Alan

Hyatt Regency Crystal City DCA Review

Hyatt Regency Crystal City

After spending only 7 hours at the hotel, it seems a bit presumptuous to write a review about the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan International (technically in Virginia).  However I think I slept a total of 2 hours, giving me 5 hours to experience the hotel.  I think that qualifies me as an expert.

I booked the spectacular mistake fare to Beijing but needed to position myself at DCA to begin the run.  As my flight out of DCA was at 7:15am, and I was coming from Seattle, I knew I would need to spend the night in DC.  My flight arrived at 10:00pm and they Hyatt Regency Crystal City was a good option as it had a free shuttle every 20 minutes to/from the airport.  Apart from the driver leaving the airport with the shuttle door still open, it was a painless experience to get to the hotel.

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Hyatt Flash Sale – SE Asia Summer 2015

Bali Hyatt

For two days, you can book a room at Hyatt South East Asia properties during the Hyatt Flash Sale at up to 40% off.  Full payment is due at booking and reservations are non-refundable per the Terms and Conditions.  Deal ends May 21 at 11:00pm Singapore Time (11:00am EST/8:00am PST).  Good for travel through August 31, 2015.  Use offer code SEAF when booking.

It seems that most (all?) of the prices for the Hyatt Flash Sale include breakfast.  Although I haven’t stayed at the Hyatt, Siem Reap is a great city to visit if you want to see the temples of Angkor Watt.  For $174 a night (with availability for most of the summer) this is a good deal for this high end property, however you can find rooms for much cheaper if you avoid chains in Cambodia.

Make sure you compare it to other offers when booking: you may be able to find a cheaper rate (although it may not include breakfast, but if you are a Diamond member you already get free breakfast).  For example, at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok I found a night in July that was cheaper with the “Special Escape” rate than the “Sea Flash Sale”.  This is definitely a case of “Your Mileage May Vary”.

More info at hyatt.com

Properties included in the sale:

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Hyatt Regency Vancouver Review

I purchased tickets to U2’s tour opener in Vancouver late last year and knew I would want to spend a couple days in Canada.  There is only one Hyatt option in Vancouver; the Hyatt Regency Vancouver, so I booked it.  I am a Hyatt loyalist after all.  This would be my first stay at a Hyatt property as a Diamond member after completing my Elite Tier Offer.

Hyatt Regency Vancouver

Location: Hyatt Regency Vancouver is located in the heart of downtown next to the Burrard SkyTrain station that you can access via the Expo or Millennium lines.  It is no more than a 15 minute walk to anywhere in downtown.  The hotel lobby is connected to a small mall that has a drug store and fast food restaurants.  A few blocks away is the shopping area of downtown in one direction and the waterfront in other.  Vancouver is a very cosmopolitan city and you can easily find anything you are looking for.

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BoltBus Seattle to Vancouver

BoltBus Seattle to Vancouver I am writing this post on my BoltBus Seattle to Vancouver trip.  While I have taken coach type buses in other countries; this is my first time using a Greyhound type service in the states.  BoltBus is owned by Greyhound but markets itself as the cooler … Read more

Changes in Alaska Mileage accrual with Partner Airlines

KLM - Royal Dutch Airlines | McDonnell Douglas MD-11 | PH-KCA | "Amy Johnson" | Toronto Pearson Street Festival

In just a few days, there have been some big changes in Alaska mileage accrual with partner airlines.  It’s all bad news unless you are paying for premium classes.  The changes (so far) are on British, Air France, and KLM.  Earning was also drastically reduced on Delta earlier this year.

For all three airlines (BA/AF/KL) you now only earn 25% of actual miles flown for the lowest fares.  The most expensive Economy tickets do still earn you actual miles flown.  You also still earn bonus miles based on your status with Alaska, but those bonuses are based on earned (not actual flown) miles and do not count towards elite status.  A few of the fare classes that formerly earned zero miles now do earn you miles, so that is one positive change I suppose.

The scene is much better in the top tier tickets.  

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Using the Citi Price Rewind Benefit

Citi Price Rewind I recently applied, and was approved, for a Citi Prestige MasterCard.  The card has some great perks including airport lounge access, Global Entry application fee credit, and reimbursement for airline tickets.  One of the lesser known but powerful perks is the Citi Price Rewind benefit. The Citi … Read more

$900 Fee for Hyatt Diamond Suite Upgrade

UPDATE: Both charges were refunded to my credit card.  The reservation is still showing up in my online Hyatt GP account; hopefully it will work to just pay at check in.

I have recently written about how I achieved Hyatt Passport Gold Diamond status through the Elite Trial Offer.  My first order of business as a Diamond member was to use one of my Diamond Suite Upgrades (DSU) for a trip I have reserved (and pre-paid) at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando in June.  Little did I know I would be charged a large fee for Hyatt Diamond Suite Upgrade.

I initially made the reservation through a Best Rate Guarantee claim that was approved.

Screen Shot 2015-05-06 at 4.07.24 PM

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Global Entry Application Process

Global Entry Application Process
As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain in the United States.

A benefit of the Citi Prestige card is a $100 credit towards the Global Entry application when you pay the application with your card.  Since the application is $100 and Citi automatically credits your account, I thought I might as well make use of it.  This is my experience with the Global Entry application process.

What is Global Entry and why would I want it?

Global Entry is a program for US citizens (and a handful of other folks) that allows you expedited customs when returning to the USA.  Once approved, you are also enrolled in TSA Pre√ which allows you to move through TSA checkpoints in airports quicker (and you get to keep your shoes and belt on and your liquids in your carry on).  It is good for 5 years.

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Bike Share while traveling

Bixi St-Laurent

May is Bike to Work month, but I don’t see why it can’t also be Bike Share While Traveling month!

Recently while in San Diego for a conference I noticed bike stations for DecoBike.  We have a similar program in Seattle called Pronto, a program I am proud to say I am a member of.

The way bike share programs like Pronto or DecoBike works is (usually) this:

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Costa Rica on Alaska Airlines: Two new Alaska routes announced

Costa Rica on Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines has flown internationally to Canada and Mexico for some time.  But they are adding a third international destination.  Starting May 21 you can book a flight to Costa Rica on Alaska Airlines.  The flights will begin to San Jose on October 31 and Liberia the following day.

The announced flights (below) are only out of LAX (at least for now).  While Seattle is Alaska’s hub, I can see why it would make more sense to fly out of a southern city.

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Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego Review

The Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego was one of the “official” hotels of the conference I was attending and is only a few blocks from the Convention Center.  I booked a Double Bed at Costco rates as it was the best I could find; each night just under $300.  There were two large conferences in town (one at the hotel), so I am guessing you could find some better rates if you go when there isn’t a conference in town.  It is the largest hotel in San Diego (with 1,625 rooms).

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
Manchester Grand Hyatt

The Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego is located on the waterfront just south west of the downtown core.  It is about 10 minutes from the airport and you can walk to Petco Park, the Convention Center, Gaslamp, and downtown.  There are a bunch of restaurants just across the street.  Across the street there is also a light rail stop.

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