The alarm went off early but there were no complaints. There was a distinct grogginess, but everyone got ready quickly and efficiently. Packing the night before simplified things as we knew everything was set before we went to bed. We were off to the airport and ready to check in. We could catch up on our sleep on the plane if we needed to!
Airport Checkin
We walked right up to the first class check-in lane with our golf bags and carry on luggage. While we were flying coach, priority checkin and boarding was a perk of the American Airlines credit card I had at the time. There, we got our golf travel bags weighed and tagged and got our boarding passes after waiting for one or two people ahead of us in line.
We were then told that we’d have to pay to check three of the golf bags. I had expected that since we were all flying together all four golf bags could be checked for free using the benefit of my credit card. Unfortunately that benefit only applied to people on the same itinerary I was on. Since I had booked everyone else’s tickets using my miles and my ticket using my wife’s miles, we were technically on different itineraries and I was the only one on my itinerary. That meant I was the only one qualified for the free checked bag.
Bummer. I had to fork over an unexpected $75 for the three bags, but at least they would be able to get priority boarding with me because they were traveling with me. That part of the benefit wasn’t restricted to people on my itinerary. At the end of the day that was a relatively small fee and in no way was spending an extra $75 going to ruin our trip!
The Layover
Our flight from Boston to DFW went without a hitch and we landed on time. Due to the flight itinerary update we had a long layover and a couple hours to fill. We first found our departure gates for my flight and their flight. I would be having a slightly shorter layover than theirs. Both of our gates were near each other and of course at the entirely opposite end of the terminal so we got some exercise in the process.
When it came time to board my flight, it was on time and it appeared their flight would also be on time. My flight would arrive about 90 minutes before theirs which would give me time to get the rental car and check into the hotel.
My Arrival
I arrived on time and retrieved my golf bag from baggage claim. I got a little scared when the belt stopped and I hadn’t seen my clubs, but soon found a sign for oversized luggage and found my clubs there.
From baggage claim I followed the signed to the AirTrain which is required for getting to the rental car center located on the outskirts of the airport. It can be a 15+ minute ride depending on which terminal you fly into. Make sure to take the one that goes to the car rental center as there are two lines. One just goes between the terminals and the other also includes the rental center.
At the rental car center I followed the signs to the Budget desk and checked in. I got the keys and headed out to find our wheels for the next week. It was a red Dodge Caravan with captains chairs and a rear seat that folded down and gave us a space for all our stuff and much more. It would work out perfectly.
The hotel was a short 15 minute drive south of the airport to Belmont and I found it without issue. I checked into the Holiday Inn Express we had booked and they recognized my Platinum Elite status which I had for carrying the IHG Rewards Club card. This is the card I had signed up to earn the signup bonus I was using for the stay. As welcome gift for my bonus I got five hundred bonus points for the stay. I checked into both rooms which ended up being adjoining rooms.
The Rest of the Gang
By the time I dropped my luggage in the room, it was time to head back to SFO to pick up everyone else. I timed it perfectly. As I was driving into the airport entrance I got a call from my cousin that they had just picked up their golf bags and were walking to the curb. Just a couple minutes later their bags were loaded in the back of the minivan and we were off to the hotel to unload, unwind and get some dinner.
The hotel recommended a burger place a short walk away. It was decent food that hit the spot after a day of travel. After dinner we went back to the hotel and retired early.
We had our first day of golf coming up the next day!
Tomatico Travels 
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