United launches E-ticket for Chinese travel agencies

Recently, I had a trip back to China. Chinese travel agencies could provide lower price on ticket prices, but it had to be paper ticket. I gave it up since I was in a hurry, and there was no way for me to get the ticket on the mail before my trip.

Recently United launched the E-ticket for Chinese travel agencies. Now I can go through travel agents in China to buy my tickets to China. This is an exciting news: Link to the Article

Hanging out at Portland Airport

Today is an interesting day.

Most part of the Portland downtown had power outage. I decided to leave for the airport early. Due to the power outage, nobody could buy ticket from the ticket vending machine. After I got to the airport, my flight is delayed indefinitely, and I switched to an earlier flight, which is delayed for 2.5 hours.

Portland has a "fare free" square. Basically, if you take train within downtown area, it's free, which makes downtown commute fairly convenient.

The first glance of Portland

Today I arrived at Portland from the rainy Chicago. My first impression of Portland is really good. Lots of sunshine, nice weather, nice train.... The train from Portland airport to downtown is new and clean. It only cost me $2, and based on your own trust. Nobody checked my ticket.

Downtown Portland is very quiet, even on Sunday afternoon. Lots of fast food restaurants are around, and I need to find a good restaurant for my dinner.

On Portland street, you can see a lot of folks with interesting decorations. It reminds me of Key West.

In general, Portland is a quiet, clean, colorful town.

Life or money?

I started a new travel project one week ago. Now I need to spend around 16 hours each week to travel. But one of the client folks has travelled for the last 10 years, and he travels from SF to Tampa every week. Here comes the arguement of life or money again. What do you think?

United increased required awards miles to Asia

Recently, United increased the required standard award miles from 100k to 120k. I can not find any saver ticket to China anymore, which means the reward ticket for me requires doubled miles.

It's snowing in Chicago!

It's snowing in Chicago. Apparently, there is no fall in Chicago. A lot of my friends were talking about seeing the fall color this weekend.

Start travelling again

After being in Chicago for more than one month, I'll start travelling to San Francisco again. San Fran is a fun place to go, and the client building is facing the bay, which could be fun.

The travel itself could be very bad, since I have to spend more than 15 hours to commute every week.

The spring and summer of San Francisco was great, now it's time to "enjoy" the fall and winter. One of my friends told me that the raining season is coming. I'm visiting SF at the worst time of the year.

Earn up to 30k bonus miles at United

I got united promotion email about the 30k bonus miles.

Here is the deal:
1. Prior to travel, register at http://united.com/offer/mpdf36.

2. Simply book and complete your qualifying roundtrip travel by December 15, 2006.

3. Enjoy earning double miles—up to 30,000!

It should be targeted deal, but it does not hurt if you just try.