US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

[MEL_Traveller]

ndiddy is correct. if the offerings at Munich and dusseldorf are anything to go by, the LH biz class lounge will be pretty ordinary

 

[anat0l]

So here's the question, I fly into bkk in TG F and depart 6 hours later in TG J .... I assume a buggy and PA will meet n greet and take me to a lounge, which one will it be? and secondly, depending on the lounge access I assume the spa treatment will be based on that ie 30m for J, 90m for F

I think that TG will greet you with a buggy service when you land in BKK, especially since you land in F.

As for the lounge, my guess is you'll only have access to the Royal Orchid, not Royal First. Seems the case with *A almost all over, onward flight determines you access. For spa treatment you'll have access to the short services (J class).

And another one, I land into FRA with OZ F and depart hours later in LH J to a land with lots of canals and 'coffee shops' ... again which lounge/s will I have access to?

You'll have access to LH's Business Lounges. Unless you are Star Alliance Gold, I am fairly certain that your J ticket will only get you into Business Lounges only, not Senator Lounges. Some of the lounge staff may overlook this.

Since your flight is a Schengen flight (how did I guess that? :mrgreen, from my educated guessing you will be in Terminal 1 Pier A (or transferring to it). Lufthansa's website gives the location of a Business Lounge at gate A26. I wouldn't expect too much - a few seats (dull colours, possibly shabby leather), some snacks (salad, cold cuts, bretzen), decent beer (hopefully!) and the like. Probably no complimentary wireless internet and fairly restrictive computer terminals (with German keyboards, of course, which aren't too different except I think the Z and Y keys are interchanged). Still more comfy than outside and at least grab yourself a few nibbles and collapse in a chair - more than adequate and still beats the hell out of the lounges in the USA except for the lack of free wifi.

As far as I can gather you won't be able to access the other Business Lounges in Terminal 1 since your flight is Schengen. For example, to access the Tower Lounge in Pier Z, you'll need to clear outbound immigration (not required for Schengen).

 

[Alanslegal]

Not sure about the buggy but I would have assumed that it would as you are an arriving F passenger which is what the service is for. You have access to the Royal Orchid Spa but only have the 30 min of either a Neck/Shoulder massage OR a Foot Massage.

I think that TG will greet you with a buggy service when you land in BKK, especially since you land in F.

As for the lounge, my guess is you'll only have access to the Royal Orchid, not Royal First. Seems the case with *A almost all over, onward flight determines you access. For spa treatment you'll have access to the short services (J class).

Thanks and thanks I guess I knew that the onward flight will at the minimum give lounge access, but was thinking/hoping that maybe my arrivals with TG F would somehow give me extra brownie points to access the Royal F Lounge .... maybe I'll ask the driver to head straight to the F lounge instead and try my luck

And thanks about the info at FRA. Its not too long of a stopover so whatever is closest is likely to be fine.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks and thanks I guess I knew that the onward flight will at the minimum give lounge access, but was thinking/hoping that maybe my arrivals with TG F would somehow give me extra brownie points to access the Royal F Lounge .... maybe I'll ask the driver to head straight to the F lounge instead and try my luck

And thanks about the info at FRA. Its not too long of a stopover so whatever is closest is likely to be fine.

you are permitted access to the f lounge in Bangkok if you arrive on thai F and your onward flight is on Thai business class because your connection only offers two classes. (for example, syd-bkk-sgn allows you access into F lounge for the connection). of course this doesn't apply if you arrive or depart on other star alliance airlines in bkk.

otherwise outbound ticket determines class of lounge.

(so actually, just looking at your itinerary again, if you are connecting to Seoul and the soeul flight isnonly two class then you should be fine. just make sure you have your inbound boarding pass and show it at the same time as the business class one)

edited to add... even with access to the f lounge based on the connection, you don't get access to the hour long spa, only the 30 minute!

 

[Alanslegal]

you are permitted access to the f lounge in Bangkok if you arrive on thai F and your onward flight is on Thai business class because your connection only offers two classes. (for example, syd-bkk-sgn allows you access into F lounge for the connection). of course this doesn't apply if you arrive or depart on other star alliance airlines in bkk

....

edited to add... even with access to the f lounge based on the connection, you don't get access to the hour long spa, only the 30 minute!

Thanks for the info

 

[burmans]

There have been two so far this year. In January it was buy up to 50,000 points at half price (which is not quite as good as 100% bonus) and this month its an offer for holders of US Airways credit cards.

What I really want is a 100% transfer bonus!

 

[bcworld]

What I really want is a 100% transfer bonus!

A la Nov/Dec 2009 - simultaneous 100% on buy, share & gift!

 

[burmans]

A la Nov/Dec 2009 - simultaneous 100% on buy, share & gift!

That would be good but with the share (at 100% bonus) working out at 1cpm it's the best value of all. Though of course you are usually limited to about 50K.

 

[Alanslegal]

28 hours since leaving my apartment in Sydney I am currently at ICN and half way to Europe. The 7.5hr transit in BKK yesterday allowed me to leave my carry-ons at the Royal First Lounge and then sneak out to Bangkok city, where I spent the later afternoon at Terminal 21 shopping mall, had an aromatherapy massage and then back to the airport. Later on the red-eye to ICN was 4h 35minutes and I am feeling the effects of the prolonged travel period. I have flown a few indirect flights in the past (MNL-HKG-BKK-SYD instead of MNL-SYD for example) and and the routing SYD-BKK-ICN-FRA-AMS, which at the time of booking was a cool idea, is now something I wish I should have not done. 28hrs so far + 3hrs more in my current ICN OZ F Lounge + 13hrs FRA-AMS + 4hrs FRA transit + 1.5hrs FRA-AMS + travel to the hotel (say 0.5hrs) = 50 hours of travel time. Ouch! :-|

 

[MEL_Traveller]

28 hours since leaving my apartment in Sydney I am currently at ICN and half way to Europe. The 7.5hr transit in BKK yesterday allowed me to leave my carry-ons at the Royal First Lounge and then sneak out to Bangkok city, where I spent the later afternoon at Terminal 21 shopping mall, had an aromatherapy massage and then back to the airport. Later on the red-eye to ICN was 4h 35minutes and I am feeling the effects of the prolonged travel period. I have flown a few indirect flights in the past (MNL-HKG-BKK-SYD instead of MNL-SYD for example) and and the routing SYD-BKK-ICN-FRA-AMS, which at the time of booking was a cool idea, is now something I wish I should have not done. 28hrs so far + 3hrs more in my current ICN OZ F Lounge + 13hrs FRA-AMS + 4hrs FRA transit + 1.5hrs FRA-AMS + travel to the hotel (say 0.5hrs) = 50 hours of travel time. Ouch! :-|

yes... but it would be 10 times worse do it in business class with an angled bed rather than full flat!! at least you will sleep well on the trip to fra, OZ F is one of the best out there. the tattainger comptes de champagne is yummy

Given your itinerary is tiring in First, I really really can't understand why some people insist on similar itineraries in business class just to maximise their miles... there comes a point where no amount of cheap champagne and angled beds makes up for just getting to where you need to go! (the only exception to the most direct routing of course is if there just are no award seats available, but there really are so many people who think the more flights in busness the better...)

I recommend a 30 minute snooze in the massage chairs in the F lounge if you haven't already found them

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Good luck Alan!

Any feedback on OZ F would be great.

 

[Alanslegal]

yes... but it would be 10 times worse do it in business class with an angled bed rather than full flat!! at least you will sleep well on the trip to fra, OZ F is one of the best out there. the tattainger comptes de champagne is yummy

Given your itinerary is tiring in First, I really really can't understand why some people insist on similar itineraries in business class just to maximise their miles... there comes a point where no amount of cheap champagne and angled beds makes up for just getting to where you need to go! (the only exception to the most direct routing of course is if there just are no award seats available, but there really are so many people who think the more flights in busness the better...)

I recommend a 30 minute snooze in the massage chairs in the F lounge if you haven't already found them

Yep I have found them and will be visiting them soon, with a few packets of Hagen Daz ice cream to cool my taste buds

And that's where I agree to all your points. The idea to maximise one's routing sounds good and/or fun in theory but then when the day comes to actual flying, those extra hours inside a plane, waiting for the plane, worrying about how much more food one can stuff in their stomach, is not worth it. It might be a good idea for the first time flyer to experience it all but a regular flyer won't find that excitement or buzz anymore, and maybe I'm falling into the latter category.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I agree.....
If chasing status, it might be a different story, but using US Airways promo to get from A-B-C (SYD-Asia-Europe), l don't see going to D and E is really worth it.

 

[anat0l]

It comes down more to how you plan yourself around the flying which you do.

For BKK-ICN (which I will be doing as well, funny enough a very similar schedule to Alanslegal), focus is on sleep and nothing more. Better to blow off the meals, except maybe a quick bite when you touch down in ICN. I definitely would've tried to take it easy in BKK, but if you're going to be on the go, then you should expect you'll crash at some point (all in the planning).

Long hauls are always a better chance to get some sleep. I also tend to minimise alcohol intake as I get more tired, as it doesn't feel the same and not so enjoyable (e.g. I take half or even less sized pours). Green tea helps things a lot.

 

[anat0l]

I agree.....
If chasing status, it might be a different story, but using US Airways promo to get from A-B-C (SYD-Asia-Europe), l don't see going to D and E is really worth it.

Only to get an alternative carrier. Like Alanslegal I want to try OZ F too, and no better way to do it than to fly out of the carrier's hub (as is applicable with almost any carrier).

 

[Alanslegal]

For BKK-ICN (which I will be doing as well, funny enough a very similar schedule to Alanslegal), focus is on sleep and nothing more. Better to blow off the meals, except maybe a quick bite when you touch down in ICN. I definitely would've tried to take it easy in BKK, but if you're going to be on the go, then you should expect you'll crash at some point (all in the planning).

Long hauls are always a better chance to get some sleep. I also tend to minimise alcohol intake as I get more tired, as it doesn't feel the same and not so enjoyable (e.g. I take half or even less sized pours). Green tea helps things a lot.

BKK-ICN tried to sleep as best as I could for the 4.5hr flight duration including ignoring all meals [two servings - light snack and breakfast - are served!] I just couldn't get comfortable on those J angled seats. In fact, I find it difficult to get comfy on any angled flat seat.

I can't skip the alcohol, it's on offer and I blindly accept and I'll be awaiting that elusive Taittinger that MEL_Traveller recommends for my next flight 1h 30mins away!

 

[anat0l]

BKK-ICN tried to sleep as best as I could for the 4.5hr flight duration including ignoring all meals [two servings - light snack and breakfast - are served!] I just couldn't get comfortable on those J angled seats. In fact, I find it difficult to get comfy on any angled flat seat.

Helps when one has the ability to sleep in most places

Having had the experience with QF Skybed Mk I as well as the old UA 772 J, TG's angled flat seat was a piece of cake. Heck, I could even sleep quite well on DJ's A332 angled leather seats!

I can't skip the alcohol, it's on offer and I blindly accept and I'll be awaiting that elusive Taittinger that MEL_Traveller recommends for my next flight 1h 30mins away!

Is your next flight in F?


Too bad the alcohol didn't actually make you "blind"*, as sleeping would be a very easy task.


* of course not literal

 

[MEL_Traveller]

BKK-ICN tried to sleep as best as I could for the 4.5hr flight duration including ignoring all meals [two servings - light snack and breakfast - are served!] I just couldn't get comfortable on those J angled seats. In fact, I find it difficult to get comfy on any angled flat seat.

I can't skip the alcohol, it's on offer and I blindly accept and I'll be awaiting that elusive Taittinger that MEL_Traveller recommends for my next flight 1h 30mins away!

in cases where I am ultra tired I like to board as early as possible... get a few drinks in of the good stuff, and as soon as seat belt sign is off they make your bed while you change into your jammies and then off to sleep!

have a good flight!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Helps when one has the ability to sleep in most places

Having had the experience with QF Skybed Mk I as well as the old UA 772 J, TG's angled flat seat was a piece of cake. Heck, I could even sleep quite well on DJ's A332 angled leather seats!



Is your next flight in F?


Too bad the alcohol didn't actually make you "blind"*, as sleeping would be a very easy task.


* of course not literal

I'm with alanslegal on this one... angled lie flats, with the exception of the new sq regional... cannot sleep. I'd rather have a cradle seat if that's the case! (the two most comfortable cradle seats have been the old regional sq F and of all airlines, Sri lankan business class!)

 

[Alanslegal]

the flight board says Go To Gate .... so see ya later everyone, i'm anticipating v good things with OZ F