United BusinessFirst SFO-Europe-SFO (LHR/CDG/TXL)
Jun 5, 2016, 1:01 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
United BusinessFirst SFO-Europe-SFO (LHR/CDG/TXL)
A bit of an abbreviated TR from me. I'm just going to pretty much do the methods of travel and the places I stayed instead of all the other frills and fuss of being in London, Paris & Berlin. Mostly because my primary goal here is visiting friends, I've been to all the places anywhere from a few times to several months and it feels repetitive to myself.
1) Vagabond Inn SFO
2) United Club & SFO-LHR BF 747
3) United Arrivals Lounge LHR
4) Renaissance St. Pancras London
5) EuroStar Standard Premier London-Paris
6) AirBnB Marais/Misc Paris
7) LH SEN Lounge CDG & GermanWings/EuroWings BEST CDG-DUS-TXL
8) Adina Apartment Hotel Hackscher Markt
9) LH SEN Lounge TXL & LH Y TXL-FRA & LH SEN Lounge FRA
10) United BF 747 FRA-SFO
Last edited by JVPhoto; Jun 15, 2016 at 11:40 am
Jun 5, 2016, 1:02 pm
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Vagabond Inn SFO
So with the flight scheduled a little afternoon I was just going to get up early in Monterey and drive up. Not wanting to deal with being rushed in the morning I decided I would just drive up the day before and stay the night. The Westin, Aloft and other hotels were asking like $400/night for the same day 1 night booking. The Vagabond with one of my Expedia rewards coupons came out to be $35.
Actually not that bad for a motel. Friendly check in. The rooms felt clean (though I had slippers I brought to walk on the carpet) and there's parking included plus breakfast in the morning and coffee/tea anytime.
It sits next to Elephant Bar so you could just hop over the little brick wall. I googled and saw Mr. Teriyaki was a 5 min walk away so I went for that. Pretty decent overall.
Morning breakfast had scrambled eggs, oatmeal, breads/bagels, cereal and some fruit. I took mine to the room so I could finish binge watching the last episodes of Broad City before I left.
Sure there were no points, it wasn't posh but for a last minute one night before a flight it wasn't all that bad.
So with the flight scheduled a little afternoon I was just going to get up early in Monterey and drive up. Not wanting to deal with being rushed in the morning I decided I would just drive up the day before and stay the night. The Westin, Aloft and other hotels were asking like $400/night for the same day 1 night booking. The Vagabond with one of my Expedia rewards coupons came out to be $35.
Actually not that bad for a motel. Friendly check in. The rooms felt clean (though I had slippers I brought to walk on the carpet) and there's parking included plus breakfast in the morning and coffee/tea anytime.
It sits next to Elephant Bar so you could just hop over the little brick wall. I googled and saw Mr. Teriyaki was a 5 min walk away so I went for that. Pretty decent overall.
Morning breakfast had scrambled eggs, oatmeal, breads/bagels, cereal and some fruit. I took mine to the room so I could finish binge watching the last episodes of Broad City before I left.
Sure there were no points, it wasn't posh but for a last minute one night before a flight it wasn't all that bad.
Jun 5, 2016, 1:26 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
United Club & BusinessFirst SFO-LHR 747
Why London? Well there's never a good reason not to go...but I was also able to confirm my GPU to buy Y and sit in J at booking a few months ago.
I used Anza Parking which is on the south end of the little "hotel island" south of SFO that way when I land I'm closer to my way out back to MRY. Used it before, if you make a "reservation" online you get like $1.50/day off coupon and also "free" valet parking. The valet is nice because when you get on the bus at the terminal they radio ahead and have your car ready and waiting instead of walking through the lot.
Spotted some old CO!
I haven't check-in the INTL UA counters in just over a year. My recent flights were mostly p.s./domestic and the last INTL was GF so I used the lobby which is basically the furthest possible point from the INTL gates.
PreCheck took all of 3-4 minutes including my letting two late employees go ahead of me.
The lounge was pretty full for most of the Asia flights as I got in around 10:45.
Enough carbs to go around for everyone!
3 bananas and two teas later I left to get something to eat in the terminal.
Picked up a quick salad to go at Andale.
Oh the United boarding cluster...process.
For whatever reason the signs went Groups 2/1 an then other door was 3/4/5.
That meant group 1 would start lining up down the tight middle of the two rows of seats.
The GS woman ahead of me was also not able to get in front of everyone to board when the GA called for GS to board (2x).
Upstairs the new-ish kits. Same postcards so just tossed those. I saw that Olympic tins are being given out so hoping for one on the flight back. Gave my bff this in Paris since he loves to collect/swipe/steal hotel amenities and such.
Some drinkabl-ish red while I was settling in to also use my massage ball on the upper deck.
Upstairs we had two nice and jovial FAs taking care of us. While it made for a decent flight it didn't make up for the tired years old menus.
Pathetic iceberg lettuce excuse for a salad. At least the prosciutto was decent and melon ripe even if it's an appetizer that went out of fashion in the early 90s.
Can't really complain about the main. Good flavor, moist chicken.
The sUA pre-plated vs. sCO cheese cart is always a let down to me. Mostly because I just want one or two small nibble/tastings of cheese and I feel that being exposed to the air for so long it all gets an extra layer on the outsides when some of the cheese shouldn't if they are freshly cut off the block.
Now the breakfast really shined! I don't even want to think about the nutritional facts but the overall taste and appeal made it worth the calories.
Given the fast track cards which also have the info about the arrivals lounge on the back.
We pushed a few minutes late, made up the time in the air but captain came on and said we had to do hold for a few minutes because of ATC before landing which put us on the ground 5 minutes late.
I'm able to out pace most people on a normal walk so I was the first person from our flight to immigration and the only person in the Fast Track line. There may have been about 50-70 people in the other lines.
Why London? Well there's never a good reason not to go...but I was also able to confirm my GPU to buy Y and sit in J at booking a few months ago.
I used Anza Parking which is on the south end of the little "hotel island" south of SFO that way when I land I'm closer to my way out back to MRY. Used it before, if you make a "reservation" online you get like $1.50/day off coupon and also "free" valet parking. The valet is nice because when you get on the bus at the terminal they radio ahead and have your car ready and waiting instead of walking through the lot.
Spotted some old CO!
I haven't check-in the INTL UA counters in just over a year. My recent flights were mostly p.s./domestic and the last INTL was GF so I used the lobby which is basically the furthest possible point from the INTL gates.
PreCheck took all of 3-4 minutes including my letting two late employees go ahead of me.
The lounge was pretty full for most of the Asia flights as I got in around 10:45.
Enough carbs to go around for everyone!
3 bananas and two teas later I left to get something to eat in the terminal.
Picked up a quick salad to go at Andale.
Oh the United boarding cluster...process.
For whatever reason the signs went Groups 2/1 an then other door was 3/4/5.
That meant group 1 would start lining up down the tight middle of the two rows of seats.
The GS woman ahead of me was also not able to get in front of everyone to board when the GA called for GS to board (2x).
Upstairs the new-ish kits. Same postcards so just tossed those. I saw that Olympic tins are being given out so hoping for one on the flight back. Gave my bff this in Paris since he loves to collect/swipe/steal hotel amenities and such.
Some drinkabl-ish red while I was settling in to also use my massage ball on the upper deck.
Upstairs we had two nice and jovial FAs taking care of us. While it made for a decent flight it didn't make up for the tired years old menus.
Pathetic iceberg lettuce excuse for a salad. At least the prosciutto was decent and melon ripe even if it's an appetizer that went out of fashion in the early 90s.
Can't really complain about the main. Good flavor, moist chicken.
The sUA pre-plated vs. sCO cheese cart is always a let down to me. Mostly because I just want one or two small nibble/tastings of cheese and I feel that being exposed to the air for so long it all gets an extra layer on the outsides when some of the cheese shouldn't if they are freshly cut off the block.
Now the breakfast really shined! I don't even want to think about the nutritional facts but the overall taste and appeal made it worth the calories.
Given the fast track cards which also have the info about the arrivals lounge on the back.
We pushed a few minutes late, made up the time in the air but captain came on and said we had to do hold for a few minutes because of ATC before landing which put us on the ground 5 minutes late.
I'm able to out pace most people on a normal walk so I was the first person from our flight to immigration and the only person in the Fast Track line. There may have been about 50-70 people in the other lines.
Jun 5, 2016, 1:30 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
United Arrivals Lounge LHR
A real gem when arriving at 7am and having plenty of time to kill. Great if you get in on a flight before Noon. It's limited to only United premium travelers as well as South African and Air Canada. No elite/status entrances if flying in Y. I used it once last spring when I was flying into LHR and train out to Paris the same afternoon.
No wait for a shower, seemed like maybe 2/3 of them were occupied when I got in there.
I was going to grab more to eat from the hot English breakfast offering or eggs bene. There's plenty of yogurt, museli, breads, teas, small sandwiches.
But, it turned out a fellow FTer who I've met before was in London and staying at one of the LHR airport hotels. So we met just outside at Cafe Nero for some coffee before I took the train into London.
A real gem when arriving at 7am and having plenty of time to kill. Great if you get in on a flight before Noon. It's limited to only United premium travelers as well as South African and Air Canada. No elite/status entrances if flying in Y. I used it once last spring when I was flying into LHR and train out to Paris the same afternoon.
No wait for a shower, seemed like maybe 2/3 of them were occupied when I got in there.
I was going to grab more to eat from the hot English breakfast offering or eggs bene. There's plenty of yogurt, museli, breads, teas, small sandwiches.
But, it turned out a fellow FTer who I've met before was in London and staying at one of the LHR airport hotels. So we met just outside at Cafe Nero for some coffee before I took the train into London.
Jun 6, 2016, 10:32 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: JNB
Programs: Flying Blue, Miles and Smiles, Hhonors, ICHotels
Posts: 1,307
Pathetic iceberg lettuce excuse for a salad.
But, yay, on a bright note, another TR from you. Looking forward to this one. Hope that the weather behaves and you have a great time!
Jun 6, 2016, 11:17 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Leaving EU it seems the greens are much better. Will see how FRA is mańana. Paris rained, got out the day before the Siene went crazy.
Jun 7, 2016, 3:18 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Renaissance St. Pancras London
Can't be the location when taking the EuroStar. Well...The Great Northern or whatever it is called is also at the station (SPG).
I had Marriott points so this worked out fine for 2 nights.
Arriving at 10:45am I could wait for my queen room until 3/4...or take a twin room now. Twin it was!
The facade and lobby and station has a grandeur and classic appeal to it. But the rooms are pretty generic.
Buffet breakfast in The Booking Office.
Taking the train and staying for a night or two? Great. Anymore and actually going around other parts of London there's better places to stay.
Aside from eating at Nando's with friends both nights...
And getting in a workout with a friend from Taiwan who is now going to school here...
...I didn't do a whole lot.
I did spend 7 hours on the first day doing 5 trips to the Apple store at Oxford Circus. I was in Liberty trying on some shirts and the hangar fell right on the corner of my phone and busted a huge chip out of the screen causing colored lines to streak down the phone and it was totally inoperable.
Noon Trip 1: Make appointment at genius bar.
1:30 Trip 2: Arrive for appointment, told to come back at 2:45.
2:45 Trip 3: Drop phone off, told to come back in 4 hours.
6:45 Trip 4: Go to pick up phone, not ready told to come back 15 min before closing.
8:30 Trip 5: Told that they won't fix my phone (even if I want to pay for it, not Apple Care or whatever) because when I had the screen replaced in Thailand (by an authorized retailer at the mall in Udon Thani) they didn't replace it with an Apple screen.
9:15 am the next morning just opposite and around the corner at Oxford Street went to iCorrect. Was warmly greeted and told it would be no problem for 100GBP and I could have a quick breakfast and come back in 30 min to get it.
Problem solved.
Can't be the location when taking the EuroStar. Well...The Great Northern or whatever it is called is also at the station (SPG).
I had Marriott points so this worked out fine for 2 nights.
Arriving at 10:45am I could wait for my queen room until 3/4...or take a twin room now. Twin it was!
The facade and lobby and station has a grandeur and classic appeal to it. But the rooms are pretty generic.
Buffet breakfast in The Booking Office.
Taking the train and staying for a night or two? Great. Anymore and actually going around other parts of London there's better places to stay.
Aside from eating at Nando's with friends both nights...
And getting in a workout with a friend from Taiwan who is now going to school here...
...I didn't do a whole lot.
I did spend 7 hours on the first day doing 5 trips to the Apple store at Oxford Circus. I was in Liberty trying on some shirts and the hangar fell right on the corner of my phone and busted a huge chip out of the screen causing colored lines to streak down the phone and it was totally inoperable.
Noon Trip 1: Make appointment at genius bar.
1:30 Trip 2: Arrive for appointment, told to come back at 2:45.
2:45 Trip 3: Drop phone off, told to come back in 4 hours.
6:45 Trip 4: Go to pick up phone, not ready told to come back 15 min before closing.
8:30 Trip 5: Told that they won't fix my phone (even if I want to pay for it, not Apple Care or whatever) because when I had the screen replaced in Thailand (by an authorized retailer at the mall in Udon Thani) they didn't replace it with an Apple screen.
9:15 am the next morning just opposite and around the corner at Oxford Street went to iCorrect. Was warmly greeted and told it would be no problem for 100GBP and I could have a quick breakfast and come back in 30 min to get it.
Problem solved.
Jun 7, 2016, 3:26 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
EuroStar Standard Premiere St. Pancras London - Gare du Nord Paris
My 2nd time taking the train also in SP. I find SP fine in that if you book in advance you can usually get a solo seat no problem.
Security-UK Border-France Border-Waiting Area
It's nice that you clear in St. Pancras so you can just walk off the train in Paris.
Picked up a coffee and some new reading material. I think I saw her with the book on The Daily Show or something. Almost halfway through it, not the worst read but not what I thought. Above average.
The carriages seemed pretty full. The seat in front of me ended up going out empty which worked out for the girl at the 4 seater across from me which was actually a family of 4 with one of them being a lap child (actually it's <4 not 2 like on a flight). So once we started moving she moved up there.
Another family then parked their stroller and went to the front carriage. The stroller didn't fold and blocked half the aisle. That meant the seat you see in the photo had a woman with her mother in a wheel chair. So when she went to the restroom with her I had to get up and move the stroller for them doing a Tetris move and positioning. I hope you're enjoying your trip with your little spawn.
They offered this cold chicken or a quiche type thing. Mostly picked at it a bit and then had some of my protein bars I had packed. From what I recall the meal on the Thalys from Antwerp to Amsterdam was a nicer meal.
My 2nd time taking the train also in SP. I find SP fine in that if you book in advance you can usually get a solo seat no problem.
Security-UK Border-France Border-Waiting Area
It's nice that you clear in St. Pancras so you can just walk off the train in Paris.
Picked up a coffee and some new reading material. I think I saw her with the book on The Daily Show or something. Almost halfway through it, not the worst read but not what I thought. Above average.
The carriages seemed pretty full. The seat in front of me ended up going out empty which worked out for the girl at the 4 seater across from me which was actually a family of 4 with one of them being a lap child (actually it's <4 not 2 like on a flight). So once we started moving she moved up there.
Another family then parked their stroller and went to the front carriage. The stroller didn't fold and blocked half the aisle. That meant the seat you see in the photo had a woman with her mother in a wheel chair. So when she went to the restroom with her I had to get up and move the stroller for them doing a Tetris move and positioning. I hope you're enjoying your trip with your little spawn.
They offered this cold chicken or a quiche type thing. Mostly picked at it a bit and then had some of my protein bars I had packed. From what I recall the meal on the Thalys from Antwerp to Amsterdam was a nicer meal.
Jun 9, 2016, 9:42 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Paris
I've been to Paris plenty of times. This trip was mostly connect with my dear friend who is now living in Lyon. We went to photography school together and have road tripped from Brisbane to Melbourne, stumbled around Amsterdam, burned our backs in Hawaii and much more.
I booked a well priced and located in Le Marais on Rue Rambetau spot on AirBnB. First time doing so in Paris. But the extra room compared to a hotel was great, plus the small kitchen (and laundry). There's the loft bed and a really comfortable couch bed. If anyone wants the link to the host send me a message.
First stop on the first night was my favorite place in Paris, a small restaurant near Les Halles called Le Gros Minet. I've come here every trip to Paris for the past 7 years and it's still the Mom & Daughter taking care of guests...I've never seen who is in the kitchen.
The food is above average and the place is charming.
He had friends/roommates who came up with Lyon as well so a few times we met up with people either for some afternoon relaxing or going to a market near Republique to one of their apartments for a brunch.
I've also started a "carb moderation" diet in prep for Hawaii/Guam next month and stopped taking weight gainer protein for "normal" so it was an interesting trip to France!
Go to Paris they said, it'll be beautiful they said...
We still managed to walk around a bit and check out some things. We were going to Versailles since neither of us have actually done that before but nixed that. At least we got out before the actual flooding.
I didn't think this Louvre installation was that special.
A walk across the river to visit Shakespere & Co we had lunch at Le Comptoir Relais Odeon (100ft from Odeon metro). It. Was. Wonderful.
My beautiful seared tuna with seasonal vegetables.
The perfect for the weather beef cheek stew.
On the way to Colette for some shopping on St. Honore we popped in to warm up at Kyo Su En for some matcha. The lovely Japanese lady was so impressed that I make myself matcha at home and that I've also done a traditional ceremony in Kyoto.
Another favorite I discovered 2-3 years ago on Mom's birthday trip to Paris was Passy Mandarin. I've only gone to the one near Opera but there is another one near George V I think.
Old school Chinese along the lines of Shun Lee in New York if anyone is familiar (slightly different decor/style).
It's an amazing spot in Paris and one of my favorite Chinese food places I've been to.
Another little adventure was finding a day use/pass gym in Paris. After getting "wonderful French customer service" at CMG I gave up trying the larger chains. I did some googling and Gym Louvre came up. Then I realize it's on top/connected to a men's sauna/bath house. I was skeptical at first until a local friend told me that the gym part is actually pretty decent. And it was! If you don't mind the company of men or having to go past a few porn TVs to get to the showers for 15euro/day it wasn't bad at all. Even some excitement on a weekday at 11am. It was no worse or no better than something like Blink Fitness in NY or SNAP in Australia.
I've been to Paris plenty of times. This trip was mostly connect with my dear friend who is now living in Lyon. We went to photography school together and have road tripped from Brisbane to Melbourne, stumbled around Amsterdam, burned our backs in Hawaii and much more.
I booked a well priced and located in Le Marais on Rue Rambetau spot on AirBnB. First time doing so in Paris. But the extra room compared to a hotel was great, plus the small kitchen (and laundry). There's the loft bed and a really comfortable couch bed. If anyone wants the link to the host send me a message.
First stop on the first night was my favorite place in Paris, a small restaurant near Les Halles called Le Gros Minet. I've come here every trip to Paris for the past 7 years and it's still the Mom & Daughter taking care of guests...I've never seen who is in the kitchen.
The food is above average and the place is charming.
He had friends/roommates who came up with Lyon as well so a few times we met up with people either for some afternoon relaxing or going to a market near Republique to one of their apartments for a brunch.
I've also started a "carb moderation" diet in prep for Hawaii/Guam next month and stopped taking weight gainer protein for "normal" so it was an interesting trip to France!
Go to Paris they said, it'll be beautiful they said...
We still managed to walk around a bit and check out some things. We were going to Versailles since neither of us have actually done that before but nixed that. At least we got out before the actual flooding.
I didn't think this Louvre installation was that special.
A walk across the river to visit Shakespere & Co we had lunch at Le Comptoir Relais Odeon (100ft from Odeon metro). It. Was. Wonderful.
My beautiful seared tuna with seasonal vegetables.
The perfect for the weather beef cheek stew.
On the way to Colette for some shopping on St. Honore we popped in to warm up at Kyo Su En for some matcha. The lovely Japanese lady was so impressed that I make myself matcha at home and that I've also done a traditional ceremony in Kyoto.
Another favorite I discovered 2-3 years ago on Mom's birthday trip to Paris was Passy Mandarin. I've only gone to the one near Opera but there is another one near George V I think.
Old school Chinese along the lines of Shun Lee in New York if anyone is familiar (slightly different decor/style).
It's an amazing spot in Paris and one of my favorite Chinese food places I've been to.
Another little adventure was finding a day use/pass gym in Paris. After getting "wonderful French customer service" at CMG I gave up trying the larger chains. I did some googling and Gym Louvre came up. Then I realize it's on top/connected to a men's sauna/bath house. I was skeptical at first until a local friend told me that the gym part is actually pretty decent. And it was! If you don't mind the company of men or having to go past a few porn TVs to get to the showers for 15euro/day it wasn't bad at all. Even some excitement on a weekday at 11am. It was no worse or no better than something like Blink Fitness in NY or SNAP in Australia.
Jun 10, 2016, 9:17 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
LH Senator Lounge CDG & Germanwings BEST CDG-DUS Eurowings DUS-TXL
Some train hullaballoo meant our Uber to CDG was a 1.75x surge pricing. For that I could have used Green Limo which I like to do and got an S500 for roughly the same price.
Luckily it was split 3 ways as my bff I was visiting and his bf were leaving 45 min after my flight on China Eastern/Southern (I forgot to CAN).
I could have taken the direct 4U CDG-TXL flight but there are only 2x day and I would have had to leave at like 7am or 8pm. This connection in DUS worked out perfect with our timings and the BEST ("business") fare was about 20 euro more than SMART on the direct flights.
The check-in at CDG for 4U/EW was empty compared to the LH/LX counters so through chutes and ladders and was ready to hit security. Even though there was no line at security I still tested the fast track automated gates which would let you bypass it, curious to see if the 4U BEST got that access. The gates allowed me admission.
Lounge access for BEST gets you to the J lounges. However, the upper tiers on UA/NH (and one more I forget) allow customers in SMART/BEST to use the SEN lounges as well. I gave my BP and my 1K card and was scanned/swiped and directed with an arm to the J lounge. I just went into the SEN lounge and wasn't given any hassle.
Pretty empty, for about 30 min there was no more breakfast restocked and then they swapped out some salads and stuff.
The inbound was late and we boarded about 30 min late. This line formed was created BEFORE the inbound flight even arrived at the gate. Priority boarding is a bit of a crap shoot but if you just make your way with confidence once they announce there usually isn't an issue...except when I was flying on LX ZRH-LHR and almost punted some uppity finance guys' roller bag.
My own private cabin.
I could have got a sandwich or anything form the inflight menu but being mostly bread, a spread and some cheap meat I just stuck with tea and sparkling water for the 50 min flight.
I figured I would snack in the lounge at DUS.
Landed at the gate directly across from the stairs up to the lounges.
At DUS we got a bus gate. Looked like plenty of open gates when cruising around the airport and I can't imagine that A) it's every that busy of a station B) mid-week mid-day it's that busy anyways. I did my good deed for the week and carried up an older woman's bag for her.
This time it had a few more people on board and I was feeling peckish still so I grazed on the tapas box from the menu.
While I perused some new supplements in Men's Health.
6-7 years landing at TXL and I've always taken the taxi. This time staying at Hacksher Markt and with a smaller bag I thought maybe I'll try the bus to Hauptbanhof and then it's only 2 stops on the Sbhn. Well all sense of order and decorum goes out the window then the buses start getting late and lines melting into a mass. I helped the old lady on the plane, I'm sure as hell getting on the first bus that shows up. And on a warm day in Berlin...no air con!
#NeverAgain
Some train hullaballoo meant our Uber to CDG was a 1.75x surge pricing. For that I could have used Green Limo which I like to do and got an S500 for roughly the same price.
Luckily it was split 3 ways as my bff I was visiting and his bf were leaving 45 min after my flight on China Eastern/Southern (I forgot to CAN).
I could have taken the direct 4U CDG-TXL flight but there are only 2x day and I would have had to leave at like 7am or 8pm. This connection in DUS worked out perfect with our timings and the BEST ("business") fare was about 20 euro more than SMART on the direct flights.
The check-in at CDG for 4U/EW was empty compared to the LH/LX counters so through chutes and ladders and was ready to hit security. Even though there was no line at security I still tested the fast track automated gates which would let you bypass it, curious to see if the 4U BEST got that access. The gates allowed me admission.
Lounge access for BEST gets you to the J lounges. However, the upper tiers on UA/NH (and one more I forget) allow customers in SMART/BEST to use the SEN lounges as well. I gave my BP and my 1K card and was scanned/swiped and directed with an arm to the J lounge. I just went into the SEN lounge and wasn't given any hassle.
Pretty empty, for about 30 min there was no more breakfast restocked and then they swapped out some salads and stuff.
The inbound was late and we boarded about 30 min late. This line formed was created BEFORE the inbound flight even arrived at the gate. Priority boarding is a bit of a crap shoot but if you just make your way with confidence once they announce there usually isn't an issue...except when I was flying on LX ZRH-LHR and almost punted some uppity finance guys' roller bag.
My own private cabin.
I could have got a sandwich or anything form the inflight menu but being mostly bread, a spread and some cheap meat I just stuck with tea and sparkling water for the 50 min flight.
I figured I would snack in the lounge at DUS.
Landed at the gate directly across from the stairs up to the lounges.
At DUS we got a bus gate. Looked like plenty of open gates when cruising around the airport and I can't imagine that A) it's every that busy of a station B) mid-week mid-day it's that busy anyways. I did my good deed for the week and carried up an older woman's bag for her.
This time it had a few more people on board and I was feeling peckish still so I grazed on the tapas box from the menu.
While I perused some new supplements in Men's Health.
6-7 years landing at TXL and I've always taken the taxi. This time staying at Hacksher Markt and with a smaller bag I thought maybe I'll try the bus to Hauptbanhof and then it's only 2 stops on the Sbhn. Well all sense of order and decorum goes out the window then the buses start getting late and lines melting into a mass. I helped the old lady on the plane, I'm sure as hell getting on the first bus that shows up. And on a warm day in Berlin...no air con!
#NeverAgain
Jun 13, 2016, 8:48 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Adina Apartment Hotel Hackescher Markt Berlin
I've stayed at The Adina (if you follow my TRs) 2x in Bondi Beach and quite fond of the location, service, style and amenities.
Washer/dryers, 1/2 to 3/4 size fridges, dishwasher, daily maid service and lots of room.
Normally, I stay at Casa Camper on short trips or in the summer when I stay for a month I rent an AirBnB. Still in Mitte and wanting to try something new as well as have the apartment style room I came across The Adina. I've never really crossed under the train tracks to that side of the street to notice it had been here before.
It said internet wasn't free but I was able to get basic internet for free. There was a fee to get high-speed (for streaming video), but pretty much just reading FT on my computer, checking emails and then everything else on the phone I was fine with the free.
This trip was to let loose a little, see some friends and come home at 7am.
I did manage to get to YamYam on Alte Schonhauser for my favorite bimibap.
And of course a currywurst here and there.
I found out that FitX is a new-ish chain of gyms and they'll give you 2 free passes. Not even a sign up, not a sales thing. Literally walk in and give them your ID and you get 2 free trials. Though they never really seemed to put me in a system or any of that so I'm sure if you were crafty you could go more than that. Really big spot in Alexanderplatz, tons of equipment.
So I decided one morning after my 2 passes I'd go check out this small old school gym north of Prenzlauer Berg called XXXL Die Schmiede (I think it means anvil). I look at this guy in there with 2 people who kinda kept hovering around him. Had a hat and hoodie on but something about his air seemed different. After I got on Instagram to see if The Rock was in fact in Berlin (he had just posted a pic that morning about the Central Intelligence premiere tour) I realized it was him. I tried to take a sneaky pic and one of the handlers quickly came up to me and said "I don't think that's a good idea." No harm in that I ended up getting to workout at the same time with The Rock and about 6-7 other people there in a small old school gym. I also squatted more volume that day than I ever have.
I escaped the rain in Paris and brought some sun and warmth with me. Made for nice days with the sun not setting until 10pm spent seeing some friends.
This is actually the first time in 6 years that I've left Berlin without having a trip back already planned. Sadly I don't think anything will be bringing me back this year, but chances are I'll come back in January if I mend a few fences.
I've stayed at The Adina (if you follow my TRs) 2x in Bondi Beach and quite fond of the location, service, style and amenities.
Washer/dryers, 1/2 to 3/4 size fridges, dishwasher, daily maid service and lots of room.
Normally, I stay at Casa Camper on short trips or in the summer when I stay for a month I rent an AirBnB. Still in Mitte and wanting to try something new as well as have the apartment style room I came across The Adina. I've never really crossed under the train tracks to that side of the street to notice it had been here before.
It said internet wasn't free but I was able to get basic internet for free. There was a fee to get high-speed (for streaming video), but pretty much just reading FT on my computer, checking emails and then everything else on the phone I was fine with the free.
This trip was to let loose a little, see some friends and come home at 7am.
I did manage to get to YamYam on Alte Schonhauser for my favorite bimibap.
And of course a currywurst here and there.
I found out that FitX is a new-ish chain of gyms and they'll give you 2 free passes. Not even a sign up, not a sales thing. Literally walk in and give them your ID and you get 2 free trials. Though they never really seemed to put me in a system or any of that so I'm sure if you were crafty you could go more than that. Really big spot in Alexanderplatz, tons of equipment.
So I decided one morning after my 2 passes I'd go check out this small old school gym north of Prenzlauer Berg called XXXL Die Schmiede (I think it means anvil). I look at this guy in there with 2 people who kinda kept hovering around him. Had a hat and hoodie on but something about his air seemed different. After I got on Instagram to see if The Rock was in fact in Berlin (he had just posted a pic that morning about the Central Intelligence premiere tour) I realized it was him. I tried to take a sneaky pic and one of the handlers quickly came up to me and said "I don't think that's a good idea." No harm in that I ended up getting to workout at the same time with The Rock and about 6-7 other people there in a small old school gym. I also squatted more volume that day than I ever have.
I escaped the rain in Paris and brought some sun and warmth with me. Made for nice days with the sun not setting until 10pm spent seeing some friends.
This is actually the first time in 6 years that I've left Berlin without having a trip back already planned. Sadly I don't think anything will be bringing me back this year, but chances are I'll come back in January if I mend a few fences.
Jun 13, 2016, 9:00 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Lufthansa Senator Lounge Berlin & LH A321 Y TXL-FRA
Easiest airport in the LH system. Even though I wasn't in a rush I got to the counter 5 min before it opened to check my bag. Unfortunately it was on the exact opposite part of the Terminal A circle from the lounge.
My economy fare (W on UA) didn't allow me to select seats in advance. At check-in I could and was surprised to see the exit row was open. On the A321 it's ultimate leg room. I've flown this to Budapest before from FRA and it's a great seat. No one else was in it but once they closed the doors I moved to the window and someone from the full row of 3 behind came up and sat.
We parked right across from the exit passport control and there was no one in line. The lounge was pretty full when I got there around 11am.
A bit of snack and figuring out how to stream Game of Thrones on perhaps not so legal sites until it was about 10 min to boarding then I walked out to head to the gate.
I tried to dillydally at the entrance looking at the monitor to eavesdrop on some hullabaloo going on at the desk of a group of 5 asking for a manager. From what I gathered they were neither J/*G but someone at the LH service desk told them to come to the lounge...perhaps as a CS gesture of sorts? The plot wasn't thickening so I moved to the terminal.
Easiest airport in the LH system. Even though I wasn't in a rush I got to the counter 5 min before it opened to check my bag. Unfortunately it was on the exact opposite part of the Terminal A circle from the lounge.
My economy fare (W on UA) didn't allow me to select seats in advance. At check-in I could and was surprised to see the exit row was open. On the A321 it's ultimate leg room. I've flown this to Budapest before from FRA and it's a great seat. No one else was in it but once they closed the doors I moved to the window and someone from the full row of 3 behind came up and sat.
We parked right across from the exit passport control and there was no one in line. The lounge was pretty full when I got there around 11am.
A bit of snack and figuring out how to stream Game of Thrones on perhaps not so legal sites until it was about 10 min to boarding then I walked out to head to the gate.
I tried to dillydally at the entrance looking at the monitor to eavesdrop on some hullabaloo going on at the desk of a group of 5 asking for a manager. From what I gathered they were neither J/*G but someone at the LH service desk told them to come to the lounge...perhaps as a CS gesture of sorts? The plot wasn't thickening so I moved to the terminal.
Jun 13, 2016, 10:48 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 27,556
Great TR - naturally I'm nosy and want to know what fences need mending.
And fun report about The Rock. I liked seeing his father on tv a few times in the 80s, and I liked The Rock's silly football movie that included ballet.
And ouch about the ual menu...
And fun report about The Rock. I liked seeing his father on tv a few times in the 80s, and I liked The Rock's silly football movie that included ballet.
And ouch about the ual menu...
Jun 15, 2016, 11:39 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
United BusinessFirst 747 FRA-SFO
Leaving the SEN lounge I was about to hang a left and go to the high 50s as I've usually flown out of but good thing I looked at the map and realized I needed to go right and past the rotunda.
Got my extra bottles of h20 and then joined the wonderful premium UA boarding experience.
I got to enjoy listening to the woman behind me complain to her husband as they pre-boarded Global Services and families.
Stupid me forgot to go to the little podiums and answer the security questions so I could get a sticker on my BP to board.
Got upstairs to some relatively friendly FAs and the new Team USA Olympics amenity kits.
Nice novelty fuselage design with red/white/blue socks and printed eye mask. A little flimsy and wouldn't hold up for future travel usage.
Also got a new menu....HA! new in physical style but not content.
I hated the old UA menus who had the generic veggie/spice stock imagery and I think these haven't "some random dude"(to most people) isn't that great. Something with the pattern design and/or an airplane would be fine.
Thanks for the laugh UA!
I got my sparkling water and a scolding that I need to speak louder because I had asked for red wine but the FA thought that I said white. I don't drink whites in flight (at least on UA).
Real greens! Can usually count ex-EU to get better salad than the ex-USA iceberg sh!tshow.
I got served the beef. When my seatmate and I both looked at each other we realized the FA swapped our meals.
Sounded good on paper and while it wasn't bad it was just missing flavor.
I had my own protein bars and shakes for snacks during the flight. I did grab 2 bananas and a small bag of kettle chips as I was craving the salt. The sandwhiches looked more substantial than the wraps you normally see.
Really enjoyed this salmon and noodles for the arrival meal! Right size, time zone appropriate, great flavor. Look forward to seeing it again.
A quick and painless arrival, bags took a few minutes to arrive. 5 min waiting for the De Anza Parking shuttle and thanks to valet the car was ready and waiting. Now the worst part of the trip was coming up...the 3 hours it took me to get down south as I was leaving SFO at 4:55pm and would be in traffic all the way to the bottom of San Jose before hitting Morgan Hill.
Leaving in just over a week for Taipei, Hong Kong, NYC, Hawaii and Guam (Island Hopper)...so expect a much bigger and photo-centric/tourism TR.
Leaving the SEN lounge I was about to hang a left and go to the high 50s as I've usually flown out of but good thing I looked at the map and realized I needed to go right and past the rotunda.
Got my extra bottles of h20 and then joined the wonderful premium UA boarding experience.
I got to enjoy listening to the woman behind me complain to her husband as they pre-boarded Global Services and families.
Stupid me forgot to go to the little podiums and answer the security questions so I could get a sticker on my BP to board.
Got upstairs to some relatively friendly FAs and the new Team USA Olympics amenity kits.
Nice novelty fuselage design with red/white/blue socks and printed eye mask. A little flimsy and wouldn't hold up for future travel usage.
Also got a new menu....HA! new in physical style but not content.
I hated the old UA menus who had the generic veggie/spice stock imagery and I think these haven't "some random dude"(to most people) isn't that great. Something with the pattern design and/or an airplane would be fine.
Thanks for the laugh UA!
I got my sparkling water and a scolding that I need to speak louder because I had asked for red wine but the FA thought that I said white. I don't drink whites in flight (at least on UA).
Real greens! Can usually count ex-EU to get better salad than the ex-USA iceberg sh!tshow.
I got served the beef. When my seatmate and I both looked at each other we realized the FA swapped our meals.
Sounded good on paper and while it wasn't bad it was just missing flavor.
I had my own protein bars and shakes for snacks during the flight. I did grab 2 bananas and a small bag of kettle chips as I was craving the salt. The sandwhiches looked more substantial than the wraps you normally see.
Really enjoyed this salmon and noodles for the arrival meal! Right size, time zone appropriate, great flavor. Look forward to seeing it again.
A quick and painless arrival, bags took a few minutes to arrive. 5 min waiting for the De Anza Parking shuttle and thanks to valet the car was ready and waiting. Now the worst part of the trip was coming up...the 3 hours it took me to get down south as I was leaving SFO at 4:55pm and would be in traffic all the way to the bottom of San Jose before hitting Morgan Hill.
Leaving in just over a week for Taipei, Hong Kong, NYC, Hawaii and Guam (Island Hopper)...so expect a much bigger and photo-centric/tourism TR.