Well, ok, actually 24 hours on the ground. Yet, another CMR, on the path to EXP status with AA.

Based upon the information posted by MazdaMP on the Mileage Run forum, I found on Site59 a last minute weekend trip including flight and hotel from SFO to ZRH, for $460 all in. The routing was not my prefered SFO-DFW-ZRH-DFW-SFO, which provides more mileage and usually, easier UPG's. But the SFO-JFK-ZRH-JFK-SFO flights were all upgraded, after three calls to the Platinum desk and one call back by a supervisor, as there was a question about the fare not being UPG'able, as it was an S fare. Once the supervisor called me back, and I read her the StarFile info from the VIPOW's I was planning on using (thanks to RTWSTARALLIANCE's referral,) the international segments UPG'd the next day. The domestic segments UPG's the day before the flights.

Friday, 10/31 SFO-JFK, AA 44: I drove to SFO and parked at ParkSFO, (I had a 2 free day coupon through Club ParkSFO,) and arrived at the airport about 6:30am, since I had no luggage to check. The First class/Business class line was longer than usual, all of three people. The agent was in a nun costume and was cheerful for that hour of the morning. She took no time at all completing my record with the UPG's so that I would have no problems in ZRH, and printed my boarding passes for the outbound flights. A small line at TSA with the priority side being slightly shorter so went through that way. And off to the AC to watch some news (none of which was good,) until 7:30am when they announced boarding.

Seat 8A in Business on a 762 (the 3 class one with the woolly mammooth's in FC.) A bit bumpy on the way out of town as there was a storm front for the weekend; in all a good time to be leaving town. The meal was breakfast, so they said. Actually, omlettes or scrambled eggs with fruit (I'll never understand who chose grapefruit as the breakfast fruit of choice. It's too bitter and when taken with coffee, can be upsetting.) The papaya was flavorful and the scrambled eggs just all right. I gave up all expectations regarding food on domestic airlines. A quick nap and some mindless entertainment, Alex & Emma. Little was I to know, this was Kate Hudson weekend on AA, as they had many of her movies available. The 762 is not my favorite, as the seat is narrower, as is the cabin, than the 777, but at least it wasn't a 757. Anyway, early arrival in JFK with one of the most breathtaking approaches, after we saw NJ, CT, RI, LI and maybe parts of upstate NY. But the final approach was spectatular, the sky and sea being excellent complementing shades of blue, with wisps of clouds and ripples in the water bringing to reality an impressionist's dream. There was a gate to park at without delay. Off to the AC in T9 for the 1 1/2 hour layover.

Friday 10/31, JFK-ZRH, AA 64: Seat 5D in "Business" class on a 763. In my opinion AA is making a mistake with their 2 class service and poor Business class product. AA is going to have an uphill battle getting more than a Yup fare for these seats, about $2600 RT. But then, it beats sitting in coach and for $460 for the flight plus hotel, and of course, 2 VIPOW's, I'll take it. One hour sitting on the plane at the gate, due to an electrical problem, the FA bell keeps going off and the FAA says, the FA's must be able to properly communicate, blah, blah, blah, etc, etc, etc. Beavis and Butthead are our guest electricians (they didn't bother brings tools or a flash light the first trip and had to come back when better prepared.) They decided that the problem was in the AB side seats in Business so they "disconnected" that group of seats. Seemed to solve the dinging problem. Of course, what they did was cross the wires so that my light switch turned on 4A's light and my light was controlled my a sadistic passenger in 5H. Oh yeah, and my seat 5D, wouldn't recline without my getting out of the seat and coaxing it up or down. Business class was full so deal with it. Finally off, warm nuts and a bloody Mary and then FEBO rears its ugly head. My first two choices, grilled chicken with rice and veges-gone. Filet of beef-gone. It's lamb or high carb's. The lamb was bitter and they used lemon slices as garnish. Bad mistake. I offered to send them my mother's lamb recipe, but as a stopgap, recommended garlic. Reinforced my maxim re airline food. At least the salad was good, with a nice selection of veges for the salad prep. The salad tray service is a good idea. The DVD pack had some great older movies, but there was Kate Hudson in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days just begging to be watched. After instructing my cabin mate seated next to me on the proper method and location of the DVD player (I also prefer the less intrusive IFE, even with its inflexible schedule, on the 777,) and it's controls, I was off to sleep with Kate trying her best to keep my attention. With only 24 hours on the ground, this was my chance to get with the proper Zurich time/space zone I was soon to enter, and sleep prevailed. The FA woke me from a sound sleep with 1 1/2 hours to landing to feed me breakfast. Fruit and juice, with cereal and a croissant. Better than the lamb. Landing about 15 minutes later than scheduled was a remarkable feat of scheduling on AA's parts as the pilot was on a fuel economy run, so no extra fuel burn to make up for the late TO. Or so he said. Anyway, arrived at the new terminal at gate 70 and walked through the airport to an ATM and out to the hotel shuttle, in less than 15 minutes. Forgot to mention that AA moved to the new terminal in September. Swiss Air lounge near departures, airside, and Allegra Lounge on lower level, arrival side.

Saturday, 11/1, Renaissance Zurich. The shuttle operates frequently, even on Saturday. So little wait and as I had faxed the hotel that I would be arriving early, no sense calling to hear about their check-in time and policy, or let them ignore an e-mail message, I checked in and my room was ready all before 9am. Great view of what at first looked to be a nuclear reactor or power plant. Turned out to be decorations at the auto dealer next door. Given the possibility that I was suffering from the heartbreak of jet lag and its debilitating effects, plus, having been on a plane for over 14 hours, I decided a shower was in order.

I decided to pick up a car at Hertz, nearby, with a reservation I had made through the Gold site before I left. The alternative was take the hotel shuttle for CF20 to town and get dropped off near the main hauptbahnhof where I would need to deal with taxi's or other transportation issues. The CF62 for the rental car appeared the best choice. Pick up the car and off to the museum to check out the Water Lilies. They had moved this painting to a different room so you don't get the same perspective, but still fantastic. Zurich has the perfect museum. You don't have to spend three days walking, standing, sitting, like at the Louvre (though I did have the CondeNast "45 minutes through the Louvre," guide, showing the quick tour for the art challenged.) The modern art and impressionists collection is remarkable and a relaxing stroll. Afterwards, walked down the hill to the lake/river and sat while eating a brat, to map out the plan for the day. It's All Saint's Day and Zurich is packed. No parking in the shopping area, according to the many displays, which show the "frei" spaces at each nearby parking garage. I get back to the car and drive around town, hoping to find the elusive available parking space, after all, how much more difficult can it be than the SF Bay Area, the pergatory of parking. Well it's bad and after spending more time driving in circles, I decide to park out past the Marriott and walk to the Bahnhofstrasse for a little shopping and fresh air. It's a beautiful day in Zurich, crisp, cool but mild and the sun is coming out. After a stroll, I decide to shop at the COOP grocery store, near the river, on the way back to the car, for snacks and drinks and take them back to the room. I grab the map (a reflex reaction as I have driven this route more times than I care to recount,) and take off for Luzern, about 50 km away, though the traffic is difficult getting through Zurich to get to the new freeway to Luzern. Once there, peace and tranquility. The only dispruption in this tranquil setting is the fact that the Chateau Gutsch is closed. A hand printed sign on the front entrance announces its closing but gives little details. Either that or I have lost my German. Considering I only had eight weeks in Berlitz and 5 years of regular travel to Germany, usually with Wolfgang, my German wasn't too good to start with. But back to the Gutsch. A shame as this is one of the best romantic castle hotels in all of Europe. The problem probably stems from the poor economy and their bone head decision years ago to convert their "dungeon" restaurant, with panoramic views of the lake, from traditional Swiss cuisine to "California" cuisine. It was good the last time we ate there (the S.O. and I were there 1999/2000 when they reopened after conversion,) just not the same effect. So, it's off to town and check out the damage to the old covered wooden bridge. It has been rebuilt but many of the original artwork plaques were damaged so they have not been replaced. Walk the pedestrian zone and check out the shops, many of which were closed, and come to the small Picasso museum, which has a good collection of drawings and books used for his drafts and designs. Not like the Picasso house in Antibes, but I'll go there next trip.

Anyway, by this time, I'm ready for a nap, so a quick drive back to Zurich and the hotel. I decide to turn the car back that night so I drop it off about 8pm and check out the airport shops near the Hertz desk, in the older terminal. Decided I needed a sim chip for my GSM phone so I can use that for calls back home, as my new Sprint service does not work over there, unlike my T-Mobile service, which did. Swiss Com wants CF120 for 80 units, essentially CF1.1 per minute to the US so about US$.70/minute. Not as good for intra Europe calls as they are at CF1/minute, but good in any European country without roaming charges, so about what I expected.

Renissance Zurich: As posted on the Marriott forum, why can't hotels realize that they are bedrooms first and entertainment centers and showcases second. The beds were awful, hard as a board. Still, I'm tired and sleep until 5am when I decide it's time to get back to SF time.

How does, the story end? If you've read these stories before, it's always the return flights were the same or similar to the outbound, only the food changed. Swiss Air Lounge prior to departure (a lot of internet access there and fast,) limited food/snacks but lots of drinks. The same flight crew from ZRH-JFK on AA 65, on time arrival at JFK and return to SFO on AA 45 at 7:30 PM.

13,100 actual miles taking me to 85,000 for the year. One more CMR to go to EXP.

Bye for now.

[This message has been edited by rbAA (edited 11-04-2003).]

You say C was full JFK to Zurich. Do u have any idea of Y loads in both directions?

I was under a similar impression that the Site59 flights are not upgradeable. Was this due to the VIPOW or are they indeed upgradeable?

As the Site59 fare was an S fare, it is only UPG'able with the VIPOW, as the VIP03 and mileage UPG's specifically exclude S fares.