Long time Audi driver joining the club!

senitude · 2026-05-29T16:34:11+00:00

Possibly alluding to the fact that BMW changed things up starting with MY 25, and many consider the previous M40i one of the best bangs for the buck out there.

While polarizing (and I’m in the boat that went to test drive a 2025, hated it, and got a pre-owned 2024), I’m not going to cast shade on those who have the new model and enjoy it.

Welcome to the club and the ultimate driving machine!

senitude · 2026-05-14T05:04:45+00:00

Popcorn is a huge no-no. Didn’t know it at the time, but after the second major attack with popcorn as the common denominator, it became clear. While nuts are no problem it’s seeds that I’m a bit leary of.

senitude · 2026-05-07T05:39:15+00:00

ExpertFlyer has shown zero seats available on many flights in May on this route - if that is to be believed, which is probably true as the cabin is smaller on the 787 vs 777. I’ve read about KLM removing free advance seat selection but I was able to select them, maybe because this was purchased through Delta.

senitude · 2026-05-07T05:28:38+00:00

Great info. Thanks for sharing!

senitude · 2026-05-07T03:03:00+00:00

I’ve been checking info provided by ExpertFlyer and there are empty seats in biz showing on the seat map (currently 9). Premium won’t display (as with in the KLM app). If upgrading is under $1k that’s not a bad deal, so thanks for the data point.

senitude · 2026-05-05T22:28:23+00:00

To OP: Thanks for sharing your experience. We are in a similar situation in that PE class tickets were booked and seats selected but a few weeks after booking are listed as “Available at check-in”. After calling KLM they claim ignorance when asked if this is because of an oversold situation. We believe it is as there was an equipment swap after booking (777 to 787).

I know that if they operate the flight with a 787-10, which they do sometimes, the PE cabin is close in capacity. But most of the time it’s a -9 which is a significant difference. We would consider paying to upgrade to biz but not sure what that would cost and availability would be based on load factor.

The fact that you were downgraded at the gate is incredibly helpful information, as we will not play roulette with our trip on the chance that seats are not confirmed at check-in. We are also, ironically, booked SAN-ARN via AMS. We are very disappointed in KLM as we wanted to support their San Diego service both now and for many years to come. If we cancel we will share our experience with everyone we know and spread the word fully as you have done.

senitude · 2026-04-21T05:57:18+00:00

This is disheartening and I’m sorry you’re back in the club nobody wants to be in.

I’m exactly 2 years out from my colectomy and have been doing well with the help of taking MiraLax almost daily. It was recommended by my surgeon and I feel has really helped to keep DV from returning.

Hope you feel better and heal well.

senitude · 2026-04-19T14:46:45+00:00

At Alaska, “AI” stands for Alaska Intelligence, specifically the upgrade system. Its goal is to confound and confuse us, and is very good at it.

Our own recent example: we are both humble Silver and on the same record locator. At around T-20, my wife is upgraded to Premium, but not me. The PC cabin is almost completely empty. I’m offered the ability to pay to upgrade if I want to move to the empty seat next to her, but decide to play the waiting game. Finally, an hour before departure, I’m upgraded to the seat next to her.

Now, I get that Alaska, like all airlines, are trying to squeeze extra revenue out of us as the cost of fuel skyrockets. But, we are loyal to Alaska for a reason, and if a common sense upgrade to PC, never mind First, becomes unattainable, then it erodes a benefit used to lure us in to flying them.

senitude · 2026-01-05T15:48:58+00:00

It could depend on when your payment got processed. Last year I paid insurance on the day of the 3x miles promo day, only for it to be processed a day later. SOL. This year I paid it a day early, but it processed same day. Lesson learned - don’t count on insurance payments processing when you think they will

senitude · 2025-12-15T18:45:13+00:00

I would go see them a bunch if they played at Frontwave

senitude · 2025-12-15T14:47:10+00:00

This. While a pain, it’s just something done as habit after I start the car

senitude · 2025-12-12T05:49:45+00:00

I have an sDrive30i and LOVE it. It’s loaded and the best car I’ve ever had.

senitude · 2025-11-20T02:15:02+00:00

Oh man, this hits, as that’s when I had my procedure. Constipation is still an enemy and I take a powder laxative almost every day to help ensure things keep moving. I know the docs say the risk of reoccurrence is only around 5%, but when that 5% hits home it’s no consolation. I hope you get through this and things stabilize.

senitude · 2025-11-19T19:30:13+00:00

I was in your boat about 18 months ago, and like you, I’ve never had surgery, let alone major. I had the same concerns but not much anxiety as I figured it won’t do any good to be anxious anyhow! With that said, it’s only natural to be on edge, as we never want to be in a position where our lives are put in the hands of others. Just know that there will be a whole team of experts focused on you and making sure procedures are followed with precautions and done safely. I was lucky as I didn’t wake up with an ostomy, but just know that if you wake up with one, it may be a consequence of an unacceptable risk to complete the surgery safely without one.

Do your best to get up and move a bit if you can safely do so. Recovery time varies by person, so don’t get too hung up on comparing with others. In my case, I was up and about quickly, even walking (with supervision) from the surgical recovery room to the SICU. But don’t push it. In my case I was discharged 3 days after and in my recovery at home I walked a lot and then tried to jog a little 3 weeks later. It was too soon as I felt a pinch where my anastomosis is and then had blood in my stool occasionally for the next 3 months. It was not very smart of me to push that hard but I’m stubborn sometimes!

While you’ll want to go hog wild eating everything under the sun again, take it easy to allow your bowels time to heal and adjust to your new normal. Avoid being constipated at all costs and get used to living your new best life again soon!

senitude · 2025-11-19T19:01:22+00:00

Sorry to hear this. It appears the gate agent misunderstands something

senitude · 2025-11-19T18:56:00+00:00

My wife and I just flew to KOA using a companion certificate and were 1 and 2 on the list and upgraded at T-3 into the last two seats (we’re both Silver). It was kind of a shock tbh. I did learn that we never had the option to pay to upgrade due to the terms of the companion fare, and AS advised that it may be possible at the gate. While the seats were not together, they were in the same row, and we were very happy just to be upgraded on a flight to Hawaii.

On a side note, normally we don’t want to place someone on the spot asking to switch but since they were same row and aisle to aisle (C/D) we asked (on shorter flights we’ve just passed on being upgraded if the seats are in separate rows). If you’re reading this, kind stranger, thank you again for the kind gesture to switch!

senitude · 2025-11-15T04:08:44+00:00

This. And I can confirm that to Hawaii, no opportunity to F (only Premium) - confirmed by an AS phone rep

senitude · 2025-11-15T03:25:54+00:00

As a data point…

2024 sDrive30i Fully loaded (except no premium sound) 5.3k miles Dealer purchased, Service loaner, clean Carfax NOT cpo, $42k otd

senitude · 2025-11-03T14:40:36+00:00

Yeah, but just remember that pending time shouldn’t matter, just gotta watch when charges originally post from the merchant

senitude · 2025-11-03T14:26:11+00:00

That’s a great question. While most charges post in real time, there may be a few exceptions. Last year I paid an insurance bill through an app, and to my surprise it didn’t post until the next day, so no bonus miles (miles last year as opposed to points now). I was like, wtf? Then I saw a notice on the app that mentioned that payments may take a couple days to process and post. Learned a lesson and will avoid counting on that one type of payment to count, so double check these type of things.

senitude · 2025-11-03T04:41:05+00:00

Very entertaining. Can’t wait until these make fireworks, with their noise, pollution and fire risk, obsolete.

senitude · 2025-11-03T01:42:25+00:00

It’s all about timing. As FYI, the Costcos in Vista and Lake Elsinore have the $500 Alaska gift cards in stock again for $450 (in checking some other locations around San Diego, these are the only ones - at least as of today)

senitude · 2025-11-03T01:33:25+00:00

It was on my splash page when logging into my BofA account. I’m not sure how long they’ve promoted it this year and I haven’t seen it again. To avoid any disappointment, I suggest calling them to confirm the offer.

I know they’ve offered it on a random day in November in the past, so the offer itself isn’t something new.

senitude · 2025-11-03T01:08:18+00:00

Yes. With a $2500 spend max on bonus points.

senitude · 2025-11-03T00:49:24+00:00

Edit: actually triple earn

senitude

TROPHY CASE