Excuse the vanity, but I thought it might be interesting for me to chronicle my first RTW itinerary for 2005. I've done the RTW Star Alliance thing a couple of times, but not with such close attention to details on how it positively/negatively impacted my travels.

I'm on a business class Star1 ticket, and figured some people might be able to learn a little bit from my experience. On completion, I'll post the mileage (EQM and bonus miles) for all to see. But I figure I'll rack up quite a few given the distance and business class fare (flights are booked in D). So here goes...

Itinerary:

SEA-SFO-meetings-LHR-BRU-meetings-MUN-LIS-meetings-FRA-LHR-meetings-DUB-meetings-FRA-BKK-layover-NRT-SEA

Started traveling last week, with a flight to SFO for business. Domestic flights are in first on two-class planes, but the flight is only 90 minutes so it's not much of a benefit. Seattle has 1K ticket and security line, so I breezed to the gate within 5 minutes of entering the airport.

SFO to LHR: Upgraded to UA First for the transatlantic segment, and got the benefit of the First Lounge in the SFO international departures area. The lounge is spacious, staff friendly, food is *healthy* (I loved it!), and overall the experience is second to none, except maybe Emirates or SQ frist class treatment. Boarded the flight and promptly went to sleep (following a few late nights in SFO), and managed to sleep for 6 hours. Food on UA First is 'okay' by comparison to other airlines, but the FAs on this flight were pretty darn friendly. Sometimes I get curmudgeons flying from LHR, but the SFO based FAs were awesome. Met by UGS/1K host at LHR gate, and promptly escorted over to my connecting flight in a private mini-bus. It took all of 3-5 minutes, and I didn't have to walk thr concourse or deal with any security lines. Very pleasant (for Heathrow) might I add!

Spent the next 45 minutes in British Midlands Diamond lounge, which is not bad, but I don't like the crowd in the mornings. It's typically stuffy London business flyers -- but the lounge staff was helpful.

Connected through to Brussels. (business meetings) I had to make a slight itinerary change in Brussels, which was very convenient given the complexity of the ticket. Had it only been a date change there would be no fee, but this was a re-routing which meant a meager $100 and difference in taxes. I paid about $158, and was pleasantly suprised when the agent told me that "since the itinerary was now all on UA and LH, my tix would be all electonic". A breath of fresh air, as the thought of losing my paper and having to go through a re-issue was mightmarish in itself.

So, I head down to the BRU airport and make the out-of-way connection to Lisbon, by way of Munich. A pain in the a**, but really not bad considering the value for money paid to fly business on the otherwise lengthy itinerary. Star Alliance lounges in BRU are not great (it's not a hub), but I was impressed by the airport and overall efficiency. LH business class in Europe is still a bit like flying Sardine Class, but the food service (when available) rivals most US airlines' first class services. Even flights under two hours offer great catering!

I'm now in Lisbon, and waiting for my flights (tomorrow) to London by way of FRA. FRA is usually a great airport to connect through, but I've had some real tests of patience at LHR lately. 5 of 6 flights have had upgrade debacles, and/or very rude treatment from ground staff in the gate areas. I'm going in with a positive attitude and smiley face...

More to come...

**Incidentally, if anyone has an LH paper upgrade they can spare, I would love to try the LH first class from FRA to BKK! If so, I'm in London and Frankfurt long enough to collect in-person.