First Round the World Itinerary of 2005
Jan 21, 2005 | 4:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: UA UGS 1K, AA EXP, AS MVP Gold, UA RCC, AA AC
Posts: 143
First Round the World Itinerary of 2005
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.
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.
Jan 21, 2005 | 10:48 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: San Francisco Area, CA
Programs: UA - Always
Posts: 310
I flew LH in coach on a short flight and the food was very good! I think it was an hour flight or so.
Looking forward to reading more of your trip. I'm interested in the miles/cost as well as I'm looking into a star* rtw trip.
You might want to have this moved to the Trip Reports forum though...
Looking forward to reading more of your trip. I'm interested in the miles/cost as well as I'm looking into a star* rtw trip.
You might want to have this moved to the Trip Reports forum though...
Jan 21, 2005 | 5:17 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2003
Location: SAN
Programs: UA GS/1K/MM, VA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 5,581
I'm part way through my first one month RTW trip of the year. The segments in brackets aren't part of the RTW fare. This is in B but with NC on UA segments and standby upgrade on LH FRA-MAA. Snagged a V class MSP-SYD-MSP in the middle also in NC.
SYD-LAX-SNA-meetings-DEN-DFW-meetings-DEN-MSP-office-(DEN-LAX-SYD-Office-LAX-ORD-MSP)-ORD-meeting-FRA-train/meeting/train-FCO-convention-FRA-MAA-meeting-(BOM-AMD-meeting-BOM)-SIN-SYD.
Currently in SYD. I'm going to try and bypass the MSP-ORD-MSP segments as this is just there to meet up with the RTW itinery.
I'm feeling tired just thinking about it
SYD-LAX-SNA-meetings-DEN-DFW-meetings-DEN-MSP-office-(DEN-LAX-SYD-Office-LAX-ORD-MSP)-ORD-meeting-FRA-train/meeting/train-FCO-convention-FRA-MAA-meeting-(BOM-AMD-meeting-BOM)-SIN-SYD.
Currently in SYD. I'm going to try and bypass the MSP-ORD-MSP segments as this is just there to meet up with the RTW itinery.
I'm feeling tired just thinking about it
Jan 22, 2005 | 7:46 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: DL 1MM Diamond, UA Silver, AA Gold, Marriott Titanium, IHG Spire, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 599
Originally Posted by seattle1k
Met by UGS/1K host at LHR gate, and promptly escorted over to my connecting flight in a private mini-bus.
Jan 23, 2005 | 5:21 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: UA UGS 1K, AA EXP, AS MVP Gold, UA RCC, AA AC
Posts: 143
Ok, so I'm back in London, after my three day jaunt to Lisbon. Meeting went well, but that's a bit less important than the flying experience...
As bummed as I was to leave Lisbon, I'm back in London where I've spent 3 of my last 5 years of work/life. The inter-Europe flights are hit or miss in my book. I made the LIS to FRA to LHR connecting flights, with little or no mishaps. When in FRA i popped in to the LH First/*A Gold lounge, which was small but well appointed. I'm always pleased to see they have little sandwiches, any beverage of your choosing, and bins stocked with licroice varieties. There is a shower, but I never have time to use them.
Arrived in London last night, and had meetings today and some more tomorrow. Heathrow sucks when it comes to handling flyers, but you can't fault them too much given the volumes through the airport. The only exceptions I've seen have been with SQ first passengers and super elite BA types. But in general, the UA staff is friendly, with exception of a few snarly GA's that must be hanging aorund due to seniority. Boooo!
Tuesday should be interesting. I have a flight to FRA, long layover, and LH flight from FRA to BKK. I'm still hoping a white knight comes through with an upgrade for me to BKK. I could meet or receive any offers in LHR or FRA airports. This would make my otherwise exhausting trip worthwhile...
For those that are interested in the *A RTW flights, I strongly recommend them. A highlight for those looking to travel in biz class:
- base US fare is $6900 + taxes (less than many west coast rt biz fares to EU)
- mileage accrural is just like any other fare, these tix are booked in D
- I expect to fly 27k actual miles, and take home my 100% 1K bonus miles, which works out to a free US to EU ticket in coach.
- change fees are negligible, $100 for re-routing, nothing for date changes
- tix are good for a full year
- upgrades are allowed using SWUs and miles
- and this is new: it's possble to book the entire thing as an e-ticket if you have the right partner airlines.
- you can do route planning by going to the *A website and downloading the RTW Mileage Calc tool
- you need a one week advance purchase from your first international segment
- and the trip must span at least 10 days outside the US
It's all very cool. This is my third in 12 months.
More to come.
As bummed as I was to leave Lisbon, I'm back in London where I've spent 3 of my last 5 years of work/life. The inter-Europe flights are hit or miss in my book. I made the LIS to FRA to LHR connecting flights, with little or no mishaps. When in FRA i popped in to the LH First/*A Gold lounge, which was small but well appointed. I'm always pleased to see they have little sandwiches, any beverage of your choosing, and bins stocked with licroice varieties. There is a shower, but I never have time to use them.
Arrived in London last night, and had meetings today and some more tomorrow. Heathrow sucks when it comes to handling flyers, but you can't fault them too much given the volumes through the airport. The only exceptions I've seen have been with SQ first passengers and super elite BA types. But in general, the UA staff is friendly, with exception of a few snarly GA's that must be hanging aorund due to seniority. Boooo!
Tuesday should be interesting. I have a flight to FRA, long layover, and LH flight from FRA to BKK. I'm still hoping a white knight comes through with an upgrade for me to BKK. I could meet or receive any offers in LHR or FRA airports. This would make my otherwise exhausting trip worthwhile...
For those that are interested in the *A RTW flights, I strongly recommend them. A highlight for those looking to travel in biz class:
- base US fare is $6900 + taxes (less than many west coast rt biz fares to EU)
- mileage accrural is just like any other fare, these tix are booked in D
- I expect to fly 27k actual miles, and take home my 100% 1K bonus miles, which works out to a free US to EU ticket in coach.
- change fees are negligible, $100 for re-routing, nothing for date changes
- tix are good for a full year
- upgrades are allowed using SWUs and miles
- and this is new: it's possble to book the entire thing as an e-ticket if you have the right partner airlines.
- you can do route planning by going to the *A website and downloading the RTW Mileage Calc tool
- you need a one week advance purchase from your first international segment
- and the trip must span at least 10 days outside the US
It's all very cool. This is my third in 12 months.
More to come.
Jan 23, 2005 | 5:23 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: UA UGS 1K, AA EXP, AS MVP Gold, UA RCC, AA AC
Posts: 143
Originally Posted by EmoryFlyer
Is this a benefit of being a 1K/UGS??? Never heard of it and just transited LHR twice last week with no special treatment (not that any was needed, but this perk is interesting to me). The passport control lines when switching terminals can be a nightmare!
Jan 23, 2005 | 5:52 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Texas, U.S.A.
Posts: 19,523
I might have got the transfer treatment because I was in first class on the flight over.
Last edited by PremEx; Jan 23, 2005 at 5:55 pm
Jan 23, 2005 | 5:56 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
Originally Posted by seattle1k
Excuse the vanity, but I thought it might be interesting for me to chronicle my first RTW itinerary for 2005. .
This is interesting, although I am not sure how it relates to the UA forum. There is a Trip Reports forum where your chronicle will likely find a wider audience?
