cur

before i got status i would hang out in front of a lounge and ask someone to +1 me in. i'm a ~30ish y/o male who dresses nice when he flies, and i find similarly aged and middle aged men will oblige 1/3 times. the other 2/3 they ignore/think i'm scamming them/look down on me/etc. women don't give me time of day, which is standard for me anyways. now that i am *g, i find randoms who look like they have spare time and i offer to +1 them in. again, i'd say 2/5 men i offer are happy and accept, i don't even bother with women because that creepy.

i don't think it's that nobody knows this, but i think a lot of people starting out, or veterans who lack status, lack the gumption to do this. the best analogy for this that i got is that this is like being a mormon on mission: be ready to be told no and get weird looks a lot. lol

ua wifi allows access to ua app (which has terminal maps but no food guidance)
and ua.com and ua partner websites like hertz, vacations, etc.
handy when your connection is going to bust and you need to evaluate other options.

ajGoes

What does "y/o" mean?

muji

I wondered the same.
Finally figured out that it meant "years old".

cur

i learned a new one tonight:

go to any otg concourse "restaurant" (those stupid restaurants that have those stupid ipads at every spot)
take advantage of the fact that the only human interaction is a human bringing you the food (because they haven't invented robots for that yet)
charge your gear
be left alone

alangore

And we all thought the smell was just New Jersey...

T2A

Good for you! I would totally 1+ anyone who asked nice and didn't look like a sleazeball.

tatterdema

Lol, I disagree with several of the OP's "tricks", but to each their own. I will start with....Never reserve a compact car, you might end up with one. Always check in again at the airport, better seats might have opened up since you left home. Always check your bags, you will spend less time waiting for them at the end than you will fighting your way through TSA and boarding issues.

Just a couple of things I do:
*Take a plug in air freshener with me, reminds me of home when I get to my hotel room.
*For longer stays in a city, check for hotels packages that include parking. Often for a small upcharge, the package will include parking for all nights, saving a bundle. Example, a recent "Holiday" package was $100 more total, and included the 5 nights of $50 per night parking.
*Text myself room number, parking stall number, wireless access code, etc.

darthbimmer

I'm actually amused by the advice, "Rent the smallest class car, probably you'll get a bigger car at no extra charge." First, like you point out, you may actually get a cramped, base-model car of the class you rented. Second, cars of a few sizes up from the smallest usually cost only a bit more than the smallest when reserved in advance. Sometimes the difference between classes is negligible, on the order of $1US per day. Thus my "secret" is to check all car classes when booking and reserve a larger car when cost effective.

pinniped

I always look at all car classes. I always start with a generic search with no coupon codes in Orbitz...sometimes you'll see a strange outlier. One agency with oddly cheap convertibles, another with an unusual rate for a luxury car, etc. Then go to that agency's site and unleash your stash of CDP/PC/coupon/promo codes to see how good you can get it.

Then, when you're done with that, go place a bid that nets out 25% less all in on Priceline. Get rejected. Know you did well with your own codes.

We have a Hawaii trip in March where the best deal was on a minivan. From Hertz, no less! Wasn't at all what I was looking for, but 4 people in the car...with golf clubs and other luggage...okay, we'll take a minivan.

I never expect free upgrades anymore. Not even with the various rental agency statuses, expedited rental programs, etc. Maybe if you really get to know a location's National Exec Select aisle well...but even then, the one time you really need it could be the time they don't have any big cars ready.

jrl767

pfffffft

<rant><tangent>

I almost always get Avis Preferred upgrades at LAX ... the problem is that work is in El Segundo, hotel is in El Seg or Manhattan/Hermosa/Redondo or Torrance, and the number of good sushi and beer places in South Bay keeps growing ... I've reserved a standard or intermediate, and I don't want or need a freakin' minivan or Ford Expedition for my six- or seven-mile trips in the morning and evening ... give me Sirius XM as an upgrade and I'd be really happy, but no, Avis has to give me an upsize

</rant></tangent>

Annalisa12

I've never checked in online.

Mr. Style

If work is paying for it anyway, I would just use Lyft or Uber and forget the rental car, especially when drinking beer. Be sure to try Phuket Thai in Redondo Beach - best Thai i've had anywhere (including Lotus of Siam which is called best in North America)

Mr. Style

I take a photo of the inside of the hotel key sleeve that has the room number and Wi-Fi access code on it, so I have it without having to carry that sleeve around that doesn't fit in my wallet. I used to tear it off and shove it in my wallet with my key card, but then if someone stole my wallet, they could get my room too.

Fraser

Proudelitist

I too used to swear by keeping my luggage with me and NEVER checking it. To me, it was only another line to stand in, and another at he other end waiting for the bags. Internationally or with connections, it was also safer. If there is a cancellation or major delay, at least I would have clean clothes with me.

But more recently I have changed my opinion on this. With the insane struggle for bin space and the poorsies poaching F bins as they head back to third class, it is just easier to check it. I am in less of a hurry than I used to be and it is much easier to get around the airport with just the carry on. Another 10 minutes at bag claim on the other end is no biggie.