There are many ways / tactics one can use to score an award ticket. Regardless of ways, the goal remains the same – to score that elusive and highly sought after premium class ticket!
There are many ways / tactics one can use to score an award ticket. Regardless of ways, the goal remains the same – to score that elusive and highly sought after premium class ticket!
Getting miles from credit cards in Singapore is not easy (compared to USA) but not exactly the hardest too. There are many credit cards out there that offer miles from paying annual fee.
To those who are against paying annual fees, this option is not for you. For those who don’t get enough miles for redemption on premium class, you probably should think twice before doing this. For those who don’t mind paying annual fees, these are the credit cards that you can consider:
I shall switch my focus to credit card for today’s post. Citibank Prestige card is one of the best card for miles earning with many benefits that come with the card. It may not be the best card if we are to judge it based on the number of miles earned on spending alone (that accolade belongs to ANZ Travel card, among general consumer cards).
My first Singapore Airlines premium class, do I need to say more? The step up from Economy Class to Business Class is indeed exhilarating! Back in 2012, I barely know much about the miles game, what more how to maximize it. Nevertheless, I decided to make use of what I had in my account to try out the Business Class.
My initial plan was to redeem SIN-TPE. I managed to get a pair of tickets to Taipei but I was unable to secure any return tickets. At 4.5 hours, Taipei is probably the best sector to fly to at 23,375 miles. However, availability is usually scarce (as compared to Hong Kong). Eventually I settled on Hong Kong as I was able to get the return tickets. I was initially booked on SQ860 (which uses the old 777-200 but with the regional business class seats). I managed to waitlist myself on SQ856 (on A380-800). One week out, my waitlist cleared and I managed to get myself on SQ856.
As a kid, I used to hold Malaysia Airlines in high esteem and would feel proud whenever I get to fly on MAS. But those flights were limited only to short haul flights on their old regional workhorse, the 737-400 (back then, flying was really expensive!). My first redeye flight on MAS was on a 777-200ER to Melbourne in 2002. It was quite exciting going on a 777 back then, although the 2-5-2 arrangements in Economy wasn’t exactly my favorite (but hey, getting to travel on a plane back then was already a luxury). My first and only long haul flight with MAS was in 2007 to London and my experience on that flight was far from satisfactory. By then, MAS was a shadow of its former self and was nowhere near their glorious past. It took me another 6 years before I gave MAS a try again. The trip was on MH73 from Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpur on one of their brand new A380-800 followed by MH 609 back to Singapore on a 737-800.
Date: 30 November 2013
Flight: SQ 866
Class: Suites
Seats : 3C/3D
Plane: A380-800 (unsure of built)
Photo taken: Nikon D5100
The Haven by Jetquay is a lounge located in the arrival hall of Terminal 3. This is one of the partner lounge of Priority Pass and unlike the other lounges in Changi Airport, this lounge is actually located on the landside! This allows one to access it even without the need of a boarding pass. This lounge will come in useful for those who:
Hi there, this is a contribution from my friend H.C. who recently traveled to Penang in December 2015.
*Note : Pictures will be uploaded soon
Date : 22 to 26 November 2015 (4 nights)
Price : SGD $900 (including tax)
Type of room : King room
Inclusive : none
I booked this room utilizing Citibank Prestige’s 4th night free. I chose this hotel mainly for the convenience, Amtrak Thruway Bus (continuation from my Amtrak Coast Starlight trip) stops right in front of the hotel. I definitely do not want to lug my luggage around San Francisco at 10:30 pm. I had wanted to book the Club room but as I will be spending most of my time away, I decided to just go for the King Room without any additional options (including breakfast).
The hotel is located conveniently at the junction of Market Street, California Street and Drumm Street and just next to Embarcadero. The BART, Electric Street car, MUNI Metro and cable car is just at the doorstep of the hotel! This makes traveling around the city extremely convenient. The San Francisco Ferry building is just a stone throw away. Using the above transport options, one can go to Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, Chinatown, Union Square and other places easily. There are eateries nearby with Walgreens and 7-Eleven nearby too.
Date : 19 to 22 November 2015 (3 nights)
Price : SGD $899 (including tax)
Type of room : Studio Suite
Inclusive : Breakfast
Residence Inn in Downtown LA is located at one of the newest part of downtown, named L.A. Live. The hotel building is actually 2 hotels in 1 (i.e. Residence Inn and Courtyard, both under Marriott Group). I booked this hotel via Expedia (for the 6 miles per dollar under Citibank promo) as it was cheaper than booking with Marriott directly.
That Time Of The Year! 