I had a $300 voucher for United burning a hole in my pocket (basically I ended up renting a car when I missed a flight and they refunded me the rental in a voucher) and wanted to get away for two nights where I could do some work...so I decided I would get down to Miami.

I booked Economy (Plus given my status) and wanted to see how the upgrade fates would do for me. Shortly after booking some other things adjusted and I ended up having 1 GPU that I would not use before it expired so I applied that to the leg MIA-EWR because A) smaller F cabin & B) the early morning 8am flight on the way down didn't want to waste the calories on an in flight meal on United's breakfast.

Saturday morning at EWR a bit busier than I thought. Still no lines in the Premium counters...PreCheck was about 30 people long which this time most of them seemed like it was legit. I just don't understand what the other line next to PC is because the general and premium lines are elsewhere.


Leaving out of C126 I decided to have breakfast nearby at Le Grand Comptior or whatever it is called...the eggs benedict were pretty good HOWEVER no mimosa as NJ can't serve booze before 9am. I then remembered that once when I was taking an early flight and the UC rejected my order.

Boarding began to start on time & they put on the automated announcement about the flight and people line up...they ask for disabled/special assistance passengers. In the front of Group 3 was a woman who suddenly popped out a blind person's walking stick and proceeds and gives the GA her ticket. Following her was the whole family of slugs (7 in all) who boarded with her. This woman I saw around the gate 10 min before walk from the seats to throw something away without the stick.
After about the 4th person the GA kinda looks up and then scans in the other 3. Behind them out of G3 another man walks up...behind him two more people leave the chute who were of a different race as the first set and then she says "Wait...this is pax with disabilities" and behind those two another 3 people were then up in front of the rest of the groups sort of stuck in limbo so the gate agent asked them to move and step aside. You then saw frustration on their face as though they were being denied their proper turn to board. She then called G1 and the rest went along as normal.

I have to say I was surprised with the room I had in Y+...it's actually been a while since I've ridden in Y on UA that wasn't in a RJ or prop. In fact the last time it was also on a A319 but I was traveling with my Mom and we had the duo seat in the random aisle that is missing the window seat so that also skewed my perspective. With DirectTV installed UA emails the night before offering you to buy it for $3 off if you do in advance...which I did and on the 2:40 min flight it was perfect to watch a little bit of a doc on the making of Jaws and then Maleficent.
Full from the eggs and having two of my own Kind bars I just opted to buy a Tito's screwdriver.







I booked The Dream given the location, the familiarity with the properties in NYC, the price and given that on Expedia it is listed as an Elite+ hotel where you can get room upgrades, free amenities, etc. While I checked in I was thanked for being an Expedia Gold+ member but beyond that nada. The wifi is included in the $8.99 "resort fee" which also includes a towel and chair on the beach (no umbrella). I was given the choice of a room in the "quieter building" on the ground or the 2nd floor on the street by the bar...I went for the 2nd floor, noise didn't bother me much. I was given a late check out.




Rooms are moody, pretty comfortable, was decent for a single traveler and I'm sure a couple would be fine it. Loved the showers, pretty stocked mini bar. Wifi wasn't too fast and would lag at times. Etro bath products were nicer than other Etro ones I've had where they are in plastic "old timey" looking bottles.





On the ground floor is Naked Taco for food and drinks.
Breakfast was GREAT with this egg, cheese, chorizo dish...only complaint were the dry beans.


I also had dinner there where I tried a Dark & Stormy (with tequila) that was horrid and a tamarind margarita that was good. The tacos have some "traditional" types but of course I went for the ones with flair like the spicy poke tuna, coconut shrimp and quite frankly one of the most amazing things I've had which was a roasted cauliflower in ginger spicy peanut sauce.





I met my friend for dinner one at Sylvano's up near like 20th or so (close to the W where he lives) and the food was great, service was very friendly, and seemed pretty Italian owned and operated. Prices were a bit nicer compared to being in the heat of SoBe.
He also showed me around The W property and the renovation of their condo. I had been around The W before to eat at Mr. Chow but have never looked at the lobby bar or pool area which all seemed up to Miami standards.







Aside from going to a party at The Betsy (where I stayed last time...didn't like it too much) and a gay bar was pretty low key as most of my days were spent shooting which given the sun and heat leaves one pretty wiped out.





Little FT bonus framed in the men's bathroom at 5 Guys Burgers was an issue of Air Jamaica SkyWrittings from 2009 (I was expecting given the design like 1997).


I've only been out of the United G area which if it is any indication from the rest of MIA 90 min is more than enough time to spend here.


I stalled a little bit before security and I had just had lunch so no Chili's for me. Finally went through and PreCheck is in the same line they just give you a card at the podium to then be taken aside to the normal metal detector.

Walking down to the pub in G spotted this unmarked 737.






Before I even left for the trip I got a notification that my upgrade cleared and I would have one of the 8 seats in F on the A319. And only windows were available which I never take because I prefer aisle access as I frankly hate having to "hold it".



Crew was friendly enough as we settled in. Got a Tito's screw driver while we waited to push back.





Choices were roast beef salad or hot chicken sandwich and onion soup, bread roll & chocolate chip cookie.
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with how the sandwich looked. It was hot, the cheese was melted, chicken was tender and bread wasn't soggy or hard. The flavor lacked a little...there was some sort of cream type sauce on it as well but I could have used some something with a bit more kick. The onion soup I thought was going to be salt water but was okay.
I was happy to see some of the newly announced UA investments on in flight dining.


The flight has no TVs and it was equipped with WiFi and beta testing of the new streaming IFE to personal devices. The A319 also has no in-seat power....so on a 3 hour flight battery life is okay. I tested it just watching one TV show and then went back to The Grand Budapest Hotel that I already had loaded on my phone.



Touched down and were off the plane on time, bag was the first one out and on my way home.



Not a bad few days.