Part 1 – Introduction.
I thought that I would do a trip report of my Star Alliance (*A) round the world trip in business class. Well, paid for in business, but sitting in First or at the front of the plane where ever possible. As this is a 3 week trip, rather than do everything from memory, I will try and write as I go along, and post when able to.
The trip is:
MEL – CHC* – AKL – NRT* – SFO – IAH* – PIT – LGA | JFK – FRA – SIN – MEL
With the stars showing where I will be doing my 24 hours+ stop overs.
I really want to say what a great resource FlyerTalk is and how much easier it made my planning. Below is some of the threads I used to help make this trip easier:
One of the first posts I did asked the question how to get from Melbourne to Tokyo, as the travel agent told me what I wanted to do (go via NZ) wasn’t possible as it was back tracking. This thread told me that the agent was an idiot (which I already knew.)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=332492
I then wanted to get an upgrade from Business to First on the AKL – NRT leg. This thread told me that I couldn’t get a First ticket as they Air NZ don’t fly first but check in early enough and if the cabin is open, I should be able to get a bigger seat for the 11 hours.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=332486
I noticed on the Air NZ web site, that they are giving double miles on US Airways flights in September, I tried to book these flights, but travel agent told me I couldn’t. This thread told me that the agent was an idiot (which I already knew.) – Company travel agent so can’t change.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=332492
I wanted to upgrade from Business to First on the flights home from JFK to MEL on Singapore Air. Everyone raves about First Class on the Sky Suites, and never having even seen one up close – let alone sit in one. I spent the 65,000 and got the upgrade confirmed. This thread told me the details how to do it. I had assumed that it would have been electronic and confirmed over the phone, but found out it wasn’t so very grateful that I could get it organised in time.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=340104
So flights booked all booked and ticketed. My biggest concern is the day I fly from Houston to LGA and onto JFK. I could have gone via IAD and taken the United Express flight up to NY. But that would have meant 2 connections and 2 chances for my bags to miss a flight. Plus I have never flown economy in the US, so didn’t see why I should start now. I checked out the New York Airport thread to see if I should take the Bus or Taxi between the airports – this thread told me that I had nothing to worry about and can take the bus. (I know fly in First to LGA, and fly First out of JFK and I am asking questions about a BUS?)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=344038
Also, one of the questions that has been asked, - will Air NZ DVD players play standard DVD’s? I will take a selection with me and answer that question.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=336886
And lastly – should this report go for humour or the facts. I am not as good a writer or have the elocution that GoldFlyer has (If my trip report doesn’t interest you, you must read this one.)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=182481
so mine is just going to have to be the plain old Technical report. Had 3 glasses of this champagne, can’t remember much after that, type of report.