Gym Options During Travel: Tip-of-the-Day #300

As I mentioned in my previous post, I spent last week in Baltimore, Maryland. I was staying at a nice enough hotel and there was a gym on the property. That said, I was also there with 75+ colleagues all equally interested in tapping those four treadmills before breakfast. And so, I had to brainstorm other options if I wanted to get a (reliable) work out in.

Temps were hovering in the thirties and forties and power walks felt out of the question. So I researched other facilities within a four block radius of the hotel. Bingo! I found an athletic club that was full service - a breadth of equipment as well as group fitness classes. I had sense enough to bring along my spinning shoes in anticipation of this find and I was ready to rock and roll. Only rub: drop-in passes were $20 for the day. While that wasn't out of the question (I pay more for classes at home), I also wanted to explore other arrangements for the week. So I contacted Membership.

A quick meeting with a well intended Membership Advisor scored me a free week-long pass. I explained that my company is headquartered in Maryland and there were going to be more trips on the horizon. I needed a gym on both coasts to support my 2014 fitness goals!

In taking that one extra step and actually consulting a member of the staff, I was able to save myself a nice chunk of change that would not have otherwise been reimbursed by my company.

It's altogether possible that the Membership advisor could have denied my request or given me a single day pass, but you know what? She didn't! And, if you don't ask, you'll never know.

Upgrade to First on Virgin for $299: Tip-of-the-Day #299

Last week I had to fly to Baltimore for business. Given I live in San Francisco and my flight time is an estimated five hrs on the outbound, six on the return, I'm always looking for an opportunity to upgrade.

I don't know any airline that extends the First Class upgrade offer that Virgin America makes available. In a nutshell: if you're traveling in Economy or Economy Plus, you can contact Virgin six hours before your scheduled departure (online or by phone) and secure an open seat in First Class for a mere $299. I say "mere" because a cross country ticket to Baltimore in First can run you as much as $2000 one way.

On the leg out, I was still too "fresh" to feel the need to pony up the extra dough for the cush seat, plus my friend was on that flight with me and I could sit with her in economy, watch the Niners, and feel just fine about it. But, by the end of my long week I was so exhausted I then felt downright deserved of that First Class seat!

My flight was departing at 10:00 a.m. ET, which would mean a 4:00 a.m. wake up to get to any available seats. I wasn't willing to disrupt precious sleep for that, but if I happened to roll over and notice the time (which I did) I was willing to hit the number programmed on speed dial.

By dark o'clock I had scored the last First Class seat on the flight from Dulles to SFO. Score! I'm not even about the free booze or food. I was down for the cozy, plush seats and all-I could-consume entertainment. Boy did it feel worth it.

If, however, you would rather spend that money on a pair of leather boots, you can always move into Economy Plus for $129. Six inches extra leg room and all the free stuff you can consume. Note: these prices are for cross country flights. I imagine they are considerably less for flights under 5 hours.

BIG TIP: If you are upgrading to First Class, try to avoid getting seated in the first row. The overhead in that row is totally consumed by airline equipment and since more and more people are flying with carry-on, the overhead compartments fill up fast. In row 1, you are forced to either power walk by your neighbors to abscond their overhead space, or whine to a flight attendant and hope they'll move some stuff around so that you don't look like the jerk.

Help Your Aging Pets Get Around: Tip-of-the-Day #298

I have aging cats and it's painful for me to watch them struggle to get on and off of the elevated bed each night. Cats (as you may know) are proudful creatures and will not accept help unless absolutely required. And so, over the years I've tried easing the climb and/or descent with pet stairs designed specifically for dogs and cats with achey arthritic joints. My cats go out of their way to avoid it.

That said, comfort will win out over pride when it just doesn't feel good to jump any more. :(

And so, I developed what I affectionately refer to as the pillow ladder. Depending on the height of your bed, you can layer anywhere from 2 - 4 pillows of varying sizes in a latticed format (think Lincoln Logs). They need to be sturdy enough not to slip or slide and afford your animal the support it needs on the way up and down.

I'll leave this pillow ladder assembled all night long to afford my furry friends the option to come and go as they like while still maintaining access to the place they like most - the bed.

Save yourself a ton of money on different commercial steps or building blocks. Won't happen. In fact, when you assemble the pillow ladder, do it as nonchalantly as possible so that when your cat finds it, s/he thinks that they in fact discovered it.

Enjoy! Your animals will.

More Than Airport Lounge Access: Tip-of-the-Day #297

More and more I've been receiving exclusive offers from Chase, specials designed only for United MileagePlus Club Card Cardmembers.

Gone are the days when credit cards' lure is access to the airport lounge. Now, there's access to exclusive lounges out in the real world, and, if you flash your Club card, you'll get access along with free food/libations.

Chase clearly isn't filtering their offers based on location since I'm in SF and this offer is for NYC - but heck, who cares? I may be traveling for business in NY that week. I may have family there. They are casting a wide net and I don't mind catching a glimpse of the cool stuff they have planned for me as a cardholder.

If you're thinking it's time for a new card, I would encourage you to check out some of the more "exclusive"cards offered by Chase. I've also got the Ritz Carlton card through Chase and expect to see some similar offers through that channel.

Here's a look at what I just recieved by email today:

Escape from the cold and join us in the VIP Lounge as we celebrate Big Game Week. Enjoy complimentary amenities including sports themed food and beverages and more!

Who: All Chase United MileagePlus Cardmembers

Where: Guy's American Kitchen and Bar

When: Wednesday, January 29th – Saturday, February 1st, 11:00 am - 1:00 am

You will be asked to show your Chase United Credit Card and a valid photo ID for entry.

Access to the VIP Lounge is on a first-come, first-served basis and there may be a wait outside to enter. There are also a limited number of reservations available for guaranteed entry. 

Located in the heart of the action in Times Square:

Guy's American Kitchen and Bar 

220 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036 (between 7th & 8th Avenues)

Internet Access Via Personal Hotspot: Tip-of-the-Day #296

I can't possibly be the last person on earth to discover the benefits of using one's phone as a personal hotspot. Am I?

Two failed attempts to get a wifi extender to work in my 1500 sq foot condo and now I'm using my phone's hotspot to connect to the internet in the one section of my house where I'm unable to get a signal on my laptop. My bedroom.

There are some days I just want to sit in bed and answer email. Not get up and move to the dining room. And so, I now share my iphone's internet connection and am free to work from a prone position.

That said, it's important to call your mobile service provider before engaging in this activity because if you're like me and you have a 2GB data plan, you can use that up in the blink of an eye streaming a movie on Netflix. If you're just checking email, shopping online, and reading this blog, then you can do that from the comfort of your hotspot all.day.long and be happy as a clam.

Hard to believe that it took me this long to figure this one out, but I'm guessing I'm not the only one. So, if you have a phone and a data plan, you too can use your phone to connect your computer to the internet. On an iPhone 5 you just go to "Utilities", then "Settings", then "Personal hotspot". Turn it "On" and use the wifi password provided to you to connect. Easy peasy.

You're welcome.