There are unlimited Metrocards for daily, weekly and monthly use. The published terms and conditions for an unlimited Metrocard are:

1. You cannot use the unlimited Metrocard within 18 minutes of your previous use (also known as “swipe”).

2. You cannot swipe in other passengers for a fee.

These terms don’t prohibit you from swiping your friends in for free. And, the 18 minute hold on your Metrocard only applies to the station you swiped in at. If you go to another station (NOT another turnstile across the street for the same station; an entirely different station), or a bus, you can swipe your unlimited card again, before the 18 minutes is up.

Below is an example of how you could maximize the use of your unlimited Metrocard (see map for reference):

1.  Swipe your friend in at Astor Place for the 6 train.
2.  Walk one block over to the 8th Street station and swipe in to get on the N, R or W train.
3.  Use the same card to get on the M6 bus to go down Broadway.

Here’s what you cannot do:

1.  Swipe your friend in at Astor Place for the 6 train.
2.  Walk one block over to the 8th Street station and swipe in.
3.  Go back to Astor Place for the 6 train. Unless 18 minutes passed between step 1 and 3, the card won’t work.

You can, however, walk up to the Union Square 14th Street station to reuse the same Metrocard.

Hope this helped you maximize the usage of your Metrocard. You may want to use this opportunity to check out all the skating rinks in NYC - check out Omnifarious’ previous post.

For those visiting Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics, you may want to check out our previous post on where the locals eat. We have Vancouver restaurant recommendations for the following cuisines:  Chinese, Japanese, Italian, French and other great seafood restaurants. Vancouver is one of the best places to visit to eat!

Why does JFK need an extra half hour? Although JFK is definitely busier than SFO from Delta’s standpoint, there were probably 3x the amount of Delta employees at JFK versus SFO. Does it really take 2x the amount of time to load up bags at JFK vs SFO?

I believe the minimum time for baggage check before departure is in place to gives airlines and baggage handlers enough time to get the bags onto the planes; it certainly should not be a hard and steadfast rule to prevent passengers from checking in their baggage after the deadline. Baggage handlers are professionals and should do whatever they can to accommodate passengers, especially when airlines are charging passengers up to $30 to check in each extra bag.

For your reference, here’s Delta’s published prior to departure bag check time for each major airport in the US:

Looks like SPG was kind enough to also roll over hotel stays from 2009 to 2010; in addition to just hotel nights. Rollover stays is a hidden benefit which was not originally advertised.

If you’re ever in the mood for drinks before, or after enjoying a great meal, check out urbandrinks.com. You can check to see when happy hour is, at any bar - truly, a Godsend for those impromptu socials with friends or coworkers, or when you’re in a new city and not familiar with its nightlife offerings.

UrbanDrinks has user reviews and ratings to help you make your decision; after you’ve picked your bar, urban drthey have the restaurant phone number and address after you pick your bar. And if the bar you pick isn’t what you expected, or want to hop over to another pub, UrbanDrinks shows you the nearest places where happy hours is happening.

Right now, they’ve got listings in eight metropolitan areas (see map below). So far UrbanDrinks is in Portland, Seattle, Phoenix, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Boise, and DC, and they’re constantly adding more. Check out it, and never be stumped on where to get a drink again.

Apparently Delta’s call center isn’t that much better (see Terminal D’s previous post).

In my attempt to help Delta address its customer service issues at JFK, I just sent the letter to Delta’s Customer Service Department. Let’s see what I get for a response.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I want to first commend Margie Z. at JFK’s Terminal 2 Medallion customer service department. Margie showed compassion and provided excellent customer service by booking me on a later flight because I barely missed the baggage check in time requirement (one hour at JFK vs the norm of 45 minutes at other airports or airlines). Margie is a diamond in the rough in Delta’s customer service department at JFK.

I was booked on yesterday’s (January 27, 2010) 7AM flight from JFK to SFO - Delta flight 717 - and arrived at JFK at 6:05AM. Unfortunately for me, I had to check in baggage - a snowboard for my weekend in Tahoe that I have been greatly looking forward to. When I arrived at the baggage drop off area, the baggage agent told me I was FIVE minutes too late to check in the bag. The agent then directed me to a customer service agent post next to her. The baggage drop off agent told me to stand in line and wait for a customer service representative to assist me. That line consisted solely of one person, me. There is never a line at 6:05am at JFK on a Wednesday.

While standing in “line” for about two minutes, I observed the FOUR customer service representatives each typing away on their computers almost purposely ignoring me - they were probably checking emails for all I know but they were certainly not doing anything that appeared job related. One male employee finally acknowledged I needed help and began to assist me. I told him that I couldn’t print a bag check ticket because I was five minutes late and asked if there was anything he could do. He explained to me that I had somehow missed my flight, the one that wasn’t scheduled to leave for another 55 minutes! To say I was shocked and dismayed is a severe understatement. There was no line at security. I could have easily made it to the gate, grabbed some breakfast and written a short story to boot.

After slowly comprehending the expression on my face, the customer service representative then corrected himself and said that I hadn’t missed the flight, rather I could not go on to the 7AM flight if I had to check in any baggage. He also added that I was 13 minutes late and not just a few minutes late as if to antagonize me further. Perhaps if any one of the four customer representatives had performed the most basic part of their job description I could have explained my situation sooner. To add even further insult, the customer service agent then tried to charge me an additional $50 for booking me on the 9AM flight and checking my bag despite the fact that I explained I am a Gold Medallion member and the change fees should be waived.

Upon hearing that I am a Gold Medallion member the customer service representative refused to help me any further and suggested that I see the Medallion agents around the corner.

I understand that the US airports and airlines are at a heighten security alert level and all checked bags need to travel with the passenger. However, I firmly believe the Delta agents at JFK could have easily put me on the flight and gotten my bag on the same flight if they had just tried to provide some level of real customer service. The one hour prior to departure bag check rule is there to provide the airlines and baggage handlers with enough time to get the bags onto the planes - it’s certainly not a hard and steadfast rule. I have had bags checked 35 minutes prior to departure at Chicago O’Hare and San Francisco International on United without any issues. Perhaps they are running a better and smoother operation?

In addition, the customer service representative did not need to say I was 13 minutes late which was clearly unprofessional and rude. Given the high level of service I received from Delta flight attendants and other agents like Margie Z. at JFK, I expected Delta to better train all of its agents at JFK. I am sure this is not the first time you have heard complaints about JFK’s customer service staff. I have written a similar letter to you last year about a different incident.

As a loyal Delta customer, I really wish that you would pass this letter along to the appropriate JFK manager and address your customer service issues. I would hate to give my business to another airline given the long relationship I have with Delta and the otherwise excellent service you provide. I appreciate your attention into this matter and expect a response from you soon. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any additional questions regarding this incident as I am eager to help you improve your service and retain your loyal customers.

Sincerely,

Captain G - provided in my real name of course

“The Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino, A Sheraton Resort will be leaving the Starwood system on January 15, 2010. Reservations for dates on or after January 15, 2010, will not be eligible for Starwood Preferred Guest membership benefits, award redemption or accrual.”  - SPG

Perhaps it’s the right time for SPG to step it up and broker a deal with the Bellagio!

As you can see below, I flew 56,187 air miles on Delta in 2009; and I’ve received 6,187 MQM for 2010. I have not been on a Delta flight in 2010. Getting the 6,000+ MQM is a great start to my chase to retain at least Gold Medallion status on Delta in 2010.

Kudos to the Delta SkyTeam for delivering the rollover miles; Starwood still hasn’t delivered their promised SPG’s Rollover Nights yet.