- Introduction: A Last Minute Singapore F1 Weekend
- Review: British Airways Terraces Lounge – Boston Logan Airport
- Review: Cathay Pacific Boston to Hong Kong – Business Class – 777-300ER
- Review: Cathay Pacific “The Wing” Lounge – Hong Kong International Airport
- Review: Cathay Pacific Hong Kong to Singapore – Business Class – A330
- Review: W Singapore – Sentosa Cove
- Exploring Sentosa Island
- Review: Marriott Singapore Tang Plaza
- Wandering Singapore before and after the Singapore Formula 1 Night Grand Prix
- Review: Skyview Lounge – Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1
- Review: Cathay Pacific Singapore to Hong Kong – Business Class – A330
- Review: Cathay Pacific Hong Kong to Chicago – First Class – 777-300ER
- Conclusion: Last Minute Singapore F1 Weekend
Our weekend trip was very hastily planned. In fact, from decision to plane, we had just over 12 hours, when all was said and done. We changed our flight once, for an even earlier flight, which proved to be a very wise move.
In hindsight, I’m not really sure that I could say there was a single goal of the trip. We wanted (in no particularly order) to (1) fly Cathay Pacific First, (2) return to Singapore, (3) see Sentosa Island, (4) experience the atmosphere of the Singapore Night Grand Prix, and overall, we really wanted to get away and focus on ourselves and our relationship. All of those wants were achieved.
Racking and Stacking the Costs
I’m not an accountant or bean counter, but, I do still like to know what I’ve spent for things (because award travel isn’t free!), and thought this would be a good way to lay things out:
Roll-up of costs:
- $288.90 per person, one way DCA-BOS (last minute) – will earn AA miles on this at least.
- 55k AA miles and $33.80 per person outbound
- 5k AA miles and $75.50 per person return
- 25k SPG Points for the W Sentosa (1 night) – Ouch! We had seen ~$250US a few hours before, but focused more on optimizing our flights, and in that time it more than doubled in cost to $561. Ultimately, we felt that we got good value out of burning those SPG points.
- 80k Marriott Rewards Points for the Marriott Singapore (2 nights)
- $7.55 for a one way rental (tax on a reward day) – originally BWI-JFK, changed to BWI-DCA
- ~$18.00 for Uber from BWI to home.
There were other costs involved, such as eating, drinking, transportation around Singapore, but, I tend to think those things are budgeted for by the very nature of traveling, and probably add little value to the trip report, because how my wife and I do things may be very different than how you or another may do things. I will say though, that we did spend ~72.50 SGD for a round of Singapore Slings at the Long Bar in the Raffles Hotel. That was our biggest splurge, and one that I’m not sure I’ll do again, but the rest of the costs fit into my $20 rule.
Conclusion
Overall, this trip proved to be exactly what we needed. Yes, it was 3 days off of work, which is more than I usually like to take, but, the fact is, for everything we were able to see and do, it was an incredible value. Flying Cathay Pacific was just as I’d imagined it, if not better. Seeing Singapore all done up for the Singapore Night Grand Prix was quite nice as well. I’ll call it a win, and hope also that this trip report helps others do something crazy, like booking a trip less than 12 hours before you’re on a plane!
We just got back from the Mexico City F1 race and had a hard time getting tickets to this event. I’m curious if tickets or ticket costs are a factor at the Singapore race. I assume not.
Interesting post. Thanks.
Now if I can only figure out a cheap way to do the Canadian 2016 race from MCI. Seems like a pain to get to Montreal area cheaply. Even Avios aren’t good from MCI-YUL (area).