Leaving Bismarck, we stood in the line marked "Premier/First Class" to check-in for our flight. The regular line only had about 5 people in it, but I like to use my Premier perks whenever I can.
Except it meant nothing to the ladies at the check-in counter. They processed everyone else first. Even people that got in the Economy line AFTER us.
After she finished processing everyone else and I was invited to step forward, I asked if there was any difference between the regular line and Premier line. She said (wait for it), "I didn't know if you were waiting for something else." Apparently, a lot of people like to stand in the Premier line at the United Check-In counter at 5am in Bismarck, while they wait for "something else." And then she informed me that she was "new." Holy smokes. I think she might be under-qualified for the job.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Comfortable at the Comfort Inn - Bismarck, ND
Hey, free drink coupons, nice!
In the lounge, they also have a free appetizer mini-buffet for happy hour, and half-off drinks. Happy hour is a happy three hours, running from 3:30 to 6:30. We saved our free drink coupons for later, since a round of drinks for four people only cost $7.75. They don't mess around in Bismarck.
There is an indoor pool in the center of the hotel, and the rooms surround the pool, with sliding glass doors on the pool side of the room. The room did have a faint chlorine smell when we walked in. But all the standard amenities where there, even little makeup-remover towelettes.
The beds were comfy.
Free breakfast, with scrambled eggs, sausage, waffles, cereal, bagels, donuts, etc.
There are more than enough restaurants within walking distance. Try the Country House deli across the street, pass on the Hong Kong Buffet. Actually, go to the Hong Kong Buffet, because it was $41 for 4 people, and they had crab legs.
And if you want to go out, try Borrowed Buck's Roadhouse. It was cheap, clean, and fun. Not like the dive I was expecting when my brother suggested we go there.
Comfort Inn
1030 E. Interstate Ave.
Bismarck, ND, US, 58503-0547
Phone: (701) 223-1911
Room Rate: $76/night (Military/Government Rate)
In the lounge, they also have a free appetizer mini-buffet for happy hour, and half-off drinks. Happy hour is a happy three hours, running from 3:30 to 6:30. We saved our free drink coupons for later, since a round of drinks for four people only cost $7.75. They don't mess around in Bismarck.
There is an indoor pool in the center of the hotel, and the rooms surround the pool, with sliding glass doors on the pool side of the room. The room did have a faint chlorine smell when we walked in. But all the standard amenities where there, even little makeup-remover towelettes.
The beds were comfy.
Free breakfast, with scrambled eggs, sausage, waffles, cereal, bagels, donuts, etc.
There are more than enough restaurants within walking distance. Try the Country House deli across the street, pass on the Hong Kong Buffet. Actually, go to the Hong Kong Buffet, because it was $41 for 4 people, and they had crab legs.
And if you want to go out, try Borrowed Buck's Roadhouse. It was cheap, clean, and fun. Not like the dive I was expecting when my brother suggested we go there.
Comfort Inn
1030 E. Interstate Ave.
Bismarck, ND, US, 58503-0547
Phone: (701) 223-1911
Room Rate: $76/night (Military/Government Rate)
Award Ticket Fees Dropped by United Airlines
Somewhere in route, I was checking tweets on my Blackberry, and noticed a fabulous one from United Airlines. United is dropping all close-in award ticket fees! Yay! Previously, if you booked an award ticket, the closer you were to the travel date, the more it cost. Not free, folks. It could be up to $100! And now, it's free. I could come see you tomorrow, for free. Free is my favorite price.
United Airlines
United Airlines Mileage Plus
United Airlines Twitter : @UnitedAirlines
United Airlines
United Airlines Mileage Plus
United Airlines Twitter : @UnitedAirlines
A Tour of the Western United States
To use our award tickets, the only routing we could get was from Los Angeles (LAX) to Las Vegas (LAS) to Denver (DEN) to Bismarck (BIS). We left at 6am, and arrived in Bismarck around 3pm. Anyway, it was free, so I don't really have any complaints.
Shopping at LAS is far better than the shopping at LAX. Man, I could spend a day and a pretty penny in that airport.
Shopping at LAS is far better than the shopping at LAX. Man, I could spend a day and a pretty penny in that airport.
A Bumpy Start - Radisson LAX
We decided to stay at the Radisson-LAX on Wednesday night, since our (free award ticket) flight left at 6am on Thursday. The stay was OK at best.
The hotel is in the middle of remodeling... I think. Only two of the four elevators worked, so we actually had to stand in line to get on one of them. The decor in the room was mismatched. I'm not sure what they were going for, but some of it was contemporary (white linens, geometric designs on the drapes). And some of it was...polynesian?
The parking was $13 a day, and was about a block away. Not "across the street" as I was told on the phone when I called to confirm the reservation.
The business center was closed! No computers. One of the reasons I stay at the Radisson is for the business center.
It certainly isn't for the Sleep Number beds, which I could completely do without. Who wants to sleep on a glorified air mattress? Not I. And there was no refrigerator in the room, making it the first Radisson I've ever been in that did not have that amenity. And my husband noted the lack of a Gideon Bible! :)
They didn't even bother to put a trash liner in the trash cans. The bag was hanging over the side, as if to say, "You do it."
And no free drink coupons, bummer. The poor bartender, Cesar, could have used a hand. It was only Wednesday evening, but he was dealing with a full bar rail, a full lounge, and all of the room service calls. Add to that the customer frustrations with the service, and I'm very impressed Cesar kept his cool. He was always polite and respectful. And he made a nice French Martini!
I did get a ton of points for this stay though. Check out the breakdown below.
Radisson LAX
6225 W Century Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
(310) 670-9000
Room Rate: $99/night (Military/Government Rate)
Radisson Goldpoints Plus Points: 4480
Online Booking Bonus: 500
Express Yourself Point Bonus: 1000
1000 Points Per Night at 1000 Hotels Bonus: 1000
Stay Earning 20 Points Per US Dollar: 1980
The hotel is in the middle of remodeling... I think. Only two of the four elevators worked, so we actually had to stand in line to get on one of them. The decor in the room was mismatched. I'm not sure what they were going for, but some of it was contemporary (white linens, geometric designs on the drapes). And some of it was...polynesian?
The parking was $13 a day, and was about a block away. Not "across the street" as I was told on the phone when I called to confirm the reservation.
The business center was closed! No computers. One of the reasons I stay at the Radisson is for the business center.
It certainly isn't for the Sleep Number beds, which I could completely do without. Who wants to sleep on a glorified air mattress? Not I. And there was no refrigerator in the room, making it the first Radisson I've ever been in that did not have that amenity. And my husband noted the lack of a Gideon Bible! :)
They didn't even bother to put a trash liner in the trash cans. The bag was hanging over the side, as if to say, "You do it."
And no free drink coupons, bummer. The poor bartender, Cesar, could have used a hand. It was only Wednesday evening, but he was dealing with a full bar rail, a full lounge, and all of the room service calls. Add to that the customer frustrations with the service, and I'm very impressed Cesar kept his cool. He was always polite and respectful. And he made a nice French Martini!
I did get a ton of points for this stay though. Check out the breakdown below.
Radisson LAX
6225 W Century Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
(310) 670-9000
Room Rate: $99/night (Military/Government Rate)
Radisson Goldpoints Plus Points: 4480
Online Booking Bonus: 500
Express Yourself Point Bonus: 1000
1000 Points Per Night at 1000 Hotels Bonus: 1000
Stay Earning 20 Points Per US Dollar: 1980
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