Originally Posted by whimsey21 (Post 21580886)

If your 12 hour layover is during daylight hours, I would highly recommend that you consider using the layover for a quick trip to the Great Wall. You can easily book a car to take you from the airport to the wall and back (see the Flyertalk China forum for many discussions on this), and it is well worth seeing. Plus, it will get you out of enclosed spaces for a bit and give you a chance to walk around, before embarking on the next leg of the trip.

Originally Posted by Unterwegs (Post 21582981)

Try to sleep as much as you can on the plane. This is the real advantage of flying in F. Taking Melatonin right at departure helps me falling asleep. Then stay active in PEK. You could either do the Great Wall tour as suggested or just go into the city to the usual sights (Forbidden City etc). Just stay active, no naps. You will be exhausted when arriving in Bangkok. If you are on the early SYD flight next day just stay close to the airport (the Novotel is good, inside the airport but pricey, some other hotels are close by), other hotels in the area provide free shuttles. Go to the airport early for the massage in the F lounge.
If you are on the late flight to SYD my recommendation is staying in the Sukumvit/Ploenchit area. Lots of good hotels there. Traffic is light in the evening. A Taxi will be around 300 bath and will take less than 30min. ust make sure you go to the official Taxi stand. Depending on your budget you could arrange for a guide and a car (thru the hotel) for some sightseeing and have the car drop you off at the airport at the end.

Originally Posted by QTFLYER (Post 21583970)

Why don't you look at an Air NZ award. Either book your international section from either LAX/SFO or YVR to AKL, Air NZ J class (Highest class) is actually very good indeed with lie flat beds. Rewards can be a challenge from LAX but they do come up from SFO and YVR. Or to really please your new wife why not try a J class award from LAX to RAR and then on to AKL. J class awards for this route is on the 772, again fully lie flat, herringbone style seats. By doing this route, treat yourself to a pacific island holiday on the way

Originally Posted by QTFLYER (Post 21583970)

Why don't you look at an Air NZ award. Either book your international section from either LAX/SFO or YVR to AKL, Air NZ J class (Highest class) is actually very good indeed with lie flat beds. Rewards can be a challenge from LAX but they do come up from SFO and YVR. Or to really please your new wife why not try a J class award from LAX to RAR and then on to AKL. J class awards for this route is on the 772, again fully lie flat, herringbone style seats. By doing this route, treat yourself to a pacific island holiday on the way

Originally Posted by QTFLYER (Post 21583970)

Why don't you look at an Air NZ award. Either book your international section from either LAX/SFO or YVR to AKL, Air NZ J class (Highest class) is actually very good indeed with lie flat beds. Rewards can be a challenge from LAX but they do come up from SFO and YVR. Or to really please your new wife why not try a J class award from LAX to RAR and then on to AKL. J class awards for this route is on the 772, again fully lie flat, herringbone style seats. By doing this route, treat yourself to a pacific island holiday on the way

Originally Posted by Dr.milology (Post 21607302)

I have one more question for you all. If united global first opens up from either Vancouver, SFO, or LAX, to Sydney, is that worth paying the change fees ($75) for a direct routing? How does United Global First compare to Thai and China Air?