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Prologue
Another uni break, another jaunt to far flung corners of the globe, another bout of hedonistic pursuits in various exotic locales... ok that was really a longwinded and grandiose way of saying piss ups in different watering holes around the world and pigging out at various foodie heavens. So I do try to incorporate some pseudo cultural experiences into my trips at times, but really who am I kidding?!
This time on a oneworld Global Explorer in Economy with a 26k mileage limit (LLGLOB26), the mileage-based sibling to the continent-based oneworld Explorer. “whY fly?!” as some of you have asked. This is meant to be a v quick mid semester jaunt and after depleting my bank account on 2 DONE4s and various bmi cash+miles redemptions (the ‘cash’ bit along with the fuel fines do add up after a while!) I had to settle for a ticket in L. Moreover I had no time to reposition overseas and the cost of an ex-Oz D class would’ve been prohibitive. So it was down the back of proverbial bus for this trip in humble Economy class – whY fly indeed, but for the love and passion of travel and exploration of course. And, as my dear friend phaleesy so eloquently put it even though her idea of travel might differ substantially from mine
, it is a privilege to travel at all – so whY not!
I had only intended to purchase a Circle Pacific ticket, as I’d only planned to visit Honolulu, LA and Hong Kong initially – after all I only had 2 weeks to play around with which isn’t a whole lot. Bizarrely, the Global Explorer base fare was cheaper (at time of ticketing), and would top up the mileage piggy bank more substantially – so a no brainer indeed.
I thought it’d be a waste to simply connect via Europe, and I wasn’t sure I could stand that many hours in Economy all at once – so I’d picked a city in Europe that I’d yet to visit. Initially I was booked to travel to Berlin after hearing so much about how rad it was, however the v illustrious SQTalk DO instigator phaleesy had orchestrated a DO in Vienna right around the time I was going to be in Europe. It’d be a great opportunity to catch up with SQTalk friends both old and new as well as virtually a crime to pass up such an opportunity, and so I duly changed my European stop from Berlin to Vienna. And Shanghai was thrown in after I had such a grand time there on my first visit back in December.
This trip would also be the first I take as a oneworld Emerald passenger, courtesy of my reaching the dizzying heights of AAdvantage Executive Platinum status after my last trip. I agree with those that reckon the best value use of status is travelling down the back, as you get to enjoy a quasi-premium experience that you’d otherwise not be able to access; whereas flying in the higher COSes you’d have less use of the benes as they come with your ticketed COS anyway. Though i’d hope not to make too much of a habit out of these ‘good value’ occurances. Indeed I’d seek to maximise the benes of OWE status on my first road test of the newly acquired status. I am v much looking forward to Flounging in various airports (particularly, luxuriating in the uber retro hip Qantas Flounge in SYD, and supping too much Bollie in BA’s shiny new Galleries F in LHR T5). And dare I say – higher up in the op up food chain. More importantly, I was able to apply an EVIP to my AA segments, and hence avoiding Economy for those segments (even though I borrowed the EVIP from a v generous AFFer simongr as I was afraid that availability would totally dry up by the time I had EVIPs of my own – on the proviso that I return the favour when required of course).
Of course, since my personal goal is to experience every single W hotel in the system, and I’ve not stayed at a W since February – yet another reason I eagerly await this trip is in the form of 2 first time Whatever/Whenever experiences – in Honolulu, and the newest “WorldWide WoW” in Hong Kong.
And not forgetting, the rather chic Le Meridien Wien which pretty much embodies the new LM101 project (which really seems to be a reincarnation of the abandoned Art+Tech range). I am curious as to Starwood’s attempt to rebrand its newly (ish) incorporated Le Meridien brand as a hip, yet arty and cultural line. I have previously had a great time at another similarly themed property – the LM Cyberport in Hong Kong. The LM Wien also seems at first glance to match my preconceived notions of 21st century Vienna, a contrast of ancient exteriors and ultra modern, fashionable interiors. And above all, certainly a great alternative to all the dowdy and run down (or “quaint and charming” – depending on your perspective) Starwood properties dotted around Europe.
So without further ado, sit back, fasten your seatbelts and get set for take off...
Upcoming:
Flights
MEL-SYD, Qantas, Economy
SYD-HNL, Qantas, Economy
HNL-LAX, American Airlines, First
LAX-LHR, American Airlines, Business
LHR-VIE, British Airways, Economy
VIE-HEL, Finnair, Economy
HEL-PVG, Finnair, Economy
PVG-HKG, Dragonair, Economy
HKG-MEL, Qantas, Business (nested ex-HKG J AAward)
Hotel experiences
W Honolulu-Diamond Head
Le Meridien Wien
The Westin Bund Centre, Shanghai
W Hong Kong
Where I’d be hanging out
Honolulu
Los Angeles
Vienna
Shanghai
Hong Kong
Another uni break, another jaunt to far flung corners of the globe, another bout of hedonistic pursuits in various exotic locales... ok that was really a longwinded and grandiose way of saying piss ups in different watering holes around the world and pigging out at various foodie heavens. So I do try to incorporate some pseudo cultural experiences into my trips at times, but really who am I kidding?!
This time on a oneworld Global Explorer in Economy with a 26k mileage limit (LLGLOB26), the mileage-based sibling to the continent-based oneworld Explorer. “whY fly?!” as some of you have asked. This is meant to be a v quick mid semester jaunt and after depleting my bank account on 2 DONE4s and various bmi cash+miles redemptions (the ‘cash’ bit along with the fuel fines do add up after a while!) I had to settle for a ticket in L. Moreover I had no time to reposition overseas and the cost of an ex-Oz D class would’ve been prohibitive. So it was down the back of proverbial bus for this trip in humble Economy class – whY fly indeed, but for the love and passion of travel and exploration of course. And, as my dear friend phaleesy so eloquently put it even though her idea of travel might differ substantially from mine
, it is a privilege to travel at all – so whY not!I had only intended to purchase a Circle Pacific ticket, as I’d only planned to visit Honolulu, LA and Hong Kong initially – after all I only had 2 weeks to play around with which isn’t a whole lot. Bizarrely, the Global Explorer base fare was cheaper (at time of ticketing), and would top up the mileage piggy bank more substantially – so a no brainer indeed.
I thought it’d be a waste to simply connect via Europe, and I wasn’t sure I could stand that many hours in Economy all at once – so I’d picked a city in Europe that I’d yet to visit. Initially I was booked to travel to Berlin after hearing so much about how rad it was, however the v illustrious SQTalk DO instigator phaleesy had orchestrated a DO in Vienna right around the time I was going to be in Europe. It’d be a great opportunity to catch up with SQTalk friends both old and new as well as virtually a crime to pass up such an opportunity, and so I duly changed my European stop from Berlin to Vienna. And Shanghai was thrown in after I had such a grand time there on my first visit back in December.
This trip would also be the first I take as a oneworld Emerald passenger, courtesy of my reaching the dizzying heights of AAdvantage Executive Platinum status after my last trip. I agree with those that reckon the best value use of status is travelling down the back, as you get to enjoy a quasi-premium experience that you’d otherwise not be able to access; whereas flying in the higher COSes you’d have less use of the benes as they come with your ticketed COS anyway. Though i’d hope not to make too much of a habit out of these ‘good value’ occurances.
Indeed I’d seek to maximise the benes of OWE status on my first road test of the newly acquired status. I am v much looking forward to Flounging in various airports (particularly, luxuriating in the uber retro hip Qantas Flounge in SYD, and supping too much Bollie in BA’s shiny new Galleries F in LHR T5). And dare I say – higher up in the op up food chain. More importantly, I was able to apply an EVIP to my AA segments, and hence avoiding Economy for those segments (even though I borrowed the EVIP from a v generous AFFer simongr as I was afraid that availability would totally dry up by the time I had EVIPs of my own – on the proviso that I return the favour when required of course). Of course, since my personal goal is to experience every single W hotel in the system, and I’ve not stayed at a W since February – yet another reason I eagerly await this trip is in the form of 2 first time Whatever/Whenever experiences – in Honolulu, and the newest “WorldWide WoW” in Hong Kong.
And not forgetting, the rather chic Le Meridien Wien which pretty much embodies the new LM101 project (which really seems to be a reincarnation of the abandoned Art+Tech range). I am curious as to Starwood’s attempt to rebrand its newly (ish) incorporated Le Meridien brand as a hip, yet arty and cultural line. I have previously had a great time at another similarly themed property – the LM Cyberport in Hong Kong. The LM Wien also seems at first glance to match my preconceived notions of 21st century Vienna, a contrast of ancient exteriors and ultra modern, fashionable interiors. And above all, certainly a great alternative to all the dowdy and run down (or “quaint and charming” – depending on your perspective) Starwood properties dotted around Europe.
So without further ado, sit back, fasten your seatbelts and get set for take off...
Upcoming:
Flights
MEL-SYD, Qantas, Economy
SYD-HNL, Qantas, Economy
HNL-LAX, American Airlines, First
LAX-LHR, American Airlines, Business
LHR-VIE, British Airways, Economy
VIE-HEL, Finnair, Economy
HEL-PVG, Finnair, Economy
PVG-HKG, Dragonair, Economy
HKG-MEL, Qantas, Business (nested ex-HKG J AAward)
Hotel experiences
W Honolulu-Diamond Head
Le Meridien Wien
The Westin Bund Centre, Shanghai
W Hong Kong
Where I’d be hanging out
Honolulu
Los Angeles
Vienna
Shanghai
Hong Kong
). Or perhaps most people just aimed for the the peace and quiet. And the highlight of the day was my Flounge visit in SYD anyway.
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