30 December 2012

All Admiral Clubs are created equal - right?

I don't usually go into the Admiral Clubs. I don't fly enough to merit paying for a membership and my elite status is not elite enough. But when I fly international business class on American, I get the opportunity to visit the Admiral Clubs and I take advantage of this opportunity.
I've been in the Admiral Clubs at DFW and LHR. I also once managed to talk my way into the British Airways equivalent at Heathrow. So my scope of comparison is very narrow, but compare I will anyways.

For those who are not familiar with the Admiral Clubs, it's basically a private club in an airport that provides food, showers, drinks, comfy chairs, power ports and most importantly free wifi. It also allows the elite travelers to avoid having to rub elbows with the economy class peons. (Ok disclaimer, some people who are in the Admirals Club do fly economy). The specific name Admirals Club, is unique to American Airlines, but regardless of the name, from what I can gather, most of these lounges offer similar amenities.

But not all Admiral Clubs are created equal. I am going to compare features of the two I've been to, however all photos come from the Admirals Club (AC) at DFW Terminal D.

VIEW:
Less important to some, but one of my favorite parts about the AC at DFW is the fact that it looks directly out on the airplanes, and runway. I like seeing the planes take off, I like looking at the planes below and watching the ground crew. At Heathrow there is no view, in fact, they have blinds over the windows blocking whatever view might exist. DFW:1 LHR:0






WIFI:
Both DFW and LHR offer free Wifi in the AC. I think it's great - especially in London where it's too expensive to use data on my phone! Also it's worth mentioning that both ACs offer computers for those without their own devices.
DFW:2 LHR:1

FOOD:
At the AC in LHR, one has numerous options from salads, cheeses, pastries, pretzels, bread, yoghurt, fresh fruit and more. It's easy to eat a nice meal there. DFW also has an extensive menu of food, starting at $5.99 to upwards of $15.99. Yes that's right, after paying for AC membership or even paying $50 for a one day pass, people are expected to pay for food. Now there are some free snacks: pretzels, apples, cookies, celery and carrots. In this area, DFW really disappoints.
DFW:2 LHR:2




DRINKS:
upon entering the AC at DFW one receives two drink vouchers. They can be redeemed at the bar for non-alcoholic drinks such as juice or soda, or for alcoholic drinks such as beer, wine or cocktails. After two, you must pay. Coffee and water are available for free, and you serve yourself. The AC at LHR does not have a bar. Not one in the traditional sense with a bartender and alcohol behind the counter. At everyone's disposal are pitchers of various fruit juices, fridges of soda, beer and sparkling water, water, coffee, tea (hot), hot cocoa and a small selection of liquors for cocktails. There is no one collecting drink vouchers or requiring you to pay after you've had two drinks.
DFW:2 LHR:3

POWER PORTS:
At the AC in LHR outlets are plentiful and situated by (nearly) every chair. It's not just traditional electric outlets for the UK, but also those that take the flat US plugs and the rounded EU plugs. PLUS they have USB outlets. It's easy to plug in and juice up your electronics. At DFW I saw about 1 outlet for every 3 - 4 chairs and they were ONLY for the standard US plugs.
DFW:2 LHR:4

SEATING:
The chairs are about the same and laid out nicely. Although some of the chairs at DFW had no arms rests or tables nearby. But making up for that, DFW had a lounge for families within the lounge. I have not seen that at LHR.
DFW:3 LHR:4




INFORMATION AVAILABILITY:
Both ACs provide the traveler with information such as flight arrivals and departures, as well as access to newspapers and magazines. To maintain a peaceful environment, neither announces flight information. But the differences in information exist. The monitors that show departures / arrivals are found in multiple places Round the LHR lounge, but only near the customer service desk at DFW. At DFW, the Newspapers were limited to local papers (Ft. Worth Star Telegram) and one other (Financial Times perhaps) and the magazines were all American Arlines' publications. At LHR one finds a better selection of world newspapers and some of the magazines have nothing to do with the airline.
DFW:3 LHR:5

SHOWERS:
This is by and far my most favorite part of the ACs! It's so nice to freshen up between flights or even to feel clean before a flight. The showers are nice, they provide. EVERYTHING you need - body wash, shampoo, conditioner, towels, hair driers, facial wash, lotion etc. both ACs have them and they are fabulous! (on aside note, the British Airways Lounge showers also have a radio feature with stations you can choose from.
DFW:4 LHR:6






As you can see by my tallies, LHR's Admiral Club comes out ahead of the one T DFW,but let that discourage you from checking out the one at DFW. if you have an opportunity - irregardless of the airport or airline - go for it! It's a great way to spend your time waiting for the flight!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:DFW & LHR

26 December 2012

I've got this, do you?

I'm a frequent flyer. Okay for those of you who know me or follow this blog regularly, you know that's an understatement.
This month I'm a really frequent flyer.

My travels between Dec 21st and Jan 21st are as follows:
DFW - IAD (Dec 21)
IAD - DFW (Dec 24)
DFW - SAT (Dec 25)
SAT - DFW (Dec 27)
DFW - LHR (Dec 27)
LHR - IAD (Jan 4)
DCA - DFW (Jan 5)
DFW - IAD (Jan 19)
BWI - DFW (Jan 21)

But I'm not using this post to brag about all the frequent flyer miles I'm getting on American (okay all of these flights except LHR - IAD are on AA, that one is on BA -- and they code share with AA)... I'm using this post to talk about the security check point.

It seems that when people check their luggage, they also check their brains and then they totally hold us all up at security. Sooo for that reason I have my list of 5 things not to forget to make your journey through security faster and less painful. (Now if only you could convince the people in front of you to do this as well).

1. It's not a secret, that you will have to show your boarding pass and government issued ID at the checkpoint. Get them out and get them ready! When you reach the agent is not the time to look through your bag for them. And no, your library card, credit card, school ID and/or Costco card does not count as a government issued ID for these purposes!

2. One is always advised to wear their bulkiest clothes on the flight because it frees up space in your suitcase. Those boots are cute, but lets face it, you have to take them off in the US (disclaimer - not all international checkpoints will make you take off your boots). Loafers or sneakers (trainers for you Brits) slip on and off much easier. AS for taking other things off....don't forget: outer layer jacket/sweater (jumper), belt, jewelry, hats, metal hair clips and well just about anything! Plus once you've stripped down, check your pockets!

3. The rule is 3-1-1. That's 3oz (okay 100ml or 3.4oz) in a 1 quart bag at a ratio of 1 per person. If it can be poured, smeared, sloshed or spread it needs to follow these rules. The 1 quart bag should be transparent. Sometimes in the US they aren't so picky about that, but once I was held up in Ireland because my bag was translucent with a very thin gridding. And in the US, as well as UK that baggie needs to be taken OUT of your carry on and put into the plastic bucket where it can be visually examined if they wish.

4. Laptops, iPads.... they need to be out! Unless it's a TSA approved case, it needs to be out of the case. In the US they take it a step further and usually want you to put it in it's own separate plastic bin for scanning. That being said, cameras, ipods, kindles etc don't have to be out. I don't know about other brand tablets, but I'd say treat it like an iPad. Or ask - it's better to ask than to have to be rescanned.

5. Drinks in the airport cost an arm and a leg. But even if you have only a few sips left of your 20oz coke, you can't take it through. In fact, in some countries you can't even take the empty bottles through. However, that being said, you CAN take your own food. Disclaimer: if the food is cheese, they may want to see it up close because it looks like explosive 'cheese' under x-ray. Disclaimer 2: Cut up fruit often produces it's own juice and that may not be allowed!

So if we can all learn these things and be prepared, it would make security easier - wouldn't it?!?

A few other pointers that may make things easier for you and those around you:

a. Try to avoid getting behind a family in the security line. They just take longer.
b. Are you under the age of 12 or over the age of 75? You don't need to take off your shoes!
c. Are you a snow globe fan? As of just last week, you may now bring in a snow globe up to the size of a tennis ball. (you might want to bring your own tennis ball to prove size comparison!)
d. Smile and say thank you to the agents. They get treated with disrespect all day. They do appreciate the random friendliness and kindness.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:DFW, IAD, DFW, SAT, DFW, LHR, DCA, DFW, BWI

04 December 2012

New York New York

Start spreading the news.....
Well by now it's old news. Troy and I spent Thanksgiving weekend in New York with my cousin and her wife - my Aunt, Uncle and other cousin also flew in for the holiday.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and the opportunity to spend it traveling could not be missed! Although I was last in NYC back in August, the last time I was there as a tourist was about 10 years ago.
New York ten years later, the good, the bad and the ugly:

The good-
Landing in Newark, the sky was clear and the weather was brisk. It felt so appropriate for November.




Trains, subways ... When it comes to public transport, here in Texas, we just don't have it together. New York on the other hand has got it all and Troy and I love it!



New York is beautifully decorated at the holidays. Walking around in Manhattan, we saw the store windows, heard the Salvation Army dingalings (oh but here they were talented!) and enjoyed the season.






Troy and I were able to meet up with our friend Rosalinda and go ice skating in Central Park. I had so much fun once I got my skating balance back. I loved the crisp air, greenery of the park and city scape behind me.










The bad -
Well not everything when one travels is perfect. We had some problems with our subway tickets and they were rendered unusable. Together they had about $10 on them. The agents were not very helpful, but we did get forms to fill out and mailed them in. Now we are waiting on the city of NY to refund our money.

Honestly, I can't think of anything else to fall under the 'bad' category, however I was disappointed that I was a few days too early for the full Rockefeller holiday decorations.

The Ugly -
While we were ice skating, Rosalinda fell and hit her head. She had a fair sized lump afterwards, but she iced it (no not on the rink!) and we went to a pharmacy for painkillers. Despite all this, she was in great spirits.

The trip to New York was a fun long weekend and I was so glad to have had the opportunity to go.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone