Vacation
- My annual vacation to go home and visit parents, relatives
- Weather was hot in Taiwan as usual
- We took another 4 day trip to Singapore, which I'll blog in separate post
- Ella had a wonderful 2 months in Taiwan, having tons of fun with so many people (July to Sept, Y1M5~Y1M7)
- Hoping for another trip back this X'mas ($$$ flights)
- Many thanks to my dear wife Wendy for taking care of Ella "alone" for 2 months. It's no small task
- United Airlines
- Both ways I got 2 Meals + Snack on TPAC flights and lots of drinks. I was impressed as I thought US airlines have cut down
- Unfortunately we had a 2 hour delay at SFO, sitting on the plane waiting for them to fix the radio
- Star Alliance Silver
- At SFO United wouldn't do anything for me, but I lucked out in Economy+ as my 31J was Y in old seat map but Y+ in new 772 3-3-3 layout.
- At TPE the ground staff recognized my Silver status and upgraded me to Economy+ all the way, and I had middle seat empty for TPE-NRT, and whole row to myself NRT-IAD). Shocking UA804 NRT-IAD was 30% loaded, where everyone in E+ has a row to themselves and Y wasn't full either
- Half-way to my Star Alliance Gold (via Aegean airlines A3 program) now
- NEXUS/Global Entry
- Saved me great time at IAD and YYZ immigration (I passed immigration in 1 minutes at both), only so that I wait 20 minutes at baggage :(
- For Global Entry, remember to choose "Visitor" even if you're transit via US; otherwise you'll need to see Passport control and get inspected @@
- If you opt out for full-body scanner like I did at SFO, you may get a male "complete" pat-down ... not the old metal detector
- Priority Pass for lounges
- US Domestic lounges (SFO, IAD) still suck, with the same snack/mixed nuts
- Asia lounges (NRT, SIN, TPE) are much better on hot food
- NRT United Club food is average (sushi are tasteless and no real good food), but I did use 1 shower room (out of 13) to freshen up
- Park N' Fly Airport Valet Parking
- First time using Valet parking and I paid $100+tax for 17 days (same rate for 7~30 days with this coupon)
- Check-in & check-out was very quick using kiosks (remember to enter the coupon code). My car only added 3 km during the stay and I took out all valuables just in case.
- 中國信託 信用卡出國機場免費停車
- China Trust credit card offers 2 free airport parking (up to 7 days each) per year and we parked for 4 days this time. Saving of $500 NT
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