Takeoff To Travel, Author at TravelUpdate

Wow! Norwegian Airlines Surprises Me with a Refund

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Jul 8, 2020 | Airlines, Commentary, Uncategorized | 2

Background on Norwegian Airlines Refund: Back in January, I booked a July Trip to Europe. One of the legs was from London Gatwick to Boston in Norwegian Airlines’ Premium Economy Cabin, which I was very excited to try. As we all know, the COVID-19 situation got worse, and I pretty much knew by March that I wouldn’t be taking this trip even if things started improving. I wanted to wait for the flight to get cancelled by the airline because if I proactively cancelled, I would only be eligible for a travel voucher. Norwegian Bankruptcy, Cuts Services: Norwegian was...

First Vegas Buffet to Reopen This Thursday

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Jun 15, 2020 | Hotels, News, Uncategorized | 0

The Las Vegas Review Journal reported today that The Buffet at Wynn is scheduled to reopen this Thursday, June 18th, being the first buffet on the Las Vegas Strip to announce reopening since all resort buffets were closed due to COVID-19 concerns. A New Way to Buffet: The buffet will now be more like a hybrid of a traditional full-service restaurant with the experience of an all you can eat buffet. In the news release, Wynn stated that now the buffet dishes will be brought by servers, where guests will order from a menu. Guests will have the ability...

American AAdvantage Awards Online Cancellation Not Working

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Apr 30, 2020 | Airlines, Loyalty Programs | 2

BACKGROUND: So last week American apparently simplified the refund process to cancel American AAdvantage award tickets. Instead of having to call, they made it easier stating that miles will automatically be reinstated within 48 hours of cancelling your trip online. Currently, this is valid for tickets purchases through May 31, 2020, and for travel through September 30, 2020. American Airlines says it only works for these circumstances: The reservation is for a single passenger American Airlines flights only The traveler and the AAdvantage member whose miles were redeemed are the same The ticket was purchased directly with American in...

My Tour of UCLA’s New 4 Star Hotel On Campus

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Feb 13, 2020 | Hotels, Reviews and Reports, Uncategorized | 2

Background: The 4 star UCLA Luskin Hotel and Conference Center is located right on the heart of UCLA’s campus. Being in the Westside of Los Angeles, it’s quite convenient to many LA hotspots like Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. It opened in 2016 when I was just a freshman and I’ve never been inside of it despite passing it almost every day on my walks to class. I decided to tour it, and boy was it nice! If only my dorm room was this hotel (kidding!) 🙂 The Lobby: The lobby is quite grand and welcoming, with the restaurant...

Review: Crowne Plaza Seattle Downtown

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Jan 19, 2020 | Hotel Reviews, Hotels | 0

Background: I visited Seattle for a work conference last month, and I was booked at the Crowne Plaza Seattle Downtown. The last Crowne Plaza I stayed at was at Atlanta Airport and I had a pretty bad experience there. Thankfully, this stay was a lot better than that one, but the Crowne Plaza Seattle still had some flaws. Check-In: I asked for the highest floor possible at check in, which turned out to be a blessing and a curse. The nice front desk agent said there was a room on the top floor available (34th floor). But, little did...

Review: Sheraton Grand Seattle Hospitality Suite

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Jan 18, 2020 | Hotel Reviews, Hotels | 0

Background: After my work trip to Seattle, I decided to stay a few days afterwards to visit friends. My friend and I are were debating between staying at the W Seattle or the Sheraton Grand Seattle as the prices were similar, but the Sheraton would have club lounge access with Platinum Elite status. So we opted for the Sheraton! There are only 7 Sheratons in North America with the “Grand” designation, and I haven’t stayed at one before so I was excited to try it. Check- In: My friend tried applying a Suite Night Award, but we didn’t receive...

Review: The Club at SEA South Satellite

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Jan 17, 2020 | Lounge Reviews, Reviews and Reports | 0

Background: Before my Delta flight from Seattle back to Orange County, I decided to stop by the Club at SEA, at the South Satellite Terminal to relax. I got to the airport around 2pm for my 3:40pm flight, but sadly my flight was delayed an hour. More lounge time I guess! Access: The Club at SEA, South Satellite is part of Priority Pass. I gained access with my Hilton AMEX Aspire Credit Card, but there are many other cards that offer a Priority Pass membership. There an additional Club at SEA in Concourse A if your gate is closer...

Review: Delta E175 Main Cabin and Comfort Plus

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Jan 16, 2020 | Airlines, Flight Reviews | 0

Background: My company booked me on a Delta E175 for a work conference in Seattle. I was happy because Delta is the only airline that I have status with (Silver!). I was also happy that the flight would be on a E175 because that means there are only aisle and window seats since it’s a 2-2 configuration. Flight Deatils: Delta Airlines Operated by Compass Airlines Embraer 175 Santa Ana (SNA) to Seattle (SEA) Main Cabin- Seat: 10B Aisle Seattle (SEA) to Santa Ana (SNA) Comfort Plus- Seat: 7A Window The Flights: Orange County to Seattle in Main Cabin The...

I Saw WOW The Vegas Spectacular Show for Free!

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Jan 15, 2020 | Deals, Family, Travel Tips, Uncategorized | 2

BACKGROUND: With Caesars Diamond Status, Diamond and Seven Stars members are entitled to two free show tickets once a month in Las Vegas. I achieved Caesars Diamond Status from: Hilton Diamond to Wyndham Diamond to Caesars Rewards Diamond! FREE SHOW BENEFIT: There are plenty of shows to choose from, and at the rewards desk they have a nice handy list for you to see all the options. When I was in Vegas last May, I wanted to see WOW The Vegas Spectacular (like Cirque du Soleil, but smaller scale) but it was sold out for Memorial Day weekend. So I ended up seeing Penn...

Review: Oneworld Los Angeles Business Class Lounge

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Jan 14, 2020 | Lounge Reviews, Reviews and Reports | 0

Background: The Oneworld Los Angeles Business Lounge is located airside in the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). After security, once you’re in the atrium with shops, you’ll find an escalator to the right which will take you to the fifth floor. Turn to the right at the top of the escalator where the PF Changs is located and and you’ll be directly at the lounge entrance. Access: The lounge is open from 6:30am to 11:30pm daily. I was granted access with my Business Class ticket to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific, making this post a little over a year...