Cathay Pacific First, Korean A380 First, a 72 hour hall pass & the RGN mistake fare
Last April, an improperly loaded Myanmar exchange rate triggered one of the biggest mistake fare frenzies of the year. And as it happened just before a weekend, the fare was live for at least three days before airlines and in particular Korean Air realized a good chunk of their TPAC First Class inventory had disappeared. Forget that I lived 8,000 miles away. The US$254 one way First Class fare from Bangkok to LAX on Korean, including their new A380, was too good to pass up even if I had no idea whether I would have the time or, more importantly, Mrs. SFO would let me. The only fly in the ointment is that the fare requires that you start the trip in RGN. Minor details. I booked three trips... two one ways @$254 and a round trip RGN-LAX at the outrageous fare of $450. :D
When Korean execs discovered the carnage, they immediately cancelled all the tickets and refunded the fare paid. Enter the DOT, which had recently imposed new "you must honor mistake fare" rules. Within 10 days, and no doubt after discussion with the DOT and a few dozen lawyers, Korean agreed to reinstate all the cancelled tickets. Now that Korean agreed to honor the tickets, I needed positioning tickets. And what better way to get there than Cathay First. Fortunately, CX had availability to match the dates I picked... in November, January and March. So here we are. I booked random dates in months when I thought I had some time. Unfortunately, I forgot about the US elections. Turned out to be a wise choice as I now get to escape three days of wall-to-wall coverage and commercials. Plus I've already voted. UA 989 Economy DEN-SFO SFO International Terminal Cathay Pacific First and Business Lounge at SFO Cathay Girls (and Boys) CX 879 First Class SFO-HKG CX 709 Business Class HKG-BKK BKK and the Royal Silk Lounge TG 301 Economy BKK-RGN Yangon (Rangoon) Myanmar RGN Airport Lounges KE 654 First Class BKK-ICN KE First Class Lounge at ICN KE 17 First Suites A380 ICN-LAX -AA First LAX-DEN UA 989 DEN-SFO A320 November 4, 2012 6:00a-7:49a (sked) 5:55a-7:12a (actual) Seat 21C (exit row aisle) Mercifully, the change back to Standard Time made this a somewhat tolerable departure time. Wouldn't try this one with Mrs. SFO. ;) Happy with my exit row aisle and only 1 F seat open, I passed up my unknown upgrade position by changing my MP# to TK. TK gave me a status match to *G but won't send my card until I credit one flight. So this is the one that will give me NA UA/US/AC lounge access for the next two years. http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/i...IMG_2190-M.jpg http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/i...IMG_7360-M.jpg http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/i...IMG_7358-M.jpg Uneventful, but wow on the exit row legroom. Way more than First on this sucker. http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/i...IMG_2198-M.jpg http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/i...IMG_2194-M.jpg "Your priorities will always be ours." Sure they will. :D:( http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/i...IMG_2202-M.jpg Don't much like the airline, but the old CO livery is still OK, IMO. http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/i...IMG_7364-M.jpg http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/i...IMG_7362-M.jpg http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/CO/i...IMG_7368-M.jpg |
The International Terminal at SFO
My 2nd favorite terminal at my favorite US airport. As our arriving flight arrived at Gate 75, it was only a 3 minute walk to the International Terminal. Unfortunately, the wrong side but still better than following the signs and taking the train. Pretty deserted at this hour of the morning. http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/Misc...IMG_7380-M.jpg http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/Misc...IMG_7373-M.jpg http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/Misc...IMG_7374-M.jpg http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/Misc...IMG_7372-M.jpg http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/Misc...IMG_7377-M.jpg http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/Misc...IMG_7378-M.jpg http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/Misc...IMG_7384-L.jpg http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/Misc...IMG_7386-M.jpg http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/Misc...IMG_7387-M.jpg Too early as the CX counter only opens at 7:50A or 4 hours before scheduled departure. http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/Misc...IMG_7388-M.jpg http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/Misc...IMG_7389-M.jpg http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/Misc...IMG_7390-M.jpg http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/Misc...IMG_7391-M.jpg Not open? No problem. Since I OLCI'd and had my BP, I figured I may as well go thru security and check out the lounges. Although there was no one in the priority security lane, all lanes funneled into a long queue of about 50 pax. CLEAR is now open at the International Terminal and wow, SFO has it right. Once again, the CLEAR agent escort me thru all the queued pax, cut ahead of everyone, grabbed two trays and placed them at the end of the conveyer just before the x-ray machine. ^^ Up next: All alone in the CX lounge and CX goes after the Singapore Girls. |
Looking forward to the rest of the TR ^
|
I love seeing the FT tag on your carry on. I look for them when I travel.
|
Looks like it's going to be a good one. Looking forward to the rest!!!!
Eric |
Wow - this is live coverage of a trip. ;)
|
Another EPIC SFO777 trip. This should be a good one!
|
I hope we can count on some ladies of Myanmar photos. ;)
|
My god, do you ever stay still SFO777?!! :D
Looking forward to this, as always. |
SFO777 - you are always the man living in the dream... can't wait for your pictures! :D
|
Über jealous. Though I'm going to wait until it's all said and done to read :). Looking forward to it!
|
Looking forward to reading the rest of the report!
|
Follow modus on! :D
|
Hi SFO777 - just read this new update about round 1 RGN ticket and would like to bring up to your attention. I think you have an exactly same itin as Freewilly's.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19626823-post8019.html |
Originally Posted by FriendlySkies
(Post 19622613)
Looking forward to the rest of the TR ^
Originally Posted by SanDiego1K
(Post 19622749)
I love seeing the FT tag on your carry on. I look for them when I travel.
I look all the time but rarely see any. I only recall twice in the last year... WChou and hobo13.
Originally Posted by ZFW-ATC
(Post 19622958)
Looks like it's going to be a good one. Looking forward to the rest!!!!
Eric
Originally Posted by Wiirachay
(Post 19622999)
Wow - this is live coverage of a trip. ;)
Originally Posted by fieldeng
(Post 19623263)
Another EPIC SFO777 trip. This should be a good one!
Originally Posted by will2288
(Post 19624244)
I hope we can count on some ladies of Myanmar photos. ;)
Originally Posted by matthandy
(Post 19624529)
My god, do you ever stay still SFO777?!! :D
Looking forward to this, as always. Thanks Matt.
Originally Posted by amolkold
(Post 19625049)
Über jealous. Though I'm going to wait until it's all said and done to read :). Looking forward to it!
Originally Posted by quirrow
(Post 19625556)
Looking forward to reading the rest of the report!
Originally Posted by thespeedskater
(Post 19626299)
Follow modus on! :D
Originally Posted by lewende
(Post 19624980)
SFO777 - you are always the man living in the dream... can't wait for your pictures! :D
Originally Posted by lewende
(Post 19626973)
Hi SFO777 - just read this new update about round 1 RGN ticket and would like to bring up to your attention. I think you have an exactly same itin as Freewilly's.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19626823-post8019.html Wouldn't be cool if KE started canceling at this point. Just arrived at the Novotel airport hotel in BKK. Since my BKK-RGN isn't until 1pm Tuesday, I'm going to hit both KE and TG counters in the morning and try to get all my BPs. FWIW, KE.com is still showing my rez and proper F seat assignments. |
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:06 pm. |
This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.