Broken.
And asking why.
But still have hope.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Jetblue GoPack instead of BluePass
Some time ago I posted about the fact that we hadn't heard any information concerning this year's big Jetblue promotion (which in past years has been the unlimited BluePass options). The main thing that made this promotion worthwhile was the one cost, unlimited travel option round trip or one-way between certain dates on 90 minutes notice. I even blogged about getting to Bermuda on the pass from last year!
Well, I just received an email outlining the new Jetblue promotion that unfortunately falls short of the BluePass. Here are the specifics (more info at this link):
Grab a Go Pack and take 10 nonstop, one-way flights to select destinations starting September 13 through December 19, 2012 (blackout dates: 11/20 – 11/26). Choose from seven different Go Packs that’ll offer you convenience, flexibility and great value guaranteed for fast travel between your most frequent destinations—for work or leisure.
On sale 8/28/12 through 9/6/12, or while supplies last. Book travel online starting 9/12/12 through 12/19/12 up to 90 minutes prior to scheduled departure.
Guess I'll be passing for this year in hopes of a better promo in the future!
Well, I just received an email outlining the new Jetblue promotion that unfortunately falls short of the BluePass. Here are the specifics (more info at this link):
Grab a Go Pack and take 10 nonstop, one-way flights to select destinations starting September 13 through December 19, 2012 (blackout dates: 11/20 – 11/26). Choose from seven different Go Packs that’ll offer you convenience, flexibility and great value guaranteed for fast travel between your most frequent destinations—for work or leisure.
On sale 8/28/12 through 9/6/12, or while supplies last. Book travel online starting 9/12/12 through 12/19/12 up to 90 minutes prior to scheduled departure.
- Choose from seven different Go Pack destination options, purchased online only at shop.jetblue.com.
- Go Pack may be purchased between 8/28/12 and 9/6/12, or while supplies last. Must be over 18.
- Confirmation of your Go Pack purchase will be sent within 24-hours of your purchase.
- Go Pack cannot be exchanged and is non-refundable. NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES.
Guess I'll be passing for this year in hopes of a better promo in the future!
Sunday, August 26, 2012
on the eve...
This is a quick Sunday evening post on the eve of the start of school tomorrow. The campus was buzzing today when I stopped in, and it's a bit hard to believe that everyone will be traveling back to campus officially for the first time tomorrow.
Everyone will be a bit nuts as the day goes on, but I'm hopeful for another great semester coming up. Here we go! (and let my phone ringing off the hook commence)
Everyone will be a bit nuts as the day goes on, but I'm hopeful for another great semester coming up. Here we go! (and let my phone ringing off the hook commence)
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
pay vs miles for flights
This is the one question I'm typically asked the most - is it better to pay for a flight outright or use miles? And depending on who you ask, you may get a few different answers. It's something that's even widely debated in the blogosphere and seems to always invite varying opinions.
First, each situation is different, and you should always make the decision that's the best for you. There isn't one single way of going about it and it varies per person.
That being said, my general rule of thumb for domestic tickets has been: if it's under $450, then I pay for the flight and earn the miles. This has been my value threshold, since I fly enough to maintain my status on United.
One additional question to ask yourself is how much you value the miles and elite qualifying you may receive. If you value miles around 0.015 per, then a 25000 mile saver ticket would value around $375. A 50000 mile standard redemption in the US would value at $750. Those 50k redemptions are very near the amount needed in coach round trip to Europe, so I tend to stay away from those unless there's an important reason for me to burn the miles. And...they are also near saver award levels in business class depending on availability. If you can go, why not go in style?
I've adjusted my mileage accrual frame of mind over the last months to strive for the ability to travel in business class using miles if at all possible (ideally overseas). This means much more planning ahead of time, but I feel that I can be pretty successful if I stick to how I use and accrue. It also means that for my research trip to Qatar I decided to pay outright for the ticket so that I can get all of those lovely miles in the bank.
First, each situation is different, and you should always make the decision that's the best for you. There isn't one single way of going about it and it varies per person.
That being said, my general rule of thumb for domestic tickets has been: if it's under $450, then I pay for the flight and earn the miles. This has been my value threshold, since I fly enough to maintain my status on United.
One additional question to ask yourself is how much you value the miles and elite qualifying you may receive. If you value miles around 0.015 per, then a 25000 mile saver ticket would value around $375. A 50000 mile standard redemption in the US would value at $750. Those 50k redemptions are very near the amount needed in coach round trip to Europe, so I tend to stay away from those unless there's an important reason for me to burn the miles. And...they are also near saver award levels in business class depending on availability. If you can go, why not go in style?
I've adjusted my mileage accrual frame of mind over the last months to strive for the ability to travel in business class using miles if at all possible (ideally overseas). This means much more planning ahead of time, but I feel that I can be pretty successful if I stick to how I use and accrue. It also means that for my research trip to Qatar I decided to pay outright for the ticket so that I can get all of those lovely miles in the bank.
Monday, August 20, 2012
fighting jetlag
I've certainly learned some valuable lessons flying, and one over the years has been tricks to get myself acclimated from jetlag. It used to be for me that flying from the west coast to east coast would do me in for a day, but I'm thankful that I don't have to worry about that much these days.
Where I do get burned a bit is travel to Europe and farther. My first trip to Qatar was a great example - felt great the first 40 hours or so, and then it hit me pretty good right after. Europe doesn't seem to be a problem any more - I can beat it just by sleeping as much as I can on the plane ride east, and staying awake as much as possible on the flight coming back west. But I know myself well enough to make sure to acclimate before I go farther than Europe (just so my stomach has a chance to take a breath).
A recent article in the NY Times highlighted jetlag, and I'll share it here. And please feel free to comment with any tips that have worked for you in the past.
Where I do get burned a bit is travel to Europe and farther. My first trip to Qatar was a great example - felt great the first 40 hours or so, and then it hit me pretty good right after. Europe doesn't seem to be a problem any more - I can beat it just by sleeping as much as I can on the plane ride east, and staying awake as much as possible on the flight coming back west. But I know myself well enough to make sure to acclimate before I go farther than Europe (just so my stomach has a chance to take a breath).
A recent article in the NY Times highlighted jetlag, and I'll share it here. And please feel free to comment with any tips that have worked for you in the past.
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