The Oneworld Megado madness continues in Los Angeles this weekend, and seatmate contest winner Conor, Eric and I have been busy in Dallas and Seattle this week hanging out with the folks at American Airlines and Boeing.

We’re still in the midst of all the events, but I thought I’d share some of the lighter moments from our day in Dallas at American Airlines’ CR Smith Center. Don’t worry, I’ll give you the inside scoop from the new head of AAdvantage, Suzanne Rubin, soon, as well as glimpses at a simulated water evacuation, the high-tech flight simulators they use to train pilots, the bustling Systems Operations Control room, and a few interesting facts and figures from the morning seminar.

In the meantime, here are a few photos from the more fun afternoon activities we enjoyed while going through an abbreviated version of the safety training that all AA flight attendants undergo.

Here’s one of me playing the hero as I guide my fellow passengers to safety through the back emergency exit of a Boeing 767. “Come this way! Leave everything behind!” I think I got the hang of it.

Leave your belongings behind and follow me to safety!

Conor, meanwhile, got into character as a panicked passenger dashing from the flames and smoke inside a Boeing 757 simulator. Think he’ll make it out in time? The passenger behind him, meanwhile doesn’t look like he has a care in the world.

Don't panic, Conor, you'll get out of there!

And in this final photo, Eric puts some muscle into operating one of the emergency row exits on the 767 set before shepherding his fellow Megadoers to safety through the overwing exit.

These doors are heavy! Or, at least, Eric thinks so.

British Airways Giveaway

You might not have gotten to participate in the Megado, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take a little piece of it home with you.

To commemorate the Oneworld Megado and British Airways’ hospitality in London, I’m going to give away a BA amenity kit, insulated mug, a collectible A320 model, luggage tag, and 10,000 American Express Membership Rewards transferred into your Avios account.

To get the 30% bonus and a total of 13,000 Avios points (more than enough for a roundtrip short-haul flight of 600 miles or less each way), this transfer must happen by January 31, 2012, otherwise you’ll just get 10,000. So hurry up!

Enter the giveaway by leaving a comment below with a tip on redeeming Avios miles for the best possible awards. If you need a little assistance or inspiration, you can check out my previous post on maximizing British Airways’ Avios.

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 … another Pan Am review comes to us from Danielle …

After a four-week hiatus, Pan Am returned with episode 10: “Secrets and Lies.” From the title I expected a titillating 60 minutes to usher loyal fans back into the season, but instead what followed was a series of rather bland, soap opera-esque storylines that barely took flight.

In the forefront are Colette and Dean. The two have been presumably hot and heavy since the barn floor until Bridgette suddenly arrives back on deck after shedding her spy ties. Colette is understandably ruffled by her lover’s ex-fiance’s surprise appearance and gives Dean some distance to figure out his unfinished business with Bridgette though he says he only wants to be with Colette. Bridgette finds Dean later drowning his sorrows in the hotel bar and comes clean to him that the reason she fled from his proposal was because of her role within MI-6. Though angry at first, Dean caves to Bridgette’s seduction and takes her back to his room, confirming Colette’s suspicions.

Meanwhile, Ted is getting chummy with childhood friend Amanda, though she refuses to take their relationship beyond kissing. After a talk with Laura, Ted maturely realizes some things are worth waiting for–especially because she can keep Ted’s father in line when he starts picking on his son. Kate decides to remain with the CIA after passing an MI-6 lie-detector test about shooting an enemy spy, and Maggie writes an angry diatribe slamming Congressman Rawling’s pro-nuclear views but changes her mind after being wined and dined by the Senator. It’s too late to halt the presses, though, and the article goes to print.

Although this episode didn’t contain many vintage Pan Am vignettes, several 60′s icons were mentioned. Colette’s got a crush on Robert Redford from “Barefoot in the Park” and Beatle mania grips the girls of London near the hotel where the crew is staying. Pan Am also dabbles into the issue of sexual morality when Ted is both disappointed that Amanda won’t “open the lockbox,” but shell-shocked when Laura admits she’s not waiting around for a ring. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Maggie and Dean seem to bed-hop with utter abandon – making up for the show’s rather  slow start in that department.

Given the ever-changing minds and decisions of the cast I think a more apt title would have been, “Finicky and Fickle” for this episode. Let’s hope next week brings some clearer, and more exciting, plot and character navigation to Pan Am!

Until next time, Danielle

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Destination of the Week: Kauai

January 27, 2012

As winter really begins to set in over most of the country with freezing conditions, it’s time to start considering some sunny destinations where you can earn and use your points. That’s why this week’s Destination of the Week is: Kauai. Kauai is the northernmost and oldest of the Hawaiian Islands. Though it has a [...]

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When Irregular Operations Go Horribly Right: Flying British Airways New First Class on the Oneworld Megado

January 26, 2012

After a very busy first day on the Oneworld Megado in London and a night at the Hyatt Churchill, the Megadoers arose bright and early for the American Airlines flight back to Dallas. When I got in the cab to get to the Heathrow Express, I noticed there was a voicemail from American Airlines – [...]

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Hyatt Q1 Stay More, Earn More Promo With Credit Card Incentive

January 26, 2012

Last night the Oneworld Mega Do domestic portion kicked off with a party at the Dallas Ft. Worth Airport Hyatt Regency. Hyatt is the hotel sponsor of the event, so naturally Gold Passport head Jeff Zidell addressed the crowd and unveiled their new spring promotion. I was able to snap a picture before he flipped [...]

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Maximizing Reduced Level Hotel Awards

January 26, 2012

Like airlines and their off peak awards, many hotel points programs offer reduced level awards, even at some of their higher-end properties. Priority Club just released their latest list of hotels where PointsBreaks are available for bookings now through March 31, 2012. PointsBreaks free nights for just 5,000 Priority Club points, but this promotion isn’t [...]

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Hilton HHonors Cancels Delta 2,012 SkyMiles Bonus

January 25, 2012

Right after the new year, Hilton HHonors announced a promotion in partnership with Delta that would earn Hilton HHonors members 2,012 bonus SkyMiles per qualifying stay of two nights or more. Delta had to be your preferred Double Dip Points & Miles partner. Now it looks like HHilton and Delta have rescinded the offer for [...]

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20% Discount on Virgin America and 10% off British Airways

January 25, 2012

Virgin America is offering a 20% discount on fares booked using a Visa this spring while British Airways is running a 10% discount on fares purchased with a BA Visa all year long. 20% Off Virgin America For Liking Visa NFL On Facebook Although you’re supposed to ‘like’ Visa NFL on Facebook, it looks like [...]

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Oneworld Megado Day One: American Airlines JFK-LHR First Class and British Airways in London

January 25, 2012

The first ever Oneworld Megado began yesterday with a quick jaunt across the pond from JFK-LHR aboard one of American Airlines’ flagship 777-200’s. American Airlines really rolled out the red carpet for attendees making it quite possibly the best customer service I’ve ever gotten in an airport. Upon arrival I was welcomed numerous times and [...]

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January/February Flying Blue 50% Off Promo Awards

January 25, 2012

My theme this week is maximizing award discounts and one of the best values for discounted transatlantic travel is the ever-changing Flying Blue Promo awards. Flying Blue, the frequent flyer program of SkyTeam partners Air France and KLM, runs 50% off promo awards all year long, but changes the gateway city pairings every two months. [...]

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