chemist661
Mar 18, 02, 10:43 pm
Was gifted an SWU expiring in March. Am appreciative for the SWU! & many thanks for the SWU. A international trip in March was in good order. I wanted some new variety from my SIN trips; wanted to go to London & London it was. Inexpensive & someplace I wanted to go again. About 11.4K status miles (23.8K total miles) for $376+tax totaling $467. Not as cheap as SIN per mile but a nice break between my multiple SIN trips.
Flew the following on UA:
3/14 LAX-JFK UA 26 0900 1710
3/14 JFK-LHR UA956 1900 0655 (+1)
3/17 LHR-LAX UA905 1350 2124 (1 stop JFK)
My upgrade success/failure was the following:
1. LAX-JFK unsuccessful--had to endure a 767-200 with no E+ and full. Survived. Had breakfast & a snack. Decent food for coach.
2. JFK-LHR success http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. This B777 had no E+ so I was thrilled to be in business class. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
3. LHR-JFK close but upgraded. Was hoping for the bump (unsuccessful on the bump) as UK mileage plus said economy was oversold by 20 & business oversold by 6.
4. JFK-LAX unsuccessful.(missed by one--oh well!) At least this was a 767-300 & had E+. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Business class on both transatlantic legs were great! Food was wonderful & service was very good. Was handed out surveys on return LHR-JFK leg. Was curious so I filled mine out. No miles offered but your name was put in the pool for 2 free tickets. (odds seem like lottery IMHO). Business class experience makes getting 1K worth it for the 6 SWU's.
Arrived at LHR. Given that UA res told me if I flew Business, I could use the arrivals facility. Most FTers usually know much more than some UA personnel. Premex told me that at LHR, arrivals are for full fare business only. Due to his helpful info, I was expecting nothing. Premex was entirely correct. On some airlines, upgraded & award pax can also use arrival lounges.(I was able to use arrivals at Gatwick on US Airways for upgraded business) Bought a Underground (subway) pass--one off peak day & one weekend pass for 12.5 GBP. Since I had one bag & wanted to be frugal, on the most part it worked just fine for me.
Went to hotel, tried some very good fish pie at a pub near my hotel. Napped part of the day. Walked around Victoria area. The next day, I walked around Chinatown, Covent Garden, Leister Square, & saw a very funny play "Noises Off". Had seats in the 2nd row (got the OK to move to 1st row during intermission http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif). Bought at the real half price ticket building. Paid GBP 21. (a splurge for me as I am usually frugal--well worth every GB pound! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif) Was not able to use UA half price coupon at Hilton, stayed in my usual inexpensive, clean, convenient hotel near Victoria station. (handy for Gatwick travelers--just a 30 min train ride)
This was my first flight in/out of Heathrow. Very crowded. I usually fly into Gatwick. On my return flight out, I was hoping for an oversell as I could use the $500 USD (that was what they were offering for the LHR-SFO flight for volunteering) for a future SIN trip. Went to RCC, said no volunteers were needed for my flight. Asked about upgrade, cleared at the gate http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif. Another FTer suggested that I check out the AC Maple leaf club. Seem nicer than the RCC & less crowded. Was able to access internet there. (RCC had internet but was crowded). Both clubs were decent & had free liquor. (I do not drink but still worth mentioning). Was hoping to run across some FTers in the airports/clubs/planes, but no luck. Still had lots of fun! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif
Bottom line: Had a nice time in spite of rainy weather. Want to go again! Cost/mile not bad. (4.1 cents/status, 1.96 cents/mile)
Flew the following on UA:
3/14 LAX-JFK UA 26 0900 1710
3/14 JFK-LHR UA956 1900 0655 (+1)
3/17 LHR-LAX UA905 1350 2124 (1 stop JFK)
My upgrade success/failure was the following:
1. LAX-JFK unsuccessful--had to endure a 767-200 with no E+ and full. Survived. Had breakfast & a snack. Decent food for coach.
2. JFK-LHR success http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. This B777 had no E+ so I was thrilled to be in business class. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
3. LHR-JFK close but upgraded. Was hoping for the bump (unsuccessful on the bump) as UK mileage plus said economy was oversold by 20 & business oversold by 6.
4. JFK-LAX unsuccessful.(missed by one--oh well!) At least this was a 767-300 & had E+. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Business class on both transatlantic legs were great! Food was wonderful & service was very good. Was handed out surveys on return LHR-JFK leg. Was curious so I filled mine out. No miles offered but your name was put in the pool for 2 free tickets. (odds seem like lottery IMHO). Business class experience makes getting 1K worth it for the 6 SWU's.
Arrived at LHR. Given that UA res told me if I flew Business, I could use the arrivals facility. Most FTers usually know much more than some UA personnel. Premex told me that at LHR, arrivals are for full fare business only. Due to his helpful info, I was expecting nothing. Premex was entirely correct. On some airlines, upgraded & award pax can also use arrival lounges.(I was able to use arrivals at Gatwick on US Airways for upgraded business) Bought a Underground (subway) pass--one off peak day & one weekend pass for 12.5 GBP. Since I had one bag & wanted to be frugal, on the most part it worked just fine for me.
Went to hotel, tried some very good fish pie at a pub near my hotel. Napped part of the day. Walked around Victoria area. The next day, I walked around Chinatown, Covent Garden, Leister Square, & saw a very funny play "Noises Off". Had seats in the 2nd row (got the OK to move to 1st row during intermission http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif). Bought at the real half price ticket building. Paid GBP 21. (a splurge for me as I am usually frugal--well worth every GB pound! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif) Was not able to use UA half price coupon at Hilton, stayed in my usual inexpensive, clean, convenient hotel near Victoria station. (handy for Gatwick travelers--just a 30 min train ride)
This was my first flight in/out of Heathrow. Very crowded. I usually fly into Gatwick. On my return flight out, I was hoping for an oversell as I could use the $500 USD (that was what they were offering for the LHR-SFO flight for volunteering) for a future SIN trip. Went to RCC, said no volunteers were needed for my flight. Asked about upgrade, cleared at the gate http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif. Another FTer suggested that I check out the AC Maple leaf club. Seem nicer than the RCC & less crowded. Was able to access internet there. (RCC had internet but was crowded). Both clubs were decent & had free liquor. (I do not drink but still worth mentioning). Was hoping to run across some FTers in the airports/clubs/planes, but no luck. Still had lots of fun! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif
Bottom line: Had a nice time in spite of rainy weather. Want to go again! Cost/mile not bad. (4.1 cents/status, 1.96 cents/mile)