StarwoodGuy: May 2015

So I just want to say a big thank you to everyone I met along the way, to the crews on Alaska, JAL, Cathay Pacific, KLM, Emirates and British Airways, to the train staff at both the stations and across the train lines of the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic, to Mat and Sean back home, to my family in Hamburg, to Berit and her family in Germany, to Maureen and Kim in Singapore, and of course to the hotel staff at Starwood Brands Aloft, Meridien, Sheraton, Westin and Luxury Collection. It was an amazing trip that truly was eye opening.

As well a big thank you to everyone for reading this blog, following me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and for your comments, likes, and help with suggestions and information to make my trip better.

One of the biggest questions I had was how much were the hotels, the flights etc...

I used a lot of points from the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and British Airways Executive Club, paid for the Emirates portion, and paid for my Eurail ticket.

JAL - 50,000 AVIOS SEA-YVR-NRT Business. Tax $160.00 US
JAL - 15,000 AVIOS NRT-ICN Business Tax $35.00 US

CATHAY - ICN-HKG-DPS $1,000.00 US Business

KLM - DPS-SIN $350.00 US Business

SIN - BKK - $350.00 US Business

BKK-AMS - $1,600.00 US Business / 30,000 American Express for First Upgrade

Eurail First Global Ticket 15 Days plus 2 Bonus $625.00 US

BA- BUD-LHR-SFO-SEA 70,000 AVIOS $220.00 US Tax.

Hotels averaged $100.00 US per night but for some I used cash and SPG points (Sheraton Singapore), some I used just SPG points (Park Lane London) which lowered the cost, and then there was the higher Bristol in Vienna at $325.00 US. Of course two nights with Berit were free! Not too bad for Business and First Class flights that typically cost considerably more and the train tickets would be much more expensive if not for the Eurail discount.

Travel can be expensive but hopefully many people can get the time of work and get the chance to explore. It is a big and amazing world with wonderful people in it, I had forgot that to some degree over the past few years and I was happy to be reminded. I added my Smurf travel pics as well. Thanks again, Lance!

The Uber driver was very chatty and interesting, talking about the election on the short ten minute trip from the Park Lane to Paddington Station. The entire city was filled with election buzz as was to be expected. Once at Paddington I was the only passenger in the train’s First cabin to Heathrow and when I arrived I was ushered through to the First check-in area and then to the Fast Track Security area. The security in London is stricter then the US and exceptionally slow even in First/Fast Track. I instantly missed PRE in the US, but they were very friendly. Immediately after security there is a special entrance to the Concorde Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5 for International First passengers. I walked in and they reconfirmed my massage booking and made me a subsequent shower booking. I sat on the amazing outdoor patio looking out at the airport concourse and departing flights and had champagne (Tattinger) before the wonderful massage and shower at the Elemis spa. After that I had the cheese platter at the First restaurant in the Concorde Lounge before exploring the First Terraces and Club World Lounges which were packed with people but also very nice. The Concorde Lounge is only open to those in International First - hello Jackie Chan! I unfortunately ended up at Gate C which meant the train transfer, apparently normal with the A380 service. I made my way out of the three-tiered BA lounge complex and went to the train and a few minutes later I made it to my gate just as BIZ/First boarding was starting. There is a separate ramp for First which was great.

Once onboard I had a closet for my jacket, wonderful amenities and champagne ready for me at my suite. I did not even know we had taken off as is typical with an A380. The staff was even better here. I loved Emirates and their pod which is very private, but the BA pod lends itself to more conversation, the flight crew engage you if you want and genuinely seem interested in starting a discourse. Like the Qantas pods in First you can make it into a dinner table and invite a guest to eat with you but I was on my own, so it was work at my table.

Champagne and snacks were served just after take off, followed by an a la carte menu or a five course tasting menu, I opted for the five course tasting menu. Simply amazing food, excellent wine parings, and an insanely friendly staff. I opted for cheese instead of dessert (English Afternoon tea was coming before landing in SFO) and continued to work and write. Once my meal was concluded I noted that the entire cabin in First was asleep. It was only 4:00 pm London time and I was trying to stay awake the entire flight to adjust to US West Coast time, so I wandered the plane, looking at the surprisingly empty Club World/Biz Cabin and the Economy and upstairs Premium Economy.

It is a amazing what a ticket with First in BA does for you. I had pre-booked my massage but not my shower at the Lounge, but when the agent saw my ticket I was instantly bumped to the front of the queue. Wandering around the plane (I had switched into comfy clothes from my button up and jacket) I was stopped at each entrance then the Flight Attendants saw the ticket and said please go anywhere. Economy on this plane and BIZ seemed better then on Emirates, less crowded, more space. I had told the flight attendant who was outstanding that I could drink the plane out of tea as I drink it constantly especially while working and writing and when I came back from my walk sure enough fresh tea and another glass of wine were waiting along with more biscuits. They were refreshed constantly throughout the flight, and before landing the afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, cakes including a pavlova, and delicious scones with real cream were served.

Arriving in SFO customs was empty and within minutes I was in the Cathay Pacific Lounge (Alaska Board Room uses this lounge during SFO renovations) where most of the lounge was waiting to get on the plane I had just gotten off. I asked to use the shower room which was great after the long flight, then changed, had a quick drink and made it the short walk to my Alaska flight. The 737-400 was a let down after such a great A380, but the service was good as was the warm sandwich served. The flight was quite bumpy but the flight attendant for First was great and managed very well in the difficult conditions. In under two hours I was back in Seattle and in an Uber on my way home.

BA First was great, it is difficult to say if it was better then Emirates, each had their strong points. The Emirates Lounge, showers onboard and on the ground and the onboard Lounge were amazing. I do like that British Airways like Qantas can turn their seats into dinner tables for two if you were with someone, and the service was so excellent on BA in First and I love the signature afternoon tea. Both were truly amazing. I will do a quick round up post in the next day or so explaining how many points I used (I did not pay for all of this!), but it was an amazing trip, time for a long nap!