So Giddy that I can't Sleep!

One week from tomorrow I will embark on another First Class Trip, this time on Cathay Pacific. I am making the trip to visit family back in Shanghai. Also, I will be making a side trip to Seoul, visiting my classmates who are doing an exchange program at Seoul National University.

I will be flying Asiana on my PVG-ICN-PVG leg and while in Seoul I will be staying once again at the Westin Chosun.

But, I still have 1 long week ahead of me where I have to attend one more 8hr OPs class and a final exam before I get to enjoy my sanctuary 35,000 feet up in the air in Cathay First.

My Summer Travel Plans

Although I lost a great SPG transfer partner in Air Canada today, this predicament allows me to place my focus on AA award redemptions. American is also a transfer partner of SPG and recently I just booked my summer trip to Shanghai using 135k AA miles transfered in from SPG. I will be flying Cathay and Dragon Air in First Class, experiencing the award winning service of Cathay Pacific. After a quick and painless call to AAdvantage Mileage Redemption, my itinerary was confirmed as follows.

LAX-HKG-PVG-HKG-SFO-LAX

I will be sampling Cathay's F product on both the 773 and the 744. I am super excited!

Another option I am considering in the future is to use ANA as a transfer partner for SPG Points. ANA miles can be used for flights on Malaysia Airlines, Etihad and Virgin Atlantic

So, although I am devastated by the changes made at Aeroplan, this gives me an opportunity to explore other programs using SPG points.

Sad day for award redemption

Sad to say, the days of awesome mileage redemptions on Aeroplan are over. Today, they just raised most redemptions by at least 25%, my favorite redemption 120k in First to as far as Singapore went from 120k to 175k, almost a 46% hike. This was the redemption I used for my mini Round The World trip to Seoul and Singapore I took back in January. Sadly no more.

There is however still some decent value to be had with the 90k redemption to most of Europe in business. Such awards also allow 2 stopovers along the way. I guess I will burn the rest of my Aeroplan miles on a mini vacation to Europe this winter.

Highlights from my First Class Experience to Asia

This past Holiday season, I embarked on a trip of a lifetime, sampling First/Business products from the likes of United, Turkish, Singapore and Air China. This was all done using 120,000 Aeroplan miles transferred from SPG account. Here is the summary of the whole trip...

My routing-SNA-SFO-ICN-PEK-HKG-SIN-HKG-IST-JFK-LAX

The final destination being SIN with a stopover in Seoul. I just love the flexibility of Aeroplan Awards.

Some photos from the SFO-ICN Leg...

United First Class Lounge at SFO

The Seat

Had Sea Bass for Dinner

Westin Chosun and scenes from around Seoul...

My Welcome Message at the Westin Chosun

Toiletries at the Westin

Giant Dumplings...

Giant Dumplings

Gyeonbok Palace

$65 piece of meat

Myeongdong

Air China PEK-HKG and around Hong Kong & Singapore...

Air China Business Class Product on A-330

Mhhhh, was able to stop for some BBQ Pork thanks to United's 3hr delay

Chicken Rice vs BBQ Pork? Close call...but I would still take BBQ Pork

Singapore Sling on SQ

Another glass of bubbly

Fried Noodles on SQ

The experience of the lifetime! Turkish First Class Suites!!!

The Suites

The Caviar Tower

PJs

Seat fit for a King

The PJs

Seat Controls

Dinner on TK

Seats on United PS First

Hong Kong

This is long overdue but here are some shots from the trip I took to Hong Kong back in October...

Liver Porridge

Me picking the claypot clean

Conrad Ducky

Conrad Welcome Gift

Foggy Skyline

Finalized Trip to Asia

I waited and waited but it like Asiana will not be releasing any F availability on LAX-ICN...So here is my final itinerary... Not perfect but perfectly acceptable.

• SNA-SFO in United First (320)
• SFO-ICN in United First (744)
• ICN-PEK in Air China Business (738)
• PEK-HKG in Air China Business (333)
• HKG-SIN in United First (744)

• SIN-HKG in Singapore Business(772)
• HKG-IST in Turkish First(77W)
• IST-JFK in Turkish First(77W)
• JFK-LAX in United PS First(757)

Not bad for 120,000 Aeroplan miles plus $110 in taxes. I will get the opportunity to sample Turkish's wet leased 77W from Jet Airways, with its First Class Suite before they are returned to Jet. Also United PS, and United 747 First.

Shopping and Family Gathering

We had some time before dinner so my brother Tommy and I decided to check out Huaihai Rd. Huaihai Rd is another busy shopping street stretching over 5 miles. Unlike Nanjing Rd, Huaihai rd features more upscale western shops ranging from Gucci to Zara.

Typical Mall in Shanghai

Huaihai Rd

Welcome to Shanghai?

Brightly lit Highway Overpass

Are we entering the Twilight Zone? No, its Barbie World!

If 2 guys going shopping wasn't gay enough, Tommy and I decided to step inside the Barbie World. This 5 story monstrosity is filled with Barbie Dolls, Accessories and even a Cafe!

Barbie Dolls lining the spiral staircase

Woo, shinyyy

Barbies from around the world

Pink is my favorite color

Who's that girl? haha

We were even able to catch a fashion show

In typical chinese fashion, family picture in front of the dinner table.