Another Easy 2000 BMI bonus miles
Update ur email here, you will get 2000 bonus miles. However, the offer is targeted,but it doesn’t hurt to try and it only cost u less than 30 seconds.
Make sure to confirm the email in ur mailbox
join AA Dining network and get 1500 bonus miles after ur first Dine
If you are not member of AA dining network yet, here is a great opportunity to join. You will get 1500 bonus miles after ur first dine at participating restaurant before Nov 30th.
Delta 20K for Hair Loss Consultation posted
The miles for this promotion have posted to my and my wife account, it was very easy process. Check ur Delta account, it should be there now.
AA to start charging for challenges
According to One mile at a time, AA will start charging for challenges soon. $80 for Gold Challenge and $150 for Platinum
What is Challenge? It just a quick way to get AA elite status
check here
Le Meridien Shimei Bay Delayed Opening date!
Just got a email today from Revenue manager, the hotel opening will be delayed to Nov 7th due to Swimming Pool and water pressure issues and had re accommodate me to Sheraton Sanya with same rate. Too bad I don’t have a chance to stay at this property on its opening day.
Shimei Bay is a newly developed hotel zone located 150km north of Sanya, there will be lot of hotels open in next few years just like Yalong Bay hotel zone in Sanya and the first The Luxury Collection hotel in China-The Alhambra Resort & Spa-Shimei Bay will be opened next year.
TAM-Another Brazilian Carrier joined Star Alliance
Finally, TAM joined star alliance yesterday. After Varig went bankrupt and exited the star alliance few years ago, there was no south American Carrier in the Alliance, which made award redemption within south America on Lan airlines(one world) only. With this addition to the network, we will have more access to South American countries with our Star Allaince carriers miles
Great move!
Cash and Point redemption on SPG Specialty Rooms avaliable at selected locations
From now to Dec 21st, 2008, you can redeem Specialty Rooms including Suite at some SPG properties with Cash and Points option.
Here is the list of participating locations.
Hilton Rome Cavalieri rebrand Waldorf=Astoria Collection
Hilton Rome Cavalieri is one of the best Hilton hotel, although I have never stayed there, but I do heard so many good reviews for this hotel. Since the hotel rebrand as Waldorf=Astoria Collection, the points redemption will increase a lot. With old category 6, you only need 175,000 points for a 6 nights stay anytimel, but with Waldorf=Astoria Collection, you will need 265,000 for a 6 nights at this hotel during high season, which is from March 1st-Dec 31st.
Too bad I don’t have chance to stay at this hotel at current rate.
Park Hyatt Tokyo
We took Airport Limousine bus from NRT to Park Hyatt Tokyo. The cost is 3000 Yen each, but for extra 100 yen, you can get 1 day metro pass, so make sure to ask NRT bus ticket counter Metro pass combo.
The bus dropped us off at front entrance, there were several hotel employees waiting, then brought us to the hotel lobby, which is located on 41st floor. From 2nd-39th floor are office building with separate entrance, and a Japanese restaurant on 40th floor.
Front Entrance
After exit the elevator, there was a Lobby Lounge, then pass another western restaurant and library, we arrived lobby. There were only three desks like concierge desk in the lobby, so check process completed while sitting there.
Library
Lobby Lounge
Our room is on the 47th floor, the view is overlooking Shinjuku Park.
Hotel has Free shuttle every 20 mins to Shinjuku Station, you can take subway/JR from there or you can walk to lots of great places around that area.
I did not eat in hotel restaurants. With so many great Japanese restaurant downstairs, why bother to eat in the hotel.
The service was great, I left 2 laptop on Airport Limousine bus, but the front desk people found back for me after 2 hours. I think this hotel provided the best value for my Hyatt special promotional free nights certificate.
JAL New Executive Class
I took JFK-NRT on JL 5 about 1 month ago and the flight used new Executive class seats, which is called Shell Flat NEO.
Check in process at JFK was quick, since there is no one at Executive class line. It took us 5 mins then we headed to JAL Lounge. The lounge is not big, and I was busy in the computer room, so I did not take any picture. My wife did bring me some nice snacks and small noodle dish. The lounge is for JAL flights use only in the morning, then after 1:45pm, Lufthansa airline passengers start to use it.
Boarding process is quick with separate Business Class line and cabin is only about 1/4 full. the new JAL business class seats design, monitor size and IFE system, all are similar to Air China new business class.
JAL does not serve Pre-departure drink, I feel so thirsty while flight was waiting on runway due to air traffic control. The IFE system has bird eye’s view function, so you can see ground during takeoff /landing and view of city.
About 1 hour after departure, the lunch service started. I forget to grab a menu from the flight because I thought it will be available online. when I checked few days ago, online only has menu from Narita, not to Narita, here are some pictures.
The second meal on flight is also available any time after lunch service, choices include eel sushi, udon noodle, Soba, Pasta and more.Since I don’t drink alcohol, I did not pay attention on Wine list. I think they had 3 red wines, 2 white wines and lots of other Japanese alcohol.
The movie selections were not so good, at least for me because I have watched more than half of them before.
The seat was not very comfortable, maybe because of that 10 degree angle to 180 or a day time flight, but the food was great and so delicious. I think it’s still a great value for 180k miles for 2 people on their business class.
