Meet in Miami
 

An evening on Live Chat has prompted an impromptooo doo in Miami the weekend of Jan 19-21st, 2001.

The new Mandarin-Oriental is opening in 2 days and they are offering a special intro rate of $180.00 per night and 5000 AAdvantage bonus miles.

So far the attendees are

TW
Burkey
Svpii

Feel free to join in!

TW

As Tolarian said, the $180 promo rate is available, and since they are a new partner in the AAdvantage program, 5k bonus miles for a stay.

For you East Coasters, US & Airtrain started a sale yesterday, about $130 to FLL.

See you there!

I'm peeking out of the land of banishment to encourage all of you to consider Southern Florida in late January http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Warm, beautiful.. and a GREAT rate at a spectacular new hotel! Just the three of us right now - come on guys!

Think you will have chosen a president for us by then???

I can't promise about the president but this year the Super Bowl is somewhere else so I can pretty much promise no riots!

TW

I know there a several Southern Florida FT'rs on the boards. There is no requirement that you overnight in Miami.

How about joining us for dinner Saturday night?

hope we hear from you!

TW

FARE SALE---

Midway has launched a fare sale, $98 r/t to FLL, and some others have followed. Now's the time to book!

Count me in for dinner. I live in Palm Beach and I would love to attend..please explain times and dates for dinner. Thanks

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MRKEY

Speaking of dinner, I've heard that The Forge is excellent. I would be totally up for that.

I will be flying into MIA (via IAD) on 1/16 and heading back out to PDX on 1/23. I would love to attend for dinner but I will actually be visiting my parents in Boca Raton during this time and will be carless. If anyone is driving south for dinner, is there any chance that I could snag a ride to MIA for the event?

Essxjay, does this mean you were able to obtain that great $221 fare on UA last week? If so, what are your travel dates? I am taking flights 920 and 1915 on 1/16 and flights 1226 and 215 on 1/23.

Well, as it just so happens, it looks like I might be in MIA the evening of the 20th ...

More to come ...

Larry, I didn't snag that fare. Didn't have a reason to until I saw this thread. It's starting to sound like I may have to go fare shopping.

www.ual.com is currently listing 451.54 for my flights BUT I was still able to find the $221 fare a few minutes ago! The catch is that you need to fly into FLL, which is not a big deal, but the real problem is that the outbound flight from PDX is a redeye through ORD. More reasonable departure times are commanding a higher fare. If you dislike redeyes, it might make sense to fly to MIA and then return from FLL; I would presume that you would then be able to obtain a fare midway between the two. One other caveat is that I checked for midweek (i.e. Tuesday) departures; I would imagine that weekend fares are a bit higher. I'll try to check this out for you via the "good" version of United Connection when I am off the net.

LarryU.. I am coming down I-95 past Boca ad would be more than happy to give you a ride Sat. night. E-mail me for my phone #. It should be fun!

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MRKEY

Looks like I will be in Miami that weekend - seems it's about time I re-insert myself in the FT community http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Essxjay, I just played with the good version of United Connection a bit and found the $221 fare at some reasonable times. Using 1/17 and 1/24 (both Wednesdays as an example), the following flights might work for you:

Outbound
-------------
#730 PDX->ORD 10:18A->4:02P A320
#794 ORD->FLL 6:25P->10:20P 757

A red eye is also available.

Return
---------
#269 FLL->ORD 12:14P->2:31P 757
#463 ORD->PDX 3:40P->6:08P A320

A later flight is also available.

These fares seem to be good Tue, Wed, Thu so if time is limited, you could probably head out Thu and return Tue. I'll send you an email with the same info.

Don't forget PBI as an alternate.. If your driving anyway its just one big highway here!

TW

I am providing links to reviews on some restaurants.

Please vote on them or suggest others.

Norman's http://www.zagat.com/search/detail.a...ner=0&ID=20860

The Forge http://www.zagat.com/search/detail.a...ner=0&ID=23147

Joe's Stone Crab http://www.zagat.com/search/detail.a...ner=0&ID=20829

Pacific Time http://www.zagat.com/search/detail.a...ner=0&ID=21539


Just a start.. Unless people agree on one of these right away.

TW

At the moment, the super low fares for UA only seem to be available via FLL, not MIA or PBI. They WERE available about two weeks ago for MIA but seem to have vanished.

Have any of you tried Gibby's in Fort Lauderdale? Not as fancy as some of the other options but the prime ribs/steak/seafood seem to be of a decent and reliable quality and I believe we might be able to obtain a private room, depending on how many people decide to attend. The blue haired crowd should be gone by early evening.

Whatever the choice, may I suggest that we seek out an establishment with a relatively low noise level. A few options, such as Pacific Time, may require a bit of shouting. Joe's Stone Crab may necessitate a considerable wait, except perhaps at lunch.

I am personally not a big fan of Gibby's. The food is, as you say, reliable. The service is fine, and to truly avoid the early bird crowd, dinner would have to be after 8.

With all the fine restaurants in Miami and the Gables, I wouldn't drive up to Lauderdale for Gibby's... I dont often go the 10 miles from my house there!

So, based on the first comments. I would rule out Pacific and, unless people want the Joe's, thats out too.

I have eaten at Norman's, and while certainly not cheap, it is really excellent!

Just my 2 cents.

TW

[This message has been edited by Tolarian Wind (edited 12-20-2000).]

Might be an interesting early mileag run. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Brent and everyone, I know you all been asking if I could go. Unfortunately I cannot because I will be on the road thru much of that weekend.

Have fun and have a Key Lime Pie for me.

...thinking about going. and bringing my golf clubs in my new aa.com travel golf bag.

Does anyone know Van Dyke's? My admin mgr, who lived in MIA for years, says it's cool, good food, and has a jazz bar upstairs...

Punki - please DO come - I'd love to meet you!!

I too have heard good things about Van Dyke's..Come one, come all to MIA! I am looking forward to meeting all of you.

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MRKEY

Here is the Zagat link for Van Dyke
http://www.zagat.com/search/detail.a...ner=0&ID=21521

TW

So far I have as a yes

Burkey
Svpii
MRKEY
LarryU
Jim_B

And as maybe

Beckles
Essxjay

And as a really remote maybe

Comicwoman
Punki

I don't think MRKEY is a 'YES' anymore, unless you want to move the party to India:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/003887.html


By the way, is there anyone else driving down from somewhere north of MIA with whom I can hitch a ride from the Boca vicinity?

Sorry TW, but LarryU is right..I have to miss another FT dinner...darn..I really wanted to attend...This great trip to India and Nepal came up and I couldn't refuse it...but I'll be there in spirit !

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MRKEY

[This message has been edited by MRKEY (edited 01-03-2001).]

I'm pretty sure I'll be there, and Nancy will probably be with me too ...

I have made reservations for Norman's on Saturday at 7:30PM.

If there are any objections let me know as I have to provide my CC for confirmation.
http://www.zagat.com/search/detail.a...ner=0&ID=20860

TW

Norman's sounds just super to me and I can't wait !! I'm so looking forward to meeting some new friends http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Mr. svpii - aka David - will be with me! He needs to meet the source of my cyber-obsession http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by svpii (edited 01-06-2001).]

It looks less and less likely that I will make it down that weekend. If I do make it, it won't be until Saturday, with a Sunday return. Ugh.

alas, that's my schedule as well - and I think also Burkey's.. this is a real turn around, but a night in a beautiful hotel, a great dinner, and the opportunity to meet some new friends. I don't arrive until 11-ish Sat AM, but don't leave until early evening Sunday.

I am soooo jealous!

Dinner is Saturday night I thought, right? Nancy and I will be arriving Friday night (late) and leaving Sunday (driving to Key West).

Aaargh -- I just saw this thread. I'm doing a mileage run that weekend, scheduled to arrive FLL Saturday 1/20 evening at 7:19 pm. I'd like to try and join you but I don't know how long it's going to take me to get my car and find my way to you. Save me a seat, though!

[This message has been edited by TravelLover (edited 01-09-2001).]

I'm gonna enjoy this! I noticed a wonderful fois gras on the menu - I'm betting there's a beautiful Sauterne to accompany it.. now for the main course selection...