Kinglobjaw's Blog

So I’m sitting in the Star Alliance Lounge in at the Los Angeles International Airport and thinking about my favorite Phoenix trip past-time. I have to tell you, one of the reasons I decided to go to Phoenix before the Africa trip was to check-out the recently renovated JW Marriott Camelback Inn. The Camelback Inn renovation introduced Arizona to a fantastic Steakhouse whose locations usually dominate the East Coast. The steakhouse, you ask? BLT.

By no means, will this be a professionally written restaurant review, but I’m hoping that my very positive experience could possibly serve as a reccomendation for a pleasant steakhouse dining experience. I’ll be blunt, you have most likely never been to such a unique steakhouse.

Basically, the dining experience is not only about enjoying a delicious piece of meat, but it’s all about customizing and trying new things. Along with your cut of meat, you have the option of selecting many  steak sauces and enjoying every single piece of meat with a different sauce. I have to say, it was very fancy and I enjoyed comparing the many options. I didn’t order the steak, barbeque or mustard sauces since I’ familiar with those, but I tried chimichura (brazillian w/ olive oil), peppercorn, bouilabaisse. red wine sauce and blue cheese. The red wine sauce was my favorite! Alongside the 12 oz. piece of well done filet mignon, it was a match made in heaven.

Side dishes are shared, which reminded me of an Asian restaurant. I really enjoyed that option since I could try many more sides and regulate the amount of each that I ate. Since my excersize and healthy eating “regime” I bestowed upon myself, I opted for veggie sides: glazed carrots, grilled asparagus, creamy spinach. I also tried mashed potatoes and and potatoes au gratin with gruyere, which my parents ordered. All great sides. One interesting bit- they also serve a side dish of cactus fries. And that’s no nickname! Those are actual fries made from a cactus. I’m assuming this is only a specialty served in Scottsdale.

Unfortunately, no room for dessert after this meal, but I’m sure one can look forward to something creative and unique.

Visit BLT Restaurants online.

Here’s me dining with my folks at BLT. Notice how full our table is!

I normally don’t write restaurant reviews, but I still hope this helps.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Currently staying at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn until Monday, before I leave for my Africa journey. In the hollywood world, one could say- this is a pre-party prior to the main event.

I’m on a $90 AAA rate which is a fantastic deal, even better than at the IC Montelucia.

We got upgraded to a room w/ a double balcony (one is actually so big’, it’s a patio/terrace).

One quirk was a resort fee which was unexplained during the booking process. A few weeks later, Marriott finally published what was included in the $25-per-night resort fee:

RATE PROGRAM FACTS **

Daily resort fee includes the following amenities ($150 value)

*High speed internet and wireless internet in guest rooms

*Unlimited local and domestic long distance calls

*Use of the resort’s recreational amenities including

-Unlimited range balls for driving range, chipping, putting

-Use of Callaway golf clubs while on the driving range

-Use of Callaway golf shoes while on the driving range

-50pct off Callaway golf club rental when buying round of golf

-$25 rounds of golf including greens fees, club and cart rental

(space available basis)

-Shuttle service from resort to golf course

-Use of 5 lighted tennis courts

-Complimentary two hour bicycle rental (upon availability)

*Complimentary breakfast, lunch or dinner for children 12 or

under with each adult ordering off the regular menu

*One complimentary dinner appetizer daily with purchase of equal

or greater value, per room, in either BLT Steak, Rita’s Kitchen

or R-Bar

*15pct off retail purchases in resort, spa and golf pro shops

Since I have my own  aircard for internet and a cell phone, I knew, I wouldn’t use the internet or calling. As for the other “offerings”, I knew point blank I would definitely NOT be using them. I just came for a little rest & relaxation and I was upset that aside from the room rate, it would cost me $25 extra per night to do that.

I was surprised how easily and without protest the front desk staff removed the resort fee and thanked me for returning to the property! Here I was, preparing a speech and a print out of how next-door brand-new competitor IC Montelucia waived resort fees, when it was a simple as asking the staff to have it removed!

A final comment! I have to say, the property looks great after the renovation! I’m heading to BLT Steak for dinner tonight- menu looks delicious. No dessert however, hehe! My only wish is for a second, larger pool.

Happy 4th of July!

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Just got a letter from US Airways MasterCard informing me that my card has been upgraded to Dividend Miles Select benefits. This is really nothing more than a snazzy way to tell me that I have two new benefits associated with my card. Benefits that make this great card a truly awesome and one of a kind airline miles card. Very similar to what Continental does with one of their credit cards by waiving bag fees for card holders. No bag fees waived here, which I don’t really care about since I already hold Preferred status, thus all my bags fly free.  Here’s what I can look forward to:

• A 5,000 mileage discount on all award tickets booked. This would indicate that a Domestic Saver coach award round-trip would cost 20,000 miles instead of 25,000
• Award processing fee waiver which equals to $ savings

I don’t feel like going over the full rules and restrictions, but I’ve attached a detailed scan of the brochure. It’s large and clear enough so you can read through all the rules here (2.2MB size).

Here’s a smaller version of the front and the back of the brochure,

Unfortunately, there isn’t a promo code one can mention when calling US Airways, so it’ll take some time for an agent to locate information for the new benefits. Involving a supervisor would be the best procedure, for now at least. A supervisor was able to assist and pull up information quickly, while a basic agent told me he never heard of this before, which is understandable given the benefits haven’t even started.

My Mom also carries this card, but hasn’t received this letter yet. I’m wondering if I should call Barclays bank to find out whether she is also a DM Select card holder.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Before we take a look at the goodies inside, I have to say that this is by far one of the nicest elite membership kits I’ve seen so far. Granted, I had to dish out $150 for Ambassador status ($100 is for renewing every year), but the benefits associated with this tier as well as the 5,000 points and free night certificate are definitely worth it. Since a majority of my stays this summer will be at InterContinenental hotels, I figured it made perfect sense to sign up now. Plus, the 5,000 points boost will help me get closer to re-qualifying for Platinum status for 2010 since all points earned part of this program qualify you for elite status. A very unique and refreshing characteristic to this program.

I was only expecting a letter with a plastic card in it, but never an actual boxed kit. I always thought of the IHG hotels family as the cheapest (I mean quality-wise, not price) of the major chain families since very few hotels have lounges and almost all phone agent positions are outsourced, albeit friendly. Still, I was pleasantly surprised when I received this today:

Luggage tag close up (notice that it’s not plastic, but heavy duty metal):

Free night certificate for one weekend night with the purchase of one additional weekend night (no blackout dates or restrictions, expires 1 year from date of issue):

For more information on the IC Ambassador program, click here. Another limited time benefit is free internet for Ambassador members at select InterContinental properties until July 31, 2009.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Check out the SkyTrax 2009 Top Airport list. I’m surprised Singapore didn’t rate higher on the list! Then again, I haven’t been to Seoul’s Incheon airport yet, but it looks nice.

That said I’m pleased to report I’ll be transiting through Zurich and Munich which are voted #4 and #5 on the list.

I haven’t been to Zurich before, but I’ve been to Munich twice and I can see why it made the list. It’s a very clean airport with a simple layout and elegant design. Enough said.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

As I mentioned this morning, I was able to visit United’s Red Carpet Club which opened in June of 2008 at Chicago’s O’Hare airport. I had to leave the airport earlier than expected, so I wasn’t able to enjoy a full, planned, 3 hour stay, but I managed to snap a few pictures from both the outside and inside of the lounge.

While the lounge is nice, the views are very poor:

Before I left, a quick look at the busy Lufthansa gates:

Overall, I thought the United B18 club at O’Hare was much nicer than the one at the F concourse, but the staff was very rude. Still, they didn’t card me and gave me two drink “chits”. For those who are new to this concept, it’s basically a drink voucher or ticket which entitles you to one free alcoholic drink at the bar. However, for Lufthansa international Business & First class passengers, the amenities could be considered dismal! Lufthansa needs to open their own branded lounge at this airport. Until that happens, I don’t plan to route any of my international Lufthansa departures from Chicago O’Hare.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

I’m heading to the airport today, but I’m not flying anywhere or buying any tickets. I’m also not picking anyone up or dropping anyone off! Technically, that is! I’m escorting someone through security, getting them to a lounge and finally to a gate.

I haven’t done this before, but for the first time in my life, I purchased a fully refundable Y class ticket for a Lufthansa flight going to Dusseldorf, Germany with a full intention of canceling said ticket, once I’ve done my good (or some may say naughty) deed of the day.

The plan- a simple one:

1. Get my friend checked in with Lufthansa
2. Escort us both through security
3. Go to United’s one-year-old B18 Red Carpet Club and relax for a while
4. Head to gate B16 and send her off to Dusseldorf
5. Call Lufthansa and cancel ticket for a full refund

I’ll also try to get some pictures of United’s B18 lounge and hopefully post them on the blog while in the lounge. Apparently, United only offers free wifi for members and business/first class passengers, but I’m good with my Sprint Treo 800w tethering internet to my Dell Mini 9.

I don’t know why, but I’m really nervous when it comes to purchasing fully refundable tickets. I’m afraid they will find some reason to deny a full refund, but it looks good from where I stand today. Hopefully, the cancellation process goes smoothly and quickly since I will be canceling after already checking-in. I also want my $1516 refunded to my credit card in a fair amount of time- before my statement comes to a close.

Another fun day at the aiport.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Ever day at the gym, I can’t help but notice ABC’s various commercials that mix in characters from multiple shows. I’m sure it’s been done before, but I love this approach and find it very catchy since there’s something for everyone. US Airways did this sort of thing with their US Airways/ different brands commercials, just like their west coast predecessor- America West Airlines. Remember this?

How about taking it up a notch? Wouldn’t it be neat for alliance carriers to partner up and do this sort of thing? Instead of house it could be airport. Ads could involve humor and promote coordination between member carriers. Check out what ABC did? Very clever, and Sally Field with Jimmy Kimmel is over-the-top hilarious.

And now for the full house…

Brilliant, in my opinion!

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

US Airways Chairman’s, Platinum, Gold and Silver members now earn a preferred mileage bonus on all Lufthansa flights.

A 5,806 miles one way L.A. to Frankfurt nonstop will earn a different bonus for each tier:

• Chairman’s (100% bonus) – an additional 5,806 miles per direction
• Platinum (75% bonus)- an additional 4,355 miles per direction
• Gold (50% bonus)- an additional 2,903 miles per direction
• Silver (25% bonus)- an additional 1,452 miles per direction

Keep in mind, these bonus miles don’t count towards Preferred status requalification. They are only redeemable miles for future award redemptions.

I always thought Lufthansa flights should be part of the Preferred bonus. Aside from United, Lufthansa is the second closest partner US Airways has! For a while, the bonus was also offered on all ANA, but I have no clue as to how ANA was picked by US Airways. That said, ANA no longer participates in the preferred bonus. Neither does Hawaiian Airlines.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Charlotte, NC to Honolulu nonstop on US Airways is supposed to start in November 2009. The extra 767 for this route will come from one of the three now officially downgraded to seasonal European routes (Brussels, Milan, Zurich). Apparently, this will be a seasonal route that will operate until Summer 2010 and resume in fall 2010 again. It will most likely affect Delta’s nonstop 747 service from Atlanta, GA to Honolulu, HI.

Charlotte, NC to Honolulu, HI. 4,678 miles.

I will definitely take this flight into consideration when I go to Kauai next year. I’m assuming the meal service will be lunch or dinner followed by pre-arrival snack westbound, while the east bound will most likely offer dinner, followed by breakfast prior to landing. That’s in First Class, of course. In coach, I’m going to guess that meal service will be complementary to compete with Delta.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark