Travel Safely in the Pandemic

In this post, I travel safely in the pandemic to Miami, Florida. I received an alert on my cell phone. “Southwest now flies nonstop to Miami.” Flights started at $49 each way. I could not pass up this opportunity and Iooked forward to the sunshine to help with the pandemic blues. I used a travel hack I learned from the Amex Platinum Card FB group and booked separate one-way flights.

Nonstop Chicago to Miami

Of course, I managed to book the inaugural flight. When I checked Uber at 6:00AM, a trip to Midway was $27. I drove to the airport, parked in the Economy Lot garage, and jumped on the shuttle. Are you aware it is $15 per day whether you park in the garage or outside? It took 10 minutes to get through TSA PreCheck. I made it to my gate with 13 minutes to spare. I will admit when Southwest did not start the boarding process on time, I became nervous, especially when they announced the delay was due to a mechanical issue. Not only that, I overheard an employee ask, “Who was responsible for filling up the plane last night?” There were only 55 people on the flight; we boarded quickly.

I am well aware COVID-19 numbers are increasing everywhere, but I have continued to remain vigilant about cleaning and sanitizing. Even though SW has kept me aware of their cleaning process, I have not stopped sanitizing my area when I find that open seat. I also feel comfortable flying on SW because of their strict mask policy. Although everyone may not agree with prohibiting certain types of masks, face coverings are required. As I write this post, I realize my flight to Miami would be the last time I would travel with the middle seat open.

The Amex Platinum Travel Offer

It is difficult watching the news. Miami was going to be a nice distraction. Last summer, I stayed at my timeshare on Ocean Boulevard. However, on this trip, I booked accommodations closer to the airport. I had no intention of renting a car, and the hotel shuttle ran every 30 minutes. Although it was after my birthday, I was still celebrating. For this trip, I saved $60 when I booked at a Hilton property and paid with my Amex Platinum. Wait, there is more. I also used a $200 Amex Platinum Travel Credit. You can bet I will plan my next trip using the money I saved from my Amex offer and credit.

Blue Lagoon, Herb N’ Chicken, and Cove Lobby Bar

After we landed, I headed to the hotel shuttle area. Even though I arrived 30 minutes before check-in, my room was not ready. The front desk clerk handed me two bottles of water and told me I would receive a text when my room was ready. Well, that text never happened. I politely approached the clerk again. Although she was apologetic, there was a lapse in communication. Before going to my room, I picked up a Cuban sandwich from Herb N’ Kitchen. Of course, I sprayed all high-touch areas and pulled back the curtains to see my view. By the way, the sandwich was delicious.

Gratuity Automatically Included

Because I had no intention of leaving the property, I purchased a cocktail and fries at the Cove on my first night. The service was exceptional. The next night I ordered dinner from the Cove. If you like calamari, you will love the dish here. The breading was light and well-seasoned. Oh, and the fries were flavorful. However, the service was slightly off. On the third night, I tried Cove’s version of Korean chicken. The wings had just enough spice, and the potato wedges were crispy. The service was acceptable. Because the Cove includes an 18% gratuity on every check due to “COVID-19,” I believe service will continue to be hit or miss. The average tab for a cocktail and food is $30.

Complimentary Breakfast, Walking Trail, and Outdoor Swimming Pool

As noted, there are several reasons I booked at Blue Lagoon. As a Gold Hilton Honors member, I receive a complimentary breakfast. Even though breakfast was pick up and go each morning, the meal was fresh and tasty. There is a walking trail and an outdoor swimming pool. Of course, I had to get in my daily 30 minutes of activity. I hung by the pool during my stay, but not for long. It was windy during my visit. Overall, the amenities are great. The room was huge, and the sunlight coming in through every window was a bonus. Not only did I travel safely during the pandemic, but I also practiced physical distancing throughout my stay.

Centurion Lounge MIA

On my last day in Miami, I picked up breakfast, walked around the hotel, and checked out by 10:00AM. I caught the complimentary shuttle to the airport and headed to the Centurion Lounge. Because of the three-hour limit, I had to wait 30 minutes before I was allowed to enter. There were less than 25 people in the entire lounge. The food was delicious, the cocktails were great, and I made myself comfortable in the Phone Room. When my time was up, I had three individually wrapped cookies tucked in my purse. If you have not read my post on how I use my Amex Platinum, you should check it out. My flight home was uneventful, and I enjoyed my time in Miami.