6-Piece International Adapter Kit from Brookstone

Ever wonder which type of adapter you'll need for your upcoming trip?  I used to rack my brain attempting to remember what plugs would look like in any given desitination, which was rarely successful (don't dedicate a lot of memory space to plug shapes).  Inevitably I would buy an adapter at the airport and leave it behind in the hotel room.  Then a family member put me onto the 6-Piece International Adapter Kit from Brookstone.  It is a little pricey at around $30, but I've never been anywhere that it didn't work, and I never have to think about plugs (other than remembering to throw the kit in my bag).  I will probably pick up another one after this trip.

Essentially, there is a base and onto that base you can slide any number of international plug types.  From there you just plug it into the wall.  The base itself is also capable of accepting various different plug configurations (2-prong, 3-prong, etc.).  It all fits nicely into the case that it comes with, around 5-inches square and 3 inches deep.  Definitely worth the investment.

The American Express Platinum Card

If I'm being completely honest, I struggled with the decision to get an AMEX Platinum Card for quite a while.  The annual membership fee is $450, no small change.  Equally honestly, I wish I had done it sooner.  The travel benefits are a great value.  I will say what finally put me over the top, I saw a special offer for 50,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $1,000 on the card within three months, which I could convert into 75,000 Delta SkyMiles, 25,000 of which were MQMs, essentially paying the fee for almost the first 2 years of membership fees.  Special thanks to the Points Guy for bringing that one to my attention.

Some of the travel benefits that come with being an AMEX Platinum card holder:

• Free lounge access on the airline you are flying the day of your flight
• Free Priority Club Access (allows you into certain airport lounges around the world even if you aren't flying on that airline)
• Automatic Gold Preferred Status in Starwood Preferred Guest Membership (have to call AMEX after you have your card to enroll)
• Room upgrades, breakfast and resort credits at luxury hotels around the world when booked through AMEX travel (usually pretty competitive rates)
• Free companion business class travel on qualified airlines when booked through AMEX travel (often less competitive rates - even at a 2-for-1 deal)
• Fairmont President's Club Platinum Membership after 5 nights instead of 30
• Annual refund of up to $200 in ancillary airline fees (baggage, etc)
• Refund of Global Entry enrollment fee

These aren't all the benefits, and there are benefits beyond travel.  But I would say, even without the points offer that the AMEX Platinum Card ends up paying for itself if you familiarize yourself with all the benefits and take advantage, especially if you are a frequent traveller. 

Corinthia Hotel, St. Petersburg (First Impressions)

It doesn't seem fair to pre-judge, so I'm calling these first impressions.  I'm staying at the Corinthia Hotel in St. Petersburg for ten days.  The Corinthia Hotels have an affiliation with Wyndham Hotels Group, and this is my first time staying at one of the Corinthia properties.  They have 10 or so hotels throughout Europe.

First impressions:

PROs:

• The rooms are large for a European Hotel
• The staff has been friendly and helpful
• The location in St. Petersburg is fantastic

CONs:

• The luxuriousness feels like a facade
• The water in the shower smells like dirty river water
• This time of year it doesn't get dark here at night, and the room isn't well equipped to block out the midnight sun

As I said, definitely first impressions and I wouldn't read more criticism here than is intended.  It is a nice hotel.  I’m only 3 days into my stay.  At this point in my stay though, I feel oversold by the website.  More to come.

UPDATE: Check out my final impressions too.

Third Night Free at Leading Hotels of the World

Dreaming of a long weekend between now and year end?  American Express and the Leading Hotels of the World Group are pairing up to offer a 33% discount for three-night stays (1 night free).  The offer is good at any Leading Hotels of the World property and is good for any American Express card holder until December 31, 2011.  The group has properties spread across the world.  I have stayed at a few in my lifetime and have yet to be disappointed.  They tend to be smaller and very charming hotels. 

Good Value in St. Thomas

Can you go wrong with a Rtiz-Carlton property?  Possibly, the trip was fantastic but I was underwhelmed by the resort in San Juan, Puerto Rico; the property was just screaming for an upgarde.  The same cannot be said for the Ritz Carlton in St. Thomas.  Whether you're looking for great snorkelinig and diving or just a beautiful environment in which to escape for the summar, the Ritz St. Thomas is offering a decent package, they call Resort Reconnect. 

For $359 per night you get:

• Accomodations
• Daily Breakfast for Two
• Daily $100 Credit at the Resort

You cannot apply the credit towards the room, but it also isn't a daily use it or lose it scenario (i.e. if you spend a day off the resort and don't use it, but spend $200 at the resort the following day...you're okay). 

It isn't quite bargain basement shopping, but a decent value for this resort.  The deal is available for travel before October 31, 2011.  If you go, I highly recommend using some of your credit at the resort restaurant Bleuwater, delicious.

Sky Team Business Class Travel? Go Air France

Are you getting ready to book business class airfare on Sky Team?  Give serious consideration to Air France if it doesn't have adverse consequences for your itinerary.  Delta is in the process of upgrading its business class, and on those planes where the upgrade is complete their cabin is very competitive.  I flown the Atlanta to London-Heathrow route on an upgraded Delta B767-400 and was very impressed with the experience.

Delta's old fleet, however, is woefully behind Air France's flat-bed seats.  I personally find Air France's food and wine service marginally better.  There is a definite trade-off in that you're almost certainly doomed to transfer through Paris-Charles de Gaulle, without question the most confounding of man's creations.  Otherwise, you will accrue SkyMiles on the exact same schedule as if you'd flown Delta (usually a little slower to credit).  I also find the Air France lounges (salons in AF parlance) to outpace the Delta's Sky Clubs.  Though a small thing, it annoys me that Delta did away with mainstream magazines in its Sky Clubs.

If you're connecting anyway, I think you'll appreciate the difference in equipment between Delta's old cabin layout and the Air France configuration.  Note that Delta has currently upgraded its B767-400 fleet and its B777-200LR fleet.  You can view the type of aircraft when booking, or if you view the seats when booking you'll notice the cabins equiped with flat-bed seats only have four seats per row of seating.

Of course none of this helps, if you book a ticket on Air France only to have the flight cancelled and your travel moved over to Delta equipment...can't complain too much, going to make my connection.

Safe travels.

Food Truck Craze

For three Tuesday's in a row I've had a friend try and get me to join him at a food truck event in Atlanta, the Howell Mill Food Park.  For three Tuesday's in a row, I've been in a city other than Atlanta.  Not yesterday, yesterday I joined him,. I have to say I was really impressed.  The food was good and broad a variety from hot dogs and ice cream to tacos and arepas.  Eat It, Atlanta has a great review of the event.  It happens every Tuesday.  Here is the menu off the ice cream truck:

I'm not sure I understand the food truck craze, but it was honestly much better than I expected.  If I'm around Atlanta on another Tuesday I'll definitely head out to the food park again.  I may just attempt to call on a food truck regardless of locale.