That Time Of The Year!

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

    • Hilton Americas-Houston

      Posted at 10:29 am by TTOTY, on July 3, 2019

      After getting my HHonours Diamond status matching for 90 days, I decided to give my stays in Houston and Panama City in the Hilton chain a try.

      With the diamond status, I can get Lounge access and breakfast for 2 regardless of the room category booked.  Logic dictates that I book the cheapest room!

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Hotels, North America | 0 Comments | Tagged HHonours, Hilton, Houston, North America, USA
    • SQ21 Business Class (EWR-SIN) – post inaugural flight back to Singapore

      Posted at 10:35 am by TTOTY, on October 20, 2018

      big apple

      After 2 nights in The Big Apple, it is time to come back.  A very short trip indeed, but this is all the time I could afford to be away from work.

      I had both a confirmed advantage Business ticket and a waitlisted Business saver ticket.  I was very much hoping for my waitlist to clear but by 12 October, I did not receive the clearance email.  I know my waitlist was unlikely to clear.  I had problem checking in online the day before flying as my saver waitlist was still active.  I tried cancelling my waitlist and I had trouble doing it using the SQ app.  I was prepared to go to the airport early to do it but by the night before flying back, my waitlist booking automatically disappeared and I could finally check in!  On checking in, I noticed that the cabin is full!

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Business Class, Flights | 1 Comment | Tagged Airbus A350-900ULR, Asia, Business Class, Changi Airport, FlySQ, Lounge, Newark Liberty International Airport, North America, Round the World, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse
    • 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
    • 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
    • TS8788 Economy Class (YVR-YYC)

      Posted at 5:22 pm by TTOTY, on June 28, 2017

      This would be my first time in Air Transat (and also my first Economy Class for this trip).  I had a few options flying into Calgary (for my trip to Banff and Lake Louise) and Air Transat was the cheapest (at about $165 per person including seat selection and one piece of luggage).  The drawback is the departure time at 915am.  For a domestic flight, this wasn’t too bad.  I left my hotel from Downtown Vancouver at 730am and we reached the airport at about 755am.  After checking in and going through security check, we reach the gate at about 830am (which was almost time for boarding).  I could have used my Priority Pass card for access to Plaza Premium Lounge.  After a full breakfast and the time in hand, I decided not to utilize it.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Economy Class, Flights | 1 Comment | Tagged Air Transat, Calgary, Economy Class, North America, Vancouver
    • AC307 Domestic Business Class and Maple Leaf Lounge – a case of downgraded bird

      Posted at 1:23 pm by TTOTY, on June 27, 2017

      My flight from Montreal to Vancouver was initially booked on AC 309 which was scheduled to fly on an Airbus A330.  The A330 features the classic pod (which I have reviewed here) in a 1-1-1 configuration, similar to that of the 767.  Few months before my flight, I was switched to AC 307.  Although the flight timing is better (5pm instead of 7pm), I got downgraded to an A320.  The A320 uses the domestic recliner seat instead of the full flat seat.  I tried to change my flight to AC 311 which uses a Dreamliner but I had no luck even up to 1 week before travel.

      Continue reading →

      Posted in Business Class, Flights, Lounges | 1 Comment | Tagged A320-200, Air Canada, Maple Leaf Lounge, Montreal, North America, Vancouver
    • Posts

      • 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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