That Time Of The Year!

The joy of award travel!
That Time Of The Year!
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  • Tag: Canada

    • Enhanced security screening going into USA from Canada

      Posted at 1:12 pm by TTOTY, on July 20, 2017

      Not long after lifting of electronics ban imposed on some airlines, USA is now introducing enhanced security screening for transborder flights from Canada.  Although I have only taken 2 transborder flights so far (AC791 from YYZ to LAX and AC578 from YYC to LAX), I was given the special SSSS treatment on my second flight.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Others | 0 Comments | Tagged Canada, Security Screening, SSSS, Transborder, USA
    • Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

      Posted at 1:14 pm by TTOTY, on July 16, 2017

      IMG_1855

      This is probably the highlight of our 2017 trip.  As the travel period was in peak season, I paid CAD $999 (before tax) per night for my Fairmont Gold room!  If I were to travel a month before, the room is as low as CAD $599 (before tax).  How big difference a month made!  I was deciding if I should go for the Fairmont Gold room, in the end I decided to take the plunge.  What benefits will Fairmont Gold get u with the additional CAD $200?

      • Private check in area in the lounge (and avoid the long queue at the front desk)
      • Club Lounge with all day snacks, breakfast and evening canapes
      • Daily turndown service with Fairmont chocolates
      • Complimentary 1 hour evening kayak rental in Lake Louise (worth CAD $65)
      • Complimentary portable battery rental
      • Complimentary usage of board games available in club lounge

      For those planning to stay here, do book in advance.  Your chances of getting a room via 3rd party booking website (e.g. Expedia) for bonus miles earning may be low.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Hotels, North America | 1 Comment | Tagged Banff National Park, Canada, Club Floor, Fairmont, Fairmont Gold, Lake Louise, North America
    • Banff Aspen Lodge

      Posted at 11:49 am by TTOTY, on July 16, 2017

      IMG_1801

      Banff which is situated about 2 hours away from Calgary is a small town within Banff National Park.  It is a small town with most of the hotels and lodges situated along the main street which is Banff Avenue.  Banff Aspen Lodge is one of these lodges.  Like most hotels in Banff (with the exception of Banff Spring Hotel), it is a low rise building (4 storeys, including basement).  As it is situated near the town centre, it is within walking distance to many restaurants and an IGA supermarket is nearby along Elk Street.  Further down Banff Avenue, you will reach the central park.  The Bow River Trail and the Bow Falls Trail are situated on either side of the banks of Bow River.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Hotels, North America | 1 Comment | Tagged Banff, Banff Aspen Lodge, Banff National Park, Canada, Expedia, North America, Shopback
    • St. Regis Hotel Vancouver

      Posted at 9:37 am by TTOTY, on July 16, 2017

      Not to be confused with the luxurious St. Regis Hotels (which is part of Starwood chain), this is a standalone boutique hotel in Downtown Vancouver.  The main draw for this hotel is the location.  It is just next to the Granville station and just a stone throw away, Canada Place station (metro line to Vancouver International Airport and Glen-MacArthur outlet mall).  There are also many bus stops nearby (you have a few direct buses to Granville Market from Granville Street).  The hotel has many eateries nearby and also Canada Place, Robson Street and Chinatown are all within walking distance.  There is a big Nordstorm nearby and many other shopping centres too.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Hotels, North America | 1 Comment | Tagged Boutique Hotel, Canada, Citi Prestige Card, Hotel Night, St. Regis, Vancouver
    • Delta Hotels by Marriott Montreal

      Posted at 10:16 am by TTOTY, on July 15, 2017

      After completing my reviews of my flights, it is time to write on the hotels.  The first will be Delta Hotels by Marriott which is situated in Downtown Montreal. Delta Hotels is a Canada-based hotel chain founded in 1962.  It was taken over by Marriott since 2015 and hence you can get Marriott points for your stay in Delta.  This hotel is conveniently situated between 2 metro (Place des Arts and McGill) giving you access to various parts of Montreal.  It is also within reasonable walking distance to the Latin Quarter, Chinatown and even Mount Royal Park.  As for eateries (and shopping complex), Complexe Desjardins and Eaton Centre are nearby.  A short walk down will bring you to Rue Peel, which is where the tourism office is situated in (you can get your Montreal Passport here, and many day trip agencies are located here too).

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Hotels, North America | 1 Comment | Tagged Canada, Citi Prestige Card, Delta Hotels, Marriott, Montreal
    • That Time Of The Year 2017 Part 1

      Posted at 7:10 pm by TTOTY, on April 20, 2017

      map

      Looking forward to my upcoming long trip (after my last one in 2015).  Will be doing the following reviews:

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Flights | 0 Comments | Tagged A320, A380-800, Air Canada, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 777-300ER, Calgary, Canada, Haneda, Japan, Los Angeles, Montreal, Narita, New York, Singapore, Singapore Airlines, Tokyo, Transat Air, USA, Vancouver
    • Missisauga ALT Hotel

      Posted at 1:16 pm by TTOTY, on December 20, 2015

      Date: 18 to 19 November 2015

      Price: SGD $160 (inclusive of tax)

      Type of room: Queen Room

      Inclusive: None

      We had to stay overnight in Pearson as our flight to Los Angeles the following day (AC791) departs at 8:00 am.  With the US Border pre-clearance in Toronto, I had to make sure we arrive in Pearson by 5:30 am.  There are many hotels around Pearson but the 2 most convenient hotels are Sheraton Gateway (at Terminal 3) and ALT Hotel at Viscount Station.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Hotels, North America | 1 Comment | Tagged ALT Hotel, Boutique Hotel, Canada, Citibank, Expedia, Missisauga, Pearson Airport, Toronto
    • Niagara Sheraton On The Falls

      Posted at 9:23 pm by TTOTY, on December 19, 2015

      Date: 17 to 18 November 2015

      Price: SGD $239 (inclusive of tax)

      Type of room: King Jacuzzi

      Inclusive: None

      Addition: Club Sheraton access (CAD$40) – club access with noon tea and breakfast

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Hotels, North America | 1 Comment | Tagged Canada, Citibank, Club Floor, Expedia, Niagara Falls, Sheraton
    • Part 4 – AC 791 Transcontinental Business Class (YYZ-LAX)

      Posted at 3:37 pm by TTOTY, on December 7, 2015

      Canada was fun but a little hectic. 3 nights in 3 different locations:

      • Toronto
      • Niagara Falls
      • Missisauga (Pearson International Airport)

      We were quite lucky that the both days we were in Toronto and Niagara Falls, the temperatures were higher than that of Boston! The day we left Toronto for Niagara Falls, Toronto was enveloped in thick fog while for Niagara, it started to rain. Thanks to a clear weather, we had a magnificent 360 degree view of Toronto from CN Tower (where we had our dinner). A sunny noon in Niagara gave us opportunity for photo taking of the falls and the weather held up the following morning to allow us to enjoy Hornblower Cruise. The good weather we had in Niagara allowed us a magnificent view of the falls from our hotel, Sheraton On The Falls. Not long after we left Niagara, it started to rain pretty heavily.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Business Class, Flights | 2 Comments | Tagged 767-300ER, AC791, Air Canada, Award travel, Business Class, Canada, Krisflyer, Los Angeles, Maple Leaf Lounge, Miles, Star Alliance, Toronto, USA
    • Posts

      • Flying once again!
      • VTL Experience Part 3 – Homecoming (SQ23 Business Class Review)
      • VTL Experience Part 2 – New York City Ground Experience
      • VTL experience Part 1 – a short getaway to NYC (SQ 26 First Class Review)
      • Intercontinental Hotel Bugis Singapore
      • SQ380 Business Class a.k.a Dine@A380 – Flight of Hope (or desperation)
      • Together, we shall prevail!
      • Review – Life in quarantine facility
      • What I fear, is the fear itself.
      • TTOTY 2020 – not a great start
      • Korean Air Business Class Second Act – The Apex Suite
      • Korean Air Business Class in pictures – KE 644 (SIN-ICN) and KE 765 (ICN-CTS)
      • Looking back at 2019
      • Air China Economy Class
      • Bank of China Elite Miles Card – my crappy experience
      • SQ 32 Business Class (SIN-SFO) in pictures
      • SQ 979 Business Class (BKK-SIN)
      • Renaissance Hotel Bangkok
      • T/G Lounge (DPS)
      • Thai Royal Silk Lounge Singapore
      • TG 404 Business Class and TG 409 Economy Class (SIN-BKK-SIN) – an ‘upgraded’ experience
      • Park Royal Kuala Lumpur – more GHA hotel review
      • Capitol Kempinski Singapore and GHA Discovery Black
      • Holiday Inn Resort Batu Ferringhi, Penang
      • TR 426 (SIN-PEN) and AK 1729 (PEN-SIN) review – tale of 2 budget airlines
      • SQ 611 Business Class (ICN-SIN) in pictures
      • NH 7 Business Class (SFO-NRT) in pictures
      • Sony WH-1000XM3 – The must have traveling companion!
      • Panama San Blas Islands & Panama San Blas Tour – Paradise in the Caribbean
      • Panama – my experience
      • Austin ATX Pass and Houston Segway Tour
      • SQ 637 Suites (NRT-SIN)
      • Intercontinental New York Barclay – an old gem in the Big Apple
      • Crowne Plaza JFK, New York
      • Changi Jewel Lounge
      • Delta One & Korean Air Business Class
      • UA 2 & UA 1 Economy Class (SIN-SFO-SIN) in pictures
      • The Westin Playa Bonita
      • Silverkris Lounge makeover …. finally!
      • Gamboa Rainforest Resort – an old gem badly in need of makeover
      • Waldorf Astoria Panama City
      • Hilton Americas-Houston
      • Lufthansa Senator Lounge (FRA) Revisited
      • Virgin Clubhouse JFK – sanctuary in a busy airport
      • Copa Club Tocumen Airport and The Lounge Panama by Global Lounge Network
      • Landry’s Seafood IAH Terminal C and non-lounge use of Priority Pass Card
      • United Club and KLM Crown Lounge Houston (IAH)
      • SQ 25 Suites (JFK-FRA-SIN) – my favourite cabin once again
      • CM 804 Business Class (PTY-JFK) – Good alternative connecting into Latin and South America for Star Alliance
      • CA 885 First Class (IAH-PTY) – First Air China experience
      • UA 1045 First Class (IAH-AUS)
      • SQ 52 Business Class (SIN-MAN-IAH) – my long and arduous journey into the Lone Star State
      • That Time of The Year 2019!
      • Gardens Hotel & Residences Kuala Lumpur
      • First Class or Business Class redemption? A simple breakdown on Krisflyer
      • Long Haul Economy Class or Short Haul First Class?
      • SQ 218 Suites (MEL-SIN) and Silverkris Lounge Melbourne in Pictures
      • SQ 217 Suites (SIN-MEL) in pictures
      • Food in Kansai
      • Wa Yamamura – a must try in Nara!
      • Holiday Inn Osaka Namba – strategically located budget hotel
      • Mikasa Ryokan Nara – a sanctuary for relaxation
      • SQ 618 (SIN-KIX) Business Class – a fairly simple sleeper flight
      • SQ619 Suites (KIX-SIN) – A Great Way To Fly!
      • OD807 Business Class (KUL-SIN) in pictures
      • The end of an era
      • IHG Ambassador Programme
      • Upcoming Krisflyer devaluation
      • Grand Millennium Hotel Hongqiao Shanghai
      • Happy New Year 2019!
      • MH609 (KUL-SIN) Business Class & MAS Golden Lounge in pictures
      • 2018 – looking back
      • SQ 830 (SIN-PVG) and SQ 833 (SIN-PVG) Economy Class
      • MI 988 and MI 985 Business Class (SIN-WUH-SIN)
      • SQ21 Business Class (EWR-SIN) – post inaugural flight back to Singapore
      • Special feature – SQ22 Inaugural (SIN-EWR) Premium Economy
      • SIN-EWR Inaugural
      • Air China First Class Lounge Shanghai
      • SQ618 Business Class (SIN-KIX) – Pictorial review of the Dreamliner
      • SQ828 First Class (SIN-PVG)
      • Holiday Inn Express Mongkok, Hong Kong
      • Holiday Inn Munich City Centre – conveniently located within Munich City
      • Imlauer Pitter Hotel Salzburg – Cosy Boutique Hotel just a stone throw away from the Mirabel
      • Heritage Hotel Hallstatt – a hotel in the UNESCO World Heritage town
      • MI 986 and MI985 Economy Class (SIN-WUH-SIN) – my furthest flight on a 737
      • SQ22/21, here we come!
      • Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounge, Changi Airport Terminal 4
      • CX712 Business Class (HKG-SIN) and The Deck Business Class Lounge
      • CX711 Business Class (SIN-BKK-HKG) – First Cathay Pacific experience
      • Holiday Inn Bangkok
      • Oman Air Business Class Lounge Bangkok
      • Adlers Hotel Innsbruck – A gem in the Tirolian capital
      • Radisson Blu Plaza Helsinki
      • Rovaniemi Scandic Hotel
      • London Intercontinental Park Lane Hotel – a luxury that is in need of some uplifting
      • SQ974 and SQ973 Economy (SIN-BKK-SIN) – The Dreamliner makes a debut
      • BA926 (LHR-MUC) Club Europe – a good way to use your Avios
      • Arctic Snow Hotel and Igloo Hotel Rovaniemi
      • SQ327 Business Class (MUC-SIN) – My first A350-900 XWB ride
      • AY412 Economy Class (KAJ-HEL)
      • AY533 Economy Class (HEL-RVN)
      • SQ 308 Suites (SIN-LHR) – a rather underwhelming Suites experience
      • Krisflyer Spontaneous Escapes – March Edition
      • Helsinki Finnair Business Class Lounge
      • Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge Doha
      • Plaza Premium First Lounge KLIA (Part 2)
      • Qatar Airways A330-300 Business Class
      • QR849 Business Class (KUL-DOH)
      • Intercontinental Landmark 72 Hanoi (Club Intercontinental)
      • SQ 176 and SQ 175 Business Class Review (SIN-HAN-SIN)
      • KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes Promotion
      • Hotel Jen Puteri Harbor, Johor
      • KLIA Plaza Premium First Lounge
      • OD 807 Business Class (KUL-SIN) and KLIA Premier Access Lounge
      • SATS Premier Lounge Changi Terminal 2 and MH614 Business Class (SIN-KUL)
      • Berjaya Time Square Hotel Kuala Lumpur
      • QR 852 Business Class (DOH-KUL)
      • Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Lounge Doha
      • QR40 First Class (CDG-DOH)
      • Qatar Airways Premium Lounge Paris
      • South African Airways Premium Baobab Lounge
      • Bidvest Domestic Lounge, Cape Town
      • SA8651 Economy Class (CPT-SZK)
      • Enhanced security screening going into USA from Canada
      • That Time Of The Year 2017 – Part 2
      • Royal Park Hotel The Haneda
      • Hakone Yoshino Pax Hotel
      • Royal Park Hotel The Shiodome
      • LAX Crowne Plaza Hotel
      • Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
      • Banff Aspen Lodge
      • SQ478 Business Class (SIN-JNB-CPT)
      • St. Regis Hotel Vancouver
      • Delta Hotels by Marriott Montreal
      • SQ631 Business Class (HND-SIN) and ANA Business Lounge Haneda International Airport
      • SQ11 Business Class (LAX-NRT) and Star Alliance Lounge LAX
      • AC578 Economy Class (YYC-LAX) and Calgary Aspire Lounge
      • TS8788 Economy Class (YVR-YYC)
      • AC307 Domestic Business Class and Maple Leaf Lounge – a case of downgraded bird
      • DL 4106 Domestic First Class – A very forgettable experience!
      • SQ26 Suites (SIN-FRA-JFK) Round 2, with my first ever in-flight medical call
      • That Time Of The Year 2017 Part 1
      • Let’s talk about Avios
      • My take on the upcoming devaluation of Krisflyer Miles
      • The day we all dread …..
      • A Tale of 3 Lounges
      • Seoul Courtyard Marriott Time Square Club Room
      • MH616/66/67/607 Business Class (SIN-KUL-ICN-KUL-SIN)
      • Special! 7D 5N Parlo Tour (Malaysia) Hokkaido
      • Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur
      • New Chitose Air Terminal Hotel
      • MH619 Business Class (KUL-SIN)
      • D7 551 Economy Class (CTS-KUL)
      • NH63 Economy Class (HND – CTS) – and Ninja Wifi review
      • SQ636 First Class (SIN-HND)
      • More upcoming review
      • SQ67 Business Classs (GRU – BCN – SIN)
      • Sumaq VIP Lounge, Lima
      • Premier Lounge Ngurah Rai Airport
      • ANA Suites Lounge Narita Airport
      • Changi Airport Terminal 1 Dnata Lounge
      • Upcoming review for October 2016…
      • JW Marriott Cusco
      • KL836 Business Class (DPS-SIN)
      • KL835 Business Class (SIN-DPS)
      • Next up? Bali
      • My short Malaysia getaway
      • MH628 & MH 605 Malaysia Airlines Economy (Via JAL Redemption)
      • Award redemption using Krisflyer Miles
      • Credit Cards that offer renewal miles
      • Citibank Prestige Card
      • SQ856 Business Class (SIN-HKG)
      • MH73 & MH609 Business Class (HKG-KUL-SIN)
      • SQ866 Suites (SIN – HKG)
      • The Haven by Jetquay Lounge
      • Penang Rasa Sayang Shangri La Resort and Spa
      • San Francisco Hyatt Regency
      • Los Angeles Residence Inn L.A. Live
      • Missisauga ALT Hotel
      • Niagara Sheraton On The Falls
      • Toronto Intercontinental Club Room
      • Boston Intercontinental Club Room
      • New York Residence Inn Times Square
      • Part 6(B) – SQ 15 First Class (ICN – SIN)
      • Part 6(A) – SQ 15 First Class (SFO – ICN)
      • Part 5 – Amtrak Coast Starlight, Sleeper Cabin (LAX – SFO)
      • Part 4 – AC 791 Transcontinental Business Class (YYZ-LAX)
      • Part 3 – AC 7627 Domestic Business Class (BOS-YYZ)
      • Part 2 – DL 4004 Domestic First Class (JFK-BOS)
      • Part 1(B) – SQ 26 Suites (FRA-JFK)
      • Part 1(A) – SQ 26 Suites (SIN-FRA)
      • That Time Of The Year – 2015!
      • Round The World Trip
      • SQ807 Business Class (PEK-SIN)
      • SQ802 Suites (SIN-PEK)
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