I normally book my own flights rather than relying on the option offered by a tour company as I find because of contracts they have with certain airlines, they often select flights that involve lousy connections and/or poorly planned itineraries. For example on this trip they wanted to route me to JFK in New York with a long layover before a flight to Santiago, Chile. Also the price they wanted to charge for a business class upgrade was no bargain. I chose to find flights on my own and given the big storm that is presently impacting the East Coast I am lucky to have avoided what would have certainly been a real mess!  I found significantly cheaper flights out of Miami so I chose to go that route. It does require me to spend a night in Miami but I am using it as an opportunity to get together with a 1st cousin I have not seen in 40 plus years.

My United flights to Miami has me routed through Houston where I got to “experience” the lastest in airport hospitality. The United terminal no longer has those long rows of seats at their departure gates. Rather there are tables seating 2-6 people with comfortable chairs, charging stations and an iPad at each seat that allows you to order food and drink from nearby restaurants that is delivered to your seat. You pay using a credit card or with United frequent flyer miles-pretty slick!