zrs70
Jun 20, 02, 1:23 pm
Itinerary:
6/16
LAX-YYZ (AC, Y)
YYZ-ORD-LHR (UA, NC/NF)
6/17
LHR-BRU (BD, C)
6/18
BRU-MAN (SQ, Y)
MAN-FRA-MAD (LH, C,Y)
6/19
MAD-LHR (BD, Y)
LHR-ORD-LAX (UA. NC, NF)
Well, it was a whirlwind four days. Let me post the basics in a compact report.
First, the sole purpose was to collect the 55k bonus. It cost more than I would have liked to spend. I bought two tickets. First was a full Y fare from LAX-MAD with unlimitted stops. The second was an H fare from MAD to LAX.
Here it goes. I don't provede full menu transcripts here. Were my flight more exautic, I would. But nothing here is out of the ordinary. Stars are out of five.
AC#790 LAX-YYZ
MLL at LAX is a nice haven. Good variety of snacks and drinks, and pleasent atmosphere.
I was hoping for a bump or an upgrade, but neither transpired. Boarding was quick and painless. Choice of breakfast was omlette or french toast. I chose the latter which was quite good. Only draw back was that there was no syrup! Movie was "I am Sam," which I hadn't yet seen. AC service is ok, nothing spectacular. A320 is a bit tight for this 4 hour flight. Beautiful landing at YYZ. Jet-way came quickly. My gripe here is that I had to go through Canadian Customs and then US customs. It seems as though I should have been able to stay in the US flight area. Immigration line at YYZ for US entry was long, very line. But the line moved. 4 stars
UA #1023 YYZ-ORD
MLL again. Friendly and spacious. On time departure. Typical one and 1/2 hour UA flight. Channel 9 was activated. Arrived at C gates at ORD. 4 stars.
UA #938 ORD-LHR
I was really, really hoping for a bump on this flight. UA did have a list, but no names were ever processed. I spent a few minutes before the flight in the RCC. I tell you, as much as I enjoy these lounges, and as much as I appreciate a place to rest, they are often more mobbed than the terminal. This particular evening, I was subject to loud cell phone talking, constantly yelling profanities into the phones. Not only were there children listing to those words, but adults too! (I don't think anyone should have to be subject to another person's phone conversation. Period. If you want to use your cell phone, have the decency to do it in a dedicated space.
Anyway, the flight boarded and left on time. I was in seat 14F (777). Usually I like a window, but I wanted the flexibility to use the faclilities. Meal choices were beef or chicken. I chose the beef, which was OK but nothing spectacular. Flight went very fast. Only real complaint was that it was too stufy in the cabin.
I think the sun came up about three hours into the flight, which made it hard to sleep. Breakfast was fruit and a croissant, which was fine.
Arrival at LHR is always interesting. After the looooong walk to the transfer center, I got on the bus to terminal 1-2 and made my way to the BD transfer desk. 4 stars.
BD #151 LHR-BRU
Love the shopping at LHR!
I used the shower at the BD lounge at LHR. Not a great shower facility, especially compared to UA's arrivals at SFO. But a shower is a shower, and I really needed one! By mistake I left my dopp kit at the lounge. BD held on to it, and were able to contact me when I made it to the other BD lounge at LHR. Nice touch! Though the flight was short, BD managed a nice snack service with scones. Arrival at BRU was painless. I was ready for a good night's sleep! 4.5 stars.
SQ #328 BRU-MAN.
Check in was easy. I was the only person embarking at BRU. (Who thinks of flying SQ BRU-MAN?) Flight was 1.5 hours delayed. I would have no conneciton problems, as I had about 4.5 hours in MAN anyway. The BD lounge was conventional. BRU airport was nothing special. I love these inter-European SQ flights. Short hops on 747-400 on perhaps the best airline in the world. I have flown SQ in F and C, but never in Y. Seats were very tight, but service was excellent! A good sized sandwich was served, along with drinks. Tucked in the seat back was a small amenity bag (socks and a toothbrush in a zip lock baggy). Nice for those on the long leg! Arrival was easy. 4 stars.
Manchester Airport trasnfer center:
What a mob scene. There were three agents handling five lines with at least 10 people in each. No one was at the BD counter. I called on the phone at the desk, and a woman said she'ld be right there. But after five minutes, no one came. So I decided to just go through immigration and check in on the other side. Customs officials smiled at my explanation. I was through the formalities in 10 seconds, and back at the ticket counter. Had I waited at the transfer desk, i might have missed my fligth (even with the 3.5 hour connection time).
More to come!
6/16
LAX-YYZ (AC, Y)
YYZ-ORD-LHR (UA, NC/NF)
6/17
LHR-BRU (BD, C)
6/18
BRU-MAN (SQ, Y)
MAN-FRA-MAD (LH, C,Y)
6/19
MAD-LHR (BD, Y)
LHR-ORD-LAX (UA. NC, NF)
Well, it was a whirlwind four days. Let me post the basics in a compact report.
First, the sole purpose was to collect the 55k bonus. It cost more than I would have liked to spend. I bought two tickets. First was a full Y fare from LAX-MAD with unlimitted stops. The second was an H fare from MAD to LAX.
Here it goes. I don't provede full menu transcripts here. Were my flight more exautic, I would. But nothing here is out of the ordinary. Stars are out of five.
AC#790 LAX-YYZ
MLL at LAX is a nice haven. Good variety of snacks and drinks, and pleasent atmosphere.
I was hoping for a bump or an upgrade, but neither transpired. Boarding was quick and painless. Choice of breakfast was omlette or french toast. I chose the latter which was quite good. Only draw back was that there was no syrup! Movie was "I am Sam," which I hadn't yet seen. AC service is ok, nothing spectacular. A320 is a bit tight for this 4 hour flight. Beautiful landing at YYZ. Jet-way came quickly. My gripe here is that I had to go through Canadian Customs and then US customs. It seems as though I should have been able to stay in the US flight area. Immigration line at YYZ for US entry was long, very line. But the line moved. 4 stars
UA #1023 YYZ-ORD
MLL again. Friendly and spacious. On time departure. Typical one and 1/2 hour UA flight. Channel 9 was activated. Arrived at C gates at ORD. 4 stars.
UA #938 ORD-LHR
I was really, really hoping for a bump on this flight. UA did have a list, but no names were ever processed. I spent a few minutes before the flight in the RCC. I tell you, as much as I enjoy these lounges, and as much as I appreciate a place to rest, they are often more mobbed than the terminal. This particular evening, I was subject to loud cell phone talking, constantly yelling profanities into the phones. Not only were there children listing to those words, but adults too! (I don't think anyone should have to be subject to another person's phone conversation. Period. If you want to use your cell phone, have the decency to do it in a dedicated space.
Anyway, the flight boarded and left on time. I was in seat 14F (777). Usually I like a window, but I wanted the flexibility to use the faclilities. Meal choices were beef or chicken. I chose the beef, which was OK but nothing spectacular. Flight went very fast. Only real complaint was that it was too stufy in the cabin.
I think the sun came up about three hours into the flight, which made it hard to sleep. Breakfast was fruit and a croissant, which was fine.
Arrival at LHR is always interesting. After the looooong walk to the transfer center, I got on the bus to terminal 1-2 and made my way to the BD transfer desk. 4 stars.
BD #151 LHR-BRU
Love the shopping at LHR!
I used the shower at the BD lounge at LHR. Not a great shower facility, especially compared to UA's arrivals at SFO. But a shower is a shower, and I really needed one! By mistake I left my dopp kit at the lounge. BD held on to it, and were able to contact me when I made it to the other BD lounge at LHR. Nice touch! Though the flight was short, BD managed a nice snack service with scones. Arrival at BRU was painless. I was ready for a good night's sleep! 4.5 stars.
SQ #328 BRU-MAN.
Check in was easy. I was the only person embarking at BRU. (Who thinks of flying SQ BRU-MAN?) Flight was 1.5 hours delayed. I would have no conneciton problems, as I had about 4.5 hours in MAN anyway. The BD lounge was conventional. BRU airport was nothing special. I love these inter-European SQ flights. Short hops on 747-400 on perhaps the best airline in the world. I have flown SQ in F and C, but never in Y. Seats were very tight, but service was excellent! A good sized sandwich was served, along with drinks. Tucked in the seat back was a small amenity bag (socks and a toothbrush in a zip lock baggy). Nice for those on the long leg! Arrival was easy. 4 stars.
Manchester Airport trasnfer center:
What a mob scene. There were three agents handling five lines with at least 10 people in each. No one was at the BD counter. I called on the phone at the desk, and a woman said she'ld be right there. But after five minutes, no one came. So I decided to just go through immigration and check in on the other side. Customs officials smiled at my explanation. I was through the formalities in 10 seconds, and back at the ticket counter. Had I waited at the transfer desk, i might have missed my fligth (even with the 3.5 hour connection time).
More to come!