New name for total makeover of historic downtown hotel
Just a few days ago, in a post about Historic Hotels of the Rockies, I postulated that La Posada de Albquerque could qualify for membership when its renovation/restoration is complete. Now comes the word that the historic La Posada de Albuquerque will not reopen this spring under that name after all, but is now scheduled to open "later this year" as the Hotel Andaluz. The new name for the old hotel is, of course, derived from the Spanish region of Andalucía, which inspired the motif for the hotel's original designed for Conrad Hilton by Anton F. Korn in the 1930’s. The hotel's logo, an adaptation of a classic Andalucían tile, represents four interlocking A’s.
“We selected Andaluz as the new name of this legendary property because it honors Albuquerque’s rich Spanish heritage and reflects the hotel’s architectural and interior design,” said Yancy Sturgeon, general manager of Andaluz. “The entire property will have a Mediterranean style and vibe, and we believe that the name Andaluz embodies this essence.”
The hotel, which opened in 1939 as the Hilton Hotel, was the first hotel in the state constructed by New Mexico native. Conrad Hilton. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2005, Gary Goodman of Historic Hotels, LLC purchased it and got the $30 million makeover moving. The décor incorporates Moroccan and Spanish colonial influence, and its restaurant will service Mediterranean cuisine. Additional features are a mezzanine-level cultural center honoring New Mexico’s museums, cultural institutions, performing arts groups, and other culturally significant organizations, a rooftop lounge and a lobby bar featuring live weekly entertainment.
The Andaluz is at 125 Second Street NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. I'll post a phone number and a website when I find out abount them.
31 Ağustos 2010 Salı
Mexicana Airlines' Future Brighter But Still Uncertain
Mexican flag carrier has new investors but its flight remains bumpy
Weather-casters occasion forecast "partly sunny with a chance of rain." And this pretty much the forecast for Mexicana Airlines, which along with Aeromexico is one of the two flag carriers of our neighbor to the south. I haven't written posts about all of its complicated problems that hit the boiling point over the last few months, though my Mexico City-based travel writer colleague Jimm Budd has done so im increasingly dispiriting posts. His latest Mexicogram report is finally somewhat more optimistic, so I share it here in its entirety:
"A group of Mexican investors organized under the name Tendora K has acquired 95 percent of Nuevo Grupo Aeronautica, the heavily-indebted holding company controlling bankrupt Mexicana Airlines and its two affiliates, Click and Link. The pilots union acquired the rest. Purchase price is reported to have been a “token amount.” Previously, the airline had been owned by the Posadas de México (Fiesta Americana and other hotels) plus some other investors.Future Gringo James took the photo (above left) during an unplanned layover which he describes as "some sort of unnamed security issue causing us to deplane on the tarmac at MEX far far from the terminal and get bused around the airport. (Fun adventure)." I have no crystal ball as to wether Mexicana will succumb or rise Phoenix-like from the ashes of hard times, crushing debt, mismanagement and lesser problems, any one of which alone could kill any airline. Until Mexico solves its safety and other aviation issues to the satisfaction of US and Canadian regulators, good sense might dictate flying an American carrier. Stay tuned.
"If the airline is to survive, debts must be paid, additional investments made and operating costs substantially reduced. In recent weeks, Mexicana has been obliged to reduce its frequencies of service to the United States from 50 each week to 38. Under current conditions, these Mexicana can restore these, but only if it uses the same equipment. The FAA will allow no other Mexican airline to take over these routes until Mexico improves air safety inspections."
Homage to Captain Cook with a Hot, Humid Hike
Sea-level obelisk can be seen easily from the sea -- or step by step on a hiking trail
Captain James Cook, the 18th century English navigator who met his end on February 14, 1779, at Kealekehua Bay on the Big Island of Hawaii. Cook's Wikipedia entry is worth reading. An unhappy Valentine's Day for the adventurer who on his third epic voyage. On previous trips to Hawaii, my husband have seen the Cook monument from across the bay, and my son and snorkeled very close it. It was time to approach it one more way -- on foot.
Monday was a cool day (for Hawaii). In fact, Lihue on Kauai registered a record low for the high temperature of the day: 61 degrees. What better day for a sea-level hike? The trail to the Captain Cook monument is off a side road north of the eponymous town of Captain Cook. The unmarked trailhead is across from three tall palm trees (below).
Cars park along the road, which reeks from sewer pipe vents along the way. A few steps and the sewerage strench is mercifully gone. The rail is walled in dense greenery, and rooster and wild bird seranades accompanied us as we descended between old sugarcane fields with trailside trees here and there.
The cane fields give way to open woods and then to stark lava flows, which absorb the heat and blast it back at hikers. The current Kiluea erputon is on the other side of the island.
The vegetation thickens near the shore, where sea kayakers pull up. Authorities are concerned about damage to corral, and kayaking is probably going to be banned soon from Kelalekahua Bay.
A short spur trail leads to the monument, which is officially on British soil to this day. Note to the Queen: Your Majesty, send someone to repaint the monument. It's peeling.
Here is the inscription on the base of the obelisk. A couple of other, small commemorative plaques have been placed around the platform too.
Captain James Cook, the 18th century English navigator who met his end on February 14, 1779, at Kealekehua Bay on the Big Island of Hawaii. Cook's Wikipedia entry is worth reading. An unhappy Valentine's Day for the adventurer who on his third epic voyage. On previous trips to Hawaii, my husband have seen the Cook monument from across the bay, and my son and snorkeled very close it. It was time to approach it one more way -- on foot.
Monday was a cool day (for Hawaii). In fact, Lihue on Kauai registered a record low for the high temperature of the day: 61 degrees. What better day for a sea-level hike? The trail to the Captain Cook monument is off a side road north of the eponymous town of Captain Cook. The unmarked trailhead is across from three tall palm trees (below).
Cars park along the road, which reeks from sewer pipe vents along the way. A few steps and the sewerage strench is mercifully gone. The rail is walled in dense greenery, and rooster and wild bird seranades accompanied us as we descended between old sugarcane fields with trailside trees here and there.
The cane fields give way to open woods and then to stark lava flows, which absorb the heat and blast it back at hikers. The current Kiluea erputon is on the other side of the island.
The vegetation thickens near the shore, where sea kayakers pull up. Authorities are concerned about damage to corral, and kayaking is probably going to be banned soon from Kelalekahua Bay.
A short spur trail leads to the monument, which is officially on British soil to this day. Note to the Queen: Your Majesty, send someone to repaint the monument. It's peeling.
Here is the inscription on the base of the obelisk. A couple of other, small commemorative plaques have been placed around the platform too.
The hike isn't too long (a tad over two miles each way, with about a 1,300 elevation difference), and there certainly is a lot of oxygen at sea level. However, the heat and the humidity made it feel much longer. In fact, coming up was miserable and ennervating. No matter what the thermometer registered, it felt beastly hot -- at least for people like us who live in a low-humidity place. But even as we took sweaty step after sweaty step, it was the least we could do to recognize one of the important early navigators who began mapping the world as we know it. I won't get into the political aspects of these voyages, "discoveries" and conquests. I'm just honoring the curiosity and courage required to make the months-long voyages to unknown places.
Travel Complaints: How To and How Not To
Travel consumer advocate Chris Elliott provides answers and cautions
If I had to make a list of the most trustworthy people I know or have witnessed in public life, Christopher Elliott would be high on it. I've followed his published articles advocating on behalf of travelers and online consumer travel site for a long time, I admire both his willingness to go to bat for aggrieved travelers and his ability to get results or at least replies from travel providers in resolving problems. So I read with great interest his latest post, "Travel complaints that fail: 5 kinds of emails you should never write."
He identified the following five types of complainers/complaints and commented on their effectiveness:
If I had to make a list of the most trustworthy people I know or have witnessed in public life, Christopher Elliott would be high on it. I've followed his published articles advocating on behalf of travelers and online consumer travel site for a long time, I admire both his willingness to go to bat for aggrieved travelers and his ability to get results or at least replies from travel providers in resolving problems. So I read with great interest his latest post, "Travel complaints that fail: 5 kinds of emails you should never write."
He identified the following five types of complainers/complaints and commented on their effectiveness:
- The squeaky wheel
- The special circumstances
- The name-dropper
- The laundry list
- The break-up
30 Ağustos 2010 Pazartesi
RIP, David Parrish
Gifted student with a bright travel photojournalist future gunned down in Mexico
Have you ever heard of David Parrish? Neither had I -- until his mugging/murder in Puerto Vallarta made headlines in the Boulder Camera. That's because Parrish, 21, was a graduate of Boulder High School and a geography major at the University of Colorado, where his mother, Janet Graaff, teaches engineering. Mother and son, who were spring breaking in the popular coastal tourist resort, were mugged after visiting an ATM. According to reports, the assailants tried to grab Graaff's purse. Parrish tried to stop them and was shot in the stomach. He died later in a hospital. The two assailants were caught and jailed, but at least one of them escaped. A Mexican judge, his secretary and two jail employees are suspected accomplices in the jailbreak.
The reason you might have heard of Parrish in the years to come, had he lived, was through his evocative words and images. He was "passionate about photography, geography and mending cultures friends say," wrote Camera staff writer Vanessa Miller in a front page feature honoring his short life. The piece also related last year's spring semester, which he spent in Morocco, living in a village and documenting his experiences with remarkable clarity for one so young. You can read the "Remembering David Parish" story here and see three of his images and read the captions from his Morocco experience here.
The wider world never got to see what this promising talent might have produced. Beyond that, an upright son and a fine young man gone because of the actions of two thugs and a gun. Tragic indeed.
Have you ever heard of David Parrish? Neither had I -- until his mugging/murder in Puerto Vallarta made headlines in the Boulder Camera. That's because Parrish, 21, was a graduate of Boulder High School and a geography major at the University of Colorado, where his mother, Janet Graaff, teaches engineering. Mother and son, who were spring breaking in the popular coastal tourist resort, were mugged after visiting an ATM. According to reports, the assailants tried to grab Graaff's purse. Parrish tried to stop them and was shot in the stomach. He died later in a hospital. The two assailants were caught and jailed, but at least one of them escaped. A Mexican judge, his secretary and two jail employees are suspected accomplices in the jailbreak.
The reason you might have heard of Parrish in the years to come, had he lived, was through his evocative words and images. He was "passionate about photography, geography and mending cultures friends say," wrote Camera staff writer Vanessa Miller in a front page feature honoring his short life. The piece also related last year's spring semester, which he spent in Morocco, living in a village and documenting his experiences with remarkable clarity for one so young. You can read the "Remembering David Parish" story here and see three of his images and read the captions from his Morocco experience here.
The wider world never got to see what this promising talent might have produced. Beyond that, an upright son and a fine young man gone because of the actions of two thugs and a gun. Tragic indeed.
Follow-Up to Epic Delay
A few days ago, I posted an item called "Air Travel -- Fun or None?" detailing an delay in San Francisco, connected from Denver to Maui on the same aircraft (different flight numbers). Cynic that I am, I was not expecting more than a a verbal apology from United. Much to my surprise, the airline did not charge for food or drinks on the long-delayed flight -- a delay that was nearly five hours by the time the aircraft finally pushed back. Much to my greater surprise, I received an E-mail offering a $250 credit on a future flight, some kind of upgrade oppotunity or a credit of 10,000 Mileage Plus miles. I picked the $250 credit.
29 Ağustos 2010 Pazar
Snow Mountain Ranch's Yurt Village is New Lodging Category
Four yurts now with more to come provide affordable comfort
Snow Mountain Ranch/YMCA of the Rockies between Winter Park and Granby provides some of the best lodging and recreation values around. With accommodations ins large lodges, cabins and campgrounds. it has long provided affordable options in various types of lodging. Another was added this year: four yurts, one handicap-accessible and all available year-round. The yurts have few windows, so you have to go outside and around the back for the fabulous view.
Each sleeps up to six people (one big bed, two pairs of bunkbeds), plus a tent platform. Each has a microwave for minimal cooking indoors, picnic table and outdoor grill. A bathhouse with private bathrooms (indoor plumbing and no communal showers), laundry facilities and outdoor dish-washing sinks are steps away. The best part for economy-minded visitors is that they rent for just $89 per night up to maximum occupancy, plus a crib on request. Th Y has abundant recreational opportunities as well, many of them included in the modest rate. Here's what the "yurt village" looks like:
Snow Mountain Ranch/YMCA of the Rockies between Winter Park and Granby provides some of the best lodging and recreation values around. With accommodations ins large lodges, cabins and campgrounds. it has long provided affordable options in various types of lodging. Another was added this year: four yurts, one handicap-accessible and all available year-round. The yurts have few windows, so you have to go outside and around the back for the fabulous view.
Each sleeps up to six people (one big bed, two pairs of bunkbeds), plus a tent platform. Each has a microwave for minimal cooking indoors, picnic table and outdoor grill. A bathhouse with private bathrooms (indoor plumbing and no communal showers), laundry facilities and outdoor dish-washing sinks are steps away. The best part for economy-minded visitors is that they rent for just $89 per night up to maximum occupancy, plus a crib on request. Th Y has abundant recreational opportunities as well, many of them included in the modest rate. Here's what the "yurt village" looks like:
Make reservations online or by calling 800-777-9622 (central reservations) or 970-887-2152 (direct).
Spring Powder Graces in the Rockies
This epic winter just keeps rolling along, with resorts extending their seasons
Skiers and snowboarders will remember the winter of 2007-08 as slow
to start but then just would not quit -- and as a skier myself, it's news that I'm thrilled to share after several consecutive posts about airline/airport misery. Spring powder is a rare treat.
In Colorado, weekend storms bestowed 19 inches on Aspen Highlands and Beaver Creek, 18 inches on Snowmass and Steamboat, 16 on Aspen Mountain, 15 inches on Vail and Crested Butte, a foot or so on Loveland, Winter Park and Buttermilk, but "only" about six inches on Copper Mountain, Eldora, Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Telluride and Echo Mountain.
Silverton reports 120 inches of settled snow at mid-mountain and Wolf Creek boasts 129 inches. Such significant snow totals this season have prompted some resorts to extend winter operations. Aspen Highlands is the latest resort to extend their closing date, joining Monarch, Purgatory (Durango) and Wolf Creek, which have already pushed back their closing dates. Arapahoe Basin will operate as late as it likes while there's still cover. (The two pictures on this post were taken on March 31, the top one at Vail and the bottom one at Aspen -- or perhaps Snowmass. Hard to tell with all that pow'.)
Utah has been similarly snow-blessed. Alta and Brighton have both surpassed the 600-inch season snowfall totals. Resorts that have tallied 12 or more inches in the last 48 hours include Alta, Brighton, The Canyons, Snowbird and Park City.
Up north, Sun Valley is keeping the lifts running on Bald Mountain until April 20 and is also offering a great Last Tracks package, with one night lodging and one day of skiing from $86 per person, plus kids 15 and under can ski free with each paid adult. Also in Idaho, Brundage Mountain near McCall surpassed the 400-inch mark on March 29 and is extended its season as well, operating seven days a week through mid-April and for the two weekends after that.
Skiers and snowboarders will remember the winter of 2007-08 as slow
to start but then just would not quit -- and as a skier myself, it's news that I'm thrilled to share after several consecutive posts about airline/airport misery. Spring powder is a rare treat.In Colorado, weekend storms bestowed 19 inches on Aspen Highlands and Beaver Creek, 18 inches on Snowmass and Steamboat, 16 on Aspen Mountain, 15 inches on Vail and Crested Butte, a foot or so on Loveland, Winter Park and Buttermilk, but "only" about six inches on Copper Mountain, Eldora, Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Telluride and Echo Mountain.
Silverton reports 120 inches of settled snow at mid-mountain and Wolf Creek boasts 129 inches. Such significant snow totals this season have prompted some resorts to extend winter operations. Aspen Highlands is the latest resort to extend their closing date, joining Monarch, Purgatory (Durango) and Wolf Creek, which have already pushed back their closing dates. Arapahoe Basin will operate as late as it likes while there's still cover. (The two pictures on this post were taken on March 31, the top one at Vail and the bottom one at Aspen -- or perhaps Snowmass. Hard to tell with all that pow'.)
Utah has been similarly snow-blessed. Alta and Brighton have both surpassed the 600-inch season snowfall totals. Resorts that have tallied 12 or more inches in the last 48 hours include Alta, Brighton, The Canyons, Snowbird and Park City.
Up north, Sun Valley is keeping the lifts running on Bald Mountain until April 20 and is also offering a great Last Tracks package, with one night lodging and one day of skiing from $86 per person, plus kids 15 and under can ski free with each paid adult. Also in Idaho, Brundage Mountain near McCall surpassed the 400-inch mark on March 29 and is extended its season as well, operating seven days a week through mid-April and for the two weekends after that.
Aloha Airlines Grounded for Good
Long-time Hawaiian carrier to cease operations tomorrow
"Aloha" is Hawaiian both for "hello" and for "good-bye," and now, as the island state says "aloha" to its namesake airline, it seems to be "good-bye" for good. Just eight days ago, I posted news that 61-year-old Aloha Airlines had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy but was continuing to operate. That was then, and this is now.
The Hawaii Convention & Visitors Bureau sent out the following sad news: "Aloha Airlines announced today it will be shutting down its interisland and transpacific passenger flight operations on Monday, March 31, 2008. Only momentary disruption is expected as other interisland and transpacific airlines have the capacity to accommodate Aloha ticket holders."
"We simply ran out of time to find a qualified buyer or secure continued financing for our passenger business," said Aloha president David Banmiller in a statement. "We had no choice but to take this action."
The Hawaii Tourism Authority issued a press release about the situation.
"Aloha" is Hawaiian both for "hello" and for "good-bye," and now, as the island state says "aloha" to its namesake airline, it seems to be "good-bye" for good. Just eight days ago, I posted news that 61-year-old Aloha Airlines had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy but was continuing to operate. That was then, and this is now.
The Hawaii Convention & Visitors Bureau sent out the following sad news: "Aloha Airlines announced today it will be shutting down its interisland and transpacific passenger flight operations on Monday, March 31, 2008. Only momentary disruption is expected as other interisland and transpacific airlines have the capacity to accommodate Aloha ticket holders."
"We simply ran out of time to find a qualified buyer or secure continued financing for our passenger business," said Aloha president David Banmiller in a statement. "We had no choice but to take this action."
The Hawaii Tourism Authority issued a press release about the situation.
- The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) is also keeping Hawaii travelers updated on the situation with information on its website.
- Aloha Airlines' announcement: Aloha Airlines to Shut Down Passenger Operations After March 31, 2008, Ending a 61-Year Tradition of Service to Hawaii
- Aloha Airlines Customer FAQ website
- Hawaiian Airlines' Information for Aloha Airlines Ticket Holders. Hawaiian said that it will add capacity and take Aloha passengers on a standby basis free through April 3.
- United Airlines' Help for Aloha Airlines Customers
In addition to interisland service, Aloha flew to four destinations in California and two in Nevada with a fleet of 27 Boeing 737 aircraft. Some of these planes carry only cargo and will reportedly continue to operate, at least for now, because Seattle-based Saltchuk Resources is interested in buying the freight service, a business it is already in.
Air Travel -- Fun or None?
One short delay and one long one from Denver to Maui via San Francisco
I have a refrigerator magnet showing a woebegone Charle Brown saying, "Someday, my ship will come in, and with my luck, I'll be at the airport."
Just call me Charlie Brown.
Dateline: San Fransciso International Airport, May 15, 2009, 4:15 pm. PDT
United Flight 415 - DEN-SFO
Boeing 767, fully loaded,departed from Denver 40 minutes but landed in San Francisco on time. So far, so good. We arrived at Gate 87, which is the same gate our Maui flight was departing from. Hooray, we thought. They can't lose our luggage -- assuming it was on our plane to begin with.
United Flight 37 - SFO-OGG
Boarded aircraft, scheduled to depart at 1:1o p.m.. Sat and sat and sat. Captain announced a "small drip" from the left engine cowling. Mechanics going to check it out, and "we should be on our way shortly." Hah!
Flight attendants passed out water and started the movie. Then we were told to get off the plane with all our carry-ons. They didn't say, "change of aircraft," but that is what it turned out to be. We moved from Gate 87 to 85, where eventually, a smaller aircraft pulled up. United started prospecting for volunteers to leave tomorrow (free roundtrip ticket, free hotel in San Fransciso). We're going to a wedding tomorrow so couldn't accept.
Rescheduled Flight 37 was supposed to depart at 4:00, then 5:00 and now 5:30. It is supposed to arrive in Maui at 7:40. United still needs to offload 14 people and asked for volunteers willing to "leave in 20 minutes" for Honolulu and transfer to an interisland flight from there, arriving in Maui at 9:00-something p.m. And bags would not be transferred but would be waiting at the airport. In theory.
Right now, I have a confirmed seat on Flight 37, while my husband -- according to the status monitor -- is #12 on the list awaiting seat assignments. If we only have one seat, I'll give mine to him and try to join him tomorrow. It's his brother whose wedding we are going to.
Just call me Charlie Brown.
I have a refrigerator magnet showing a woebegone Charle Brown saying, "Someday, my ship will come in, and with my luck, I'll be at the airport."
Just call me Charlie Brown.
Dateline: San Fransciso International Airport, May 15, 2009, 4:15 pm. PDT
United Flight 415 - DEN-SFO
Boeing 767, fully loaded,departed from Denver 40 minutes but landed in San Francisco on time. So far, so good. We arrived at Gate 87, which is the same gate our Maui flight was departing from. Hooray, we thought. They can't lose our luggage -- assuming it was on our plane to begin with.
United Flight 37 - SFO-OGG
Boarded aircraft, scheduled to depart at 1:1o p.m.. Sat and sat and sat. Captain announced a "small drip" from the left engine cowling. Mechanics going to check it out, and "we should be on our way shortly." Hah!
Flight attendants passed out water and started the movie. Then we were told to get off the plane with all our carry-ons. They didn't say, "change of aircraft," but that is what it turned out to be. We moved from Gate 87 to 85, where eventually, a smaller aircraft pulled up. United started prospecting for volunteers to leave tomorrow (free roundtrip ticket, free hotel in San Fransciso). We're going to a wedding tomorrow so couldn't accept.
Rescheduled Flight 37 was supposed to depart at 4:00, then 5:00 and now 5:30. It is supposed to arrive in Maui at 7:40. United still needs to offload 14 people and asked for volunteers willing to "leave in 20 minutes" for Honolulu and transfer to an interisland flight from there, arriving in Maui at 9:00-something p.m. And bags would not be transferred but would be waiting at the airport. In theory.
Right now, I have a confirmed seat on Flight 37, while my husband -- according to the status monitor -- is #12 on the list awaiting seat assignments. If we only have one seat, I'll give mine to him and try to join him tomorrow. It's his brother whose wedding we are going to.
Just call me Charlie Brown.
28 Ağustos 2010 Cumartesi
Unlimited Flying Passes
Fly as much as you like for a month for one fee
Note on 8/18 8:25 p.m.: JetBlue just Tweted that its All You Can Jet pass has sold out.
People with large appetites love all-you-can eat restaurants. People who want to ski their legs off buy season passes for unlimited skiing at their favorite mountain(s). And two airlines are selling passes for unlimited flights for a month. I can understand gluttony at the table and an insatiable hunger for sliding on snow as much as possible during the short winter season. But considering the air-travel experience these days, the only gluttony I personally see in theses passes is being a glutton for punishment.
Seriously, JetBlue and Sun Country are pushing passes for unlimited flights for a month or more to all cities cities on their route maps for one set price. Last year, JetBlue initiated an "All You Can Jet" pass, which they've reprised this year in two versions. The deluxe (first class, if you will) version costs $699 and lets passengers fly on any flight available on any day of the week between September 7 to October 6. The $499 economy version is good daily except Friday and Sunday. The fees include those annoying taxes and fees. Buy the pass by Friday, August 20, or while supplies last.
Sun Country Airlines took a leaf from JetBlue's playbook and is selling the "Fall Free For All" pass for unlimited rides on available flights $499 and is valid from September 7 thought October 13. Sun Country calls itself "Your Hometown Airline," which is true if your home is in the Twin Cities. Taxes and fees are additional. Buy the pass by August 24 -- also while supplies last.
New York -based JetBlue is frequented by business travelers and also serves the leisure market and serves 61 cities. Sun County, a leisure-oriented airline based in Minneapolis (or is it St. Paul?), serves about 35 cities, many seasonally. These are actually good deals for peripatetic travelers. Both require reservations at least three days in advance of travel, and of course, they charge no-shows or those who change their reservations three days out.
Note on 8/18 8:25 p.m.: JetBlue just Tweted that its All You Can Jet pass has sold out.
People with large appetites love all-you-can eat restaurants. People who want to ski their legs off buy season passes for unlimited skiing at their favorite mountain(s). And two airlines are selling passes for unlimited flights for a month. I can understand gluttony at the table and an insatiable hunger for sliding on snow as much as possible during the short winter season. But considering the air-travel experience these days, the only gluttony I personally see in theses passes is being a glutton for punishment.
Seriously, JetBlue and Sun Country are pushing passes for unlimited flights for a month or more to all cities cities on their route maps for one set price. Last year, JetBlue initiated an "All You Can Jet" pass, which they've reprised this year in two versions. The deluxe (first class, if you will) version costs $699 and lets passengers fly on any flight available on any day of the week between September 7 to October 6. The $499 economy version is good daily except Friday and Sunday. The fees include those annoying taxes and fees. Buy the pass by Friday, August 20, or while supplies last.
Sun Country Airlines took a leaf from JetBlue's playbook and is selling the "Fall Free For All" pass for unlimited rides on available flights $499 and is valid from September 7 thought October 13. Sun Country calls itself "Your Hometown Airline," which is true if your home is in the Twin Cities. Taxes and fees are additional. Buy the pass by August 24 -- also while supplies last.
New York -based JetBlue is frequented by business travelers and also serves the leisure market and serves 61 cities. Sun County, a leisure-oriented airline based in Minneapolis (or is it St. Paul?), serves about 35 cities, many seasonally. These are actually good deals for peripatetic travelers. Both require reservations at least three days in advance of travel, and of course, they charge no-shows or those who change their reservations three days out.
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