Kinglobjaw's Blog

Posts Tagged ‘dell’

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

What has Windows XP SP 3, an 8.9 inch LCD screen and a full QWERTY type keyboard?

Answer:  A Dell Inspiron Mini 9! A truly blogable device that will even fit in smallest book bag or purse. They’re coming out with a 12, but if you want to keep it small, go with the 9. And while in the aviation world bigger is better and more fun, when you mix blog writing, laptops and travel- smaller does turn out to be wiser.

So it has been a while since I’ve talked to all you fine folks and I wanted to assure you I have not turned my back on you. What has changed? The last time you thought about me, I was 18- now not so much. 19 here and every flight I take less people consider me the “brat” who stole their last available upgrade seat. I sure miss those days!

What’s new, you ask?

A lot has happened since my few hours in PIT. Aside from fuel going sky high and falling down low, one of the best TV series fast forwarding 5 long years into the future, world’s longest all-business class legacy airline flight making it’s way from EWR to SIN and a few other things, I’m still good!

What’s coming, you ask?

I think my tiny photography hobby might be growing in the upcoming months. I’ve upgraded my simple digital point and shoot camera to the Canon EOS 50D. Get ready for some nicer, higher quality travel photos.

Back in September five airlines allocated in two opposing teams fought for the honor of giving up 2 of their highly coveted “O” and “I” class award seats in First/Business Class for Kinglobjaw’s 150,000 (X2) US Airways Dividend Miles Award from USA to Africa.

Team Europe included Lufthansa (LH) and Swiss Intl Airlines (LX) and offered a tempting LAX-FRA-MUC-ZRH-JNB-FRA-LAX which consisted of upper deck 747 First Class on 3 flights, a First Class Terminal visit in FRA, a ride on the rare A300, and exquisite Swiss hospitality service generations have raved about.

Team Asia which included ANA (NH), Singapore Airlines (SQ) and Thai International Airways (TG) offered an exotic ORD-NRT-BKK-JNB-BKK-NRT-ORD involved the elegant Japanease service, the warm and friendly Singapore Girl and the Royal Orchid service by Thai was another excellent choice. NH is known for delicious food and Thai’s First Class lounge at BKK is a true rival for Lufthansa’s FRA First Class terminal due to it’s Royal Orchid Spa.

The winner? Before the decision, only one airline knew it would win regardless of which of the above choices would be selected. Team Africa! Since, JNB isn’t the final destination, there is only one Star Alliance carrier that could fly me from JNB-MRU and back. South African Airways, I’m ready to try your Business Class.

Alright! Alright! You want to know what option was selected between the United States and JNB? Both choices were available in First Class all the way through to JNB, so this decision was tougher than most would expect. In the end Lufthansa and Swiss were chosen. Lufthansa’s ultra private upper deck First Class experience on the B747, the FRA First Class terminal and the option of flying Swiss is what made me choose the two carriers for the July 2009 trip. Plus, I’m dying to fly an A300, especially since Lufthansa is one of the oldest operators of the type and is slowly, but surely beginning to retire them. Therefore, I hope my flight won’t be downgraded to a narrow body. I want to save airlines SQ, NH, TG, and OZ for my next trip to Asia. To my readers, which option would you pick?

A) LAX-FRA (Lufthansa 747) + 1 night in FRA for Zzzz’s…
FRA-MUC (Lufthansa A300), MUC-ZRH (SWISS AVRO RJ100), ZRH-JNB (SWISS A340)

Return: JNB-FRA-LAX (Both 747’s on Lufthansa)

B) ORD-NRT (ANA 777) + 1 night in NRT for Zzzzz’s
NRT-BKK (Singapore Airlines 777), BKK-JNB (Thai A346)

Return: JNB-BKK (Thai A346), BKK-NRT (Thai 777), NRT-ORD (ANA 777)

What else is new, your ask? I’m planning a fun mileage run since I think I can find lower deals than the US Airways’ Buy Up to Preferred program.

I really want to try to find a deal to Seattle, WA (SEA). I love the city and I want to check out the Boeing museum. Plus, if I can get a free night at the Seattle Airport Marriott that would be fantastic. It is my favorite property near the SEA airport. Their indoor pool is amazing. Few airport properties in the USA are this nice. Marriott sure did an excellent job here. Enough with the words, sometimes pictures do indeed speak more than words.

Pretty long post, but totally worth it since I messed up big time by not posting for a few months. I’m really sorry about that, but I won’t forget this blog or my readers- I promise.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark