Journey to Top Elite Status on American and United Airlines UPDATE May 2012

After traveling this past month that had me travel every week.  It includes a few turns on American (DFW-TUL, DFW-OKC, DFW-SFO-JFK) that requalified my for Executive Platinum (and an extra 374 miles to boot!).  I also had my final DFW-HNL turn on United... here's my progress to American Airlines Executive Platinum Status and United Premier 1K status for 2013 benefits so far through May 31st.

I did have some fun and relaxation by booking a one week vacation trip using my miles as well with First Class on Lufthansa/Air China from DFW to CAN and then a Business Class ticket on Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines on the way back from HKG.

	United Airlines	American Airlines
January	Premier Qualifying Miles – 7,726 Premier Qualifying Segments – 4  Redeemable Miles – 15,452	Elite Qualifying Miles – 54,942 Elite Qualifying Segments – 11 Redeemable Miles – 46,158
February	Premier Qualifying Miles – 12,924 Premier Qualifying Segments – 8  Redeemable Miles – 27,146	Elite Qualifying Miles – 20,692 Elite Qualifying Segments – 8 Redeemable Miles – 58,952
March	Premier Qualifying Miles – 21,961 Premier Qualifying Segments – 12  Redeemable Miles – 43,922	Elite Qualifying Miles – 11,712 Elite Qualifying Segments –  4 Redeemable Miles – 17,568
April	Premier Qualifying Miles – 16,382 Premier Qualifying Segments –  10 Redeemable Miles – 35,622	None
May	Premier Qualifying Miles – 7,726 Premier Qualifying Segments – 4  Redeemable Miles – 15,452	Elite Qualifying Miles – 13,028 Elite Qualifying Segments – 8 Redeemable Miles – 23,158
Totals to Date	Premier Qualifying Miles – 66,719 Premier Qualifying Segments – 38 Redeemable Miles – 137,594	Elite Qualifying Miles – 100,374 Elite Qualifying Segments – 31 Redeemable Miles – 145,836
Remainder Needed	Premier Qualifying Miles – 33,281   Premier Qualifying Segments – 82	Re-Qualification Achieved

Star Alliance Mega-Trip 2012: Hong Kong and Macau

Star Alliance Mega-Trip 2012  

a.      Introduction/Preface

b.      United Club at DFW and First Class on United DFW-SFO

c.       United First Class lounge at SFO

d.      First Class on Lufthansa SFO-FRA

e.       Lufthansa Welcome Lounge at FRA

f.       Exploring Frankfurt

g.      Lufthansa First Class Lounge at FRA

h.      First Class on Thai Airways FRA-BKK

i.        Thai First Class Lounge and Spa at BKK

j.        First Class on Thai Airways BKK-HKG

k.      Marriott SkyCity Hong Kong

l.        Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge (The Wing)

m.    Business Class on Dragon Air from HKG

n.      Business Class on Dragon Air to HKG

o.      Cathay Pacific Lounge (The Arrival)

p.      Exploring Hong Kong and Macau

q.      Business Class on Asiana Airlines HKG-ICN

r.        Asiana Business Class & First Class Lounge at ICN

s.       First Class on Asiana Airlines ICN-NRT

t.        Conrad Tokyo

u.      Exploring Tokyo

v.      United Airlines First Class Lounge/United Club at NRT

w.    All Nippon Airways First Class lounge at NRT

x.      First Class on All Nippon Airways NRT-IAD

y.      Lufthansa Lounge and British Airways Lounge at IAD

z.       United Economy Class IAD-DFW plus Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Exploring Hong Kong and Macau

I left the airport onboard the Airport Express train at about 5PM and arrived into the city about 30 minutes later.  There was still day light out when I left and by the time I arrived into the city, night time and darkness had completely settle in.  A short time in the city with the lights and good weather gave me a good impression of the city.  

After a short detour at a bakery, I managed to make it to the Hard Rock Café at about 6:15PM.  I bought my obligatory city shirt with my 10% discount from my membership and was told that there is another shop at Victoria Peak. 

I guess I will hit that one on my next visit to Hong Kong during the day to take in the beauty of this city.  I headed south to the ferry terminal and made my way to the ferry terminal.  

Hong Kong Island

Kowloon

I bought a ferry ticket for the 7:45PM turbo jet to Macau and somehow lost my ticket very quickly.  That is what I get when I carry too much in my hands… another lesson learned for me.  I walked back to the ticket counter and bought another ticket… with great embarrassment of course.  It was about 7:30PM at this time and I was afraid that I might miss this boat but after clearing Hong Kong immigration, I was on my way on the boat.  Upon check in, a sticker (26N) was place on my boarding ticket… which indicated my seat number (very scientific/systematic).  

I got a middle seat and swapped it for an empty seat (27L) as soon as the door closed and we took off on the 1 hour ride to Macau.  The only bad thing was that the last boat to the Airport is at 8:15PM and I arrive into Macau at 8:45PM.  That means I will have to take the ferry back to into Hong Kong and take the Airport Express train back to the airport.  I bought a day pass for the Airport Express (and there would be no way for me to make it back to the airport directly) so I guess it was meant to be this way.

I am glad I get to cross off another place and gather a few more stamps into my passport.  Macau has both a Hard Rock Casino and a Hard Rock Hotel so that will be 2 more T-Shirts for my collection.  My visit on Macau will not be too long and I intend to get my shirts and then head back to Hong Kong to head back to the airport.  Glad I had a short mission/task during my long 12 hour layover in Hong Kong.  I will definitely have to come back to explore the city a little bit more thorough in the near future.  The only bad thing was that I did not have time to enjoy any of the lounges at Hong Kong before boarding my flight to Seoul since I did not realize how much time it would take to take a ferry to Macau and then going to the Hard Rock and coming back took time as well.

I got through Macau immigration and left the terminal at about 9PM.  US citizens can stay in Macau for 30 days without needing a visa.  One of the attendants on the ferry told me to take the shuttle to The City of Dreams for the Hard Rock and it would take about 30 minutes.  The other option as to take a taxi and it would be about $50HKD.  I went directly to the taxi queue and told the drive my desired destination.  After about 10 minutes and crossing a bridge, we made it to the Hard Rock and it costs about $55HKD ($8 USD). 

I went to the hotel Rock Shop first and they only had small and extra-large city shirts… so I went with the small size.  Then I was told to go upstairs to visit the Casino Rock Shop for the other shirt.  After I had already bought both shirts, I was presented a voucher for $50MOP off a $250 purchase.  I gave the voucher to some shoppers so that it would not go to waste.  There was no way I was (justifying) buying more shirts or souvenirs just to save $20MOP ($3 USD).  I already got my 10% off with my All Access Card.

I then proceeded downstairs to the bus lanes and took the free shuttle back to the ferry station.  It took about 15 minutes to get there and I made my way upstairs to the 2^nd floor to buy my return ticket at 9:40PM.  The earliest economy ticket back to Hong Kong was 12:20AM arriving at 1:20AM which would mean I miss my flight.  There was a 10:20PM option for Super Class but it was about $400HKD ($60USD) which I almost bought in desperation.  I inquired to see if I could take the ferry to Kowloon instead and there were still tickets available for the 10PM ferry.  I get back earlier, skip the Hong Kong Station and head directly into Kowloon which is closer to the Airport and also save some money/time.  It was a winning decision (the only one of the evening).

The only bad thing about this ferry was that I sat next to 2 annoying Singaporeans twenty year olds.  The guy kept snacking his lips and the girl kept winning about how seasick she was and how the ride took forever.  This was after she had snacked on Ribena currant juice and a can of Pringles chips.  By the time we landed and I went through immigrations, I had to ask on the best way to get to the MTR (metro) station.

I took the 215X bus to the nest station and paid $7HKD ($1USD) for the fare and it took about 5 minutes to get there.  I got to the station at about 11:30PM and was able to take the next Airport Express train back to HKIA without having to wait.  I arrived at about a little past midnight and there were a few people ahead of me trying to check in for my flight.  They were informed that check in had closed (especially since they needed to check luggage).

Since I already had my boarding passes, I headed to immigration and security check, which at this time of the day was almost a ghost town.  We were departing from gate 22 and I tried to access the Singapore Airlines Lounge, but they closed.  Thai Airways lounge was by gate 40 and United Club was near gate 60 and I decided both were too far since I flight was boarding within 10 minutes of me arriving at the gate area.

Applying for a HKIA frequent visitor card

I applied for a Hong Kong International Airport frequent visitor card last night.

Here are my Visa Stamps:

You can apply in one of the following ways:

1. Online
2. Complete and mail the application form to:
   The Administrator
   HKIA Frequent Visitor Channel
   Airport Authority Hong Kong
   HKIA Tower, 1 Sky Plaza Road
   Hong Kong International Airport, Lantau
   Hong Kong
3. Drop the completed form in the drop-in box located at our Customer Services Centre in the Departures Hall, between Aisle E and F of Terminal 1

Please enclose a photocopy of your current travel document, including the front page with your name and document number as well as the pages showing the record of your three most recent visits to Hong Kong in the past 12 months.  Applications are normally processed within eight weeks, subject to the accuracy and validity of information submitted. All documents of unsuccessful applications will be discarded after six months.

Terms and conditions

1. The HKIA Frequent Visitor Card is the property of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) and is issued under the terms and conditions hereunder. AAHK reserves the right not to issue HKIA Frequent Visitor Card to any applicant without assigning any reason therefor and to withdraw or cancel the card at any time without giving any notice or reason. AAHK also reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time without notice.
2. Approved holders of HKIA Frequent Visitor Card are eligible to use the HKIA Frequent Visitor Channel at the immigration halls at Hong Kong International Airport by presenting the HKIA Frequent Visitor Card to the designated staff thereat for validation.
3. The HKIA Frequent Visitor Card does not confer on the holder thereof any right of entry to or exit from Hong Kong. The holder's entry to or exit from Hong Kong is governed by the immigration laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as administered by the Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China (the Authority).
4. Eligibility to use the HKIA Frequent Visitor channel under the HKIA Frequent Visitor Card scheme does not constitute a waiver or exemption granted by the Authority to dispense with the entry clearance examination conducted of all visitors to Hong Kong. Holders of HKIA Frequent Visitor Cards are required to submit themselves to the Authority for entry clearance examination and processing of individual travel documents when using the HKIA Frequent Visitor channel as required.
5. The issue and / or use of the HKIA Frequent Visitor Card is without prejudice to the duties, functions and powers of the Authority or other relevant Government departments or agencies in the administration of the immigration laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or any related matters. The Authority is not obliged to provide a HKIA Frequent Visitor channel in the immigration halls at Hong Kong International Airport or to designate any immigration counter or channel for use by approved holders of HKIA Frequent Visitor Card, and the provision of these services is at the Authority's absolute discretion. Whether or not a HKIA Frequent Visitor channel is available, approved holders of HKIA Frequent Visitor Card may be required by the Authority to proceed to such place as the Authority thinks fit for the purpose of entry clearance examination.
6. The HKIA Frequent Visitor Card is non-transferable. The use of the HKIA Frequent Visitor Channel is restricted to the approved card holder only.
7. The personal data provided in the application form and the attachments will be used by the AAHK for one or more of the following purposes:
   1. to process the application;
   2. for research and statistical purposes; and
   3. for communicating news, information and other services that AAHK provides.
8. The provision of personal data in the application is voluntary. If the applicant does not provide sufficient information, the application may not be processed.
9. The applicant agrees that AAHK may disclose or transfer the personal data provided by the applicant to the Authority and / or other relevant departments of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and other internal departments of the AAHK.
10. AAHK shall not use the personal data collected for any purpose other than those stated in vii above.
11. Applicants can request access to and correction of their personal data as provided. Request can be emailed to "The Administrator, HKIA Frequent Visitor Channel" at fvc@hkairport.com.

Chasing the Airbus 380 and revisiting Hong Kong

I had no flight planned for the 2nd half of May and wanted to get away for a week.  I had a personal goal of flying more airlines this year and also finding award space on the Airbus 380.

For the Outbound flights I used 70,000 United MileagePlus miles for a First Class Star Alliance award to China. I have called United reservation too many times to make changed to my award travel but it is free each time to make a change due to my United Premier 1K status.

First I had this routing: DFW-ORD [United]  / ORD-MUC [Lufthansa] / MUC-BKK-CAN [Thai Airways]

Then I found award space on the mythical Airbus 380 and changed to this:  DFW-DEN [United] / DEN-FRA-NRT [Lufthansa] / NRT-CAN [All Nippon Airways] (with a 9 hour layover in Tokyo)

Then I found space on the PEK flight on Lufthansa and now have this routing currently:   DFW-FRA-PEK [Lufthansa] / PEK-CAN [Air China] with the domestic China flight in Economy seating since the next available flight in First Class was 4 hours later.  I get in 7 hours before the ANA flight from Tokyo.

Finally, I found space on a Lufthansa flight from Washington DC to Frankfurt and gets me in 1 hour earlier than the DFW flight and it is also on a Boeing 747 that has the possibility of featuring the New First Class (versus the old First Class with the small TV and blue  eats).  The only problem was that the DFW-IAD flight on United only had coach space available (note: 2 First Class upgrade space available).  I went with the United option instead of the First Class flights with connection through Charlotte on US Airways (one was on a regional jet). 

The next morning, I got an email from United to let me know that I was upgraded to First (due to my Chase United MilePlus Explorer Credit Card)!  The only thing is that I have a 6 hour layover in Washington DC... which is plenty of time to visit the United GlobalFirst Lounge and the Lufthansa Senator/Business Class lounge.  I will also get to board the plane directly from the Lufthansa Lounge. 



I am very excited about this opportunity to fly on the "whale of the sky" and hope I also snag a seat from SFO or JFK to FRA and get 2 rides on the A380 in one trip!

The return was an OneWorld Business Class redemption with 55,000 American Airlines miles.

It is on a combination of 3 OneWorld carriers: American Airlines (AA), Cathay Pacific (CX), and Japan Airlines (JL).  The flight path is HKG-NRT-LAX-DFW with all the flights departing and arriving on the same date.  I am excited to try out a new airline for me (Japan Airlines) as I have flown with their rival earlier this year All Nippon Airways (ANA).

On the HKG-NRT leg, it will be operated by a Cathay Pacific Airbus 330 plane with the old long-haul herringbone Business seating.  Cathay Pacific is known to swap aircrafts last minute so hopefully, it will not change as I have not experienced the herringbone seating yet.  It's betting than the 2-2-2 regional business class seating CX uses on some other routes.  Considering that this is an 4 hour premium market flight, I hope they use the long-haul Business Class seating.



On the NRT-LAX, it will be operated by a Boeing 700-300ER plane featuring the JAL Flat Shell NEO seating (2009 Good Design Awards winner) as is only used on the Tokyo to New York/Los Angeles/Chicago/Jakarta).  It looks very nice!  It is JAL's newest Executive (Business) Class seating. I got an aisle seat in the middle section of a 2-3-2 configuration.  It even features a snack bar area!  ot a bad way to spend 10 hours on a plane!

 

 I did request an Executive Platinum agent to ask and see if Revenue Management will release a First Class seat on my AA LAX-DFW flight since 16 out of 22 seats on the 757 is still available.  I should know in a few days to see if they will release a seat for me.  Otherwise I will have to stalk First Class availability daily until then.

I thought about switching to a direct CX nonstop flight to the US (either LAX/SFO/ORD/JFK) and then continue onwards to DFW on AA... but this routing will let me visit CX First Class lounge at Hong Kong, JL First Class Lounge at Tokyo-Narita, and AA First Class lounge at LAX.