Trip Reports

Category Archives for Trip Reports.

My Biggest Travel Mistake and Most Embarrassing Moment, Plus a Review of the Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel

by Gary Leff on June 28, 2015

Jun 28 2015

I’ve always said if you’ve never missed a flight you spend too much time in airports. Usually the cost to miss a flight is relatively low but if you’re showing up early, each and every trip, you need to add up all that time… it’s a lot.

There are times when the cost of missing a flight can be much greater — like when you’re trying to fly from Australia to the U.S. and there just aren’t a lot of flights. And when you’re doing it on an award ticket in business class. You really do want to show up on time.

Review: Park Hyatt Sydney Opera Deluxe Room

by Gary Leff on June 27, 2015

Jun 27 2015

I stayed at the Park Hyatt Sydney back over Thanksgiving, having reserved the hotel before it went up to category 7. I had a decidedly mixed stay, largely colored by an insistence that if I wanted an Opera View room upgrade (not even an Opera Deluxe, let alone a suite) I would have to pay a $100 per night upcharge as a Gold Passport Diamond member.

That was all sorted at the end of the stay, and I was happy to return and give the hotel another shot. I was in Sydney for my cousin’s wedding, and the location of the hotel is actually perfect for me since it’s right by the ferries that take me out to the suburbs where they live.

Review: Virgin Australia Cairns Lounge and Business Class, Cairns – Sydney

by Gary Leff on June 16, 2015

Jun 16 2015

I love North Queensland, Australia but after just 3 nights I had to leave. That meant a stop at the Virgin Australia lounge in the Cairns airport and a business class flight (thanks to my Delta miles) Cairns – Sydney.

An Upgrade Meant for Someone Else.. Gets Me the Biggest Room I’ve Ever Seen at the Westin Stonebriar

by Gary Leff on June 7, 2015

Jun 07 2015

I needed to be in Dallas over the weekend, and more specifically I happened to need to be in Plano and I flipped a coin between the Hyatt House Plan and the Westin Stonebriar — which is to say I actually picked the Westin because it was cheaper.

Throughout the stay they seemed to think I was someone else. And that, apparently, got me an upgrade to the largest room I’ve ever seen.

Review: Virgin Australia Brisbane Lounge and Business Class, Brisbane – Cairns

by Gary Leff on June 6, 2015

Jun 06 2015

After arriving in Brisbane from Los Angeles, transferring to a domestic flight means proceeding through immigration, picking up baggage and walking it through customs, and then rechecking bags. It also means taking a bus to transfer to the domestic terminal and re-clearing security.

I had the chance to visit Virgin Australia’s domestic lounge in Brisbane, and take a short 862 mile flight from Brisbane to Cairns in business class. All in all, for what it is, I was impressed.

Sneak Preview: Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge Miami

by Gary Leff on June 3, 2015

Jun 03 2015

I had an opportunity to see American Express Centurion lounge Miami last night and try the food since I was invited to the pre-opening party there.

The food was outstanding, especially the beef short rib and the fried chicken. There’s a spa, a kids room, and shower room. And gorgeous floor to ceiling windows spanning much of the lounge that overlook airport operations.

For sheer contrast with the rest of the Miami airport, this lounge is an amazing respite and a real win now that it’s opened.

Review: Using Delta Miles for Virgin Australia Business Class, Los Angeles – Brisbane

by Gary Leff on May 31, 2015

May 31 2015

Virgin Australia is the best way to use miles for a premium cabin award between the US and Australia. They’re a Delta partner, and the product is super… and getting better.

Review: Virgin Australia’s Odd LAX Check-in and Star Alliance Business Class Lounge LAX

by Gary Leff on May 26, 2015

May 26 2015

I got to experience the strangest physical layout for a check-in experience I think I’ve come across — check in at one terminal, departure from a different terminal.

Virgin Australia uses the Star Alliance business class lounge, which features an outdoor deck and fire pits. A lovely way to start off a late night long haul departure…

Review: Hyatt’s Concourse Hotel, the Closest Hotel to LAX

by Gary Leff on May 25, 2015

May 25 2015

The Concourse Hotel used be the Radisson, is now managed by Hyatt, and is the closest property to LAX airport. It has a super-prompt and convenient shuttle. But man, does it need a refresh in at least the room I was assigned…

Review: Flying First Class (and Showering) Onboard Emirates A380 First Class, Dubai – Dallas

by Gary Leff on May 23, 2015

May 23 2015

Having flown Emirates first class onboard their Airbus A380, I can say it’s truly one of the best first class products in the world. The suite isn’t as spacious as Singapore’s or Etihad’s. But the service is good, the food is good, and despite the bling (there’s a *lot* going on, and a lot of *stuff* they give you) there’s substance to it too.

Most of all, they have the single greatest amenity ever introduced into an aircraft: two giant shower spas, with heated floors. Taking a shower in the sky prior to arrival can’t be beat!