This trip introduction is about a short work trip I ended up taking to San Antonio, Texas, United States of America. While I don’t typically get into the trip planning for work trips with any regularilty, I thought I would take the time to highlight this particular city visit off the usual business beaten path. I would end up going down for four nights and three days. Read on to see how I put this quick weekend visit together.

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This post is one chapter on a work trip from Canada to San Antonio, Texas, United States of America. This trip was enhanced through Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status, and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. For parts of the trip, please see this index.

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Trip Introduction: On a Mission – Visiting San Antonio, Texas, USA

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At times, work travel can take you to an unusual destination that’s outside the norm of your regular travel patterns. This week’s trip had me scheduled to travel to San Antonio, Texas, USA for some specific training that was not available in Canada. As a result, I put together a quick four day and three night trip that would allow me to take in the most of the area in the shortest amount of time possible.

Booking Flights:

Unusually, on this occasion, I was travelling in economy class. While my employer typically pays for business class, when budgeting the trip to the managers, I didn’t want to get into the debate of cost expense; favouring instead the opportunity to get to a unique destination, instead of perhaps waiting for the training opportunity to re-appear in Canada.

When I booked, the price point for most fares were identical on United Airlines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Since I’ve been collecting miles in both Air Canada’s Aeroplan and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, I ended up purchasing an Alaska Airlines fare since they all earned 100% Elite Qualifying Miles. Most United Airlies fares in economy class earned only 50% Elite Qualifying Miles.

I ended up picking the cheapest route, which took me through Dallas Forth Worth on the way down. I was lucky enough to get the Alaska Airlines non stop San Antonio – Seattle on the way back.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Elites get access to unlimited domestic upgrades. While I’ve been lucky travelling with my wife’s Alaska Mileage Plan MVP Gold status, the upgrades likelihood drops off quite considerably at my lower Alaska Mileage Plan MVP level. The medium haul flight from Seattle – San Antonio only had two First Class Seats open at check in.

I was way down on the MVP upgrade list at number 13, so I got comfortable in the back on Alaska Airlines Seattle – Dallas Fort Worth for the ride down.

When it came to my connection, Dallas Fort Worth airport was decorated for Christmas holidays. I had an easy connection in Dallas Fort Worth.

My short flight from Dallas Fort Worth to San Antonio was on American Airlines. Although Alaska Mileage Plan Elite members are afforded access to American Airlines domestic upgrade space, for the first time ever, I was the very last on the upgrade list at #27. As a rule, it’s usually difficult getting upgraded out of alliance hub cities. This was no exception.

As a result, I settled into a short one hour flight American Airlines Dallas – San Antonio, eventually getting into my destination.

For my return trip, I didn’t have much more excitement. The San Antonio International Airport didn’t have any available lounges to explore. San Antonio International Airport Terminal Two was actually quite austere and compact.

I didn’t get any Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP upgrade love on the way back either. With only two first class seats open when the flight closed, I ended up being first on the upgrade list getting assigned into Alaska Airlines Premium Class for the longer San Antonio – Seattle leg.

Arriving into Seattle after several days of warmth and heat, I experienced the usual rain arriving to the gates in Seattle Tacoma International Airport.

The trip didn’t contain anything new in economy class. As a result, I’ve elected not to complete posts on my flight segments down and back.

Planning Hotels:

San Antonio is a convention city. As a result, all the major hotel brands were in town. My event was taking place at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio convention area. As might be exepcted, the hotel was quoting rates upwards of $269 USD per night.

I ended up choosing to stay across the street at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter on the Riverwalk for a much more reasonable $200 USD a night.

While there were other Marriott hotels, the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter on the Riverwalk appeared to be more interesting of the two, featuring the newest rennovated rooms and a comfortable M Club Executive Lounge.

Planning Activities:

San Antonio offered several attractions that were within close walking distance from the hotel. In addition to being a neat city to visit while on expense, there were ample attractions to visit.

Simply wandering around town was pretty interesting, with ample Spanish architecture to take in and enjoy, along with being an old American city.

I also made it out to San Antonio’s Missions. San Antonio has five unique Missions developed by the Spaniards in the 1750’s. The ruins of these missions are around San Antonio. All of the locations are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, making them worthy of any travellers’ time and well worth a visit. I was able to take in Mission Concepción on my trip, which was interesting and worthwhile.

San Antonio also features the famous Alamo, where the Battle and Seige of the Alamo occured. For followers of American History, the Battle of the Alamo represented one of the greatest tragedies in battle. I was able to take in a self guided visit to the Alamo site, which proved to be an interesting learning event of American History.

Lastly, San Antonio has the historic San Antonio Riverwalk running through its central business district. The lively entertainment district offers a whole host of restaurants and entertainment venues.

Overall, there was enough in San Antonio to keep me entertained for a few days on both the professional work front and on the leisure side with a host of attractions and sights to see.

My Thoughts on Planning San Antonio:

Ultimately, this wasn’t too hard a trip to put together. While it would only last a few days, I made the most of my limited time in San Antonio, Texas, USA.

It’s worth taking a little time in San Antonio to get out and see the various sights on offer.

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Have you visited historic San Antonio Texas ?

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