Scoop Airport/Hotel/Travel Thread

[dgies9156]

I, too, have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and love the primary insurance coverage. I plan to keep the card for now as we utilize the benefits and fly in and out of Philly enough to enjoy the lounge, but I'll probably look for another card option. My wife is all in on the points game (it's kinda fun), so we are always on the lookout.

Likewise, I have been a member of United Airlines' United Club for close to 25 years. This year, they jacked the fees up for two persons (me and if I bring a guest) to about $1,200 a year. At its former fee for a Mileage Plus Million Miler/Lifetime Gold, it was around $650.

I was going to keep the United Club because it's a nice perk when my wife and I travel. But at $1,200 to bring a guest, there's only one thing to do -- dump it!

Has anyone else faced the same issue and if so, what did you do?

[Hards Alumni]

Likewise, I have been a member of United Airlines' United Club for close to 25 years. This year, they jacked the fees up for two persons (me and if I bring a guest) to about $1,200 a year. At its former fee for a Mileage Plus Million Miler/Lifetime Gold, it was around $650.

I was going to keep the United Club because it's a nice perk when my wife and I travel. But at $1,200 to bring a guest, there's only one thing to do -- dump it!

Has anyone else faced the same issue and if so, what did you do?

It's probably targeted towards people traveling on business anyway.  If you're only using it a couple of times a year $1200 is a lot, but if you're in and out of airports every couple of weeks it is much more affordable.  $650 was a steal.  Those days are gone.

[JWags85]

Likewise, I have been a member of United Airlines' United Club for close to 25 years. This year, they jacked the fees up for two persons (me and if I bring a guest) to about $1,200 a year. At its former fee for a Mileage Plus Million Miler/Lifetime Gold, it was around $650.

I was going to keep the United Club because it's a nice perk when my wife and I travel. But at $1,200 to bring a guest, there's only one thing to do -- dump it!

Has anyone else faced the same issue and if so, what did you do?

My dad has had the Club Card as his business CC for awhile.  Ive argued that he'd be better served with a different mileage/points card, but he likes the lounge access.  He's in between the 2 scenarios that Hards describes.  Flies 12-15 times a year, but isn't traveling weekly.

I frankly couldn't care less about domestic lounge access.  The products are pretty mediocre across airlines.  If I'm traveling with my family, we wouldn't be going in there anyways and if I am solo, I'm not arriving to the airport early enough to sit in a lounge or I'm setting up connections in a way that I don't have tons of time in between anyways.  I plan my travel schedule accordingly if I'm gonna be able to get in a Polaris lounge at ORD/SFO/EWR but otherwise I scarcely think about lounges unless I'm abroad.

The United Clubs aren't as bad, but Ive known multiple people who complain how terribly crowded the Delta lounges are due to the credit card affiliated guests.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

My dad has had the Club Card as his business CC for awhile.  Ive argued that he'd be better served with a different mileage/points card, but he likes the lounge access.  He's in between the 2 scenarios that Hards describes.  Flies 12-15 times a year, but isn't traveling weekly.

I frankly couldn't care less about domestic lounge access.  The products are pretty mediocre across airlines.  If I'm traveling with my family, we wouldn't be going in there anyways and if I am solo, I'm not arriving to the airport early enough to sit in a lounge or I'm setting up connections in a way that I don't have tons of time in between anyways.  I plan my travel schedule accordingly if I'm gonna be able to get in a Polaris lounge at ORD/SFO/EWR but otherwise I scarcely think about lounges unless I'm abroad.

The United Clubs aren't as bad, but Ive known multiple people who complain how terribly crowded the Delta lounges are due to the credit card affiliated guests.

Wags,
I think you answered my question to self. I've been evaluating if I should upgrade to the Delta Purple card that includes lounge access. 
On my last two flights from LGA, I observed there was a waiting line outside the lounge to get in, and I was wondering what the point of paying and extra $400 per year was just to stand in a waiting line.

[WarriorFan]

Regarding the lounge issue:
Delta - is most of my flying at the moment, so I got the card which gives the lounge access.
American - I dropped the Admirals club membership years ago when it got too expensive.  Most are terrible anyway.  I buy day passes when I need.
United - Lounges are really not good value but I just buy day passes depending on the time of day, airport, lounge quality, and transit duration.
I'm currently evaluating changing from the Delta Amex to the normal Amex platinum to get Centurion lounge access.  I get the Delta lounge access now due to my airline status. 

[pbiflyer]

Mrs pbiflyer is headed to France in a couple weeks.
Completely new cities.
Any good restaurant recommendations? Any cool not in the guide book places to see?
Three cities. Nantes, Bordeaux, and Toulouse.
We aren't talking Michelin star restaurants but good solid places to go. Hole in the walls, local secret spots, fun, different?

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Mrs pbiflyer is headed to France in a couple weeks.
Completely new cities.
Any good restaurant recommendations? Any cool not in the guide book places to see?
Three cities. Nantes, Bordeaux, and Toulouse.
We aren't talking Michelin star restaurants but good solid places to go. Hole in the walls, local secret spots, fun, different?

There are some Bordeaux recs somewhere in the last 1-3 pages from myself and someone else.

Toulouse is the aerospace city and home of the Airbus factory.

[pbiflyer]

There are some Bordeaux recs somewhere in the last 1-3 pages from myself and someone else.

Toulouse is the aerospace city and home of the Airbus factory.

No tours in English at Airbus while she is there.
Will look back on Bordeaux. I couldn't remember if I asked.

[Jay Bee]

There are some Bordeaux recs somewhere in the last 1-3 pages from myself and someone else.

*me vs. myself

[pbiflyer]

So help me find a destination in Europe in January.
We have a meeting in Prague at the end of January and a post meeting trip to Normandy. But looking to add a front end city. 4-5 days. New countries are a bonus.
The conditions of the destination.
1. Has to be a direct flight to Prague on a Monday or Tuesday in January. Or reasonable train trip. Many destinations don't have direct flights in winter. That leaves out Malta, most of the Balkans.
2. Somewhere I have not been, which rules out a ton. Dublin, Belfast, London, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, all of Brussels, Lisbon, Madrid and most of southern Spain except for Valencia, Paris, all of Germany, Switzerland, all of Italy, except for Sicily and Sardinia, Athens.
3. Places that are time consuming to
het to from Miami. For whatever reason, it's almost 24 hours to bet to Budapest or Bucharest in January.

What I've found as options so far:
1. Istanbul- direct flights out of Miami and also to Prague.
2. Copenhagen- just concerned that seems like most of the sights are on or via water, so January wouldn't be ideal. But could also add a day drip to Malmo Sweden.
3. Krakow - hard to get to, but easy train trip to Prague.
4. Iceland - just doesn't seem appealing. Hard to get to Prague.
5. Vienna - yeah I've been, but other than Rome it seems like it's a city that you can still discover new things un repeated visits and I can  hit Bratislava.
6. Other French cities, Nice, Marseille?

Open to other suggestions. Bummed I can't do Malta.

[MuggsyB]

So help me find a destination in Europe in January.
We have a meeting in Prague at the end of January and a post meeting trip to Normandy. But looking to add a front end city. 4-5 days. New countries are a bonus.
The conditions of the destination.
1. Has to be a direct flight to Prague on a Monday or Tuesday in January. Or reasonable train trip. Many destinations don't have direct flights in winter. That leaves out Malta, most of the Balkans.
2. Somewhere I have not been, which rules out a ton. Dublin, Belfast, London, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, all of Brussels, Lisbon, Madrid and most of southern Spain except for Valencia, Paris, all of Germany, Switzerland, all of Italy, except for Sicily and Sardinia, Athens.
3. Places that are time consuming to
het to from Miami. For whatever reason, it's almost 24 hours to bet to Budapest or Bucharest in January.

What I've found as options so far:
1. Istanbul- direct flights out of Miami and also to Prague.
2. Copenhagen- just concerned that seems like most of the sights are on or via water, so January wouldn't be ideal. But could also add a day drip to Malmo Sweden.
3. Krakow - hard to get to, but easy train trip to Prague.
4. Iceland - just doesn't seem appealing. Hard to get to Prague.
5. Vienna - yeah I've been, but other than Rome it seems like it's a city that you can still discover new things un repeated visits and I can  hit Bratislava.
6. Other French cities, Nice, Marseille?

Open to other suggestions. Bummed I can't do Malta.

I'd probably choose Athens or Vienna if it's 4 days, although I've heard very good things about Istanbul.  Malta is on my bucket list. 

[MU82]

Gaza is lovely now.

[pbiflyer]

I'd probably choose Athens or Vienna if it's 4 days, although I've heard very good things about Istanbul.  Malta is on my bucket list. 

We just did Athens last year. A revisit to Vienna is tempting. Loved that city.
To get from Malta to Prague on the days I need to go I would have to fly through London or Paris. Just not worth it.

[MuggsyB]

We just did Athens last year. A revisit to Vienna is tempting. Loved that city.
To get from Malta to Prague on the days I need to go I would have to fly through London or Paris. Just not worth it.

Oh...I misunderstood part of your post. What about Naples/Capri?  I would research Istanbul a bit but Vienna is definitely a multiple visit city and Austria has lovely smaller cities. 

[pbiflyer]

Oh...I misunderstood part of your post. What about Capri?  I would research Istanbul a bit but Vienna is definitely a multiple visit city and Austria has lovely smaller cities. 

People say winter most things are closed in Capri.
Yeah I missed the opportunity to visit the Melk Abbey last time in Vienna. Grinzig was fun even in winter.
I do love Austrian towns. Bregenz was awesome.
I am kind of thinking either Vienna or Istanbul unless someone comes up with another idea. Both seem to have more pluses than downside.

[MuggsyB]

People say winter most things are closed in Capri.
Yeah I missed the opportunity to visit the Melk Abbey last time in Vienna. Grinzig was fun even in winter.
I do love Austrian towns. Bregenz was awesome.
I am kind of thinking either Vienna or Istanbul unless someone comes up with another idea. Both seem to have more pluses than downside.

Many places are closed in Capri that time of year, but there's also few tourists and much cheaper lodging.  The ferries could also be unreliable I suppose.  It's a personal preference but it's quite peaceful and nice to hang with the locals for a few days.

Yes.  You can't go wrong with Austria imo. 

[pbiflyer]

One additional question. Been to Prague before. Saw all the sights, drank good beers. But other than one memorable goulash meal, did not experience great restaurants.
And good food suggestions?

[MuggsyB]

One additional question. Been to Prague before. Saw all the sights, drank good beers. But other than one memorable goulash meal, did not experience great restaurants.
And good food suggestions?

I was there in 2018 and thought the food was quite heavy.  That said, there was a restaurant we went to (a little off the beaten path) called U Kroka that I would highly recommend .  I think it's been there 120 years.  It's not in the central district. 

[MuggsyB]

ukroka.cz pbi

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

My impression is Denmark is kind of mild in the winter.  My visit was in August, and I loved Copenhagen and I actually stayed in Malmo (which was very cool in it's own right) during my 4+ day visit with the family because hotel prices were half price and the train is only 30 minutes.  I visited Roskilde about 1 hour train from Copenhagen and I highly recommend the Viking Ship Museum.  I'm unsure if they do viking ship rides in January but our tour had to row out before they raise the sail which my daughter got to do. I also visited Kronborg Castle in Helsingor, this is Hamlets castle.  In the summer they have actors reciting Shakespeare in the rooms the events were supposed to happen.

My wife went on a bus trip from Poland to Vienna and Bratislava.  They stayed in Bratislava as it is 1 hour away and significantly less expensive.

[Hards Alumni]

Many places are closed in Capri that time of year, but there's also few tourists and much cheaper lodging.  The ferries could also be unreliable I suppose.  It's a personal preference but it's quite peaceful and nice to hang with the locals for a few days.

Yes.  You can't go wrong with Austria imo. 

Capri is not worth going out of season, as someone who has done that.

If pbi is looking at Austria, I'd like to recommend Salzburg.  Castle on the hill, birthplace of Mozart, Alpine background, Sound of Music stuff, Augustiner Bräu Mülln (1600s brewery), the whole city is very walkable as well.

[WarriorFan]

So help me find a destination in Europe in January.
We have a meeting in Prague at the end of January and a post meeting trip to Normandy. But looking to add a front end city. 4-5 days. New countries are a bonus.
The conditions of the destination.
1. Has to be a direct flight to Prague on a Monday or Tuesday in January. Or reasonable train trip. Many destinations don't have direct flights in winter. That leaves out Malta, most of the Balkans.
2. Somewhere I have not been, which rules out a ton. Dublin, Belfast, London, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, all of Brussels, Lisbon, Madrid and most of southern Spain except for Valencia, Paris, all of Germany, Switzerland, all of Italy, except for Sicily and Sardinia, Athens.
3. Places that are time consuming to
het to from Miami. For whatever reason, it's almost 24 hours to bet to Budapest or Bucharest in January.

What I've found as options so far:
1. Istanbul- direct flights out of Miami and also to Prague.
2. Copenhagen- just concerned that seems like most of the sights are on or via water, so January wouldn't be ideal. But could also add a day drip to Malmo Sweden.
3. Krakow - hard to get to, but easy train trip to Prague.
4. Iceland - just doesn't seem appealing. Hard to get to Prague.
5. Vienna - yeah I've been, but other than Rome it seems like it's a city that you can still discover new things un repeated visits and I can  hit Bratislava.
6. Other French cities, Nice, Marseille?

Open to other suggestions. Bummed I can't do Malta.

Some off the beaten path recs:
a) Warsaw.  Really enjoyed a long weekend there.  Great city to walk, very safe, great eastern european style city center.
b) Belgrade.  A little bit more "rustic" (and rusty) than Warsaw.  Very interesting if you're a history type.  Great restaurants and not at all expensive.  We walked and walked and walked. 
c) Zurich.  Expensive but very cool city center and lots to do around.
d) Lucerne.  Great little city. 

And the one on your list I'd avoid.
Istanbul - I'm tired of taxis trying to rip me off and hawkers everywhere who just don't give up.  Really annoying.  And when I tell them In German that I don't speak English they switch to German!!!  The Haggia Sophia and blue Mosque are amazing, and the old city is pretty cool, but there's not much else.  And traffic!!!

[pbiflyer]

Some off the beaten path recs:
a) Warsaw.  Really enjoyed a long weekend there.  Great city to walk, very safe, great eastern european style city center.
b) Belgrade.  A little bit more "rustic" (and rusty) than Warsaw.  Very interesting if you're a history type.  Great restaurants and not at all expensive.  We walked and walked and walked. 
c) Zurich.  Expensive but very cool city center and lots to do around.
d) Lucerne.  Great little city. 

And the one on your list I'd avoid.
Istanbul - I'm tired of taxis trying to rip me off and hawkers everywhere who just don't give up.  Really annoying.  And when I tell them In German that I don't speak English they switch to German!!!  The Haggia Sophia and blue Mosque are amazing, and the old city is pretty cool, but there's not much else.  And traffic!!!

Love Lucerne, visited Zurich as well as other Swiss cities.
I will check Belgrade, but most of direct flights to Prague from the Balkans ends in October.

I did find decent flights to Budapest, so thinking Budapest/Vienna might be an option.
I will also check flying to Warsaw, spend a couple days and train to Krakow.

If I did Istanbul, hoping winter would make the hawkers less voluminous. For the most part I'm a public transport and walking guy. Right now, the challenge is it's making me fly back through Istanbul from either Prague or Paris, which ever I end up at the end of the trip. Flying an extra six hours is not all that appealing.

Still waiting to find out Prague and post Prague schedule.

[MuggsyB]

Is Belgium off the table pbi?  Or maybe you've been there a lot?  Can you fly non-stop Antwerp/Prague?

[MuggsyB]

Budapest/Vienna is a very good option if you're unsure.