

Upon arrival, caught the "Airport Shuttle" van service. I was the second to last (stop 5 of 6) drop-off, at the W Hotel French Quarter. I decided on the W as 1)I hadn't yet experienced the W concept, 2) great location, 3) very good rate ($139), and 4) would be the last two nights needed for the two Free Fridays.