yycworldtraveler

Before Aeroplan raised the award costs in July I booked a couple placeholder awards for 2012. LH, LX, and TG are known for releasing seats into award inventory close to departure if revenue/inventory management determines they are unlikely to be sold. I decided to be spontaneous and changed one of my awards for almost immediate departure. This award was booked on a Sunday afternoon with travel commencing less than 24 hours later. As a added bonus, the agent who processed the changes declined to charge me a change fee (the placeholder booking had several schedule changes and cancellations in it).

This was the routing...

YYC-FRA LH F
FRA-BCN LH J
BCN-ZRH LX J
ZRH-HKG LX F
HKG-BKK TG F
BKK-MAD TG F
MAD-LIS TP J
LIS-BRU SN J
BRU-FRA LH J
FRA-YYC LH F


The Routing

For a last minute booking I was quite happy. Two visits to the LH First Class Terminal, the LX F lounge in Zurich, the TG F lounges in HKG and BKK, the UA F lounge in HKG, three limo transfers in FRA by LH, a limo transfer in ZRH and five international First Class segments on LH, LX, and TG. As well I got to fly on two airlines for the first time - TAP Portugal (Portugalia) and Brussels Airlines which took me to Lisbon and Brussels.

Total cost - 120K Aeroplan miles and about $250 in taxes and fees.

As with previous trips, LX F was the best of lot. I absolutely love everything about LX F. LH and TG F are certainly decent products, but they never seem to match LX - particularly in the quality and presentation of the food and drinks.

I will let the pics do most of the talking...


Lufthansa First Class - Calgary (YYC) to Frankfurt (FRA) - A343

I've always loved my hometown skyline.


Lufthansa First Class - Calgary (YYC) to Frankfurt (FRA) - Calgary Downtown Skyline


Lufthansa First Class - Calgary (YYC) to Frankfurt (FRA) - Amuse Bouche


Lufthansa First Class - Calgary (YYC) to Frankfurt (FRA)


Lufthansa First Class - Calgary (YYC) to Frankfurt (FRA) - Appetizers


Lufthansa First Class - Calgary (YYC) to Frankfurt (FRA) - Salad


Lufthansa First Class - Calgary (YYC) to Frankfurt (FRA) - Main Course - Scallops and Lobster


Lufthansa First Class - Calgary (YYC) to Frankfurt (FRA) - Cheese


Lufthansa First Class - Calgary (YYC) to Frankfurt (FRA) - Breakfast


Lufthansa First Class - Calgary (YYC) to Frankfurt (FRA) - Breakfast

On arrival in Frankfurt I made my way to the First Class Terminal before catching my connecting flight to Barcelona. I had time for a shower, quick bite to eat in the restaurant (as if I needed more food), and then a little relaxing to catch up on e-mail and book a hotel in Barcelona.


Frankfurt - Lufthansa First Class Terminal (FCT)


Frankfurt - Lufthansa First Class Terminal (FCT) - Showers


Frankfurt - Lufthansa First Class Terminal (FCT)


Frankfurt - Lufthansa First Class Terminal (FCT) - Dim Sum & Spring Rolls


Lufthansa First Class - Limo Ride to Plane


Lufthansa Business Class - Frankfurt (FRA) to Barcelona (BCN) - Breakfast

yycworldtraveler

I had a couple of days in Barcelona (what a great city!) before heading onward to Bangkok via Zurich and Hong Kong.


Barcelona - Hotel Torre Catalunya - Suite - View of Sagrada Familia

The shiny new terminal in Barcelona


Barcelona (BCN) Airport - Air Canada


Barcelona (BCN) Airport


Barcelona (BCN) Airport - Spanair Lounge


Swiss Business Class - Barcelona (BCN) to Zurich (ZRH)


Swiss First Class Lounge Zurich (ZRH) - Dayroom

The flight from Zurich to Hong Kong was great. LX catering out of ZRH is fantastic and the crew were top notch as well.


Swiss First Class - Zurich (ZRH) to Hong Kong (HKG) - Pre-Departure Champagne


Swiss First Class - Zurich (ZRH) to Hong Kong (HKG)


Swiss First Class - Zurich (ZRH) to Hong Kong (HKG) - Appetizers


Swiss First Class - Zurich (ZRH) to Hong Kong (HKG) - Salad


Swiss First Class - Zurich (ZRH) to Hong Kong (HKG) - Pasta Appetizer


Swiss First Class - Zurich (ZRH) to Hong Kong (HKG) - Soup


Swiss First Class - Zurich (ZRH) to Hong Kong (HKG) - Main Course - Swiss Specialty


Swiss First Class - Zurich (ZRH) to Hong Kong (HKG) - Cheese


Swiss First Class - Zurich (ZRH) to Hong Kong (HKG) - Cappuccino


Swiss First Class - Zurich (ZRH) to Hong Kong (HKG) - Breakfast


Swiss First Class - Zurich (ZRH) to Hong Kong (HKG) - Breakfast

yycworldtraveler

I spent the night in Hong Kong before catching my connecting flight to Bangkok the next day. I've been to Hong Kong many times and decided to stay at an airport hotel for this connection. In the morning I caught the hotel shuttle back to the airport and checked out the UA and TG F lounges prior to my TG flight to Bangkok.


Hong Kong - Marriott SkyCity


Hong Kong - Marriott SkyCity - View from Club Lounge


Hong Kong - Marriott SkyCity - Club Lounge


Hong Kong (HKG) Airport

This is likely one of the nicest UA lounges anywhere.


Hong Kong (HKG) Airport - United First Class Lounge


Hong Kong (HKG) Airport - United First Class Lounge


Hong Kong (HKG) Airport - United First Class Lounge

Back down the hall to the very comfortable TG F lounge.


Thai First Class Lounge - Hong Kong (HKG)


Thai First Class Lounge - Hong Kong (HKG)


Thai First Class - Hong Kong (HKG) to Bangkok (BKK)


Thai First Class - Hong Kong (HKG) to Bangkok (BKK) - Amuse Bouche


Thai First Class - Hong Kong (HKG) to Bangkok (BKK) - Appetizer

I had pre-ordered the pan roasted lamb for this flight. It doesn't look that great, but it was excellent...tender, juicy and served still pink in the middle.


Thai First Class - Hong Kong (HKG) to Bangkok (BKK) - Pan Roasted Lamb - Pre-Order Menu


Thai First Class - Hong Kong (HKG) to Bangkok (BKK) - Cheese


Thai First Class - Hong Kong (HKG) to Bangkok (BKK) - Dessert


Thai First Class - Hong Kong (HKG) to Bangkok (BKK) - Arrival Buggy Service

yycworldtraveler

I had a two night stay in Bangkok. This is another city my partner and I have been to many times. On this solo trip I decided to try the Millenium Hilton. I booked an Executive Plus Suite using the PR13CB rate code I found here on FT. This rate code gives great discounts at some Hilton family hotels...my 700 sq ft suite at the Hilton cost $150/night and included breakfast and lounge access for drinks, snacks and internet.


Bangkok - Millenium Hilton - Executive Plus Suite


Bangkok - Stormy Weather - View from Millenium Hilton

The Hilton gave me a 4 PM check-out which was nice, but that still left me with 8 hours before my midnight departure to Madrid. As I was departing on TG I knew I could check in early so I decided to head to the airport and hang out in the TG F lounge.


Thai First Class Lounge - Bangkok (BKK) - Private Living Room


Thai First Class Lounge - Bangkok (BKK)


Thai First Class Lounge - Bangkok (BKK)


Thai First Class Lounge - Bangkok - Pad Thai


Thai First Class Lounge - Bangkok (BKK)


Thai First Class - Bangkok (BKK) to Madrid (MAD)


Thai First Class - Bangkok (BKK) to Madrid (MAD) - Pre-Order Menu - Lobster Pad Thai


Thai First Class - Bangkok (BKK) to Madrid (MAD)


Thai First Class - Bangkok (BKK) to Madrid (MAD)

I'm not a fan of eggs and sausage for breakfast on airlines, so I asked to have a Curry from the dinner menu (first meal) saved and served to me for breakfast.


Thai First Class - Bangkok (BKK) to Madrid (MAD)


Thai First Class - Bangkok (BKK) to Madrid (MAD)

The TG flight arrives in Madrid at 8AM. I had 2 hours before my next flight on TAP to Lisbon. The terminal TG and TP use in Madrid in very old and grungy.


Madrid-Barajas Airport - Spanair Lounge


Madrid-Barajas Airport - Spanair Lounge

My ride to Lisbon...


Tap Portugal (Portugalia F100) - Madrid (MAD) to Lisbon (LIS)


Tap Portugal Business Class - Madrid (MAD) to Lisbon (LIS) - Breakfast

yycworldtraveler

I had two nights in Lisbon before heading home to Calgary via Brussels and Frankfurt.


Lisbon


Lisbon


Lisbon - Belem


Lisbon - Tiara Park Atlantic Lisboa


Lisbon - Tiara Park Atlantic Lisboa - View from Room


Lisbon - Ikea Promotion


Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) - Lisbon Lounge (Used by Brussels Airlines)


Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) - Brussels Airlines

I love European style breakfasts. I wish Canadians and Americans would develop a taste for high quality meats, cheese, fruit and bread for breakfast instead of eggs, bacon, sausage and sugar filled concoctions.


Brussels Airlines Business Class - Lisbon (LIS) to Brussels (BRU) - Breakfast


Brussels National Airport (BRU)

yycworldtraveler

My last day (technically a connection) was in Brussels. I had been lucky to have amazing weather the entire trip and this was no exception.


Brussels


Brussels


Brussels - Le Meridien - Superior Room


Brussels National Airport - Brussels Airlines Lounge


Lufthansa Business Class - Brussels (BRU) to Frankfurt (FRA) - Breakfast

The flight from Brussels to Frankfurt arrived at a remote apron stand. I was met by LH at the plane and was given a limo transfer to the terminal. I had about 90 minutes before my flight home to Calgary. I decided to go the First Class Terminal again. I had a snack in the restaurant, checked my e-mail and it was soon time for my flight home to Calgary. My LH personal assistant told me it was New First Class for my flight today. I found it hard to believe LH would send a their one and only retrofitted A343 to YYC so I chose to not get excited about it. That was a good decision. Upon boarding the plane I found Old F.


Lufthansa First Class - Frankfurt (FRA) to Calgary (YYC) - Pre-Departure Champagne


Lufthansa First Class - Frankfurt (FRA) to Calgary (YYC) - Amuse Bouche


Lufthansa First Class - Frankfurt (FRA) to Calgary (YYC) - Appetizers (Shrimp and Strawberries - Horrible Combo!)


Lufthansa First Class - Frankfurt (FRA) to Calgary (YYC) - Appetizers


Lufthansa First Class - Frankfurt (FRA) to Calgary (YYC) - Appetizers


Lufthansa First Class - Frankfurt (FRA) to Calgary (YYC) - Salad


Lufthansa First Class - Frankfurt (FRA) to Calgary (YYC) - Soup


Lufthansa First Class - Frankfurt (FRA) to Calgary (YYC) - Lamb


Lufthansa First Class - Frankfurt (FRA) to Calgary (YYC) - Mid-Flight Treat - Champagne and Lemon Sorbet


Lufthansa First Class - Frankfurt (FRA) to Calgary (YYC) - Mid-Flight Snacks


Lufthansa First Class - Frankfurt (FRA) to Calgary (YYC) - Mid-Flight Snacks


Lufthansa First Class - Frankfurt (FRA) to Calgary (YYC) - Pre-Arrival Meal


Lufthansa First Class - Frankfurt (FRA) to Calgary (YYC) - Pre-Arrival Meal - Sea Bass

Thanks for reading.

millsdale

Really good photos, seems like a great trip

briantoronto

Nice report!

nycflyer75

Awesome travel report. I am curious about the PR13CB code, too be honest haven't spent much time on the flyertalk hotel section but now my ears have perked up on this code!

econometrics

+1! That was a steal of a deal on your hotel suite.

Thanks for the great report! ^

AJO

Great report yycworldtraveler, I really like your photos!

JenGal

Nice Report. Really lovely layout with photos.

My first time in LH F, LX F, and TG F was this year. I very much enjoyed them all.

Thanks for posting!

sunalsorises

Nice report. I liked it that you posted the entire trip instead of bits and pieces.

jacob1989

+1 I like this way too ^^^

yycworldtraveler

Thanks for all the nice comments.

For those interested in the PR13CB rate code for Hilton...AFAIK it's a widely distributed code that is very unlikely to be questioned should you choose to use it. It's a prepaid/non-refundable rate, but the rate code seems to work up until the last minute. I booked my Hilton Bangkok stay 1 day prior to arrival for less than 5,000THB/night. I also received 1,000 Aeroplan miles for the stay and Hilton Honors points (which I don't care about).