Bart Lapers

Fiji Trip Report Index
Introduction: Belgium to Fiji in 13 flights (26561 miles, 42746km)
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Grand Suite at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur
Singapore Airlines First Class: The Private Room @ Changi Airport
Singapore Airlines First Class: SQ211 Singapore to Sydney B777-300A
Opera King room at Park Hyatt Sydney
Beachfront View room at InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa
Singapore Airlines Business Class: SQ232 Sydney to Singapore
Thai Airways First Class: Royal Orchid Spa, TG920 Bangkok to Frankfurt A380

Pic: Thai Airways First Class Royal Orchid Spa – Treatment room (Jan 2013)
On my way back from Fiji to Brussels, I suffered food poisoning from eating a sandwich at Subway in Auckland.  Not an ideal situation if you still have 20,000km of flying ahead of you.  Fortunately I had an Air New Zealand Business Class ticket from Auckland to Sydney and a Singapore Airlines Business Class A380 ticket from Sydney to Singapore.  Not that I could enjoy any of the meals on those flights, but at least I had an opportunity to sleep comfortably.  My original plan was to have a one night stopover in Singapore and to continue to Amsterdam in KLM Economy class.  I had booked Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre using 25K Priority Club points for my stopover.  Arriving at the Holiday Inn, still feeling very weak from the food poisoning, I was informed my room was upgrade to a suite.  In a normal situation, I would have been excited about this, but feeling ill, I heard the person checking in next to me being offered a ‘better’ offer…. a 6pm late check-out.  I requested if I could exchange my upgrade for a 6pm late check-out which wasn’t a problem.  I slept until noon and ordered room service for a late breakfast (the staff were very helpful and caring, they prepared two meals to help me recover from my food poisoning)  I still wasn’t feeling very well and not looking forward to my KLM Economy class flight which was scheduled for 1am the next morning.  Fortunately, the United MileagePlus program offered me an awesome alternative.  Singapore to Bangkok in Thai Airways Business Class, Bangkok to Frankfurt in First Class on the brand new Thai Airways A380 and Frankfurt to Brussels in Business Class on Lufthansa.  Of course, this comfortable trip came at a price: 80,000 United miles and $133 in taxes and fees.  A paid Thai Airways BKK-FRA A380 First Class ticket would have been around €2750.  I bought the 80K United MileagePlus miles for €1086 via 4 transactions:

• 26600 miles for €129 by combining the Wyndham Rewards 16K Bonus Point Offer and United Hotel Points to Miles Transfer Bonus
• 26388 miles for €437 using the United Award Accelerator offer
• 25000 miles for €470 using the United Miles 40% off offer
  
• 2000 miles for €50 part of the MilePoint.com Premium membership

Add €103 ($133) in taxes and fees and you end up with a grand total of €1189 for my First Class alternative.  Not an amazing award ticket, but still 60% cheaper than buying the ticket.

Pic: Thai Airways First Class – Royal Orchid Spa, Bangkok Airport (Jan 2013)
Upon arrival in Bangkok, a ground staff member was holding a sign with my name at the aircraft door.  As the plane was not parked at a gate, I got a private car ride to the terminal followed by a golf cart ride to the Thai Royal First Lounge.  Once at the lounge I was offered my own private corner and iPad menu to order whatever food I liked.  I was also requested which Spa treatment I preferred and what time would suit me.  Flying Thai First Class from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport comes with a unique feature: a 60 minute Full Body Massage at the Royal Orchid Spa.  I went for the Touch of Silk Massage (Full Body Oil Massage) which was simply amazing!  The treatment rooms were stunning (definitely for an airport facility) and the staff were very welcoming and professional.

Pic: Thai Airways First Class A380 Cabin – Seats 1E and 1F (Jan 2013)
After the massage treatment and some light snacks, my Thai lounge host informed me the aircraft was ready for boarding.  Fortunately, I wasn’t offered another golf cart ride to the gate.  It was at walking distance from the lounge, and I made it before the other 11 passengers joining me in First Class (all 12 seats in were occupied).  I only had 2 minutes before the other passengers arrived, so I quickly snapped some pictures of the empty cabin.

Pic: Thai Airways First Class A380 Cabin – Seats 2E and 2F (Jan 2013)

Pic: Thai Airways First Class seat on Airbus A380 (Jan 2013)

Pic: Thai Airways First Class A380 Seat Controls (Jan 2013)

Pic: Thai Airways First Class A380 Dom Perignon Service (Jan 2013)
After stowing my carry-on luggage and jacket, I was offered a glass of Dom Perignon Vintage 2003 Champagne.

Pic: Thai Airways First Class A380 Dom Perignon (Jan 2013)

Pic: Thai Airways First Class A380 Cabin – Seat 2A (Jan 2013)
Beige is the dominant color in the Thai A380 First Class interior which makes me wonder how the cabin will look like in a year from now.  The A380 I was flying on was only a few months in service and already I spotted some stains and scratches on the delicate leather surfaces.  This is going to be quite a challenge for the cleaning and maintenance crews!

Pic: Thai Airways A380 First Class – Staircase to Business Class (Jan 2013)

Pic: Thai Airways A380 First Class – Sky Lounge Seating Area (Jan 2013)

Pic: Thai Airways A380 First Class – Sky Lounge Seating Area (Jan 2013)
I didn’t find the Sky Lounge very appealing.  I guess nothing beats the Emirates A380 Business Class Bar.

Pic: Thai Airways A380 First Class – Restroom with BVLGARI Toiletries

Pic: Thai Airways A380 First Class – Restroom Seating Area (Jan 2013)

Pic: Thai Airways A380 First Class – Restroom Make-Up-Mirror (Jan 2013)

Pic: Thai Airways First Class Airbus A380 – Meal Service  (Jan 2013)

Pic: Thai Airways First Class Airbus A380 – Stolichnaya Vodka (Jan 2013)

Pic: Thai Airways First Class Airbus A380 – Calvisius Caviar (Jan 2013)
After we reached our cruising altitude, dinner service started.  As my stomach wasn’t recovered yet from the food poisoning, I only had the caviar (nothing will make me skip that!) and dessert.  Pictures of the drinks & wine menu (1,2,3) and dinner & breakfast menu (1,2)

Pic: Thai Airways First Class Airbus A380 – Calvisius Caviar (Jan 2013)

Pic: Thai Airways First Class Airbus A380 – Icecream (Jan 2013)
After dinner, it was time to convert my seat in an excellent fully flat bed.  The additional mattress combined with my Bose QuietComfort 15 headphones ensured a Smooth As Silk night of sleep… 🙂

Pic: Thai Airways First Class Airbus A380 – Fully Flat Bed (Jan 2013)