Scoop Airport/Hotel/Travel Thread

[JWags85]

Anyone done high speed trains in Italy?

They look like they are really something. And, are strikes a real threat nowadays?

They are nice.  I'd recommend them.

As for strikes, yes, but with the trains, its not always terrible.  The random WTF air traffic controller strikes in France and Spain over the last decade are far worse and far more spontaneous.  Don't even get me started on how much that has cost me.  A $100 EasyJet flight from Basel to London turned into a $750 Lufthansa flight through Munich cause France had a fun little strike one day and the entire country's airspace was out of commission.

[dgies9156]

Have even more respect for United Airlines today as a result of their consideration.

As other posts have shown, my wife and I are headed to Italy in early October. We paid for two business class seats, round-trip via Frankfurt. The fare was $3,325 each when we booked last May.

In the past few days, United lowered the posted business class fair on United.Com to $2,200 round-trip. I saw it and immediately called the 1K desk trying to figure out how to take advantage of the lower fare. The agent looked and within a couple of seconds, acknowledged that the fare was quite a bit less expensive and issued us a flight credit for the difference.

I was pleasantly stunned. With no change penalty, we received over $2,200 in flight credits good until next May.

Hats off to United! It's why I fly United!

[JWags85]

Have even more respect for United Airlines today as a result of their consideration.

As other posts have shown, my wife and I are headed to Italy in early October. We paid for two business class seats, round-trip via Frankfurt. The fare was $3,325 each when we booked last May.

In the past few days, United lowered the posted business class fair on United.Com to $2,200 round-trip. I saw it and immediately called the 1K desk trying to figure out how to take advantage of the lower fare. The agent looked and within a couple of seconds, acknowledged that the fare was quite a bit less expensive and issued us a flight credit for the difference.

I was pleasantly stunned. With no change penalty, we received over $2,200 in flight credits good until next May.

Hats off to United! It's why I fly United!

I'm a fellow 1K as you know, so its not like I'm anti-United, however, they have no change fees for any flights originating in the US, and have been that way since COVID got rolling.  So good on the agent for doing it herself and being upfront about it, but you could have booked to a different flight or moved around and taken advantage of the lower fare given no change fees anymore 

That being said, Ive been pleasantly surprised by the Scott Kirby-led United as of late.  They've been proactive and customer focused which is a nice change.  Being the first US airline to require employee vaccination is a good PR as well.

[dgies9156]

I'm a fellow 1K as you know, so its not like I'm anti-United, however, they have no change fees for any flights originating in the US, and have been that way since COVID got rolling.  So good on the agent for doing it herself and being upfront about it, but you could have booked to a different flight or moved around and taken advantage of the lower fare given no change fees anymore 

That being said, Ive been pleasantly surprised by the Scott Kirby-led United as of late.  They've been proactive and customer focused which is a nice change.  Being the first US airline to require employee vaccination is a good PR as well.

I probably could have done it myself and it's theoretically easy to do. But, geez, ya never know how it will sort out digitally.

The agent was really nice about it.

I have mixed feelings about the Kirby-led United. I really appreciate the vaccination mandate and I see some of what you're saying. But, I also think they have used Covid-19 to get cheap at times. Not opening the United Clubs until recently and not opening Polaris lounges is kinda dumb.

[pbiflyer]

I probably could have done it myself and it's theoretically easy to do. But, geez, ya never know how it will sort out digitally.

The agent was really nice about it.

I have mixed feelings about the Kirby-led United. I really appreciate the vaccination mandate and I see some of what you're saying. But, I also think they have used Covid-19 to get cheap at times. Not opening the United Clubs until recently and not opening Polaris lounges is kinda dumb.

I think all major US airlines are doing this for non basic economy airfares. I know Delta is.
As for doing it via agent rather than electronically, I am right there with you. So many times I have had them make changes where it should be straight forward, yet isn't.

Enjoy your trip, it is a great time of year to see Italy.

[Hards Alumni]

Anyone done high speed trains in Italy?

They look like they are really something. And, are strikes a real threat nowadays?

The trains are great.  Used them in Nov 2019 to crisscross the country.  On time, clean, simple.

[MuggsyB]

Has anyone been to Easter Island?  Can you get MU games there?

[MuggsyB]

Has anyone spent much time in Atlanta?  I've been there but it's been awhile.  Restaurants?  Any recommendations besides the Aquarium?

[Hards Alumni]

Has anyone spent much time in Atlanta?  I've been there but it's been awhile.  Restaurants?  Any recommendations besides the Aquarium?

If you don't have a car, just bum around downtown.  The city is a sprawling mess.

[GooooMarquette]

Anyone done high speed trains in Italy?

They look like they are really something. And, are strikes a real threat nowadays?

I've done the high speed trains, and they're great. But I question how Italian they are, since they always seem to be on time...

[MuggsyB]

If you don't have a car, just bum around downtown.  The city is a sprawling mess.

Okay.  Ty HA.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Has anyone spent much time in Atlanta?  I've been there but it's been awhile.  Restaurants?  Any recommendations besides the Aquarium?

Where are you staying and do you have a car? 

[MuggsyB]

Where are you staying and do you have a car?

Loews Atlanta.  I think it's in Midtown?  I can get a car if neccessary.

[Dish]

Loews Atlanta.  I think it's in Midtown?  I can get a car if neccessary.

Take the train from the airport to the Midtown station (unless you need a car otherwise). I always hit up The Varsity, but I'm a sucker for those kinds of places.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Loews Atlanta.  I think it's in Midtown?  I can get a car if neccessary.

Yes that's midtown which is good. Lot's of restaurants and cool neighborhoods around there. I will throw out a few types of places/locations. Wouldn't hurt to have a car but all of the below are walkable or a short Uber ride away.

CAVEAT:  I haven't been down to that area since pre-COVID so I think these all of these places are all still around but not really sure tbh.

JCT Kitchen - great restaurant and rooftop bar with city view
Piedmont Park / Park Tavern - well-known park with good spot to drink outside if weather is nice (and you like dogs)
South City Kitchen
Nan Thai
The Vortex - Atlanta institution for burgers
College football hall of fame
World of Coke
Ponce City Market- converted Sears warehouse building with multiple restaurants/drinking spots both outside and in. Rooftop bar/mini golf is pretty cool. Also located on the BeltLine which is a 20+ mile system of former railways which are now walking trails. Lots of cool restaurants and a good brewery are right there.
Rathbun's Steak
Virginia highlands neighborhood
Inman Park neighborhood

Without knowing how much time you are spending and interests, the above is a good starting point to get out and explore and have some good eats. If I had to pick two of the above it would be Piedmont Park and Ponce City Market/beltline for good Atlanta experiences.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Take the train from the airport to the Midtown station (unless you need a car otherwise). I always hit up The Varsity, but I'm a sucker for those kinds of places.

No bueno

[MuggsyB]

Yes that's midtown which is good. Lot's of restaurants and cool neighborhoods around there. I will throw out a few types of places/locations. Wouldn't hurt to have a car but all of the below are walkable or a short Uber ride away.

CAVEAT:  I haven't been down to that area since pre-COVID so I think these all of these places are all still around but not really sure tbh.

JCT Kitchen - great restaurant and rooftop bar with city view
Piedmont Park / Park Tavern - well-known park with good spot to drink outside if weather is nice (and you like dogs)
South City Kitchen
Nan Thai
The Vortex - Atlanta institution for burgers
College football hall of fame
World of Coke
Ponce City Market- converted Sears warehouse building with multiple restaurants/drinking spots both outside and in. Rooftop bar/mini golf is pretty cool. Also located on the BeltLine which is a 20+ mile system of former railways which are now walking trails. Lots of cool restaurants and a good brewery are right there.
Rathbun's Steak
Virginia highlands neighborhood
Inman Park neighborhood

Without knowing how much time you are spending and interests, the above is a good starting point to get out and explore and have some good eats. If I had to pick two of the above it would be Piedmont Park and Ponce City Market/beltline for good Atlanta experiences.

Tyvm!!  I will have about 1.5 or 2  days where I'm free.  Are the restaurants in Buckhead any better than Midtown?  I noticed a Greek place that looked good.  That Ponce City Market sounds very cool.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Was it Kyma?  Was there once but we'll over ten years ago. Was fantastic then.

Honestly, Atlanta is known for having TONS of good and mostly affordable restaurants. It is hard to go wrong.

[MuggsyB]

Was it Kyma?  Was there once but we'll over ten years ago. Was fantastic then.

Honestly, Atlanta is known for having TONS of good and mostly affordable restaurants. It is hard to go wrong.

Yes!   Kyma!  I thought the menu was impressive.

[MuggsyB]

Yes.  There appear to be a ton of excellent dining options.  Brunch thoughts on a Sat?  Ty.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Einsteins
Flying biscuit
South city kitchen

All are very good

[MuggsyB]

Einsteins
Flying biscuit
South city kitchen

All are very good

Sounds great.  I may have to do double workouts when I get home!

[pbiflyer]

Tyvm!!  I will have about 1.5 or 2  days where I'm free.  Are the restaurants in Buckhead any better than Midtown?  I noticed a Greek place that looked good.  That Ponce City Market sounds very cool.

Ponce is worth it for sure. Check out Biltong  Bar there, a South African jerky place.
Also, if you are comfortable with MARTa, there are some great restaurants and bars in Decatur. Brick Store Pub is a legendary beer bar.
I spend a ton of time in Atlanta. When I get in front of a computer, I'll throw out more suggestions.

[pbiflyer]

No bueno

Es la verdad!

[ATL MU Warrior]

Es la verdad!

It is an Atlanta institution...but gross IMO