NoNames Xmas Vacation 2: Some Things Old + Some Things New

[NoName]

Introductuon


Another Christmas school holidays done and dusted and so too is another NoName family vacation. Having returned from 4.5 weeks in North America and wanting to ensure I don’t receive any infractions for failing to complete the compulsory trip report, the writing has begun. Photos have been compiled and ready to be inserted in appropriate posts with the obvious aim of garnering a bunch of likes and the resulting boost to the cyber ego. All jokes aside, it’s a labour of love and I’m looking forward to reliving it over and over again. Without further ado, I give you…..


NoName’s Xmas Vacation 2: Some Things Old + Some Things New


Unlike last time there are no dramatic stories of covid induced trip delays. This trip was simply born out the amazing time we had galivanting around the Northern winter of 2022/23. We loved the excitement we all had in the cold and snow, even if we had been brutally uncomfortable at times. We’d had the trip of a lifetime with an extremely lucky 9 year old so we thought, why not do it all again…..with an 11 year old. Well not all of it, just some of it, and with a few new locations thrown in.

The basics were planned out in early 2023 almost as soon as we had returned from round 1. We knew we wanted to ski at Whistler again and we knew we wanted to experience the festive season in New York City again. So the basic start and finish were quickly locked in and planning to procure the required airline miles was underway. With this done we proceeded to add the inbetween locations as well. Some we had been to before and some were new to us, so a nice mix. The final itinerary looked like this:

• Sydney – 1 night
• Singapore – 3 nights
• New York City – 6 nights (2x 3 night stays)
• Boston – 3 nights
• Montreal – 4 nights (1x 3 nights + 1x1 night)
• Quebec City – 2 nights
• Vancouver – 4 nights
• Whistler – 6 nights
• Seattle – 2 nights

Since I had booked our flights for the previous trip its fair to say that the award landscape has changed somewhat. And so, finding suitable flights was going to be a much more challenging task than it had previously been. The goal was still to have all long haul travel in J or F, however this time we had come to the realisation that we would have to be open to a level of flexibility that we had not previously seriously considered – taking different flights. Ideally we would prefer to all travel together but when it came time to book, the reality was that it was not going to be possible. Despite having several potential options laid out, I was unable to find 3x J or F awards on any of them. Thankfully we were able to find options with 2 seats. We were going to be split up, but we would still be comfortable. Long hauls were booked and over the coming months the short hauls were too. The final flight itinerary was as follows:

• BNE-SYD – VA J
• SYD-SIN – SQ F – NoName
• SYD-SIN-SQ J – Mrs NoName + NoName Jnr
• SIN-HND-JFK – JL F – NoName
• SIN-FRA-JFK – Mrs NoName + NoName Jnr
• EWR-YUL – UA Y
• YUL-YVR – AC Y
• YVR-SEA – AC Y
• SEA-SIN-BNE – SQ J – Mrs NoName
• SEA-LAX – AS Y – NoName + NoName Jnr
• LAX-BNE – QF J – NoName + NoName Jnr

All flights were award bookings using QFF, VFF or Krisflyer.

The following months proved extremely challenging for the NoName family (a topic for another discussion…..maybe) and so the planning that took place provided welcome relief. As the year progressed the finer details began to take shape. Hotels, activities, other transport options were all booked and the pieces slowly fell into place. The school year rapidly came to a close and before we knew it we were packed and ready to go. The day finally arrived and we were off……..

 

[I love to travel]

Introductuon


Another Christmas school holidays done and dusted and so too is another NoName family vacation. Having returned from 4.5 weeks in North America and wanting to ensure I don’t receive any infractions for failing to complete the compulsory trip report, the writing has begun. Photos have been compiled and ready to be inserted in appropriate posts with the obvious aim of garnering a bunch of likes and the resulting boost to the cyber ego. All jokes aside, it’s a labour of love and I’m looking forward to reliving it over and over again. Without further ado, I give you…..


NoName’s Xmas Vacation 2: Some Things Old + Some Things New


Unlike last time there are no dramatic stories of covid induced trip delays. This trip was simply born out the amazing time we had galivanting around the Northern winter of 2022/23. We loved the excitement we all had in the cold and snow, even if we had been brutally uncomfortable at times. We’d had the trip of a lifetime with an extremely lucky 9 year old so we thought, why not do it all again…..with an 11 year old. Well not all of it, just some of it, and with a few new locations thrown in.

The basics were planned out in early 2023 almost as soon as we had returned from round 1. We knew we wanted to ski at Whistler again and we knew we wanted to experience the festive season in New York City again. So the basic start and finish were quickly locked in and planning to procure the required airline miles was underway. With this done we proceeded to add the inbetween locations as well. Some we had been to before and some were new to us, so a nice mix. The final itinerary looked like this:

• Sydney – 1 night
• Singapore – 3 nights
• New York City – 6 nights (2x 3 night stays)
• Boston – 3 nights
• Montreal – 4 nights (1x 3 nights + 1x1 night)
• Quebec City – 2 nights
• Vancouver – 4 nights
• Whistler – 6 nights
• Seattle – 2 nights

Since I had booked our flights for the previous trip its fair to say that the award landscape has changed somewhat. And so, finding suitable flights was going to be a much more challenging task than it had previously been. The goal was still to have all long haul travel in J or F, however this time we had come to the realisation that we would have to be open to a level of flexibility that we had not previously seriously considered – taking different flights. Ideally we would prefer to all travel together but when it came time to book, the reality was that it was not going to be possible. Despite having several potential options laid out, I was unable to find 3x J or F awards on any of them. Thankfully we were able to find options with 2 seats. We were going to be split up, but we would still be comfortable. Long hauls were booked and over the coming months the short hauls were too. The final flight itinerary was as follows:

• BNE-SYD – VA J
• SYD-SIN – SQ F – NoName
• SYD-SIN-SQ J – Mrs NoName + NoName Jnr
• SIN-HND-JFK – JL F – NoName
• SIN-FRA-JFK – Mrs NoName + NoName Jnr
• EWR-YUL – UA Y
• YUL-YVR – AC Y
• YVR-SEA – AC Y
• SEA-SIN-BNE – SQ J – Mrs NoName
• SEA-LAX – AS Y – NoName + NoName Jnr
• LAX-BNE – QF J – NoName + NoName Jnr

All flights were award bookings using QFF, VFF or Krisflyer.

The following months proved extremely challenging for the NoName family (a topic for another discussion…..maybe) and so the planning that took place provided welcome relief. As the year progressed the finer details began to take shape. Hotels, activities, other transport options were all booked and the pieces slowly fell into place. The school year rapidly came to a close and before we knew it we were packed and ready to go. The day finally arrived and we were off……..

Yes am completing a winter trip to the US so I can use up my points whilst you still can

 

[NoName]

Day 0



Hard to call this day 1 as it only really began at lunch time and was only really position for the main event anyway. So going with day 0. Sure, its technically a day but then this is a trip report, not a maths lesson.

Mrs NoName was still working until lunch time and while I was already done for the year and had the job of taking NoName Jnr to play half a club cricket game, torrential rain meant we ended up just hanging around home pestering her about when she would be done. Eventually 12pm did roll around and we took off. Earlier than originally planned but hey, excitement had gotten the better of us. Into the Aunt NoName express (thanks for the lift!) and 20 minutes later we were out of the car and making our way to the BNE domestic terminal.




Checked the bags quickly then looked to make our way to the VA lounge. As many know the terminal is a disaster zone with construction works wreaking havoc every way you look. After an aborted attempt to avoid the VA-end security check (QF end was just as crazy) we ended up just going the way we should always have gone. Line was short anyway so 10 minutes later we were sitting in the lounge having lunch.



Christmas time!




Have been here several times before but not reviewed it. I would put this in the standard VA lounge class. It’s a pleasant space with nice aesthetics, plenty of room and nice lighting.





There were a fairly small range of food options (standard) including wraps, cous cous, chicken and corn soup etc. Bar options were more than adequate with a few different beers plus the regular cheap domestic J lounge wine. We each had more or less the same sort of things, that being a wrap, some of the soup and some cheese and crackers. Had a couple of apple ciders as wasn’t too keen on beer at this stage and obviously the wine didn’t appeal. NoName Jnr began with what came to be a common beverage choice and had a hot chocolate despite the outside weather conditions.






My thoughts on the lounge are that it is pretty much what you would expect. It’s a pleasant space to spend time before a flight but I’m not rushing to spend hours here. Obviously though its much better than sitting out in the terminal.

We chilled out for a while and soon enough it was time to go to the gate for boarding. Ended up being a delay of about 45 minutes so we did end up getting that “standing around the terminal” experience too but nothing was going to upset us too much at this point. Eventually boarding did happen and on we went.

 

[NoName]

Day 0 – Continued…..



BNE-SYD
VA958
737-800
1A,1C & 1D


Our flights out of SYD had largely fallen in to place by the time the booking window opened for this flight so I snapped these up immediately at T-330-ish days. Was surprised to get J award seats for all three of us (only flight this ended up being possible) so a nice result there. Usually wouldn’t bother with J for a flight of this length however the larger baggage allowance was appealing given what we would be taking on a trip of this length. Cost for 3 PAX was 46,500 VA Pts + $137.49.

We may well have been the very first PAX on board, if not we were certainly close to it. So an idea of our excitement levels. We hopped on, got strapped in, had a forgettable PDB and then it was go time.




I mentioned the delay which was due to the inbound flight also being late and then some issues loading the catering. Original departure time was 3:05pm however we were in the air at 4:00pm. Seems whatever catering issues had come up were resolved because it wasn’t long until the service began. Options were spiced chicken & rice or tomato pesto with sliced chicken. I went for the former and it was ok. Nothing special. Chicken was nice and rice was just ok. A fairly mundane afternoon tea.




Short flight and as soon as we were up it seemed like we were coming down again. Arrived into SYD efficiently, off the plane and down to collect the bags. A tick for VA here as they appeared very quicky. I’d booked the Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport for our overnight accommodation. Price for a room with 2 queen beds was $209.79 which we were happy with.

Hotel is close enough to the domestic terminals to irritate even the nicest cab driver if you were to step into their vehicle, yet far enough away to provoke intense complaints from the other two NoNames. Quite the conundrum for me to be in this early in the trip. We walked. Dragged the three bags the maybe 800m around the streets of SYD but we were there pretty quickly in the end. Checked straight in, up to the room and after a quick snack we were into bed ready for next morning’s early start. The room was good for the price paid. Neat and tidy with enough space. Beds were ok. I would definitely stay here again under similar transit scenarios.

 

[GarrettM]

Photos have been compiled and ready to be inserted in appropriate posts with the obvious aim of garnering a bunch of likes and the resulting boost to the cyber ego.

Joke all you like but if it wasn't for cyber ego I would not have no ego at all.

 

[drron]

I once flew F and Mrsdrron flew J but it was a long time ago. It was the last BA BNE-SIN flight. Mrsdrron was on points and I had a paid J ticket. Ba took it upon themselves to upgrade me to F. Obviously was a no brainer as the Purser informed me only 2 in the F cabin were on paid tickets.
She did politely inform me that in future she would be in the F cabin and I in J.
So I think you have done very well.

 

[NoName]

I once flew F and Mrsdrron flew J but it was a long time ago. It was the last BA BNE-SIN flight. Mrsdrron was on points and I had a paid J ticket. Ba took it upon themselves to upgrade me to F. Obviously was a no brainer as the Purser informed me only 2 in the F cabin were on paid tickets.
She did politely inform me that in future she would be in the F cabin and I in J.
So I think you have done very well.

There was a reason for me being by myself on the way there (and as it turned out ending up in F) which I will explain when I get to that part of the report. But yes, Mrs NoName has since advised similar.