Hertz is rebranding their rewards program from “Hertz #1 Club” to “Hertz Gold Plus” for reasons which are beyond me.  Either way, they’re offering 500 points with the new program, good for a free weekend day, as well as waiving the $60 annual fee for #1 Club Gold through September 30th if you register.

I rent from Hertz fairly consistently because they’ve been waiving the age surcharge in promotions over the past year.   In May, Hertz kicked #1 Club Gold status my way for 3 year-to-date rentals, although it looks like I could have gotten it from having Continental OnePass Gold status or from Hertz’s current “Gold Family” promotion.  I signed up for it not expecting that much value (such that I’d pay to renew it next year if need be), but it allowed me to make it to Penn & Teller on-time after my flight from Houston departed and arrived late last month.

Hilton released the details of their third quarter promotion:  Double points or miles.  I’m not quite as wooed by this as the remaining month or so of life that the Starwood second quarter promotion has left in it, but it’s better than nothing while completing a few stays to retain the gold tier through March 2013.

It’s already mid-June so a hotel program promotion summary is in order.

• Starwood Preferred Guest:  I’m currently at the Gold level (Middle tier).  My hotel stays lately have been directed here as part of the Stay Three, Getaway Free promotion.
• Hilton HHonors:  I’m temporarily at the Gold level (Middle tier) thanks to having a Visa Signature card.To retain it past August 31st, three stays are required so I’ll shift over here after securing a few nights with SPG.
• Marriott Rewards:  I’m currently at the Silver level (Low tier).  Through August 31st, two stays nets a free night in a category 1-4 hotel.
• Priority Club:  I received the Platinum level from a giveaway they had last December, but I haven’t made use of it this year.

Boingo is giving away a bit of their wifi service in celebration of their 10th anniversary.

Hat tip:  Stuck at the Airport.

As mentioned earlier, I trekked out to Los Angeles in coach on American Airlines. This time, I managed to snap off a predeparture photo of the plane:

Once again, I was seated in 20A, providing a view of the sun setting over the wing:

The Angeles Crest Highway reopened last week. It’s not an airplane, nor a swanky hotel, but it made for a fun drive…

…and a nice sunset from Mt. Wilson.

I’m visiting Los Angeles this week, traveling by way of American Airlines nonstop to and from JFK.

As only a midtier elite, upgrades require using 500-mile stickers. I’ve been slow to accumulate them this year as most of my flying has been with United/Continental, so I’m riding in the back of the bus, albeit in the over wing emergency exit row where I have at least as much–if not more–legroom as I did in Continental’s domestic first class last week.