Chicago Seminars Oct 12-14, 2012
Oct 17, 2012, 2:47 pm
#541
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: California, SMF
Programs: UA, AA, AS, DL, BA, HA, WN, SPG-PL, Hyatt-Dia, HH-Dia, Marr-Pl, US Mint/VR(retired)
Posts: 945
Southwest/Midway
We flew into ORD on Aer Lingus on Friday but took a Southwest flight out on Monday morning. We had a local relative pick us up on Sunday and we stayed Sunday night at the Midway Holiday Inn (not the express). The hotel was great (for the 12 hours we spent there) and it was probably my fastest check-in experience ever.
Our Southwest flight was a morning non-stop to California and it was on one of the new 737-800s that Southwest bought in anticipation of the Hawaii routes. Coincidentally, we were on one of the new planes a few weeks ago to Boston and got the exit row both times. The capacity is much larger than their "normal" 737s and has 2 exit row windows on each side. It seems as if no one wants to walk all the way to the middle of the plane, where the exit rows are.
I would have never dreamed of flying Southwest prior to getting the companion pass (Thanks Daraius/Million Mile Secrets), but now it seems as though we have a Southwest flight once a month. It is definitely a great option for the status-less (as we all know that anything less than top tier status is not a great deal anymore thanks to Beaubo - sorry Ben). The plane was immaculate and on time, staff was cheerful and don't seem to hate their job, snacks were passed out liberally and wi-fi was great at $5 for the day.
We're planning to attend next year, but will probably fly Southwest to/from Midway (albeit a bit of a hassle). Perhaps we can get a Midway ride sharing thing going next year.
I thoroughly enjoyed my first event and enjoyed meeting everyone (thanks HMPS for saving me a seat for The Frequent Miler's session). What an amazing and professionally done conference ! Kudos to Rick, Howie, Brian, Sharon, Cliff and all of the speakers and volunteers. It was an amazing bargain, but I would definitely be willing to pay more to help more with the speakers' expenses and have a little more overage for the charities.
P.S. Is there any way to code the raffle as "office supply store" for credit card payments ??? How about "selling" us a pencil with our raffle ticket ? My guess is that contributions would double ...
Our Southwest flight was a morning non-stop to California and it was on one of the new 737-800s that Southwest bought in anticipation of the Hawaii routes. Coincidentally, we were on one of the new planes a few weeks ago to Boston and got the exit row both times. The capacity is much larger than their "normal" 737s and has 2 exit row windows on each side. It seems as if no one wants to walk all the way to the middle of the plane, where the exit rows are.
I would have never dreamed of flying Southwest prior to getting the companion pass (Thanks Daraius/Million Mile Secrets), but now it seems as though we have a Southwest flight once a month. It is definitely a great option for the status-less (as we all know that anything less than top tier status is not a great deal anymore thanks to Beaubo - sorry Ben). The plane was immaculate and on time, staff was cheerful and don't seem to hate their job, snacks were passed out liberally and wi-fi was great at $5 for the day.
We're planning to attend next year, but will probably fly Southwest to/from Midway (albeit a bit of a hassle). Perhaps we can get a Midway ride sharing thing going next year.
I thoroughly enjoyed my first event and enjoyed meeting everyone (thanks HMPS for saving me a seat for The Frequent Miler's session). What an amazing and professionally done conference ! Kudos to Rick, Howie, Brian, Sharon, Cliff and all of the speakers and volunteers. It was an amazing bargain, but I would definitely be willing to pay more to help more with the speakers' expenses and have a little more overage for the charities.
P.S. Is there any way to code the raffle as "office supply store" for credit card payments ??? How about "selling" us a pencil with our raffle ticket ? My guess is that contributions would double ...
Oct 17, 2012, 3:54 pm
#542
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,185
Im pleased to announce that the fourth edition of the Chicago Seminars will take place October 11-13, 2013 at the Holiday Inn Elk Grove Village, Illinois.
Registration will begin in March or April of 2013. Mark your calendars, PM or email me your suggestions and proposed speaker and seminar topics.
Registration will begin in March or April of 2013. Mark your calendars, PM or email me your suggestions and proposed speaker and seminar topics.
I am also missing the lively discussion about fruits that took place after the 2011 seminar.
Oct 17, 2012, 7:27 pm
#543
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
Oct 17, 2012, 9:47 pm
#544
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Southern California
Programs: Hertz 5 star, Priceline Hotel bidder. AA PLT, 1MM.
Posts: 2,910
Im pleased to announce that the fourth edition of the Chicago Seminars will take place October 11-13, 2013 at the Holiday Inn Elk Grove Village, Illinois.
Registration will begin in March or April of 2013. Mark your calendars, PM or email me your suggestions and proposed speaker and seminar topics.
See you next year
Rick, Brian, Sharon, Cliff, Howie and the entire Volunteer Team
Registration will begin in March or April of 2013. Mark your calendars, PM or email me your suggestions and proposed speaker and seminar topics.
See you next year
Rick, Brian, Sharon, Cliff, Howie and the entire Volunteer Team
I stayed at the host hotel the previous 2 yrs but due to my late planning, the host hotel was sold out this year so I made refundable hotel/car reservations due to my medical situation.
Top notch conference!! Looking forward to attending next year!!
Oct 17, 2012, 10:05 pm
#545
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Southern California
Programs: Hertz 5 star, Priceline Hotel bidder. AA PLT, 1MM.
Posts: 2,910
As always, a great conference!! Got alot out of all the talks and I look forward to attending next year.
Kudos to all for listening to me talking with my speech impairment. I trust I didn't disturb others with my coughing, etc but I do not have any choice as I can't swallow or eat/drink by mouth. I enjoyed discussing points/miles, etc. I had to write down on paper but I trust the information was helpful. I got alot out of all the talks & "side" discussions on points/miles, etc.
As always, the talks were very interesting and NEVER a dull moment. Even with a tornado warning, I enjoyed overhearing points/miles discussion.
I took home 3 apples (Jonathan) from one of the boxes on Sunday afternoon. My wife had one apple and she enjoyed eating it. ^ I grew up on Michigan apples as I grew up in Michigan until I graduated college in 1980.
To everybody that gave me advice on medical stuff (and encourgement in that area--a BIG thank you!!!). My procedure is set for this next Tuesday, Oct 23. I hope it will be good news!
My return flights on Monday afternoon went out on time and I was hoping for a $400 VDB voucher on the ORD-SLC flight but it didn't happen. At least I had the whole row (3 seats) on the RJ to myself.
Can't wait until next year and I am glad it is back at the same hotel.
A big THANK YOU to the organizers/volunteers for putting on a GREAT conference!!
I even won something in the raffle. ^
Kudos to all for listening to me talking with my speech impairment. I trust I didn't disturb others with my coughing, etc but I do not have any choice as I can't swallow or eat/drink by mouth. I enjoyed discussing points/miles, etc. I had to write down on paper but I trust the information was helpful. I got alot out of all the talks & "side" discussions on points/miles, etc.
As always, the talks were very interesting and NEVER a dull moment. Even with a tornado warning, I enjoyed overhearing points/miles discussion.
I took home 3 apples (Jonathan) from one of the boxes on Sunday afternoon. My wife had one apple and she enjoyed eating it. ^ I grew up on Michigan apples as I grew up in Michigan until I graduated college in 1980.
To everybody that gave me advice on medical stuff (and encourgement in that area--a BIG thank you!!!). My procedure is set for this next Tuesday, Oct 23. I hope it will be good news!
My return flights on Monday afternoon went out on time and I was hoping for a $400 VDB voucher on the ORD-SLC flight but it didn't happen. At least I had the whole row (3 seats) on the RJ to myself.
Can't wait until next year and I am glad it is back at the same hotel.
A big THANK YOU to the organizers/volunteers for putting on a GREAT conference!!
I even won something in the raffle. ^
Oct 17, 2012, 10:57 pm
#546
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NW OH
Programs: DL PM/KM, AC *G, AS MVP-100K
Posts: 829
Oh, and funnel cakes.
Seriously, many thanks to the team for the time spent in organizing the event. It was great!
Oct 17, 2012, 11:03 pm
#547
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,185
Oct 18, 2012, 12:58 am
#548
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Most at varying levels of elite-ness.
Posts: 41
Great to meet a few and take in all that was this year's event. Cheers to the success of many more!
Oct 18, 2012, 3:01 am
#549
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
Programs: UA: 1K, HH: Diamond
Posts: 1,330
Excellent! Sounds like I (had to) miss a great convention. Good news is that the same event we had to go to is the week before next year. ^
Oct 18, 2012, 8:58 am
#550
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,113
Oct 18, 2012, 10:44 am
#551
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Willow Grove, PA USA
Posts: 204
The stay points and bonuses posted for my 2 nights at the Holiday Inn, Elk Grove. I earned a total of 15,527 Priority Club points. How many points did you earn?
Qualifying Nights
2
Earning Details
2,018 pts.
1,009 pts.
ELITE MEMBER NEXT STAY BONUS
3,000 pts.
ELITE MEMBER NEXT STAY BONUS
3,000 pts.
1,000 BONUS POINTS FOR 60 DAYS
1,000 pts.
ANNIVERSARY BONUS OFFER
1,000 pts.
WELCOME BACK BONUS
1,500 pts.
NEXT STAY BONUS
1,500 pts.
NEW MEMBER BONUS PROMOTION
1,500 pts.
Qualifying Nights
2
Earning Details
2,018 pts.
1,009 pts.
ELITE MEMBER NEXT STAY BONUS
3,000 pts.
ELITE MEMBER NEXT STAY BONUS
3,000 pts.
1,000 BONUS POINTS FOR 60 DAYS
1,000 pts.
ANNIVERSARY BONUS OFFER
1,000 pts.
WELCOME BACK BONUS
1,500 pts.
NEXT STAY BONUS
1,500 pts.
NEW MEMBER BONUS PROMOTION
1,500 pts.
Last edited by yesletsski; Oct 18, 2012 at 10:58 am
Oct 18, 2012, 12:43 pm
#552
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,113
Oct 18, 2012, 1:05 pm
#553
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Willow Grove, PA USA
Posts: 204
Priority Club Bonus Promotion Codes
In preparation for our stay at the host hotel or other Priority Club hotels in the area, I did a blog post about the Priority Club bonus point promotions with the four digit codes. Here is the link. http://frugaltravellawyer.com/2012/0...ts-chicago-do/ Please let me know if there are other codes to add to the list.
Looking forward to seeing everyone next month!
In preparation for our stay at the host hotel or other Priority Club hotels in the area, I did a blog post about the Priority Club bonus point promotions with the four digit codes. Here is the link. http://frugaltravellawyer.com/2012/0...ts-chicago-do/ Please let me know if there are other codes to add to the list.
Looking forward to seeing everyone next month!
Oct 18, 2012, 9:44 pm
#554
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Boise, ID
Programs: Virtuoso
Posts: 617
Thank you to Rick and team! I had a great time at my first official FT event. I even reconnected with someone I attended college with! It was a great time and I hope to go next year. The weather did cause for quite the delay in my flight home - I was already scheduled for a 9 pm departure and it was almost 11 pm before we left. Needless to say, I didn't get much work done on Monday!
Oct 19, 2012, 9:35 pm
#555
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NY burbs
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, MR Silver, HH Diamond.
Posts: 101
sorry to be redundant, but it was a great event and I am already looking forward to next year!
Thank you to everyone who made this such a great weekend - even the tornado warning made it special...
Thank you to everyone who made this such a great weekend - even the tornado warning made it special...