Note: I’m trying to hit my above list of points in order, but time waits for no one. Thus time references may appear jumbled.
3) Create and link to a guide to getting online via wireless connection at an ANA lounge near you.
Login on to the wireless LAN at the Haneda Signet lounge was painless this morning. When you arrive, get a scratch card form the front desk and scratch it off to reveal a user id, password, SSID and Wep key. Detect and connect to the network (SSID should be detected and enter the WEP key as usual). Then once you have the connection, make sure the properties are set to receive the IP & DNS automatically from the network. Your browser should launch to the Yahoo BB page. There is an English page option at this point. Click the link next to the YahooBB account logo, not the one that is for cell phone users. Enter your ID and on the next screen your password. Go straight to FT! There were no English instructions at the Haneda lounge. I’ll try again at Narita.
4) Discuss my Okinawa Mileage run and how I chalk up 8000 EQM in 10 hours aloft.
Ok, so as I have a few minutes before my first flight today, let me take a minute to reflect on my madness. I entered this business trip ticketed for travel that will take me to 94,000 EQM by year end. The incremental benefits for top tier ANA status are debatable, but being the FT addict that I am, I just couldn’t let the chance slip by. What I get for attaining Diamond (100K) is a reset of the mileage expiration clock (until Dec 31 2007), 1 additional Intl sector upgrade and an additional 25% bonus mileage compared to mid-tier Platinum. I also get priority over Platinum members when I redeem awards and upgrades and a cert for a night or two at ANA hotels.
Unfortunately, with 70% mileage earning on *Alliance fares less than Y, I decided to make my run using ANA domestic flights booked with a visit Japan pass. I’m ticket in M but particular program allows 100% accrual at the 200% domestic EQM accrual rate. Each of my flights will snag me 1968 EQM. My cost was about $520 all-in (air+hotel). In order to get them mileage I needed, I’d have to fly 4 US domestic transcon segments on UA. As it would be difficult to: a) match the price and b) justify the time away from home, I tacked on a MR day to my business trip. I’ll be aloft at total of 10 hours on my little run and accomplish my goal with minimal “heat” on the home front. It’s just a lot easier trying to explain that you jumped down to Okinawa to grab some EQM than trying to justify 2 RTs SFO-JFK or a trip to London in Y for no reason. And in case you haven’t guessed, the less time spent in Y the better.
After a connection from Narita, I left my Golf Clubs and wheelie in baggage storage at Haneda (located on the B1F at the Jal end of the termina) and got outta dodge on a 744 in seat 16H. Nice seat but check your seatmaps! I had nothing in front of me and 16IJ had a closet providing bulkhead seating. I could stretch my long legs. Slept all the way. When I checked in Sunday morning at Okinawa, the staff were kind enough to check me into all three Okinawa segments for the day (OKA-HND-OKA-HND) and provided exit row aisles on each flight. It pays to arrive at the airport 8 hours before your flight. What’s more, I wasn’t going to push my luck and decided to check-in along the way, but the ANA staff offered and I wasn’t about to turn down the exit rows.
This morning I was in 12 C on a 777 and as I now add some details to my report I’ve just arrived back in OKA on a 747 seat 34C. My return to Haneda is on the same plane in the same seat.
***NEWS FLASH***
Some dude’s cell phone just rang in the Signet lounge and the ring tone was UA’s theme... “Rhapsody in Blue”
Anyway back to the topic, with all the exit rows lined up, I decided not to pay up for Superseats (6,000 yen/each) on any of my flights.
The best way to describe ANA’s domestic service is Southwest on steroids. You get the jumbo jet hoards, cramped in a economy minus product. Coffee, juice or water is included in the price of admission.
5) Recommend or not the business class hotel in Okinawa where I will crash tonight, err.. tomorrow night.
I would COMPLETELY recommend the RoyNet hotel in Okinawa and would certainly book future stays at other properties in the chain throughout Japan if I needed to. The Okinawa hotel is 1000 yen cab from the airport and I paid 7600 yen for the night. This particular property was brand new, and totally wired. Free internet in room via a LAN cable connection and after you get your key form the desk all payment and checkout is handled via an ATM-like machine that accepts credit cards as well as cash. The online reservation system was only available in Japanese however so it may be an obstacle to some.
Misc. before I get to the Westin in a few days time...
a) There is a beer machine in the Signet lounge in Okinawa, but it serves up Orion Beer (a local product).
b) I resume my business travel for on a flight from Haneda to Toyama tonight. It will be my 4th segment today, but it is only an hour flight.
c) at this time Internet access in the OKA Signet lounge is limited to dial-up.