Make me a member of that “Elite Club!”!

Airline lounges

Don’t you hate waiting for your flight in crowded open areas of the airport??  People sneezing, kids screaming, the person next to you talking loud on their cell phone?  You try to make the most of your waiting time but are constantly being interrupted by chaos.  Corporate travel is daunting enough without having to be constantly surrounded by turmoil. 

Wouldn’t it be nice to relax in a quiet space, comfortable chair with a glass of wine and snacks?  Maybe you need a shower or just want a clean restroom with no line.  How about a customer service agent who actually cares about the service that they provide?  You can!  You need access to a private Airline Lounge!!

Airport lounges are available in airports around the world.  While each lounge is different, the basic level at virtually all lounges are comfortable seating in quiet areas in relax or complete business, complimentary snacks and drinks, restrooms dedicated to only lounge patrons, and airline personnel to assist while in the lounge.  Depending on the airport and lounge, many offer complimentary alcohol, upscale snacks that are more like meals with a buffet of choices, showers, spa services, business centers with computers and charging stations plus more!

How do I gain entry into that Elite Club?  You can access the airline lounges in a variety of different ways.

 If you have preferred status with a certain airline you can enter their specified lounges, ie:  United, Delta, American.

If you are a member of the airline networks with a high status you may be able to gain access, ie:  Star Alliance, Sky Team, or One World.

Use your credit card.  Some credit cards give you complimentary access to airline lounges.  Generally, these credit cards have a higher annual fee, but if you use the benefit, you will never be stuck in the concourse again!  You can look into American Express Platinum or the United Mileage Plus Explorer Card.  

Purchase a Day Pass.  This day pass will allow travelers to pay at the door for entry.  Day passes rates vary but currently United charges $50/day, Delta charges $50/day, and American charges $50/day.

            Annual Membership are a commitment to and can be purchased for one individual or for you and a spouse.  Rates can vary depending on your mileage status level.  United’s annual membership runs between $400 - $750.  American’s annual membership runs between $400 - $775.  Delta’s annual membership runs between $350 - $700.

            Purchase membership with mileage.  Instead of spending money, how about redeeming mileage?  Most lounge memberships can be purchased direct from your mileage account!

            You can gain complimentary access depending on the class of your ticket.  If you are in business class or first class, you will have access to the business or first lounge by just showing your boarding pass!

All lounges are owned and operated by a third party, whether it be an airline, a network or independent party.  Rules, restrictions and prices change just like an airline ticket. 

Airport lounges can remove a lot of the stress associated with traveling and make it a more positive and productive experience.  Once you try it, Business Travel will take on an entirely different meaning!!

Oasis of the Seas December 2009 by Judy Takemoto and Terry Normington

Oasis of the Seas-THE LARGEST CRUISE SHIP IN THE WORLD!
November 22-24, 2009 

Terry & Judy were fortunate to be able to “see & feel” the newest, most innovative ship in the industry.  However, before boarding this historic vessel, we had to get to Fort Lauderdale.  We flew Southwest Airlines from SFO at 9:50 am, via LAX to Houston with a 2.5 hr. layover, then on to Fort Lauderdale-arriving at 10:45 pm.  Long day, full flights (the weekend before Thanksgiving).  Stayed at the Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Airport – complimentary airport shuttle and complimentary shuttle to Port Everglades.  Next morning, as we approached the port, there “SHE” was – all 220,000 tons.  HUGE. Five times larger than the Titanic.  Can accommodate 6300 passengers in 2700 cabins. Plus 2100 crew.  Although the ship is enormous, getting acclimated has been made easier with “touch screens” near the elevator banks.  Simply touch your desired stateroom, restaurant or venue and the information is mapped out with simple directions.

Our 2-night cruise to nowhere, meant we did not experience how 6000 passengers will disembark
at each port-of-call on a regular 7-night cruise.  Hard to imagine…

With the novelty of the ship, the curiosity to roam every inch and the numerous activities available
while at sea, it’s easy to forget that you are on a cruise-even more so because you feel very little motion.

This ship has 24 different dining options.  Keep in mind that 12 of those carry a charge:
~ Room Service (12:00 am-5:00 am) $3.95 (Terry was on hold for 25 minutes & gave up)
~ Ice Cram Parlor*
~ Cupcake Cupboard*
~ Vintages*
~ Izumi*
~ Johnny Rockets $4.95
~ Seafood Shack $8.95
~ Giovanni’s Table $15.00
~ Solarium Bistro $20.00
~ Chops Grille $25.00
~ Central Park $35.00
~ Chef’s Table $75.00

* = a la carte pricing

My Time Dining – dine 6:00 pm-9:30 pm (must prepay gratuities)
My Family Time Dining – expedited dining for families with children 3-11 yrs. at 6:00 pm

The compulsory Life Boat Drill does not require carrying your life jacket to your designated Assembly Station.

We saw the Elton John impersonator, Frozen in Time (ice show), the comedian & Mosaic (6-man
vocal group-every sound is produced by the human voice, no instruments)

It is recommended that show reservations and shore excursions be made in advance on-line.
While on board, there is the Box Office on Deck 5 to make show reservations.

Judy zip-lined 9 decks above the Boardwalk.  It takes more time to sign-up & get strapped in then the actual experience (82 ft.) but it is the first at-sea zip line.  There are 2 Flowriders (simulates surfing), 2 rock climbing walls, miniature golf course, ping pong tables & full basketball court,
5 swimming pools, ice skating, fitness center and spa.

Besides the Zip Line, the other unique features:
Carousel (hand-carved, full-sized merry-go-round)
Pets at Sea (build-a-stuffed animal)
AquaTheater (750-seat amphitheater) – pool by day, theater by night, deepest pool at sea
37 stateroom categories, including Loft Suites and Interior Balcony staterooms
Rising Tide Bar (levitating bar between Decks 5-8)
First at-sea Park (live flora and fauna)
Hairspray – Broadway Show

So much to see & do in a short period of time but we certainly got a “feel” for the ship.  We took lots of pictures but some need commentary so if you’d like to view them, see one of us.

Stateroom: 9 (access to closet was inconvenient/lacked drawer space, electrical outlets hidden under the vanity)
Food: 9
Entertainment: 9 (without seeing Aqua Show or Hairspray)
Service: 8 (pre-inaugural growing pains?)
Innovations: 10


Thanks to Ernie, Ginny & Royal Caribbean for letting us preview the Largest Cruise in the World!
Fun to be able to say, “Been there, done it!”

Segale Cruisers,
Terry & Judy

Citizen Hotel in Sacramento Feb 2010 by Linn Vander Molen

The Citizen Hotel

Downtown Sacramento on J Street

 

Okay kids....

 

I stayed her last night and feel like I've found a wonderful "find" in downtown Sac.  It's an old office building that was renovated to a new hotel, just opened 1 year ago.  It's very Californian and Sacramento and retro with all the modern whistles and bells. 

 

Rooms are extremely clean and beds are fabulous.  Special touches include the new 1 cup coffe pots, robes, an umbrella to use when staying on property, ammenities in the bathroom rival Wine and Roses and have earplus with cotton balls and q-tips.  Tubs are deep sunken or double showers with the European shower heads.  If you have special needs like the tub or shower, please request it because not all rooms have all the ammenities.  I was in a regular room which was wonderful then there are suites with a living room attached and also suites with walk out, wrap around decks! 

 

The motife is political since it's right by the capital.  There are 3 capital channels so you can watch whats going on and wait in your hotel room and then walk over to the capital when it's your time on the floor.  They have nooks and crannies for private meetings or interviews.  The artwork in the rooms are 1940 and 1950 political cartoons all in black and white and framed! 

 

It's just really cool and thought I'd share.  I gave most of you a brochure but if you didn't get one and would like one please let me know.  This hotel we use for the Meg Whitman campaign and now I know why.... it rocks!  I would use it over a Marriott or Embassy Suites in Sac, any day.  Rates start at $199 and parking is $25 valet only.  Whitman campaign has lower rates if need be.  Also in apollo with Thor24 rates and packages.

 

The sales manager would love to help you/us if need be.  I have her contact information if you need it.

 

Just thought I'd share!!

Linn

 

 

Puerto Vallarta March 2010 by Maria Martinez

Why are vacations so short.!!!

Vallarta weather was a nice 85 degrees.  I stayed at the Rui Vallarta.  There a 3 Rui’s right next to each other in Nuevo Vallarta.  Rui Jalisco, Rui Vallarta and Rui Palace.  I did not like the Rui Jalisco, very standard and basic from the tile floors to the furniture and furnishings, compared to the Rui Vallarta I stayed at. (marble flooring, iron cast furniture) .  Rui Palace is a little bit more upscale, with all marble tile and chandilers in the lobby.

There were lot’s of families and lot’s of teenagers.

 I have my own catalogs of all the Rui’s.  if you ever have any questions on the Mexico properties let me know. 

Some people are still paranoid about going to Mexico because of the drug cartel and people getting murdered. I did not feel threatened at all.  We went into Vallarta one day to shop. Went to a local supermarket in Nuevo Vallarta (had to have RedBull) and went out for dinner in a little town outside of Nuevo Vallarta called Bucerias and had a beautiful sunset dinner on the beach.  We had a companion join us (the restaurant owners’ dog) sat with us thru dinner, so of course I kept feeding him.

We had to get Alfredo a wheelchair for both SFO and PVR airports. And you sure get special treatment.  Airport personnel whisked us thru security and to the gate in no time at all. And same in PV.

Hasta luego amigas.!

maria

New York Trip May 2010 by Judy Takemoto

Start spreading the news…

I’m back after 5 nights in New York.  Flew on Delta Airlines.  Stayed at The Westin Times Square.

Surprisingly busy for this time of year. Fine dining restaurants were packed.  Every show was

sold out except one.  Saw seven of them.  Shopped ‘til I dropped.  Blame my friend, the shop-a-holic.

MAY 5 - Wednesday

2:00 pm – Fences (dramatic play with Denzel Washington) EXCELLENT.

5:45 pm – Marea (new restaurant near Central Park) Very good.

8:00 pm – Come Fly Away (choreography to Frank Sinatra vocals). So-so.

MAY 6 – Thursday

Noon – Rock Center Café (Rockefeller Center)

2:00 pm – Sak’s Fifth Avenue

5:30 pm – Le Bernardin (fine dining, once is enough)

8:00 pm – Promises, Promises (Sean Hayes & Kristin Chenoweth)

                Music of Burt Bacharach – cute,cute,cute & fun,fun,fun

MAY 7 – Friday

10:00 am – Macy’s

2:00 pm Jean Georges (favorite meal of the trip!)

5:00 pm – Bloomingdale’s

8:00 pm – Addams Family (Nathan Lane & Bebe Neuwirth) Thumbs up!

MAY 8 – Saturday

10:00 am – took subway to Soho for purse shopping (Hans Koch on Prince Street)

2:00 pm – American Idiot-music of Green Day, huge cast, head-banging music.  Loved it.

6:00 pm – Seraphina – Italian (a bit disappointing)

8:00 pm – Girls Night – Off Broadway.  Left at intermission.  Off Broadway for a reason…

MAY 9 - Sunday

7:30 am – Live Your Best Life Walk (with Oprah) – 2 miles.  Mary Jane Blige, Bette Midler, Gayle King.

1:00 pm – GIANTS vs. METS (new stadium, took subway-front row seats on the field by Giants dugout)

7:00 pm – La Cage Aux Folles (Kelsey Grammar) Terrific!

10:00 pm – Carmine’s (Italian family style-huge portions)

The Delta night flight from SFO to JFK only took 4 hrs – we arrived a whole hour early!  More time in NY.

The Delta return flight on Monday morning was oversold-asked for volunteers to give up their seats for $400.00.

That flight took 7 hrs due to headwinds.  Watched 3 movies.

Back to work.  Have to work.  To pay for New York…

Cabo Sep 2010 by Judy Takemoto

Hola Segale Travel-

I spent the weekend of Sep. 17-19 in Cabo San Lucas, hosted by Pleasant Holidays/Distinguished Resorts,

Barcelo Resorts and Terramar (optional tours).  It was a quick turn around but well-worth the experience!

Half of the group was from Northern California, half from So.Cal and a few from Texas-

totaling 60.  I flew from SFO on USAIR thru Phoenix.  FYI, USAIR charges from the first

checked bag for Mexico and Canada ($25.00).  When returning from Cabo, there was no

charge for checking a bag even though the routing was through Phoenix where we had

to clear customs.  USAIR was delayed 45 minutes from SFO.  Then the flight from Phoenix

to Cabo was delayed for 3 long hours.  The gate agent did make an announcement every 15 minutes

even if it was to say to say that there was no further update to report.  Second FYI on USAIR, you won’t find

Cabo San Lucas as the destination on the airport monitors, you won’t find it under San Jose del Cabo.

It is listed as Los Cabos.  Third FYI on USAIR, from SFO to Phoenix (2 hrs) and Phoenix to Cabo (2 hrs) –

there is beverage service only, no complimentary snacks (peanuts or pretzels), no audio, no video.

NOTHING.  NADA.

We arrived at the San Jose del Cabo Airport, breezed through customs and transferred to

the Barcelo Los Cabos Palace Deluxe (all-inclusive resort).  A special dinner and menu had been arranged

by the pool, followed by entertainment (dancers with numerous costume changes and fire dancers

who had to have several fire extinguishers nearby!).  It must have been almost 90 degrees even after

the sun went down.  During the evening, twice they came around with chilled towels.  Nice touch.

The property has only been open for 9 months (since Dec. 2009); 547 suites.  The rooms had very modern

décor with a Mexican flair, a flat screen TV-which if you could figure it out, could be used as a computer

with wireless free internet.

After 7:30 am breakfast (plenty of Mexican specialties even at breakfast), we had a 2-hr site inspection of

the property (spa, workout/gym, 5 restaurants, theatre, adult pool, family pool, different room categories/views).

At 11:00 am-the group went different directions.  Some opted for a massage/manicure/pedicure/facial on property.

Most went on the “Baja Discover” which visited the quaint town of Todos Santos.  The classic song by the Eagles

made this town famous as the home of the “Hotel California”.  I was part of a small group of 13; we took a

“speed boat” out to Lover’s Beach.  It’s the only beach in the world where you can see two oceans within just

a few steps – the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean.  We snorkeled at Santa Maria Beach and lunched on

a floating platform (hotdogs-so American, not so South of the Border!)  We had 20 minutes to check out

the vendors and shops in Cabo.  Arrived back to the hotel in time to check out the adult pool with adult

beverages.  Then it was time to clean up and attend another dinner and show.

Sunday morning I got up and tested the treadmill for three miles, grabbed some breakfast, showered, packed and

headed for the airport.  It took 20 minutes to get to the airport.  At the Cabo Airport, any checked piece of luggage

was opened and hand-searched.  Get to the airport early and be prepared to watch the employees work in slow

motion.  Your carry-on luggage is searched at the gate as you line up to board your flight.

And that was my weekend in Cabo!

Senorita Judy T.

Maria's Wedding on Oahu Feb 2011

hello all; sorry no pictures yet. 

Just wanted to say a Big thank you to all for making this such a special wedding/honeymoon/vacation.  Alfredo and I are vey thankfull for your gifts. 

 

We started off by staying at the El Rancho. checked in and got to meet  Barbara who usually answers the phone to take our reservations.  We got upgraded to a jacuzzi suite.  United out was a full flight, but got the window seat for Alfredo, who thinks he can see land from 35000 feet!!!!  Arrived at the Honolulu airport took a shuttle to the Hyatt Regency, dropped off luggage, then had to immedidately take a cab to the health department to get our marriage license before 3pm.. got there just in time and waited about an hour, headed back to the Hyatt to c heckin. 

was upgraded to a deluxe oceanview room, thanks to Ernie & judy and Stacy.  ( later personally thanked Renee Nakashima, GSM). 

 

We pretty much kept busy the whole time, started at 4am every day and pooped out by 9pm. and no we did not stay in the room the whole time.! We had a fabulous stay at the Hyatt. Had champagne and chocolate covered strawberry's delivered to our room. had lunch by the pool twice. went to the swap meet, took a whale watching cruise, went to the Ala Moana mall. walked on the beach every day. and the special treat was the couples massage, thanks to my Segale family for this special gift.

truly worth every second, Alfredo was being kind of shy but ended up enjoying it. After all the eating and drinking, thank God i still fit into my wedding dress.!!

 

the day of the Wedding: Valentine's day.  we got up again at 4am.  had our coffee and lounged for a bit. i went to get my hair done, we got dressed and were ahead of schedule by 1 hr. so we hung out and just walked around the Hyatt. other guests were taking our picture and congratulating us. We then found a lady and she ending up taking pictures in our camera for us.  Limo arrived on time to take us to magic island for the ceremony.  The wedding planner and minister and photographer were there to greet us and the ceremony began.  this ended up being really stress free, we enjoyed and had so much fun this day.  ended the day by having dinner in the Hyatt's Colony restaurant.  Alfredo, being the romantic guy that he is, went to the restuarant earlier to request a special table and had roses delivered to our table with champaign. This ended up being a 3 hr romantic dinner. 

 

Needless to say we arrived back home just exhausted.!! I really need a vacation!!

I promise as soon as i get pictures i will share with you all (Scott please help me)...

 

You are all so special to me and i love you all.

Maria and Alfredo