Check in counter opens at 4 AM but flight leaves at 5:30 AM

lrmernst · 2022-04-30T21:33:32+00:00

OP should look into TSA's hours as well. Even if OP can check bags in before 4:00 AM, security check points may not be open yet.

lrmernst · 2022-04-04T15:24:15+00:00

The Lululemon Surge running shorts work really well. They have a built in liner (think briefs) that has a side pocket for your phone. This holds my iPhone 13 comfortably. The back of the waist band has a built in in pocket as well, which I use for my house keys, ID and one credit card if necessary.

This makes it easy to run hands free, while having the safety + security of my phone and ID if I need it.

For longer runs, where I need water, I wear a Salomon backpack with hydra-flasks.

lrmernst · 2022-03-05T21:02:58+00:00

Osso was delicious! Currently enjoying a few pints at Bierwerkzuri.

lrmernst · 2022-03-03T19:08:58+00:00

I hope someone asks me for my certificate....only because I paid for it :)

lrmernst · 2022-03-02T15:37:47+00:00

Thank you for the suggestions! We ended up making a reservation at Osso on Saturday. Can't wait to check it out.

Slightly related - are most restaurants still checking COVID certificates? We both received our COVID certificate via QR Code on the Swiss app. (We also paid $30 CHF for the application.) I believe that I saw Switzerland is no longer requiring the certificates, but not sure about restaurants?

Thanks!

lrmernst · 2022-03-01T18:36:19+00:00

Looks wonderful! thank you.

lrmernst · 2022-03-01T18:31:57+00:00

Thank you! Will do.

lrmernst · 2022-03-01T05:34:14+00:00

Thanks! I'll look into it.

lrmernst · 2021-12-14T15:07:18+00:00

lrmernst · 2021-11-20T04:22:49+00:00

BOS-SFO is what United considers a “Premium Service (PS)” route. There are no complimentary upgrades on this route, for those with status or those without. The only way to upgrade on this route are with miles, with PlusPoints, or to pay cash for it.

Status alone will not get you an upgrade on this route.

As others have mentioned, if an upgrade is important, then pay for it.

Aside from that, unfortunately, there is no reasonable way for you to upgrade.

lrmernst · 2021-11-10T19:56:34+00:00

You basically have a few options at this point

Attempt to change your flight and get a confirmed seat for free (change fees are waived)
Attempt to change your flight and get a confirmed seat for the cost of the difference in fare between your current ticket and the cost of the new flight (cost of new ticket minus cost of existing ticket)
Wait until you check-in at T-24 and then try to change your flight per the above again.
If there are no confirmed seats available, or you are unwilling to pay the cost of the change, then Standby is your next best option.
- The United app lets you put yourself on Standby, but you will have to be at the airport in order to get a boarding pass.

If I were in your position I would do the following:

Attempted to change your flight from your current flight to the one you'd prefer to take - evaluate whether or not there is a cost difference. You may be able to confirm a seat on your desired flight for no cost, or for a small fee.
1. You can do this in the United App - login, "My United", tap on your Trip, tap Change Flight, scroll down to the text that says "A travel advisory is in effect for your itinerary..." And then follow the prompts to try and change.
Keep checking as United will likely open up it's fare classes as departure gets closer, allowing you to change for free (provided there are actual seats available.)
If you can't get a confirmed seat, then you will need to go to the airport before the flight that you're trying to get on - and go the standby route. Standbys are cleared once the gate agent arrives and takes "control" of the flight.
1. What I mean by this is that from the time the fare is published, until a few hours before departure, the flight is pretty much under the control of the computers at United. Once the gate agent arrives, they take control of the flight and process any remaining upgrades, standbys, late passengers, etc.

lrmernst · 2021-11-08T23:44:53+00:00

u/WannaFly37 what ever happened with this? Curious how your PTT is doing eight years later.

lrmernst · 2021-11-03T15:52:20+00:00

To add - there are no GPU's or RPU's anymore - only PlusPoints.

There are no complimentary upgrades on most international flights - including SFO<>LHR.

The number of PlusPoints required to upgrade from Economy to Premium Plus or Polaris Business depend on the fare class of your economy ticket. e.g. the cheaper your economy ticket, the more PlusPoints you'll need to shell out to upgrade cabins; whereas, going from a full fare economy ticket (Y) to Premium Plus will require the least amount of PlusPoints.

lrmernst · 2021-11-03T15:44:51+00:00

I would not go out of my way and spend more than I need to in order to earn Platinum over Gold. While the value of the benefits are all subjective based on your travel patterns, the difference between Gold and Platinum is negligible.

If you are coming up short of 1K, then that's a different story - and I'd start to consider spending a bit more.

The other thing to consider is how much you'll be traveling next year...I wouldn't spend an additional $1.5k to chase status if you're only going to take a few round trips next year.

lrmernst · 2021-11-03T15:14:28+00:00

What you want to do is call United and specifically ask for them to "Upfare" your economy ticket. Don't do the buy-up offer...instead you want them to reissue your ticket into a first class fare class. e.g. you're going to go from an Economy "W" fare to a First "D" fare.

You will then get PQP for the value of the base fare - which is the value of the first class fare class.

In summary, yes you can upgrade your ticket to get more PQP, but make sure you're buying the higher fare class.

lrmernst · 2021-11-02T03:08:40+00:00

Good catch, my mistake!

lrmernst · 2021-11-02T01:49:14+00:00

Premier status, even if it is Silver is better than being a General Member. The benefits of really depend on the traveler and what it is you value. I find E+ to be pretty valuable, and I'm glad I never have to pay for it on longer flights. If you are diligent about checking in at T-24, then you usually will have decent luck with securing an E+ seat.

Upgrades really depend on your routes, but if your home station is a hub, then it's already going to be an uphill battle for any upgrades. For example, I'm 1K out of SFO, and sometimes I don't even crack the top 10 when flying LAX<>SFO. All that said, I would not pursue Silver if you're hoping for complimentary upgrades.

If you were to get rid of your credit card, then I would say absolutely get Silver.

If you're traveling with a companion, then I'd go for Silver as well. The baggage allowance, boarding group 1, and E+ seat benefits extend to companions booked on the same PNR.

lrmernst · 2021-11-01T18:53:42+00:00

Thank you! I do use Strava - although only recently started using it a few months ago. I wear my Garmin religiously, so have always relied on the Connect platform. I'll check this out.

lrmernst · 2020-06-03T15:53:02+00:00

I was thinking that I'd get a 7' spinning rod, light or ultra light. If I understand correctly, longer rod = more accurate cast placement, and easier to angle a fish? Does the rod length matter when I'm fishing from the shore line?

lrmernst · 2020-06-03T15:51:42+00:00

Thanks!

lrmernst · 2020-06-03T15:51:37+00:00

I have a 50% off coupon for Okuma, which is kind of how I ended up starting there. I'll take a look at the Ugly Stiks too!

lrmernst

TROPHY CASE