AJK's Trip/Route Planning Thread

[Aaaron]

Upgrades and service at the ST are reportedly difficult and poor, respectively.  Did you get upgraded? How did you find the service?

Also, for us, it's a quick 20 hour stay.

I believe we got upgraded to a suite, I don't quite recall.  It was over a year ago.  Service was definitely outstanding though, loads of people handling check-in and plenty of bartenders at the swim-up bar.  That's all I care about.

For a quick stay like that I would certainly consider it if it was cheaper.  Personally, upgrades don't mean much to me if I'm not spending a few days.

[AJK]

I'm sorry, but no one does better cabin aesthetics than EY.  It's not even close IMO.

[Yehoshua]

I'm sorry, but no one does better cabin aesthetics than EY.  It's not even close IMO.

What route did you just fly?

[mmgfarb]

I'm sorry, but no one does better cabin aesthetics than EY.  It's not even close IMO.

What prompted this?

[AJK]

Also, highly recommend the Hootoo Tripmate.  First time I'm using it, but it's worth it's weight in gold. Pay once for wifi at 37k ft, and share it among unlimited devices, including my computer, my phone, Mrs. AJK's phone, and the couple in the Residence

[AJK]

What route did you just fly?

I'm at 37K now, JFK-AUH.

[Yehoshua]

J? Really? Enjoy!

[AJK]

J? Really? Enjoy!

J? What do you think I am? A slave?

[Dan]

What makes it better than "My wifi router?"

[Yehoshua]

J? What do you think I am? A slave?

I meant a as opposed to F.

[AJK]

What makes it better than "My wifi router?"

Never heard of it...

[shmebeble]

are you off to SR Maldives?

[JudahMcB]

Also, highly recommend the Hootoo Tripmate.  First time I'm using it, but it's worth it's weight in gold.

+1 for the HooToo. Have been taking it with us on vacation for years. I plug a 128GB USB stick filled with movies and music and never hear a complaint from the kids the entire trip. Took it on a few road trips from NY -> Florida and all 5 kids were entertained the whole time. Works great for watching Chromecast on a hotel TV when you can only connect 1 device to hotel wifi too.

[AJK]

Just got back from MLE for the second time and can't stop thinking about going back for to BOB redux...

Anyway, came across a fantastic business fare for like $3400 (170K MR RT).  Availability is limited, but to the extent it helps someone, below is a sample.

[Yehoshua]

Just got back from MLE for the second time and can't stop thinking about going back for to BOB redux...

Anyway, came across a fantastic business fare for like $3400 (170K MR RT).  Availability is limited, but to the extent it helps someone, below is a sample.

Cool! Even cheaper ($3000) from LAX!

[benjie1305]

Thats ridiculously cheap. Wow, really not bad.

[AJK]

Latest round of WWYD!

Looking to go from NYC to YVR.

Option 1:



JetBlue Mint Class on Thursday morning; hit up a couple activities/restaurants, and leave to YVR on DL on Friday or Sunday.

Cost for 2 pax: 

In cash: ~$1500 for B6 + $364 for DL Y
In points:  76K MR, but earn 7.5K MR (5x on Plat) and 9K B6 (6x on Jetblue Mint bookings) for a net 59.5K, or about 30K per pax.


Option 2:




AC 787 J on Thursday evening non-stop.

Cost for 2 pax: 

In cash: ~$1700
In points:  85K MR, but earn 8.5K MR (5x on Plat) and 5K A3/UA (200% on P class) for a net 71.5K, or about 36K per pax.


Variables:

--I have an unhealthy obsession with Beverly Hills Thai.
--I'm flying with JAK (17 mos) and AC 787 has a bassinet, and the 7PM timing is exactly right for his bedtime, and he may sleep the whole flight; that said, given the time difference, JAK will arrive in YVR at 9:45 PST/12:45 EST and will wake up 7 hours later, or 4:45 PST on Friday morning ()
--I'm flying with JAK (17 mos) and B6 Mint timing is exactly right for his afternoon nap, so he may sleep for 2 hours of the 5 hour flight
--B6 A321 has no bassinet
--Never flown 787
--Never flown Mint
--B6 is reputed to have best KSML in business

[ar]

With a baby, I would take the AC nonstop option

[Yehoshua]

With a baby, I would take the AC nonstop option

Depends on how JAK travels: If he travels well then I'd take the B6. If he doesn't I'd take the nonstop. It sounds like he won't have a seat either way, so it really depends on if he travels well. We just took a 7:30pm flight with our 15 month old daughter and she fell asleep on my wife within a few minutes. Another thing you should consider is how long you'll be in YVR for. If you'll be there for a short amount of time and having the baby on local time is more important to you than other things, then go for the nonstop flight. I no it'll mean missing out on Beverly Hills Thai, but maybe you can hit it up on the way back or just forgo it for now.

[AJK]

We'll be on west coast for more than a week, so we're not worried about his adjusting to PST.

What does it mean for a baby to travel well?  At 17 mos, he certainly isn't sitting still watching sesame street (or whatever it is kids watch these days), but he doesn't cry or whine, BH.