Benjamin J Travel – Page 4 – Travel | Lifestyle | Passenger Experience

Trip Report: Trip Report: Swiss 777-300ER Business Class | Los Angeles to Zurich Blog Airline Review777-300ER Business Class | Los Angeles to Zurich Blog Airline Review

Trip Report: Swiss 777-300ER Business Class | Los Angeles to Zurich

17 July, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 3 comments

Making my way to the the Cote d’Azur for a week long holiday, my outbound journey would be in Swiss 777-300ER Business Class. I booked an award journey on Star Alliance carriers via Aeroplan, Air Canada’s reward program. Aeroplan represents a great value for transatlantic premium cabin bookings with roundtrip Business Class bookings from North America to Western Europe for 110,000 Aeroplan miles. After spending the day in Los Angeles, I arrived at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) at…

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Hotel Review: Hotel International Paris | 11th Arrondissement Blog Review

Hotel Review: Hotel International Paris | 11th Arrondissement

7 July, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

Spending a quick weekend in Paris in February, the Hotel International Paris would be home for just a night in the 11th arrondissement. On my last visit to Paris, I stayed at the Holiday Inn Paris Gare De L’Est which was an interesting hotel experience. I’d booked the room on Hotels.com for about $75 USD which is a nice cash rate for Paris. Overall Rating: 4 of 5 Stars Location: 4 of 5 Stars Service: 3 of 5 Stars Comfort: 4 of 5…

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Travel Secrets: How Do I Actually Find Cheap Flights?

Travel Secrets: How Do I Actually Find Cheap Flights?

29 June, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

If you follow along with me on this blog and via social media, you’ll know that I fly. A LOT. The top question I get over and over is “How Do I Find Cheap Flights?”. While I earn and burn lots of airline miles and award points, the nature of my travel requires me to purchase many tickets as well. In addition to getting creative with my schedule, I believe in traveling well but spending as little as possible. Here’s…

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Lounge Review: Qantas T3 Domestic Business Lounge | Sydney Blog Terminal Paxex

Lounge Review: Qantas T3 Domestic Business Lounge | Sydney

25 June, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

After a very long flight in Economy from Los Angeles, a bit of refreshment was in order. Qantas hosts numerous lounges in it’s home airport but as our connecting flight was departing from Terminal 3. We headed to the the Qantas T3 Domestic Business Lounge. Access to the Qantas T3 Domestic Business Lounge is granted to those traveling in a premium cabin with Qantas or OneWorld carrier, Qantas Platinum/Platinum One, Emirates Platinum, or OneWorld Emerald in any cabin of travel. One guest…

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Hotel Review: Clarion Suites Gateway | Melbourne V CBD Australia Blog Review

Hotel Review: Clarion Suites Gateway | Melbourne

24 June, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Located in the heart of Melbourne’s central business district, the Clarion Suites Gateway is a high-rise hotel property managed by Clarion, part of the Choice Hotels family. We had the booked the room via Hotels.com for a very reasonable rate if about $120 AUD. We would earn an additional night towards Hotels.com Rewards. Arriving just before 2:00 PM at the Clarion Suites Gateway in Melbourne’s CBD, we parked in the underground’s garage. I was a but exhausted having to keep up…

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24 Hour Promotion: Free Checked Bag on WOW Air to Iceland

24 Hour Promotion: Free Checked Bag on WOW Air to Iceland

22 June, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 1 comment

How about a free checked bag on WOW Air to Iceland? Is Iceland on your travel to-do list? WOW Air is one of the most talked about airlines these days. They’re most known for their rapid expansion of dirt-cheap flights to Iceland and one-stop flights to the rest of Europe from the US. And while the low fares are enticing, only a small personal item is included in the base ticket fare. The baggage fees for overhead bin space and…

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Trip Report: American Airlines 777-300ER Business Class | Sydney to Los Angeles

Trip Report: American Airlines 777-300ER Business Class | Sydney to Los Angeles

19 June, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

Returning home from a fantastic trip in Australia, it was sadly time to head home to Dallas. On the bright side, our ride home would be in comfort in American Airlines’ 777-300ER Business Class from Sydney to Los Angeles. On our outbound journey, we had flown to Sydney in Economy Class which wasn’t quite as comfortable. We would be departing from Sydney’s International Terminal 1. After spending about 45 minutes in the Sydney Qantas First lounge, it was time to head…

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Trip Report: American Airlines 777-300ER Economy Class | Los Angeles to Sydney

Trip Report: American Airlines 777-300ER Economy Class | Los Angeles to Sydney

13 June, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] Heading out on a long holiday in Australia, we made the long journey from Dallas to Sydney on American Airlines. We had snagged a steal of a price on a roundtrip Economy ticket from Dallas to Sydney for ~$750 USD. Roundtrip flights from Dallas to Sydney typically average well over $1500 USD. On the outbound, our primary segment was American Airlines 777-300ER Economy Class from Los Angeles to Sydney….

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Hotel Review: The Larwill Studio | Melbourne Art Series Hotels

Hotel Review: The Larwill Studio | Melbourne

1 June, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 1 comment

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”] Spending 5 days in Victoria, we’d be just spending one night in Melbourne initially. I’d booked The Larwill Studio of a reasonable rate of $100 USD for the night on Booking.com. I rarely use Booking.com but there was a fantastic rate through a partnership with TripAdvisor. Although we’d later return to Melbourne on this trip, we wouldn’t be returning to The Larwill Studio as…

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Lounge Review: New York LaGuardia Amex Centurion Lounge | American Express

Lounge Review: New York LaGuardia Amex Centurion Lounge

26 May, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Heading home form a nice weekend in New York, we headed to LaGuardia for the flight back to Dallas. LaGuardia Airport is at the top of most travelers’ list as the worst airport in the Untied States. Sadly, I have to agree with that sentiment: it’s just an awful airport. Our Uber dropped us off at the wrong terminal so we had to take an out-of-the-way shuttle to Terminal B. We arrived about an hour before our boarding time so…

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US Bank Altitude Reserve Infinite Visa Card Benjamin J Travel

Initial Thoughts: Two Weeks With the US Bank Altitude Reserve Card

22 May, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 1 comment

I don’t have a financial relationship with US Bank so I’m simply sharing my personal experience with the US Bank Altitude Reserve card. Well it’s been just a bit over two weeks since I received my US Bank Altitude Reserve Card in the mail. And I’ve had plenty of spend time with it already. The overall summary is that I’m really liking the US Bank Altitude Reserve! It’s allowing me to earn loads of bonus points with merchants that I wasn’t able to earn…

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Lounge Review: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse & Upper Class Wing | London Heathrow Trip Report: Virgin Atlantic A340 Upper Class | London Heathrow to Atlanta

Trip Report: Virgin Atlantic A340 Upper Class | London Heathrow to Atlanta

21 May, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Heading back to to Texas after wrapping up a siblings trip with my sister, Virgin Atlantic A340 Upper Class from London Heathrow to Atlanta would be our transatlantic segment. I had recently flown both Virgin Atlantic Upper Class on the A330 and Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy on the 747 and you should know I’m already a fan of Virgin Atlantic. I have a love-hate relationship with the A340 with it’s roaring four engines. It’s a beautiful aircraft but most airlines haven’t…

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New! Earn up to 3 Delta SkyMiles per Dollar with Lyft Promotion Deal Referral

New! Earn up to 3 Delta SkyMiles per Dollar with Lyft

17 May, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Update: The partnership between Delta and Lyft has been terminated After Uber partnered up with Starwood (SPG) to earn SPG points on purchase with Uber, Lyft has now found a major points partner for Lyft riders: Delta SkyMiles. You have a chance to earn up to 3 Delta SkyMiles per Dollar with Lyft! Per the email campaign from Delta & Lyft: Jetsetters, unite! As part of our partnership with Delta® SkyMiles®, you can now earn miles with every Lyft ride…

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Lounge Review: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse & Upper Class Wing | London Heathrow Trip Report: Virgin Atlantic A340 Upper Class | London Heathrow to Atlanta, Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy Lounge Access, Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy Passengers Receive Lounge Access

Lounge Review: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse & Upper Class Wing | London Heathrow

12 May, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] Wrapping up our siblings trip to Italy and the UK, Virgin Atlantic Upper Class would be our method for costing the Atlantic via Atlanta. While this wasn’t my first flight in Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, it would be my first time originating at London Heathrow with Virgin Atlantic. This would finally be my opportunity to experience the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse and Upper Class Wing! The only other Virgin Atlantic lounge I’ve experienced is the…

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Trip Report: British Airways 747 Economy Class Boston to London Airline Review

Trip Report: British Airways 747-400 Economy Class | Boston to London

9 May, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] Making our way to Florence for a siblings trip, my sister and I found ourselves in British Airways’ 747 Economy Class from Boston to London. A short hop just over 6.5 hours, the flight from Boston to London is on the short end of transatlantic flights. I flew in this same cabin and aircraft from London to Dallas just about 2 months ago. We had arrived from DFW on…

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Where Not To Stay: Novotel London Paddington

Where Not To Stay: Novotel London Paddington

8 May, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 1 comment

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”] I’m not even going to waste my time writing a full review of the Novotel London Paddington. I’ll save you all the time and get straight to the point: this hotel is a big disappointment. My sister and I had planned to stay at the Novotel London Paddington for three nights while in London. I have a few reliable favorite London hotels that I usually stick to. But this time I decided to try something new. We got…

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Hotel Review: Holiday Inn Paris Gare de l'Est

Hotel Review: Holiday Inn Paris Gare de l’Est

7 May, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 1 comment

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”] Arriving from Germany late in the evening, we arrived very late in the evening at the Holiday Inn Paris Gare de l’Est. We were only staying only one night in Paris and leaving the next evening from the Gare du Nord on the Eurostar. While the location isn’t my favorite part of Paris, it is extremely convenient to both the Gare de l’Est and Gare du Nord. Overall Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars Location: 3…

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Lounge Review: Las Vegas Amex Centurion Lounge | American Express

Lounge Review: Las Vegas Amex Centurion Lounge

19 April, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] After our Virgin Atlantic flight from London Gatwick, we had wasted good hour at The Club at LAS. I can’t believe I had actually “forgotten” that there was an American Express Centurion Lounge in our terminal! After realizing this, we headed over to the Las Vegas Amex Centurion Lounge. Located in the D Concourse of Terminal 1 in the Las Vegas airport, the Las Vegas Amex Centurion Lounge is part of…

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Why is it so Popular to Dislike American Airlines and AAdvantage Lately?

Why is it so Popular to Dislike American Airlines and AAdvantage Lately?

18 April, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 4 comments

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” custom_css_main_element=”.et_pb_text ul, .et_pb_text ol { margin: 30px; }||.et_pb_text li { margin-top: 16px; }”] While the recent United Airlines’ passenger incident (I’m not touching that topic, folks) has dominated the news, there’s another hot topic in the airline blogging world: a sudden distaste for American Airlines’ AAdvantage. So why is it so popular to dislike American Airlines lately? I’m still trying to figure that one out. It’s not as if there’s been any major changes to…

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Hotel Review: Residence Inn New York Manhattan | Midtown East

Hotel Review: Residence Inn New York Manhattan | Midtown East

16 April, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] Spending a quick weekend in New York City, we wanted a comfortable place to stay without busting the bank. New York City hotels are generally quite expensive and after a bit of scouring, I found the Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Midtown East on Hotels.com. After double-checking rates and the TripAdvisor reviews, it seemed to be a solid option in a great location. Overall Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars Location: 5 of 5…

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