Trip Report: AirTran Airways from Austin to Cancún

I'm a self-admitted aviation geek (AvGeek for short). I fell in love traveling when I took my first flight in 1995 (it was a Shuttle by United flight on the West Coast). Although I never experienced the days when flying was more civilized, I've always found traveling by air to be somewhat fun and exciting (the jury is still out Spirit Airlines...)

I enjoy flying new airlines and flying different types of planes. Call me crazy, but I have saved every boarding pass for every flight I have ever taken (maybe a future post on some of my favorites, what do you think)? So when AirTran Airways announced new service in and out of Austin, I was excited (It's okay, you can call me a dork, but I prefer to be called an AvGeek).

Some friends and I decided to head south for a long winter weekend for some sun, fun, and relaxation. This was the perfect opportunity to try out this non-stop service to México (which isn't common from Austin) as well as try out the AirTran product (especially before Southwest, who acquired AirTran in 2010, phases out the airline).

Itinerary

AirTran Airways 84 (FL0084)
Austin, Texas (AUS) to Cancún, México (CUN)
Friday, January 25, 2013
Departure: 10:18 a.m.
Arrival: 12:30 p.m.
Flight Time: 2 hours 12 minutes
Aircraft: Boeing 737-700
Seat: 3C
Class of Service: Business Class

We took the return flight on Monday, January 28, 2013 (AirTran Airways 84). The experience was pretty much the same as the one described here, so I won't discuss the return flight.

Check-in, Take One

For whatever reason, AirTran does not allow you to check-in online for international flights. I don't understand why since many other airlines allow online check-in for international flights (even as far back as 2010).

Anyways, I was picking up a friend from the airport the day before so I thought I'd run into the airport and get my boarding pass. In Austin, AirTran flights are handled by Southwest crews. At the Southwest counter, I asked if I could check-in for my flight the next day. The employee replied that no, they could not check me in until four hours before the flight.

This was puzzling because my friend who was on the same itinerary was able to check-in for the EXACT same flight on the EXACT same reservation earlier in the day in Denver.

The agent rudely said that no, it was US Customs and Immigration rules and she would not be able to help me.

Check-in, Take Two

The next day, I arrived at the airport at about two hours before departure. A friendly Southwest agent was happy to check me in, but she warned that today was her first day working the AirTran reservation software, so it may take a little longer.

Indeed, we hit a snag. We had converted Southwest Rapid Rewards points to AirTran A+ Reward Credits, which could then be used to upgrade our economy fare into confirmed business class. (This is a great deal and I will do this EVERY time I fly AirTran!)

Because we had previously paid for advance seat assignments, the agent could not check me in until the revenue associated with the ticket was moved out of the reservation. Whatever. Unfortunately this gave our friendly Southwest Agent a bit of a problem. She consulted her co-workers, who were also stumped. 

After about 5 minutes, I called AirTran's 800-number to see if they could help. A friendly agent there understood exactly what the issue was and quickly transferred the funds from the reservation to my AirTran account.

When that happened, the Southwest agent says, "BINGO," and my boarding pass printed. She wished me a fantastic vacation and sent me to security.

At the Gate

AirTran only operates at the Austin airport a couple days a week. The plane comes from Houston/Hobby airport, then from Austin, flies to Cancún. Once in Cancún, the plane turns around and flies back to Austin and then on to Houston/Hobby. It's quite convenient for us Austinites.

The Southwest crew manages the AirTran flights in Austin. In general, I've found Southwest employees to be really friendly. It's rare that you run into a Southwest employee that doesn't seem to like and enjoy their job and employer.

As a result, the gate experience was what you would expect with Southwest EXCEPT for the Southwest Cattle Call. AirTran, like many other airlines, assign you a group number and they call the different groups to board. Southwest has, in my opinion, the worst boarding process where you are assigned a number at check-in, and you have to line up along a line of poles in numerical order to board the plane.

Prior to calling for boarding, the gate agents made an announcement that because this was an international flight, you had to go up to the desk and show your passport. They then stamped your boarding pass to indicate your documents were okay. I find this very odd because when you check-in at the ticket counter, they swipe your passport and enter your information. Anyways, my documents passed the once-over:

In case you couldn't tell, my docs are okay.

About 45 minutes before departure, boarding was called, starting with business class.

In-flight Experience

One thing that sets AirTran apart from Southwest is that they do offer a premium cabin - business class. Business class on AirTran includes:

• Priority Boarding
• More legroom
• Wider seats
• Complimentary cocktails

The business class section includes three rows with two seats per row on each side of the aisle:

Basic business class. Gets the job done.

In my opinion the seats were comfortable and a bit more spacious than what you would have had in coach. The seats do not have power ports at the seats to charge your electronics, but the plane did have wifi (which worked until we left the United States airspace).

The flight attendants were friendly and were very attentive. Along with complimentary cocktails (which is perfect for a flight to Cancún) the crew also offered complimentary snacks include cookies and crackers:

In case you were wondering, there is gin in that cup of tonic.

The Bottom Line

I was impressed with AirTran. I am glad I was able to experience this unique "low-fare" product before it disappears (and to have another unique boarding pass to add to my collection). I thought the fare paid was reasonable and the ability to cash in Southwest Rapid Reward points to pay for business class upgrades was a nice perk.

What I don't understand is why Southwest would want to get rid of the business class cabin. Southwest has grown tremendously in the past several years and they are now considered to be one of the major carriers in the US (along with American, Delta, United, and US Airways). They want to attract business travelers (who pay higher fares) and retaining the business class section with assigned seats seems to be a great way to do that.

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Have I Become A Travel Snob?

I just spent a long weekend in Cancún, México (read about my tips and suggestions in "Justin Does...Cancún, México!"). What was meant to be a quick beach getaway with friends from Dallas turned into a weekend of debate: Have I become a travel snob?

Let me start by saying this - I am quite comfortable on the road. I traveled quite a bit last year and have many trips planned for 2013.

I would like to think that I am quite adaptable to my surrounding situations. I don't need glamorous accommodations when I travel (but I won't lie, first class and fancy hotels sure are nice). All I need is something that is clean, safe, and gets me from Point A to Point B.

So what is this post all about? The destination this past weekend was the Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort in Cancún. Now, this isn't a typical Westin hotel as it is a part of the Starwood Vacation Ownership properties. What is that? Timeshare.

I've had great experiences with other Starwood timeshare properties, namely the lovely Westin Riverfront Mountain Villas in Avon/Vail, Colorado. Essentially, they treat you like a normal hotel customer and recognize any elite benefits you may have with the Starwood Preferred Guest program.

But our experience this past weekend is making me rethink my involvement with this timeshare program.

Strike 1

We arrived to the Westin Lagunamar around 1:30 p.m. Although the staff were friendly, they were not extraordinarily helpful. We originally wanted to book a two bedroom suite but unfortunately those were not available when we made our reservations. When we inquired at check-in, the two-bedroom suite was available. For a small upcharge. Okay, that's fine. After typing away, the employee came back and said, "Oh, sorry, but since you are not a hotel guest and you are a vacation rental owner, we cannot upgrade you. But you will need to call the Vacation Ownership and they can do it for you."

Meanwhile, we were told that no rooms were currently available as they were being cleaned, but we were welcome to go to the restaurant and bar and they would page us when the room was ready. Fine by me as I was in need of a margarita (or three).

Four o'clock comes and goes and no word from the Westin. Back at the check-in desk, we inquired about our room and again for an upgrade. This time, the employee said that a two-bedroom suite was available and that they would dial the Vacation Ownership group so we could arrange the reservation change/upgrade. After handing over the phone and making the change, the front desk replied, "Your room is not ready." Wha what? Check-in time is 4:00 p.m. (oh, and check-out time is 10:00 a.m.) You do the math and they need six hours to turn a room. Seriously.

As we were walking back to the bar and margaritas, we are flagged down and told that one side of the two-bedroom suite was available and the other would be ready shortly. They would bring the keys to the second room when it was ready. Okay, so we hang out in the suite for a bit and no call or staff to drop off the keys to the other room. After calling the front desk, they sent someone over. Thinking that this gentleman would have the keys, instead, he proceeded to try to break down the door that joined the rooms. When we asked if it would be easier to just open the door, he replied "Sí" (Spanish for yes).

Don't get me wrong, the room and view was superb.
But that's about it at this property.

Meanwhile, it is now 6:15 p.m. and the second room isn't ready. Back at the front desk, the staff issued the keys (with no apology for the delay, by the way). Then they proceeded to inform us that because our stay was for less than four days, we would not be receiving housekeeping services. Um, excuse me?

We even offered to pay for housekeeping services. Ahem, no, "lo siento" that would not be possible. Really? You don't want additional money? Okay fine.

Side note: Apparently word got out that we desired housekeeping services. So what do you know. Housekeeping finally showed up. At 9:00 a.m. On a Sunday morning. After a long night at Coco Bongo. I guess they showed us, huh?

Strike 2

Fast forward to the next morning. After a nice workout in the gym, we all decided to head to the breakfast buffet. Mind you, this is Saturday morning, so we were a bit shocked when we rolled into the restaurant and were turned away at 10:57 a.m. Again, Saturday morning.

Turns out that the buffet runs from 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Okay, that's fine, however, the entire buffet is still set up and staff were still restocking it. Couldn't we just fill a plate and eat? Nope, sorry. After a few minutes of negotiation, the hostess agreed to let us eat, but we must hurry.

So we filled our plates, shoveled down the food, and about 20 minutes later when we were done, did they begin to take down the buffet.

Strike 3

Two of my friends went to the University of Kansas and it turns out that KU was playing the University of Oklahoma. Coincidentally, the Westin Lagunamar had an onsite "sports bar." Quotes are used because it was a bar--marketed as a sports bar (it was in the name)--but the only sports part about it was that the TVs that were turned to soccer.

When we walked in, we were the only people there. "Do you mind if we turn one of the TVs to a basketball game?" The response, "Sure, no problemo." Great! We weren't told no! Well, the only problem was they only got soccer games. Apparently ESPN Deportes (Spanish for sports) only plays soccer.

So we went back to the room to try watching the game via the Slingbox at home. Well, as you might have guessed by now, the internet (which the hotel is proud to advertise is free) was pretty, um, unreliable. When you could connect, you were in this infinite loop of having to re-login in. When we were connected, even gmail couldn't load 100%. I mean, I get that this is México and one should relax on a beach not connect to the rest of the world, right? But, c'mon, don't even offer it if you can't get it to work, right?

Other Options?

At this point, all we wanted was to watch the game and not be told "no" for everything. Across the street from the hotel was a shopping mall. And in that shopping mall was a Hooters. Surely they would have plenty of TVs. Perhaps even WiFi. What the heck.

So there we found ourselves. At Hooters. In México. When we walked in, the first TV we saw was playing the KU/Oklahoma game. Score! Then we asked if we could sit out on the deck that overlooked the lagoon and turn one of the TVs to the KU game. Response? Sure, you go pick whatever seat you want and I'll turn the closest TV. And they gave us the WiFi code (WiFi at Hooter's is lightening fast. Even in México!)

Once situated, our server Mira, greeted the table and took our order. We felt like we were kings.

Even dressed like this, I was welcomed with open arms into Hooters.

Back to the Point

So, back to the whole point of this story. Have I become a travel snob? I argue no, and here's why.

• Is it asking too much to want your room cleaned?
• Is it asking too much to have your room ready at the check-in time?
• Okay, so the buffet closed in a few minutes, but to turn away someone who is going to pay for breakfast and eat food that has already been prepared and is only going to be thrown away?

I really don't think I was asking or expecting too much. What do you think? If you think I might be overracting, just mosey on over to tripadvisor.com and read some of the reviews. 

Will I return to Cancún? Absolutely. 

Will I return to the Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort? Absolutely not.

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Justin Does...Cancún, México!

Let's face it - this whole winter thing is getting old. As much as I love cold weather, mountains, and snowboarding, I can only take so much of it at a time. 

Some friends and I decided to head south for a long winter weekend for some sun, fun, and relaxation.

Read about my tips and suggestions for Cancún over at fabisthenewblack.com!

Did you enjoy this post or learn something new? Please like this blog on Facebook (fb.com/JustinDoesBlog) or follow me on Twitter (@JustinDoesBlog). And please, share with your friends!