Award Travel

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Review: ANA Suite Lounge – Tokyo-Narita

We arrived at Narita Airport after about an hour and 45 minute bus ride from the Hyatt Regency Tokyo.  Since we were on different flights, my buddy and I split up at check-in and planned to meet up again at the lounge. I proceeded to the ANA Suite Check-In, and WOW, it was nice. At…

a building with lights and a woman in a garment
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A Twenty-Two Hour Layover in Tokyo and the Hyatt Regency Tokyo

For my return flights home to Washington, DC, I intentionally booked a twenty-two hour layover in Tokyo between my inbound flight on Air China from Shanghai and my final leg in ANA First Class to Washington-Dulles.  Why, you ask? Because I freakin’ love Tokyo.  And my buddy had never been. That, my friends is an opportunity…

a room with a buffet and a light fixture
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Review: Air China First Class Lounge – Shanghai Pudong

We arrived at Shanghai’s Pudong Airport after a quick, 35-minute commute from the Grand Hyatt Shanghai on the metro and the maglev.  First Class check-in was painless and uneventful, as was the short trek through immigration and security.  We made our way directly to the new Air China lounges, located near gate 71 in Shanghai-Pudong’s…

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Weekly Roundup – 12/12/2014

First of all, my apologies — I’ve been M.I.A. for the last couple weeks.  Frankly, life has gotten into the way, as I’ve been busy with work, finding a new place for when my lease expires next month, and of course spending time with my family over Thanksgiving.  Once everything settles down, I will start…

a large white airplane parked at an airport
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US Airlines Continue to Cut Passenger Services, Please Investors

Snip, snip, snip…. This is apparently the week for US-based airlines to make all sorts of passenger un-friendly changes and cuts.  While ultimately screwing over the passengers, the cuts are largely going to please investors on Wall Street. Just this week, Delta, United and JetBlue have announced some cuts that hurt the consumer, and in…

a boat in the water with a city in the background
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A Weekend in Hong Kong – Ten Highlights

Since my first time to Hong Kong during grad school back in 2009, I’ve referred to Hong Kong as my favorite city in the World.  After a third trip back, I still think it’s my favorite city anywhere.  There’s just so much that this metropolis has to offer.   From the markets to the vistas…

a green sign with a clover on it
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Revisited: Booking a Transatlantic Flight on Aer Lingus with British Airways Avios

The cheapest way from the USA to Europe is by using British Airways Avios for a flight on Aer Lingus from Boston to either Dublin or Shannon. At 12,500 Avios for economy or 25,000 Avios for business, this redemption is one of the best mileage values out there!

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Revisited: How to Book an Around the World Trip with US Airways miles

Due to a ton of comments, questions and general interest on my last few posts about my First Class award flights around the World, I’m going to re-post the below post from a couple months ago where I detailed how to book one of these de-fact around the World tickets using US Airways miles (…

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REMINDER: United Club Pass Giveaway!

Just wanted to post a reminder about the two United Club passes that I’m giving away!  See the post below for more information….. After going through my things, I’ve come up on a pair  of one-time United Club Passes (expiration 2/28/15).  They’re each valid for a one-time entry for one person at any United Club.  I’ll…

a bottle of champagne and two glasses of ice
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Review: ANA First Class Square Tokyo to Washington

After an extremely early morning bus ride from the Hyatt Regency Tokyo out to Narita, I proceeded to the very exclusive feeling ANA Suite Check-in facility.  Here, I was quickly checked in and whisked away to a private security line before I went on to clear immigration.  I relaxed for about an hour in the…