November 2013 TPAC Trip Report

Introduction

United Checkin and United Club at SFO

United Economy San Francisco – Los Angeles

Star Alliance Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport

EVA Airways Business Class Los Angeles – Taipei

EVA Lounge at TPE

EVA Airways Economy on Hello Kitty Jet

JW Marriott Seoul and The Ritz Carlton Seoul

Asiana Lounge at ICN

Asiana Business Class Seoul – San Francisco

Introduction

During mid-November 2013, I made a business trip to Taipei and Seoul. SFO-TPE-ICN-SFO will be the ideal route. However, SFO-TPE on EVA Airways has been very difficult to get upgrade on ever since EVA Airways has fully deployed their new fully flat Business class seats on this route. I chose a slightly longer route and was able to get both transpac segment upgraded using Star Alliance Upgrade program. The upgrade were secured shortly after ticketing using Air Canada Aeroplan miles.

UA1205 SFO-LAX 7:24pm-8:49pm Coach

BR 15 LAX-TPE 10:37pm – 5:30am+1 Business

BR 160 TPE-ICN Coach Hello Kitty Jet

OZ 212 ICN-SFO 4:37pm – 10:00am Business

The attached map courtesy of gcmap.com shows the complete itinerary.

As a bonus, with this route through LAX, I was able to sample the newly remodeled Star Alliance Lounge at LAX that was opened in late October.

Part 1: United Check in and United Club at SFO

My United flight and EVA flight were on separate tickets, but I wanted to get my baggage checked all the way to Taipei. So even though I have done on-line checked in, I stopped by United checkin counter to drop off my bag. The process is called baggage interlining and should be a very straightforward process. But it took 3 United agents and almost 15 minutes to figure out how to process this in their system. In the end, I still had to request that they put on a priority tag. In the end, this tag did not matter. Apparently at LAX, EVA tore it off and put on one of its own priority tag with letters “F1.” I believed the tag was for Business class passengers. In fact, my bag was #8 coming off the belt at TPE.

The United terminal at SFO on a Saturday night around 7pm was deserted. I quickly passed through security using the TSA PreCheck line. No wait. Cool.

As a Star Alliance Gold member, I had access to United Club, even though I was on a domestic segment. United Club had two locations at SFO, one at International terminal and one at domestic terminal. The two terminals were connected by a walkway after security. This time, I went to the one at the domestic terminal. The picture clearly showed that it was completely deserted.

Part 2: United Economy San Francisco (SFO) – Los Angeles (LAX)

Ordinarily this was a flight that’s not worth written about. And tonight, I did find this intriguing. Take a look at the pictures.

Yes, my diet coke actually was made in Mexico!

My United flight arrived at Terminal 6 and my EVA flight departed from Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). LAX at a Saturday night was a zoo, full of people and cars, my brisk walk was impeded by people who were waiting at the curb and it took about 15 minutes.

Part 3: Star Alliance Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport

EVA check in was uneventful and I was looking forward to quiet and relaxing at the new Star Alliance Lounge before my flight. But first, I had to endure the infamous security at TBIT. Even with a premium class boarding pass, the security took more than 30 minutes. Not cool.

In late October, the remodeled TBIT opened. With that a new Star Alliance Lounge was opened and it was managed by Air New Zealand. Previously, EVA used a third party lounge, that was very small. The new lounge was a lot bigger. But I guess everyone was there. It was pretty hard to find a seat. Food offering was dismal and not worthy a picture in my opinion. I did enjoy a soothing shower.

In addition, the lounge was not quiet at all. There were all kinds of announcements from various airlines looking for passengers.

Part 4: EVA Airways Business Class Los Angeles – Taipei

Upon boarding, a pre-departure beverage was offered. EVA was the only airline that offers Dom champagne for Business class. I certainly enjoyed it. With a refill.

Amenity kit was distributed.

On this flight, two meals were offered. Dinner was served right after departure. And then shortly before arrival, a breakfast was served. In between, there were snack spread in the galley and a few noodle dishes were available to order as well.

For dinner, I pre-ordered online the Lobster.

For breakfast, I ordered Chinese porridge.

Part 5: EVA Lounge at TPE

Before my flight on EVA Hello Kitty Jet from Taipei to Seoul Incheon, I stopped by EVA’s lounge at Terminal 2. TPE was EVA’s hub and here EVA now has five lounges: Garden was reserved for Diamond members only. Star and Infinity were accessible to me as either a Gold member on EVA or a Star Alliance Gold member. The other two were, I believe, for EVA Silver members and also Business class passengers.

Somehow I mis-placed my pictures of food, which was very good. I did have the following two pictures. While I was there, the first bottle of KA VA LAN Whisky (bottle number 142) was finished and a new bottle, number 153, was set out for all to enjoy.

Part 6: EVA Airways Economy on Hello Kitty Jet

EVA had an exciting marketing relationship with Hello Kitty. They had their jets painted in Hello Kitty scheme and all on-board services had Hello Kitty branded as well. They spared no effort to make this a genuine Hello Kitty experience, down to minute details, like toilet papers.

This day, the jet that took me to Incheon was named Apple Jet.

Part 7: JW Marriott Seoul and The Ritz Carlton Seoul

This time in Seoul, I stayed at JW Marriott first and then The Ritz Carlton Seoul.

Breakfast pastry from JW Marriott Executive Lounge.

Sunrise view from JW Marriott Seoul Executive Lounge.

Early morning city view from JW Marriott Executive Lounge.

Dessert served late night at the Club Lounge at The Ritz Carlton Seoul.

The Club at Ritz has a very nice breakfast spread. In addition, egg dishes were available to order. Here was the menu and my omelet.

Part 8: Asiana Lounge at ICN

Previously, Asiana’s business class lounge at the main terminal was very crowded. Luckily, they had expanded the lounge, doubling its size. With this expansion, the entry was moved as well. Though the signage did not get updated. I was led to the original entry point where a map was there to re-direct.

Food offerings here were not as good as what EVA offered at its club. But this day, I was busy in finishing my duty free shopping. A locker to place my bag was all I needed.

Part 9: Asiana Business Class Seoul – San Francisco

My seat to go home after an exhaustive trip. On Seoul to San Franciso flight, Asiana configured its 777-300ER as a 2 class service, with Business class named Quantum Smartum. QS service has a very good hard product: Full flat bed, a big screen IFEC. QS service also covers on board services as well.