As an insentive to the two AmericanFtWorthTX children, MRS AmericanFtWorthTX and I gave the choice to them of where they wanted to go once the finished and passed all TX states test for elementary school. They choose Hawaii. That was 4 years ago and gave plenty of time to get the miles and points to go and stay at no cost, that is airfare and room. With the help of FT boards, nice AA bonus miles promotions and low airfares to Europe, and Hilton bonuses, we were able to get the necessary miles and points to get this family of 4 plus both sets of parents to HHV for 6 nights and AAdvantage reward tickets, total 8 persons. So in the beginning of 2003 plans went into motion to get the airtickets and no less than 3 rooms at HHV. On April 27, 2003 reservations were made at HHV, last few days before HHonors jumped up the points from the 100,000 per room to the new current level. Air tickets were made from DFW via LAX (to pickup MR AmericanFtWorthTX parents) and fly together to Hawaii. MRS AmericanFtWorthTX parents were flying from MPS but reservations were not made until early 2004.
As mention by YYZFLYER, we discovered during the Valentine FT TO DO in London, that we were all going to be in HHV at the same time. I guess we would have found that out back during Thanksgiving FT TO DO in London if we had manage to meet up at LHR. So now came Spring Break 2004 and a trip that seem to take forever to come was now upon us.

Sunday March 14
After an early 8 AM church service it was depature time. A stop at WALMART for last minute purchase and off to DFW. Listening to the DFW radio we heard that remote parking was full, but went to it anyways. What luck, it was open and we were last one in, they closed it behind us. Again, another chance with luck, parking slot right next to the building for the shuttle. Shuttle was there and to the terminal we went. It was 12 noon, almost 4 hours to our flight but MRS AmericanFTWorthTX parents were coming in from MSP to DFW. Checking was quick and we meet up with parents. They had a bite to eat at a fast food, we had packed lunches. (Children seem to have no sense of cost of food...). Flight from MSP was on a regional jet, which was the main reason our upcoming trip to MSP, was going via ORD on 777. 777 far better than regional jet. Their flight for San Jose was on time, packed with Spring Breackers and some we heard were also going to Hawaii. Our flight close to 4 PM was not far behind their departure. We had tried to get onto an earlier flight (757) but "are you kidding" was the checkin agent. So MD80 it was, no entertainment except what we made ourselfs.
Arriving in LAX, we had a walk from the closes gate to checkin area to the last gate at the end of terminal 4. Mr AmericanFtWorthTX parents were there already, didn't surprise us, they believe in arriving one hour before the required checking time (not like us, we usually arrive just before boarding to make it more of an adventure). And also Mr AmericanFtWorthTX mother had lunch/snacks for the grandchildren. (Guess where that tradition came from). Did notice that the terminal had changed a lot since last trip back in 2001, and a far cry from the orginal set up. Boarding was smooth, eventhough we discovered that the original seat assigments were slightly change. Instead of 2/2/2 behind each other, 2 had move to across the aisle one over. Not bad taking the flight was full. Movie was one we had seen before, Intolerable Cruelty, was it to England or withing the states, we couldn't recall. Arriving late in the evening to HNL, we were tired, it was 1 AM at DFW. Checking the arrivals board for the flight from San Jose, due about 40 minutes after us, it was now due in at 2AM. How could that be? Getting printout for their reservations, it was to be in just before 10 PM, NOT 2 AM. While the rest of family waited for luggage, I went to AA checking to findout what was up. There was a long line and an agent was giving people choices of how to get back to the mainland. One couple insisted that they going to stay overnight, they wouldn't fly on "those airlines, I fly AA only and that's it!". OK, that gave me an idea that there was problems. I was able to leave a msg with one very helpfull agent for Mrs AmericanFtWorthTX parents on where we were staying and how to get their. They had no idea where we were staying, it was part of the surprise. He informed me that flight has just departed and would be in around 3 AM. Well, our luck had run out, I guess. Was I wrong.

Returning back to the luggage area, all had arrived well and it was time to get shuttle. With YYZFLYER's help, the shuttle was their. The cost was a set regardless how many travelling and which shuttle service you use. The
shuttle drive told us to take a taxi, it would cost about $30 only. Some quick math and yes we would save, cost less than half. The taxi stand call guy got us a taxi, a limo at that. After getting all the luggage into the trunk, which would not close, we were on our way to HHV. A quick 20 min trip and we were at the HHV. WOW, largest hotel ever staying at. Reading on FT and on Hilton web page, was nothing like what the hotel looked like. Open lobby, no door... it was nothing like we had experiance. Checking was were the luck ran out. Agent was nice but could not do anything about our three room situation, no connecting room, not even on the same floor but the same building, TAPA. What about the upgrades, sorry, we have an inhouse convention. Well, should I get upset.. naw it's a vacation, besides we didn't come for the rooms! OK, try our breakfast coupons request. Yes but only if GOLD. OPPS.. used my silver account to make reservations but Mrs AmericanFtWorthTX is gold. Change HHonor number but can only do for one room, since res was made using MY HHONORs number. But kids eat free, well one only. It was almost 11 PM and it was bed time. MR AmericanFTWorth parents floor 11, we were on 34 floor and Mrs AmericanFtWorth parents on 7th. And we had to take different elevators to get our rooms. Our room had good view of mts, city and bit of the ocean. IT was bed time, but would Mrs AmericanFtWorth parents would make it in alright? And then to meet up with YYZFLYER sometime Monday...