I'm back from my 38 1/2 hour trip to California! It was not fun but it's done!
From a cc standpoint, went to Savemart and bought a $500 GOC gift card so that will be 2024 MRs, whoo hoo!
Stayed Friday night (ATC delay so was in IAH for 9 1/2 hours) at the Hyatt Regency SFO in Burlingame, CA. We had a club level room and the breakfast was nice-scrambled eggs and pastries, fruits, breads, etc. The shuttle was efficient and the room was functional (although no bath tub, boo). Hyatts are pepsi product company so that was the biggest negative I can think of. Unfortunately I was there all of 10 hours so I can't comment on the pool or fitness area.
The Centurion Lounge in IAH was small but functional and I would definitely use it again. That said, if I'm ever at IAH I'll remember my priority pass since that allows entrance into the KLM and Air France lounges (which are next to each other) so I could compare and contrast them.
I was upgraded to a suite at the Courtyard Marriott in Stockton. It was large and while no frills, did its job admirably (plus diet dr pepper in the vending maching AND market) so I was appropriately caffeinated! We weren't there very long (17 hours) so I didn't try out the gym or pool, sorry.
The Skyclub at SFO is small but nice-adequate outlets and they had both hard boiled eggs and scrambled eggs, plus shredded cheese, picante sauce and tortillas so I had a good breakfast burrito while waiting for my flight. They switched over from breakfast to lunch as I was leaving around 10:45 so no insight on lunch offerings.
ETA I didn't check out the Centurion Lounge since it's in a different terminal-Delta leaves from Term 1. Maybe next time!
I flew United out and Delta back and Delta's planes were cleaner and their movie selection was larger but for the most part, the FAs were nice on both-more perfunctory on Delta, surprisingly, but I think my FA on UA was drunk; she forgot my order (complicated diet coke) twice before finally coming up with it prior to the flight. I think if I were to fly UA again, I'd stick with biz/first whereas I don't love Comfort Plus on Delta it's still "good enough" which is good since skypesoes really aren't worth a darn.
Anyway, glad to be home in the relatively inexpensive Emerald Coast...happily DH had a bit of sticker shock and announced "no way are we moving back here." I knew that anyway but happy he came to his own independent conclusion! Since I don't work anymore and he's planning on going to part time next year, our little piece of (inexpensive) paradise is just fine!
Also I used my Delsey 19in international carry on spinner and it worked fairly well for 38 hours. I am just an overpacker I think but thanks to
@mmmears for the emotional support as I tried it. I will NOT do carry on only for a trip to Europe but a less than 2 day trip is almost do-able.
especially when we haven't paid the first AF. I was thinking of gambling keeping it for awhile and getting the night, and being ok cancelling mid year for $95, I'm not crazy about the increase
