Triangle Trip

United Airlines now operate out of Los Angeles International Airport’s (LAX) Terminals 6, 7, and 8. Following my previous post on how to get quickly get through LAX security in Terminal 7, this post gives you two more options should the LAX Terminal 7 garage security checkpoint is closed for whatever reason or becomes too crowded.

Option 1 – Use United Premier Line in Terminal 6:  United has their Premier check-in counters and security line in Terminal 6. Unlike LAX Terminal 7 (or other airports), Terminal 6’s security checkpoint does not have a pre-screener to look at your ID or re-validate that you are a United Premier member. If you walk into Terminal 6 and make an immediate left, you will see the United Premier security line. This line is generally empty and connects you to the normal Terminal 7 main security line. However, the Terminal 6 security line is much shorter as it does not wrap around like Terminal 7’s main line. If you do see a pre-screener and he/she does not let you go through, just tell him/her that you were dropped off by the rental car bus and have to catch the flight that’s in an hour. If that fails, go to Option 2.

Option 2 – use LAX Terminal 6’s TSA security line to get to Terminals 7 and 8:  This option will require some walking. Terminal 6’s normal TSA security is to the right of United Premier check-in. LAX Terminal 6 does not have many big airlines (AirTran, Continental, Spirit, Virgin America, etc.) so the security lines are generally shorter than Terminal 7. After you have cleared the Terminal 6 security line, make a left and walk through a tunnel that connects you to Terminal 7.

For your convenience, below is a map of LAX highlighting the United Terminals. I have labeled locations for Options #1 and #2 in red.

LAX United Terminal Map

I have tried both options and both worked like a charm. I was at LAX at 3:20PM to catch a 4PM flight and there was no pre-screener at the United Premier security line in Terminal 6. I bypassed the normal Terminal 7 pre-screening and the long wrap around line. I have also tried go through security at Terminal 6 and walking back to Terminal 7. The entire process (clearing security to walking to the gate) took less than 15 minutes as no one uses the TSA security lines in Terminal 6.

I am still waiting for Clear to show up at the world’s 6th busiest airport. Here’s a link to my previous post regarding this topic. I would also like to give credit to Statusmonger for telling me about the United Terminal 6 secret.

Meet me in St. Louis?  Here’s a short guide on what to see and what to do in St. Louis, Missouri:

Sightseeing

1. Arch and Riverfront – Not much to say, this is the one thing they always show and reference when speaking about St. Louis.  If you are visiting St. Louis, you need to see this spectacular creation.

2. Forest Park – For outdoor lovers, this is one of the treasures of St. Louis. It hosted the 1904 World’s Fair, and has undergone $100 million of restoration since.   Its 50% larger than NY’s central park at about ~1300 acres.  The park has beautiful trails, picnic areas, art museum, waterboats, and more…

3. Busch Stadium – Home of the St. Louis Cardinals.  This city revolves around one sport, its baseball, and with it, its the Cardinals.  I know of people who work in St. Louis who close down their offices just to see the home opener.  Cardinals fans are one of the greatest baseball fans in the nation.  The stadium has recently been renovated and it looks amazing.

4. St. Louis Zoo – I’ve been to a few zoos around the country and this is by far the best free zoo in the nation. If you are coming with kids, bring them to the zoo. Remember, it’s free!

5. Anheuser Busch Brewery – This is for the beer lovers, take a tour of the brewery and get a free drink as well.

6. St. Louis Science Center – Great place for kids. A “new” science center (although not new anymore) was built across the highway from the old science center, but it is attached with a bridge over the highway. Pluses: it has an Omnimax theater and a planetarium.

Nightlife

The Loop – I’m not sure why they call it the loop, but this six blocks of entertainment attracts all sorts of people. It is referenced in Nelly’s country grammar song (I’m from the Loop’ and I’m proud) Blueberry Hill is a must see, where celebrities come if they come to St. Louis. The Delmar Loop is located closely to Washington University in St. Louis so this place is packed with college kids.

Laclede’s Landing – Fun bar area in downtown, which is a must for St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Hosts many bars, a piano bar, and clubs.  Beware of the drunkards.

Soulard – Counter to the Landing, this is the French quarter of St. Louis. It has a Mardi Gras celebration which obviously is not as big as New Orleans, but its still a fun place to go. Also beware of the drunkards. It also has one of the oldest public market open in the mornings. Producers come shop here.

Central West End – This is more of a hip and trendy area for professionals to come and shop, wine and dine. This place is at the west end of St. Louis country, but it is centrally located to all of the St. Louis suburbs. Cleverly named.

Priority Club, with Intercontinental Hotel as the flagship hotel, has joined Starwood’s (SPG) to free hotel nights after each hotel stay. Here’s the link to the Priority Club offer. In case you are interested in the SPG free night’s offer, here’s the link again.

The Priority Club offer is as follow:

* Stay 2 nights from May 4 to July 3, 2009 and get 1 night free
* Maximum of earning 4 free nights which can be redeemed from July 3 to December 26, 2009

The SPG free weekend nights offer is much better than Priority Club’s free nights’ offer. Below are the reasons why:

1.  SPG’s free weekend nights’ offer allows you to earn unlimited free weekend nights after two hotel stays from May 1 to July 31, 2009. In addition, SPG’s offer period is two weeks longer than Priority Club’s. However SPG is looking for two hotel stays which means you may need to check-in and check-out of hotels to maximize your rewards during the promotion period. For those who are not familiar with the hotel stay concept, an eligible stay is one or more consecutive nights at a particular hotel. SPG will not give you credit for a multiple hotel stays if you check-in/check-out on consecutive nights at the same property .

2.  There are no blackout dates for redemption. As long as it’s a Friday, Saturday or Sunday and rooms are available, SPG will allow you to use the free weekend night.

3.  SPG’s properties are generally nicer than Priority Clubs’ properties. SPG properties are also in metropolitan locations.

Here are a few minor setbacks on the SPG offer:  Priority Club’s 4 free nights can be redeemed on any day – not just weekends. Another minor downside on SPG free nights offer is SPG’s free nights expiration date: September 30, 2009 compared to Priority Club’s December 26, 2009.

Given the two minor setbacks, SPG’s free weekend nights’ offer is superior to Priority Club’s offer. Below are links to two other offers which may be attractive to you:

*  Hilton’s 1000 Bonus Point offer

*  Marriott’s Double Nights Offer

Here’s a link to my original post regarding the SPG offer.