Erk's 2014 Pacamerican Circle

[erkpod]

While I'm not flying Air France's A380, my SQ version is at the gate next door.

There's a big difference between the plane I'm about to get & the plane I was on this morning.

 

[erkpod]

43 days in America & happy to be starting the next bit of the adventure at TBIT.





Based on the DRW running Vlounge joke, here's me sitting in the Vlounge you'll get allocated if flying SQ.



Gate display



Y waiting pen.

 

[smit0847]

Correct. But the VA partnership with SQ only allows for access to SQ owned lounges when flying with SQ.

That's interesting - I did not know that. That's an odd quirk in LAX if you're flying SQ Y - there's a *A lounge and a VA lounge but you can't access either!

I'm surprised the VA Lounge doesn't allow VA status pax flying on partners airlines (SQ, NZ, DL, EY etc)

 

[rogerkambah]

I went to In N Out. Now back at LAX & have been denied entry into the *A lounge at TBIT because I'm not flying VA & am flying Y on SQ.

Very impressive pics to show you went to In N Out.

 

[erkpod]

That's interesting - I did not know that. That's an odd quirk in LAX if you're flying SQ Y - there's a *A lounge and a VA lounge but you can't access either!

I'm surprised the VA Lounge doesn't allow VA status pax flying on partners airlines (SQ, NZ, DL, EY etc)

Once the lounge angels in America figure out the the VFF card is for VA & not VX or VS, I've been allowed entry into any DL lounge I've passed through.

I remember the recent emails from VFF promoting the fact that VFF status holders can use the *A lounge at TBIT when flying VA & assumed it would be fine flying SQ also.

But as confirmed by VA on Twitter, it's no dice, Chicago.

 

[cove]

I loved the "Wayne's World" picture spot you had at the burger place. In-N-Out is a very low cost ,very fresh and reasonable place with the planes doing low passes overhead. Thanks for doing the pictures and I hope many in AFF land get to see them.
The lounges at TBIT are ok but we ended up being there too long due to a plane running late. It is better to do something outside if you have enough spare hours. You do need SQ status or SQ J /First/Suites ticket to do their lounges.

 

[erkpod]

This photo I took of the plane through the glass at NRT on arrival sums up my early view of Japan - so much going on. Despite that, I made it from plane to train in just over an hour.




I am now in another world - I am in Japan. It's my second time here - let's see what happens this time!

I managed to navigate my way from NRT to my hotel here in Shinjuku. Because of the time of evening I arrived:



Skyliner from NRT to Nippori



JR East Green line Nippori to Shinjuku



Tokyo Metro one stop on the E line (E1 to E2). I'm not even going to try to spell those station names without a map in front of me. This trip could possibly have been avoided if I was HLO.

 

[erkpod]

On the SQ A380 during boarding at LAX. The couple in the row next to me became my reculant seat buddies - the husband sat in the wrong seats & had a bit of a sookylala when an FA told him that he was in the wrong row.









Here's the reason I didn't go online during the trip. Check out those prices & data limits!

 

[TomVexille]

That's interesting - I did not know that. That's an odd quirk in LAX if you're flying SQ Y - there's a *A lounge and a VA lounge but you can't access either!

I'm surprised the VA Lounge doesn't allow VA status pax flying on partners airlines (SQ, NZ, DL, EY etc)

Acually no VA lounge at LAX. There is a VX lounge in T3, however with VA now departing from TBIT, it is only available when flying VX.

And I do agree it's odd. If VA want to be taken seriously, they need to sort out these little issues with their partners. Or just join an alliance (hopefully Star )

 

[markis10]

Acually no VA lounge at LAX. There is a VX lounge in T3, however with VA now departing from TBIT, it is only available when flying VX.

And I do agree it's odd. If VA want to be taken seriously, they need to sort out these little issues with their partners. Or just join an alliance (hopefully Star )

Hardly odd given SQs treatment of partners aka access to SK, and joining an Alliance may not help given OWE dont have access to associated lounges as an example.

 

[Magpie10]

Just want to say what a great TR Erk have been eagerly awaiting each post and photos, can't wait to see your report on your next leg, gotta love AFF's they sure know how to post great photos and TR's. V

 

[TomVexille]

Hardly odd given SQs treatment of partners aka access to SK, and joining an Alliance may not help given OWE dont have access to associated lounges as an example.

True, SQ is pretty strict on things like that. VA's problem is that most of their partnerships are limited to certain routes and status benefits can be pretty limited. There is a real lack of consistancy once you start flying with their partners.

 

[erkpod]

True, SQ is pretty strict on things like that. VA's problem is that most of their partnerships are limited to certain routes and status benefits can be pretty limited. There is a real lack of consistancy once you start flying with their partners.

Even when one is 100% sure that one does have access, it is sometimes up to how assertive one is when it comes to standing up to the lounge/check-in staff.

The knowledge of VA/VFF by staff in the US isn't great in my experience with the partner airlines. So if the person says "No" and you know they should be saying "Yes", make sure that (for instance) they aren't confusing you for a VS pax.

 

[TomVexille]

Even when one is 100% sure that one does have access, it is sometimes up to how assertive one is when it comes to standing up to the lounge/check-in staff.

The knowledge of VA/VFF by staff in the US isn't great in my experience with the partner airlines. So if the person says "No" and you know they should be saying "Yes", make sure that (for instance) they aren't confusing you for a VS pax.

Totally agree. Plenty of reports on FT of people needing to carry around a printout ot the Star Alliance Lounge Access rules to get into a lounge they are entitled to.

 

[erkpod]

Thursday 14 February
Day 45
Shinjuku, Tokyo

On the weekend, Tokyo metro had the first severe heavy snow warning for 13 years.

Imagine my surprise right now when I discovered it is snowing. I didn't keep a close eye on the forecast over the last few days but I knew that it could be cold enough.

So I took some shots through the hotel room window.





Then I discovered I could open the window.







If Japan wasn't interesting enough, it just got more interesting.

 

[erkpod]

Holy cough!

I haven't been in Japan much more than over 12 hrs & already my SC from my SQ flight LAX - NRT has credited with 80SC. Woohoo!

I've got 5 SC to requalify SG & I've got 225 SC to get WP.

I've still got to chase the ORC for SEA - SLC - PHX otherwise all my SC have been credited.

 

[gwilli1]

Thats a light " dusting" of snow , compared to watch you experienced in the US

Thursday 14 February
Day 45
Shinjuku, Tokyo

On the weekend, Tokyo metro had the first severe heavy snow warning for 13 years.

Imagine my surprise right now when I discovered it is snowing. I didn't keep a close eye on the forecast over the last few days but I knew that it could be cold enough.

So I took some shots through the hotel room window.

View attachment 24803

View attachment 24804

Then I discovered I could open the window.

View attachment 24806

View attachment 24808

View attachment 24809

If Japan wasn't interesting enough, it just got more interesting.

 

[Hvr]

Am looking forward to the Japan part of this TR as well.

Re snow in Tokyo, I was there in 2008 and there was a fairly heavy snow fall on a Sunday. Great for tourists and not much traffic. It even delayed the intercity trains by about five minutes and on the news that evening there were apologies from senior management of the train company.

Never happen here, they would blame everybody but their failure to plan/manage.

 

[smit0847]

I was in Tokyo 3 weeks ago and there wasn't a hint of snow!

 

[serfty]

Even when one is 100% sure that one does have access, it is sometimes up to how assertive one is when it comes to standing up to the lounge/check-in staff.

The knowledge of VA/VFF by staff in the US isn't great in my experience with the partner airlines. So if the person says "No" and you know they should be saying "Yes", make sure that (for instance) they aren't confusing you for a VS pax.

One thing Velocity have done right (recently) is be very specific regarding access to lounges - I recommend everyone who considers they may have access to lounges during their Velocity Elite travels check this page:

Lounge Access with Velocity Membership | Velocity Frequent Flyer

In relation to SQ ex LAX:

[TABLE="class: grid, width: 100%, align: center"]
[TR]
[TH="class: first"]Airline[/TH]
[TH]Access Entitlement[/TH]
[TH]Conditions of entry[/TH]
[TH]Lounge Locations[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Virgin Australia operated
International Long Haul
flights - ex Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD]Star Alliance Lounge[/TD]
[TD] You and a guest on presentation of
membership card and boarding pass
for same day departure on a Virgin
Australia operated flight.


Platinum members are entitled to
access the First Class Star Alliance
lounge with one guest.[/TD]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Singapore Airlines[/TD]
[TD] KrisFlyer Gold Lounges at
Changi Airport, Singapore




SilverKris Lounges worldwide,
outside of Singapore^^[/TD]
[TD] You and a guest on presentation of
membership card and boarding pass
for same day departure in Economy
Class on Singapore Airlines operated
flights.

You and a guest on presentation of
membership card and boarding pass
for same day departure on Singapore
Airlines operated flights.[/TD]
[TD]View Locations[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Clicking the "View Locations" : for the SQ SilverKris lounges shows there are none at LAX: Worldwide SilverKris Lounges