Benjamin J Travel – Travel | Lifestyle | Passenger Experience

Trip Report: British Airways 777-200 Premium Economy | Houston to London Heathrow - World Traveler Plus - Blog Review

Trip Report: British Airways 777-200 Premium Economy | Houston to London Heathrow

2 October, 2018 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Making my way to London for a long weekend, my in-flight product would be British Airways on the 777-200 in Premium Economy from Houston to London Heathrow. I’ve reviewed the British Airways 777-200 experience in Club World but it’d been a while since I’d been aboard a British Airways 777. Premium Economy is branded as World Traveller Plus but I will refer to it as Premium Economy in this review. The Cabin: Configured in a four-class arrangement (First, Club World, World Traveller…

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Lounge Review: The Qantas London Lounge - Bar - Champagne - Blog Review

Lounge Review: The Qantas London Lounge

30 September, 2018 Benjamin J Travel Comments 1 comment

Making my way home from London to Dallas via Miami, I was surprised to learn that my British Airways flight would be departing from Terminal 3. While Terminal 3 is a bit dated, it does offer the best OneWorld lounges in London Heathrow. Not only would this give me a chance to grab a delicious breakfast at the Cathay Pacific lounge, but it’d also allow me to visit the The Qantas London Lounge for the first time. I arrived at…

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Hotel Review: Mr. Jordaan Hotel | Amsterdam Blog Review Centrum Best

Hotel Review: Mr. Jordaan Hotel | Amsterdam

25 September, 2018 Benjamin J Travel Comments 1 comment

Meeting friends for an extended weekend in Amsterdam, the Mr. Jordaan Hotel would be my place to rest my head. Lodging in Amsterdam is notably pricey but the Mr Jordaan hotel offered a reasonable rate for a top rated hotel at about $190 USD a night. That’s an overall good rate for Amsterdam Centrum based on my general research. I checked out a couple Airbnbs but didn’t find any great deals. Location: 5 of 5 Stars – The location of…

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Virgin Atlantic A330 Upper Class VS 108 Detroit to London - Virgin Group

Virgin Group Aligning Loyalty Programs Across Brands

21 August, 2018 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

In an interesting press release, Virgin Atlantic announced that it will created a unified loyalty program across all Virgin Group brands including Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club. The new program will use the Flying Club “miles” as it’s currency. While Flying Club isn’t the most lucrative points program, there are some nice redemption sweet spots in the program at present like Transatlantic Premium Economy flights. Per the press release from Virgin Atlantic: Today we’re announcing the intention for the Virgin Group…

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Trip Report: TAP Portugal Lie-Flat Business Class | A330-200 | Lisbon to Boston Blog Review

Trip Report: TAP Portugal Lie-Flat Business Class | A330-200 | Lisbon to Boston

22 July, 2018 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Making the journey back home from Oslo, my transatlantic segment would be aboard an A330 in TAP Portugal Lie-Flat Business Class. In its long haul fleet, TAP Portugal operates A330s and A340s with their Business Class cabin current undergoing an retrofit. I selected my particular itinerary so that I could experience TAP Portugal’s new Business Class cabin on the A330 featuring it’s new lie flat seats. I left my Airbnb extra earlier to have a bit of time to hang out…

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WOW Air Introduces WOW Premium "Big Seat" - Iceland Premium Economy

WOW Air Introduces WOW Premium “Big Seat”

23 April, 2018 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

With Premium Economy being one of the hottest trends in the passenger experience these days, it’s no surprise WOW Air is joining the game with the WOW Premium “Big Seat”. WOW Air already offered “XL” and “XXL” seats which which offered additional legroom and more preferential rows on the aircraft. Similar to a US domestic First Class seat, the new Premium seat will offer 37 inches of legroom compared to 35 inches on their current XXL offering. But in addition to…

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Trip Report: TAP Portugal Intra-Europe Business Class | A320 | Oslo to Lisbon - Blog Review - Airbus - tap portugal a320 seat map

Trip Report: TAP Portugal Intra-Europe Business Class | A320 | Oslo to Lisbon

16 April, 2018 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Beginning my extended journey home from Oslo, the first leg of my journey would be in TAP Portugal Intra-Europe Business Class aboard an Airbus A320 from Oslo to Lisbon. Scheduled for an 6:55 PM departure, our flight time would be at 4 hours from gate to gate. Tap Portugal refers to their Business Class cabin as “Executive Class”. Boarding was slightly delayed and the gate area was packed but ultimately the boarding process was orderly with Business Class and Star…

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What's The Best Economy Seat on American Airlines' 777-300ER? - best seats american airlines 777-300er

What’s The Best Economy Seat on American Airlines’ 777-300ER?

15 April, 2018 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Traveling long-haul on one of American Airlines’ flagship 777-300ERs soon? What’s the best Economy Seat on board? While there are a number of “best” Economy Class seats on the American Airlines 777-300ER, your preference might not be the same as your fellow passenger. So what constitutes the best Economy Class seat on the American Airlines 777-300ER? Is it more legroom? More privacy? Or maybe simply avoiding extra cabin noise. I’ve flown American’s 777-300ER dozens of times and I’ve sat all…

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Lounge Review: Polonez LOT Business Lounge | Warsaw - Blog Review WAW

Lounge Review: Polonez LOT Business Lounge | Warsaw

11 April, 2018 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

Arriving from Brussels and awaiting my flight to Chicago, I found myself with a long layover in Warsaw. I ultimately had time to visit two different lounges, both the LOT Business Lounge (also referred to as the “Polonez” lounge) lounge and the Bolero lounge. The Bolero Lounge is located on the non-Schengen side of Terminal A, while the the LOT Business Lounge is on the Schengen side. The LOT Business Lounge is a LOT Polish operated lounge, serving LOT Polish…

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Food Meets Travel: My Favorite Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta - PVR Airbnb Infinity Pool - Sunset - Pacific Ocean

Food Meets Travel: My Favorite Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta

7 April, 2018 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

I’ve recently returned from a fantastic holiday in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and I have to admit I’m walking away impressed. I had heard great things about Puerto Vallarta but found myself thoroughly in love with this Pacific resort city. But on top of the perfect weather and beautiful Pacific views, there are countless fantastic restaurants in Puerto Vallarta. You’ll find everything from street corner food stands to chic beachside dining and everything in between. Thanks to word-of-mouth recommendations, Yelp, Google…

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Hotel Review: Thon Hotel Terminus | Oslo - Oslo S Central Train Station Hotel - Blog Review

Hotel Review: Thon Hotel Terminus | Oslo

5 April, 2018 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Sending a long weekend in Oslo, the Thon Hotel Terminus in Central Oslo would be my home for 3 nights.Oslo is notably an expensive city with mid-range lodging options often extending $200 USD per night. However, I was able to snag a rare deal on Booking.com for only $77 USD a night at the Thon Terminus Hotel. Quite the deal for Oslo! Location: 4 of 5 Stars – If you’re looking for a very central location, the Thon Hotel Terminus…

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Trip Report: American Airlines 737 Business Class | Puerto Vallarta to DFW Blog Review First Class

Trip Report: American Airlines 737 Business Class | Puerto Vallarta to DFW

2 April, 2018 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Making the short 2.5 hour journey home from Puerto Vallarta to DFW, we enjoyed a lovely flight with American Airlines in Business Class on one of their workhorse 737s. We had originally booked a one way ticket in Economy Class, Chris and I were upgraded thanks to my Executive Platinum status. Our complimentary upgrades cleared about 4 days prior to departure. My upgrade was complimentary and Chris, who holds Gold AAdvantage status, redeemed two 500-mile upgrade “stickers”. Premium cabin seats…

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Trip Report: American Airlines 777-200 Business Class | Honolulu to DFW

Trip Report: American Airlines 777-200 Business Class | Honolulu to DFW

1 April, 2018 Benjamin J Travel Comments 4 comments

Making our way home from Hawaii, our journey home would be aboard American’s 777-200 from Honolulu to DFW. The 777 is the workhorse between American’s fortress hub in in DFW and Honolulu. American has completed the retrofit of their 777-200s. You can expect a lie-flat seat in Business Class on all of American’s 777s across the fleet. The Cabin: SeatGuru isn’t exactly accurate on their seat maps American’s 772 so unfortunately a bit difficult to predict which Business Class seat…

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Travel Gear Essentials - New! Earn United MileagePlus Miles When on Fuel at BP

New! Earn United MileagePlus Miles When You Fuel up at BP

28 March, 2018 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

United and BP announced today a new rewards partnerships where United MileagePlus members can earn miles when the purchase gas at BP fuel stations. Per the email campaign from United & BP: When BP Driver Rewards and MileagePlus members sign up for this new program, they can earn 200 bonus award miles after joining and making their first fuel purchase with a linked debit or credit card.* Members can multiply their earnings through the following options: One award mile for…

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15,000 Bonus AAdvantage Miles for Travel From US to Iceland, Prague and Budapest Blog Coupon Code American Airlines

15,000 Bonus AAdvantage Miles for Travel From US to Iceland, Prague and Budapest

9 February, 2018 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

South America in your upcoming travel plans? American Airlines currently has a promotion where you can earn 20,000 bonus AAdvantage miles when you book your trip through American Airlines Vacations. Travel must be booked by September 30, 2017 online or over the phone directly with American Airlines Vacations. There is no deadline for travel dates as long as it is during American Airlines’ current open travel schedule. Per the terms of American Airlines’ promotion: To receive 20,000 miles on your…

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Lounge Review: Plumeria Lounge Honolulu | Hawaiian Airlines Blog Review HNL

Lounge Review: Plumeria Lounge Honolulu

28 December, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Due to some island hopping on our Hawaii trip, we departed from HNL twice times in a week. On the first departure, we tried to enter the Plumeria Lounge was but turned away due to being over capacity. This was a Tuesday around 2 pm. On our second attempt, entry was no issue and the lounge was nearly empty. The Plumeria Lounge is a bit tricky to locate as there isn’t much signage for it throughout the airport. Once you are…

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Trip Report: Alaska Airlines 737-800 Economy Class | San Diego to Honolulu Blog Review Legroom Airline Food

Trip Report: Alaska Airlines 737-800 Economy Class | San Diego to Honolulu

26 December, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Making the journey to Hawaii for a 10 day holiday, our final outbound leg would be aboard Alaska Airlines from San Diego to Honolulu. This was an award booking with American Airlines AAdvantage miles with the first segment form DFW to San Diego on American Airlines. We’d been upgraded thanks to my Executive Platinum status on the first leg but we wouldn’t be eligible for an upgrade not the Alaska operated flight. Award booking method for this flight: Economy Class…

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American Express Platinum Members Now Can Enjoy Lufthansa Lounge Access in Munich

American Express Platinum Members can now Enjoy Lufthansa Lounge Access in Munich

19 November, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Adding to their American Express Global Lounge Collection, American Express Platinum card holders can now enjoy Lufthansa Lounge access in Munich. Lufthansa’s Senator lounges generally offer a solid lounge expedience. Cardholders can access the following Lufthansa lounges in the Munich Airport, all located in Terminal 2: Lufthansa Senator Lounge (Non-Schengen) Lufthansa Senator Lounge (Schengen) Lufthansa Business Lounge (Schengen) Lufthansa Business Lounge (Non-Schengen) I’d certainly says these are welcome additions to the American Express Global Lounge Collection. Previously, the only lounges available…

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American Airlines Launching New Route from DFW to Iceland, New Airline Route, Reykjavik-Keflavik, Iceland (KEF)

American Airlines Launching New Route from DFW to Iceland

14 November, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Well I’m calling this one a Tuesday morning surprise! American Airlines announced this morning that they are launching a new route from DFW to Iceland starting in June 2018. My good friend Ben and fellow avgeek sent me a note this morning to give me a heads up. This seasonal service brings the total count to three carriers that will offer service from Dallas Fort Worth to Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik. WOW Air and Icelandair announced their intentions to serve DFW in…

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Lounge Review: Qantas First Class Lounge Sydney Restaurant Dining Blog Review Airline

Lounge Review: Qantas First Class Lounge Sydney

11 November, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

Not quite ready to leave Australia but time to head home, we started our long journey back to Texas in the Qantas First Class Lounge Sydney. We had woken up quite early so I was still quite sleepy as we made our through the long security queues. The Qantas First Class Lounge Sydney is located just beyond the duty free shopping in Sydney’s Terminal 1. Access to the Qantas First Class Lounge Sydney is granted to those traveling in a premium…

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