Ruminations from the Hauptbahnhof

On the road this weekend:

-It's the end of an era at the Park Hyatt Zurich: the Onyx bar is closed and part of a new renovation effort that includes the primary fine dining room.  Onyx has been a favorite over the years for drinks and local culture, and I hope they bring back a similar vibe for the new bar.

-Withdrawing currency from local ATMs is not as easy as it sounds.  I've been reading other blogger reports about how it's better to get currency from a local ATM instead of buying in advance (which is what I typically do).  I decided to try it and after multiple calls to Chase and several trips to local bancomats, I was finally able to get some money.  Lesson learned - make sure your withdrawal limit is sufficient for your location.

-EES at Zurich Airport is...unique.  I expected crazy lines for regular passport control (which was true), however, EES kiosks were completely empty.  I walked up, scanned my documents, and went to a window that only had five people.  Why wasn't everyone doing this??

Southwest Rapid Rewards Program Changes for 2027

Late last week Southwest shared news about major program updates that will take effect on January 1, 2027.  Sadly I'm not surprised by what is changing - Southwest continues to gut what made the program meaningful for travelers and will look a lot like the other airline frequent flyer programs.

Link: https://www.southwest.com/rapid-rewards/2027/

Most comments from flyers seem to be negative for these changes - curious whether this will change your travel pattern?

United Program Updates for 2027

United is making changes to MileagePlus for 2027 - they are described as a 'simplification' though in reality spending to gain status is greatly increasing.

Update link here: https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/mileageplus/whats-new.html

In addition to the number of PQP required for 1K, individuals will still receive Starter PQP at each level. Also of note, PQF's will no longer be part of the qualification process.  

It seems as though United believes individuals are spending more for flights.  I'll be curious whether other airlines make changes or if dedicated United flyers scale back.  Overall this update means making 1k for regular travelers (including myself) is nearly impossible.

Weekend trip to Ogunquit

We had an excellent trip to Ogunquit over the weekend.  Holidays tend to be busy in town, though overall it was fun to be back and the crowds weren't too crazy.  

Rather than deal with awful traffic, we decided to try the Amtrak Downeaster and overall it was very fast and easy!  Prices are reasonable and the timing allows for a fit around schedules.  

We also tried a new place this trip: https://www.thetridentinn.com/

I'd highly recommend this property as it sits very close to the town center and allows for easy walking.  Be prepared for a huff up the hill!

British Airways Fees

It would appear nothing has changed (test booking):

A $320 fare and $700 in taxes/fees is just silly...