Tier Point Run to Grand Cayman in Dec 2013: Day 3 – Miami (MIA) to Las Vegas (LAS)

By Nige on December 15, 2013 at 8:52 pm
Type: Post
Story: Tier Point Run to Grand Cayman in Dec 2013 Category: Travel
Tags: American Airlines | Hilton | LAS | Las Vegas | MIA | Miami | Trips

Fairly dull end to my stay at the Admiral’s Club close to gate D30 in Miami. I decided to head down to the gate early after saying good night to Vick, so I could check out the neck cushions.

They all look a bit poncey to be honest, but I bought a memory foam neck cushion anyway to see whether it would help me get some sleep on the flight.

It was $30 and I decided to go for a black one. There was a nice red and blue variations as well.

Waiting at the gate was quite funny. I watched people – as we got closer to the time we could reasonably expect to start boarding, how we got closer and closer to the Premium Boarding entry point.

Naturally I was there first, but I hung around away from the entry point – I was staking out my place, but then a couple just walked up out of nowhere and dumped their cases right at the front – no subtlety about it.

I still held back and watched others get closer. But in the end I forced my way forward and took the next best position in the queue. The attendants at the gate must have a right laugh at us lot.

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Anyway the flight left 10 mins late, apparently due to the incoming flight being late.

Now on line with GoGo, but still haven’t used any of my pre-purchased 4 day-long passes in the Festive Pack. I seem to have an Over the US pass which seemed to appear whilst I logged on flying to/from Cayman.

I’m onboard now. Just for a change First Class isn’t full, and I have a free seat next to me, which I am making full use of.

Just had the nuts and a glass of wine delivered to my seat so dinner service has officially started. I’m starting to get into nuts now…

Decided I will stay up for dinner and then grab a couple of hours kip later on. Looking at FlyerTalk and updating this blog keeps me busy on these long haul flights.

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I’m also tracking the flight as it crosses the US through FlightRadar24. It amazes me how many planes are up here at the same time!

Flight went very well, and seemed a lot faster than the 5 hours 30 mins it was scheduled for. We caught up the 10 mins we departed late and ended up a couple of mins early arriving into LAS.

Few pics from the plane as we came in to land. Phone not really up to decent photos but gives an idea:

Rang the Hilton Doubletree from the apron and they confirmed a shuttle bus would be at T1 Level 0 pickup in 10 mins, and so he was.

It only took 5 mins to get to the hotel, and within 2 mins I was in my room on the 6th floor as requested. Top notch.

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Early start tomorrow – first flight leaves LAS at around 08:30. I’ll aim to get breakfast at the Centurion so I’ll need to leave the hotel at around 06:00 to ensure I have a leisurely start to the day.

Tier Point Run to Grand Cayman in Dec 2013