Last week I took a trip to Colorado. This was my first airline trip since getting my Global Entry & TSA PreCheck pass (see my previous post for that process!) Once you have that status, be sure to check out the airport you’re leaving from to see where their TSA PreCheck security lines are – in which terminal or concourse.
In PHL (Philadelphia – my home airport) they are in Terminals A-East, C, and D/E. However, you can go through any security line – we were in A-West and they handed us a card to give to the screening agent which let us leave our shoes and jackets on, and not have to empty any part of our carry-ons. The TSA line was short there anyway so it didn’t bother us to wait a few minutes to get through.
Departing out of DIA (Denver), I knew there were designated lines for TSA PreCheck. We blew threw that security in about 2 minutes flat. That alone was worth the price of Global Entry!
DIA is a very busy airport, especially on a Saturday morning. They are very efficient there but having the TSA PreCheck status definitely helps!
I highly recommend visiting Colorado if you haven’t already. I usually go out during ski season (November – April/May). And I’ve skied in all of those months! Early season skiing is limited to what runs they can open – some with a base of manmade snow, and any natural snow that has fallen is a bonus. Usually by late December most resorts are fully operational, and January – March are the best months for great powder. Spring skiing in April is also great – less heavy clothing needed and still lots of fresh powder opportunities. Getting towards May, it warms up and some of the lower runs may close and the surface can get a bit slushy later in the day.
Here is Breckenridge, CO from my trip, with a light dusting at the summit, Aspens in full color, and the promise of winter just around the corner!
This trip included heading up to the summit of Pikes Peak at 14,115 ft! Walking and hiking in the Garden of the Gods, checking out Manitou Springs, Woodland Park, Breckenridge and Frisco.
You can’t really go wrong with any place in Colorado!
Here I am close to the summit of Pikes Peak – where it was 25 degrees and windy. Once we got back to Manitou Springs it was sunny and a warm 65 degrees. Colorado weather is crazy and wonderful!!
Airlines. Status. Headaches.
I have Platinum status on American Airlines. I’ve been flying them (and USAirways previously) for decades, and have had status before. I am so close to million-miler status too. So I know how it used to be. And how it is NOT now.
First, forget the ‘complimentary’ upgrades. There were many seats open in first class in the days before our flight, which is when – technically – American status members can get their complimentary upgrade. However, they don’t. They will give you the option to purchase the upgrade at a discount – and that discount changes as the flight gets closer. Literally you are on a waitlist at the gate and won’t know until then if you got the upgrade. Because AA will wait to see if they can extract more money out of anyone first, before giving it to you for free. Obviously that makes the chance of you getting it pretty much nil.
So what does a status get you? In my case, it allows me to book the first few rows of coach (premium seats that have a bit more room) for free, which include complimentary beverages – yes, all kinds including alcohol. But basically a zero chance of any other upgrade. OK fine. It also allows me any anyone travelling with me, to have 2 free checked bags.
This particular trip, we flew direct to Denver, but our return flight options for that particular Saturday had to include a layover. (The only direct flight was a redeye, and well, I just don’t do those anymore.) I chose flights that had a decent layover (1 hr 40 mins) in Dallas. This trip we also only had carry-on luggage.
*NOTE – I do not book airfare for my clients (unless necessary), for the reasons you’re about to read about. I always suggest, with any layover, that it is a minimum of 90 minutes – longer if International and customs is involved. I will make recommendations for flights, but it is in YOUR best interest to book your flight directly with the airline (and not any third party, including Hotwire, Priceline, etc).
We arrive to Denver early on Saturday – a good 3 hours before our flight (we woke up early). As we get into the airport, I get a text from American (see screenshot). Flight is now 30 minutes delayed. OK fine, still have enough time to make our connection (why the 90+ min layover is so important!). Get through security fast, then get another text. Flight is now scheduled an hour later. Now I’m not so happy about that. Check the departures board and see that there’s another flight to Dallas leaving in an hour. We head to that gate. I go into my American app and request standby for that flight. There are 17 available seats. Because of my Platinum status, we were bumped to the first 2 on the list to go standby. (Thankfully no other higher status people requested!) We were able to get on the earlier flight – in the premium seats, together, too! Which was a wonderful blessing – since I kept getting more texts that our original flight was delayed even more. We never would have made our connection since it was supposed to now land at DFW after the flight to PHL was to depart!
We arrive in Dallas, and try to jump on an earlier flight to Philly. Again, on the waitlist for standby. (We are still confirmed on our original flight.) There were only 4 seats available, but as they boarded, not everyone checked in so they did offer us seats at the last minute, but by that point the overhead bins were full which meant we’d have to check our carry-ons and pick them up in baggage claim in Philly. That was a hard pass. If you’ve ever been to PHL and had to claim baggage, you know why we skipped it.
So we ended up having a few hours to kill in DFW so we watched some college football, ate an early dinner, and got our steps in before boarding our last flight.
Having a status definitely helped get us on that earlier flight, because we never would have made the connecting flight if we stayed on the original flight.
Having booked the flights myself with American, I was able to handle everything directly, through the app and through the gate agents. When you book with a third party, the airline will direct you to work with them to resolve your issue. When there are delays and timing is so important to handle those things, having to call a third party – whether a Travel Advisor, or even another booking agency – you are including at least 2 other people to the process, which will add a lot of time to getting things resolved.
Moral of the story – book direct with the airline, give yourself lots of time if connecting anywhere, and pack your patience! Also, book the major airlines only (American, Delta, United – domestically). They will help you the best when there are delays and cancellations. I definitely recommend you stay away from the discount airlines (Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest and Spirit) as they are notorious for their lack of customer service.