Doesn't mean much, but right before CO announced US did sign a five-year extension with Star.

Which is the shoddiest of the Rust-Belt states? Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania?

I agree, but from a reward perspective, NH TPAC C is much easier to come by than SQ C. Intra-Asia SQ C is much easier, however. Given the launch of the new SQ C on so many North American routes, I assume that reasonably priced (in reward terms) SQ C availability will be increasingly difficult to find.

Depends in what area.

Michigan is pretty rusty.

Regarding the 5 year Star Extension for US, means very little.

Michigan is the worst off economically despite that it has more Fortune 500 companies headquartered there than Ohio or Pennsylvania. Michigan now has double-digit unemployment, and Ohio is not far behind. I think that Pennsylvania may be slightly better off economically than Ohio at this point, but I would have to look at the data to back it up. Ohio has diversified itself sufficiently such that the cities are not completed rotten, but it has not moved away from manufacturing and automotive to escape general economic malaise.

Over the last few years, I have been astounded by how bad the roads in Ohio have become. Everywhere you go, the roads are littered with giant potholes and crumbling edges. This applies to many portions of the interstates, as well. Michigan always has had terrible roads, as far as I can remember. This is especially true in and around Detroit. Two of the reasons for the crappy roads are the repeated freeze/thaw cylces experienced during the winter, and heavy snow-plowing. Add to that the corrupt local construction contractors whom the states overpay to pave the roads each year, and the roads become third-worldy.

The closest analog to this in our region is Louisiana. Abysmal roads and rampant cronyism/corruption. That place is a true Banana Republic. They make a mean drive-through daiquiri, though. Perhaps Michigan should look into legalizing drive-through daiquiri huts... opiate of the masses, and all that.

As SQ adds more A380s and the A330s , this will free up more 77W to retire the 747s, in which case the New C product should be more widespread and thus will have to be released on a larger scale to *A members for rewards.

I would say that, roughly, Michigan = Louisiana and Ohio = Mississippi. In reality, however, I think that in many respects, Michigan and Ohio are still better off than those two states. Ohio still has very good health care available in many areas (especially Cleveland), whereas healthcare in Louisiana is virtually nonexistent.

But it will still cost twice as much, so why bother redeeming when you can spend half the amount on NH C (unless one has oodles and oodles of miles).

Actually, Louisiana has one of the largest and most comprehensive Charity Hospital systems in the nation. There is abundant free medical care (for folks on Medicaid) at ten hospitals in the state, within about an hour's drive of nearly all Louisiana's residents.

One "good" thing about Ohio is that in many areas, housing costs literally next to nothing. I know of people who recently have purchased houses for $500, $1400, $5000, $12,000, and a "really nice" one for $60k. You could buy an entire street in some neighborhoods for $100k. If you spend $200k or $220k, you can live in communities that would cost at least four or five times that in more prosperous areas of the country.

I did not realize that.

That calls for photos. :D

No I meant if that is the only product they offer it will have be released at the current * A rates ,
Unless the whole *A bumps up the charts or introduces a new double level

SJU
 

Have any of you vacationed in SJU? I didn't find many good SPG options, but the Caribe Hilton looks pretty nice. Has anyone been there?

As I watch it snow this afternoon in CLE, I got a great vacation deal email from CO, and for a whopping 238 we can fly RT to SJU.

I think it is time to go someplace warm and sunny :)