Takeoff To Travel, Author at TravelUpdate

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...

Review: China Airlines 777 Premium Economy

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Jan 13, 2020 | Airlines, Flight Reviews | 0

Background: I flew on New Years Day last year from Taipei to Los Angeles, as I found a good fare on Taiwan based China Airlines from Sydney to Taipei to Los Angeles including a 3 night stopover in Taipei for $830. I was excited as I got to try Premium Economy on both the A350 and 777. A few days ago, I reviewed the Premium Economy on the A350. In short, the product on the A350 is much better in my opinion. Flight Details: China Airlines Flight 8 Taipei (TPE) to Los Angeles (LAX) Scheduled Duration: 11 hours and...

Review: Plaza Premium Lounge Taipei Terminal 2

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Jan 9, 2020 | Lounge Reviews, Reviews and Reports, Uncategorized | 0

Background: I visited the Plaza Premium Lounge Taipei Airport in Terminal 2 before my flight back to Los Angeles. After clearing security, the lounge is one floor above the departures level. Just follow the signs upstairs to “VIP Lounge”. There is two Plaza Premium lounges at Teminal 2, and I first went to the smaller one that is called “Zone A1” in the center of the floor. Once I got there, I knew it was the wrong one based on the pictures I saw before and then asked where the “larger” one was (called “Zone A”), and they directed...

Review: Korean Airlines Lounge at LAX

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Jan 8, 2020 | Lounge Reviews, Reviews and Reports | 0

Background: The Korean Airlines Lounge LAX is located on the fifth floor of the Tom Bradley International Terminal after security. Passing the oneworld Business Class lounge, the KAL Lounge is down the hallway across from the Qantas First Lounge. I used my Priority Pass card for access. With my AMEX Hilton Aspire, I get lounge access for myself and two guests. For Priority Pass members, the hours are a bit limited, from 1:00 pm and to 7:00 pm Note: you just have to enter by then, I entered at 6:30 pm and stayed til 8 pm on one visit....