Tagging Miles

  • Saverocity
  • Home
  • About
  • Ask Tagging Miles
  • Support Us
  • Store
    • Reselling Tools
  • Guides
    • Beginner’s Guide to Fulfillment By Amazon
      • Start Here
      • Setting up an account
      • Analyzing and adding a product
      • Shipping 101
      • Shipping 201
      • Ungating Product Categories
      • Amazon Seller App
      • Amazon Seller App Part 2
    • Expert’s Guide to Fulfillment By Amazon
      • Dealing with Returns
  • Mile High Reselling Club

A potential benefit of the Electronics Ban for Travel Hackers

March 23, 2017 By Trevor 2 Comments





As I read through the news about the Electronics Ban recently announced, I feel for the many that will be negatively impacted by this. I’m additionally concerned about the risk that this forces airlines to take, with respect to having lithium-ion batteries unmonitored in the baggage hold. But yet, the travel hacker in me cannot ignore the potential silver linings here.

Increased Award Availability

This electronics ban affects the home hub of Turkish, Qatar, Etihad, Emirates, Saudia, Air Jordanian, Kuwait, Royal Air Maroc, and Egyptian. What do these airlines represent? Membership of all three global airline alliances and partnerships with even more airlines.

Is it feasible to consider that this electronics ban could lead to fewer booked seats, and thus an increase in award availability? I think its reasonable. After all, an empty seat isn’t generally a good thing on an aircraft. Earning whatever the partner rates are, for a mileage redemption seems better than nothing.

Discounted Business Class Airfares for the Premium Travel Hacker

I realize that not every travel hacker wants to, or even has the means to buy business class fares. But its also no secret that I’ve leveraged these things, even for a crazy mileage run to Cairo. But is it reasonable, given that business travelers are likely to fly via alternative means due to the loss of productivity, that premium cabins fly less full? Again, it’s a reasonable idea.

travel hackers, electronics ban

Etihad A380 First Apartments Bed.

Now how low can premium airfares really go? Well, there was that one deal last year from Sri Lanka to Boston for $2080 for 2 people, round trip. At $1,000 per person for a round trip, I could see travel hackers jumping on flights originating in places like the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. I know that while I did the Egypt flights in 2015, I’m more hesitant to return; but I have found the UAE and Qatar to be safe—despite what the electronics ban tells us.

Wrapping Up

I realize that this electronics ban will have a great deal more negative impact than positive. But, I think as travel hackers, we should acknowledge that, and still look for the angle that can yield benefits.

What do you think?

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Electronics Ban, ME3, Premium Travel

Review: Emirates A380 First Class Dubai to Washington, DC (Dulles)

July 12, 2016 By Trevor 5 Comments

  • Introduction
  • Starting Out and American Airlines’ Flagship Lounge – Chicago
  • Review: Japan Airlines First Class 777-300ER Chicago-Narita
  • Review: Japan Airlines First Class Lounge – Haneda
  • Review: Japan Airlines Business Class 777-200 Haneda to Bangkok
  • Review: Thai Airways Orchid Spa and Royal Orchid Lounge
  • Review: Thai Airways 787-8 Business Class – Bangkok to Denpasar-Bali
  • Review: Grand Hyatt Bali
  • Review: Denpasar-Bali Airport and Premier Lounge
  • Review: Singapore A330 Business Class Denpasar-Bali to Singapore
  • Review: Grand Hyatt Singapore
  • Review: Singapore Airlines Private Room
  • Review: Singapore Airlines A380 Suites Class Singapore to Hong Kong
  • Review: Emirates Lounge – Hong Kong
  • Review: Emirates A380 First Class Hong Kong to Dubai
  • Review: Emirates First Class Terminal – Dubai
  • Review: Emirates A380 First Class Dubai to Washington, DC (Dulles)

We boarded our A380 bound for home (Dulles) after last call had already been announced via the monitors. As you can see below, last call wasn’t truly last call. You’ll also see below that we were on an older A380, with lower walls.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

The Emirates A380 First Class Seat

The seat was comfortable, and just like our previous flight. Hopefully some of these angles are different, to give you a better view of the seat.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

Since we had an older variation of the A380, you can see the older seat / flatscreen control.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURESSAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

We were provided pajama’s and amenities. Below are those offered to my wife.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

The Meal Service

We couldn’t start off an Emirates A380 First Class experience any way other than with caviar. There is just no other option.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

Following that, we had entrees, here is the beef entree:

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

My wife attempted to go healthy with some vegetables and cheese.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

There was also a pre-arrival meal:

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

IMG_1881 IMG_1882

The On board First Class Bar

The bar at the back of the plane was quite crowded but the front bar was very nice. This is of course the same bar that gets converted into a tranquil waterfall after the shower. Note the Henessey Paradis on the left.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

The Emirates A380 First Class Shower

Of course, I couldn’t pass up the shower.

IMG_1855 IMG_1856 IMG_1857

You’ll note below the different shampoos and soap amenities. Personally, I was disappointed with this change.

IMG_1848

Wrapping Up

Overall, the flight was wonderful. Further, it was nice to arrive at one of our home airports on an A380. It was our first time with that wonderful option! Emirates’ upgauge of their flight to Washington-Dulles is certainly a great benefit. The service, as always, was wonderful.

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: A380, Emirates, First Class, Premium Travel

Review: Emirates A380 First Class Hong Kong to Dubai

July 7, 2016 By Trevor 2 Comments

  • Introduction
  • Starting Out and American Airlines’ Flagship Lounge – Chicago
  • Review: Japan Airlines First Class 777-300ER Chicago-Narita
  • Review: Japan Airlines First Class Lounge – Haneda
  • Review: Japan Airlines Business Class 777-200 Haneda to Bangkok
  • Review: Thai Airways Orchid Spa and Royal Orchid Lounge
  • Review: Thai Airways 787-8 Business Class – Bangkok to Denpasar-Bali
  • Review: Grand Hyatt Bali
  • Review: Denpasar-Bali Airport and Premier Lounge
  • Review: Singapore A330 Business Class Denpasar-Bali to Singapore
  • Review: Grand Hyatt Singapore
  • Review: Singapore Airlines Private Room
  • Review: Singapore Airlines A380 Suites Class Singapore to Hong Kong
  • Review: Emirates Lounge – Hong Kong
  • Review: Emirates A380 First Class Hong Kong to Dubai
  • Review: Emirates First Class Terminal – Dubai
  • Review: Emirates A380 First Class Dubai to Washington, DC (Dulles)

After our visit to the lounge, we were more than anxious to get onboard our Emirates A380 to Dubai.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

The aircraft interior was noticeably newer, with the walls of the suites going higher than the older version. There was also the noticeable difference in the LCD for controlling the seat.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

The seat itself was just like usual.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

Including the mini-bar

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

 

As we settled in, we were offered the standard pre-departure champagne.

IMG_1766

Then a few minutes later, we were offered Arabic coffee and dates. I really do enjoy the arabic coffee.

IMG_1771

A few minutes later one of the cabin crew came around to schedule shower appointments. I chose 2 hours before arrival, as I like to arrive refreshed.

Before long, boarding was complete and we were on our way.

The Meal Service

We started the meal service off with some sort of seafood option. I ended up skipping it, but my wife took one for the team. I think she ended up enjoying it.

IMG_1792

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

Then there was Caviar

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

For my entree, I had a teriyaki beef dish, it was good, not terribly amazing, but certainly was good.

IMG_1796

My wife selected a beef dish, she enjoyed it more than I enjoyed mine.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

Desert was sweet, but not terribly memorable.

IMG_1799

My wife on the other hand, had a chocolate cake / lava cake type thing, which she enjoyed.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

The On board Bar

Despite the short flight, we still found time to make a trip back to the onboard bar. Its really a great amenity, in that it gives you an opportunity to stretch your legs, and mingle with others. I also had the chance to chat with the purser, who at one point stepped behind the bar–a bit uncomfortably so. An interesting point came up in the conversation, was that Emirates doesn’t give their flight attendants crew rest on flights under 8 hours. I guess I can understand that, but 8 hours of constant work in addition to all the pre-departure prep seems like a long time without a break.

Emirates A380 On Board Bar

Emirates A380 On Board Bar

The Emirates A380 First Class Shower

Perhaps the biggest deal about flying Emirates First Class is being able to shower at 40,000 feet. It really is that nice. Each A380 has two shower spas, located on the upper deck, in the nose of the aircraft (or as far forward as is possible on the upper deck).

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

They are pretty roomy, have heated floors, and a monitor that shows the airshow–because who doesn’t want to know where they are, when they’re in the shower?

Of particular note on this flight was that Emirates is moving to different soaps / shampoos amenities. Previously Emirates offered two types of soaps / shampoos. One for energizing, and one for relaxing. They are now shifting to only one. This for me, was kind of a shame because I enjoyed the two types. I also enjoyed the extras they had like the exfoliating body wash. Prior to flying Emirates, I didn’t even know that exfoliating body wash existed, but its certainly a nice perk.

Wrapping Up

Overall, the flight was wonderful. If only it was a bit longer.

 

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: A380, Emirates, First Class, Premium Travel

Stay in touch!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Search

Subscribe

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Topics

  • #Avgeek
  • Airline Programs
  • Ask TaggingMiles
  • Awards
  • Cashback Portals
  • Credit Card Match-ups
  • Credit Cards
  • Destinations
  • Dollars and Sense
  • Editorial
  • Events
  • Frequent Flyer 101
  • Giving Credit to Credit
  • Hotels
  • Manufactured Spending
  • Mileage Run
  • Miles and Points
  • Podcasts
  • Portal Update
  • Random
  • Rental Cars
  • Reselling
  • Saturday
  • Savings & Loan
  • Tagging Miles
  • The Brass Ring
  • Travel
  • Travel Insurance
  • Travel Programs
  • Uncategorized
  • Weekly News Roundup
  • Where Credit is Due

Recent Comments

  • double btc.com on Get Ebates Cashback In-Store
  • john nicholas on Tagging Miles Portal Updates – 10 December 2020
  • daftarnova88.info on Why I’m not a fan of the Amazon Seller App enhancements
  • ion club on Why I’m not a fan of the Amazon Seller App enhancements
  • Rachel on Introducing Tagging Miles Portal Updates!
Note: Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. The owners of this website may be compensated in exchange for featured placement of certain sponsored products and services, or your clicking on links and advertisements posted on this website. For more information, please see our Legal Notice.

Copyright © 2021 · Tagging Miles

This website uses cookies to personalize content and ads and to analyze traffic. Our ad partners may combine this information with other information you have provided them or that they've collected from your use of their services elsewhere. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website.OkNoRead more