The next morning we were up early. I\u2019d decided to put the van back into storage early so we could get an earlier flight. I booked our flight from Las Vegas to LAX for 1.30pm and a hotel at LAX that night. It was just a 2.5 hour drive to Las Vegas.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We arrived at the storage unit right on the dot of 10am and were able to get Rodger stored away. Then we caught an uber to the airport, queued up for about a hour to get through security. Mike tried to take his laptop out of his bag, but it was stuck. He couldn\u2019t get it out without taking all his clothes out. Thankfully the TSA agent said laptops could stay in our bags. Finally we got through, and had to catch a train to the terminal as we were flying with Delta. There were just people everywhere and it was a little overwhelming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We got through, had a much needed coffee, and a sandwich. Our flight to LAX was only 42 minutes, and we took off and landed early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we were taxiing at LAX I saw a Qantas plane, and behind it the familiar tail with the Koru on it. An AirNZ plane was in. Then a crazy idea jumped at me. \u201cShall we try and get on tonights flight?\u201d I said to Mike. It seems I\u2019m always mucking with the system. \u201cNah, let\u2019s just leave it as it is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We got off the plane and almost exited the airport when I thought of the hassle. Catching a bus to our hotel. Eating an overpriced meal at the hotel. Hanging around all the next day waiting for our 10pm flight. We could maybe avoid all that with just a phone call…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So instead of exiting the airport, we walked to the terminal where air NZ leaves from while I rang them. We got a girl who said there were two seats, but not together. And it was too late to apply our recognition upgrade. She said we could go to the ticket counter and see about getting seats together. We said we\u2019d get back to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To go to the ticket counter we could have had to exit the airport and come through security again. Mike said just leave our flights as they were. We might get our upgrade if we wait until tomorrow night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I would’nt be deterred. I wondered if we booked it online whether we could just stay in the airport and avoid all the fuss. We asked a security guard. He said if we had tickets, there was no need to exit. At this point, even Mike agreed this was a good thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I rang Air New Zealand back, and this time I got a guy. He had to make a call to the airport and got us two seats together. He also was able to put in our upgrade request. Yay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So once the flights were changed, I checked in online and once we\u2019d got our boarding passes, we breathed a sigh of relief. We wouldn\u2019t need to exit the airport and deal with the madness of security!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then I rang Jenny to see if she could pick us up a day earlier. She could! Yay! Finally able to relax, we went and had a meal, then went to the gate to wait for our flight, many hours early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then Mike got the call. \u201cCongratulations sir, you got your upgrade.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat about me?\u201d I said. \u201cAre you together? Let me see your passport.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tense moment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, you got your upgrade too!\u201d Yay. So business class for both of us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
More about that in the next blog.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The next morning we were up early. I\u2019d decided to put the van back into storage early so we could get an earlier flight. I booked our flight from Las Vegas to LAX for 1.30pm and a hotel at LAX … Continue reading