An introduction to a review trip featuring Starlux first class, Philippine Airlines business class, several airport lounges, and four luxury hotels across Tokyo and Osaka.
Looking forward to the full reviews. Where did you end up crediting the PAL flights to?
@ Peter_ -- Great question with a complicated answer. I added my Atmos Rewards number to the booking on Philippine Airlines' website. However, when I actually flew, the number wasn't attached, and the agents claimed they couldn't attach it.
It seems there's still confusion as to whether or not these flights can be credited to Atmos Rewards when not booked through Alaska. So for now, I didn't credit the flights to any airline. Maybe I'll try to make a retro claim with Alaska, or otherwise, I guess... I'm not sure? Any thoughts? 🙂
cant wait for the reviews! interesting to note Patina Osaka was 33 on that top 50 list, but travel and leisure recently had it listed number 1! I think travel and leisure is based on reader votes rather than "expert" votes, so can't wait to hear your opinion
@ Funkyflapjak -- Didn't realize the hotel won number one there, that's impressive. Frankly all of these lists of course create insane expectations, because when something is ranked number one in the world, you expect it's going to be life changing, when that's rarely the case, even if it's great.
Looking forward to the full suite of reviews, Lucky, especially the hotel stays. The Starlux miles purchase is eye-watering, but I get it.
Did u get to spend time with Ford in Tokyo as he was there as well ? Hope you guys got the chance
This is such an epic combination of upcoming reviews! Can't wait for each of them. Very curious about the BVLGARI Tokyo (and how it compares to Aman Tokyo, Four Seasons, etc.) Heard good things about the WA in Osaka, so that's another one I'm excited to hear about. And, good to know Japan is (officially) your favorite!
Not really the topic here but think that's funny... I live in Abidjan and I rarely see any ads here. But since this morning it's full of Air Cote d'Ivoire ads! Is that a sign that you'll come visit us here soon, Ben? 😉
@ quentin -- Hah, while I do hope to make it there soon, I can't say that's intentional. Thoughts on how long I should spend in Abidjan? 🙂
2 nights is more than enough for ABJ! If you plan to go somewhere else like Assinie or San Pedro or Grand-Bassam, maybe a bit more, for transport if anything.
Happy to buy you a typical dinner out if you make it one day though (...says the french guy)!
Thanks for checking out some points hotels for us!
Travel p0rn!
Really looking forward to the Patina review! Been dying to figure out a way back to Japan since I visited last October and Osaka is a place we only had a day and definitely want to explore more.
And all those expenditures are tax deductible, right? 😉
@ Patrick -- Yes, generally flights I take and hotels I stay at explicitly for review purposes (as is the case here) would reasonably be tax deductible.
FL does not have State income tax so it is a Federal Tax write-off. So give or take 35% off. Maybe if Ben and Ford are lucky (pun intended) then a 37% tax write off?
Speaking of Capella, did you see Ryan Walker's latest review of the Bangkok Capella? Yowch. Really shows how these World's Bests are all about pay-to-play and who you know (although Ryan is definitely overly critical at times and seems to search out things to complain about).
Why would anyone watch his videos after he played everyone for fools? He’s a soulless “influencer”. Don’t give him the engagement.
I apologize if I missed it but Ben says this is the second most expensive flight he paid for. Do we know what was the most expensive flight he bought?
@ Calidude -- You didn't miss it, sorry, I should've probably added that info. The most expensive was when I flew Etihad's The Residence pre-COVID, when it was a fully separate product (but I still got a great deal on it compared to the regular retail price):
https://onemileatatime.com/etihad-residence-review/
How did you get from Tokyo to Osaka?
+1!
Shinkansen? (Supreme Class?)
ANA Premium class?
StarFlyer?
Peach?
Jetstar Japan?
The ferry?
Kintetsu overnight bus?
@ OliverBoliver -- Took the Shinkansen. Sadly I believe I missed the launch of Supreme Class by a couple of weeks... I'll need to return to try that!
A minor typo: the photo caption for the lobby lounge should be WA Osaka, not Tokyo. Tokyo does not have a WA, yet.
My wife and I stayed there one night this summer and we liked it better than PH Tokyo.
@ LF -- Whoops, thank you, fixed! Happy to hear you had a great stay as well. Agree it's an amazing hotel.
Ben, I am so excited for the Osaka hotel reviews. We are hopefully staying next summer. I had previously assumed that we would be in the Waldorf Astoria with Hilton certs but Patina looks incredible and is bookable over FHR.
"Some might be surprised that I decided to redeem Chase points for 1.5 cents each"
Ben, I'm more surprised you decided to transit in Manila. 🙂
@Ben, you should publish brief, possibly comedic, reviews of your positioning flights (and other such minutia) under a nom de plume, maybe "not-Ben"!
Ben, if this was the second most expensive ticket you booked - what’s the most expensive one?
@ Voian -- The most expensive was when I flew Etihad's The Residence pre-COVID, when it was a fully separate product (but I still got a great deal on it compared to the regular retail price):
https://onemileatatime.com/etihad-residence-review/
I'm not sure why you're bothering with PAL other than to document how bad it is !