That Time Of The Year!

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

    • LAX Crowne Plaza Hotel

      Posted at 3:55 pm by TTOTY, on July 16, 2017

      After the highlight which was Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, it was time to leave Canada.  Our next stop was Tokyo but unfortunately the flight out of LAX is pretty early at 10am.  Hence, a night’s stay in LAX cannot be avoided.  One thing I dislike about airports in USA is that there are no hotels connected to the airport.  This make transit in USA rather tedious as one has to take another transport from the airport to the hotel.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Hotels, North America | 1 Comment | Tagged Crowne Plaza, IHG, LAX, Los Angeles, North America, USA
    • SQ11 Business Class (LAX-NRT) and Star Alliance Lounge LAX

      Posted at 9:34 am by TTOTY, on June 30, 2017

      LAX used to be the other route operated on Airbus A380-800 besides JFK.  Things changed as of October 2016 when it was downgraded to a 77WR with a second service to LAX added (SQ7 and SQ8, at the expense of SQ15 and SQ16).  SQ11/12 operates via Narita and SQ7/8 operates via Incheon.  While getting Suites on SQ11/12 was not easy, it wasn’t tough either.  Since the change, it is almost impossible to get even one seat on First Class, let alone 2 (especially you have no status on Krisflyer)!  With only 4 seats, getting 1 will definitely be tough.  Business Class on the other hand, was still doable.

      I was initially due to fly SQ7 via Incheon and onwards to Male.   I decided to change my itinerary and switched over to SQ11 with a Tokyo stopover.  SQ7 previously cost me about USD $370 per person while SQ11 cost me SGD $145.  In total, I paid 68,000 miles (+ another $290) for my flight, which would cost otherwise 93,500 miles if I am not willing to pay USD $100 for the stopover.  Currently, you pay 88,000 miles but you only pay $23.60 for tax! Flight timing has also changed, SQ11 previously leaves LAX in the evening, arriving Narita at 730pm and Singapore at 330am!  With the change, SQ11 departs at 10am, arrives Narita at 130pm and Singapore at 9pm.  This new timing is more palatable for those arriving in both Narita and Singapore for sure.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Business Class, Flights, Lounges | 1 Comment | Tagged Boeing 777-300ER, Business Class, Los Angeles, Star Alliance, Star Alliance Lounge, Tokyo
    • AC578 Economy Class (YYC-LAX) and Calgary Aspire Lounge

      Posted at 4:17 pm by TTOTY, on June 29, 2017

      I initially planned to do this flight in Business as the price difference between Y and J was minimal ($300+ vs $400+).  However, price for Tango dropped significantly and I bought the tickets at $191 (excluding seat selection and baggage fee) while the price of Business Class remained at about $460.  One month before travel, I tried my luck with a bid of $120 USD per person for upgrade but as expected the bid failed.  I wasn’t too hard up for the upgrade especially after my experience on AC 307 (this flight was operated on Airbus A319).  It has the exact hard product as the A320 (which wasn’t great).

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      Posted in Economy Class, Flights, Lounges | 1 Comment | Tagged Air Canada, Airbus A319, Aspire Lounge, Calgary, Economy Class, Los Angeles, Priority Pass
    • 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
    • Los Angeles Residence Inn L.A. Live

      Posted at 4:11 pm by TTOTY, on December 20, 2015

      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.

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      Posted in Hotels, North America | 1 Comment | Tagged Citibank, Expedia, Los Angeles, Marriott, Microsoft Theatre, Olympic Boulevard, Residence Inn, Staples Centre
    • Part 5 – Amtrak Coast Starlight, Sleeper Cabin (LAX – SFO)

      Posted at 8:35 am by TTOTY, on December 10, 2015
      IMG_6340

      Hot and sunny Los Angeles

      After one and a half weeks of cold eastern weather, finally we had some sun.  The weather in Los Angeles was a complete contrast from what we had in New York, Boston and Toronto.  We spent 3 nights in Los Angeles including one day in Universal Studios in which we also tried out UberX for the first time.  We used it for travel within the city, it was definitely cheaper than the taxi.  Getting a car via the Uber app was also very fast and straightforward.  One of our trip on UberX was from our hotel in Downtown LA to Union Station.  For our trip to San Francisco, I booked the Amtrak Coast Starlight to try a different mode of transport.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Others | 2 Comments | Tagged Amtrak, Coast Starlight, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco
    • 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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