Introduction: Around The World For Allegris

Hi Ben,

The Amex points used with the Plat Business does not include the 35% rebate yet, does it?

@ JJ -- That does factor in the 35% rebate. Otherwise you get one cent of value per point, so with the 35% rebate, you get 1.54 cents of value per point. It's not the best deal in the world, but it was the best option to try some experiences that have been on my radar.

Hate to post this here - is there a better place?

It’s still breaking, but apparently Maldives is pumping the brakes on the Israeli ban due to many Palestinians (Muslims) having Israeli passports. Can we call it an Jew ban yet?

Ben, excuse my ignorance but in order to get the 35% rebate don't you have to have that airline designated for your $200 airline fee credit which theoretically is limited to changing just once per year? And, aren't the allowed partners mostly the US carriers?

It's incredible how cheap and plastic this Allegris cabin looks, Lufthansa should've reconsidered some changes before launching this Business Class, it really looks cheap for a premium cabin, it's been a failure, far behind other business seats debuting this year, the finishes are ugly, the color scheme is dull, hopefully Swiss' senses have better finishes.

Will the individual reviews include where you credited each of the paid flights? It would be interesting to read about your thought process of which programs you are accruing miles in these days.

Hi Chris. If you use AMEX points to purchase business class ticket, you get 35% back and no need to pick specific airline. Only for economy class you need to choose airline.

Hey chris,
The Amex 35% rebate works with ANY carriers so long as the flights are purchased as a business or first class fare. Selecting the airline of choice is only required to get the rebate for economy and premium economy fares.

Your ignorance has failed you twice.
You failed to understand the T&C.
You failed to believe Ben.

Was SFO => FLL in JetBlue Mint or regular ol’ economy?

Second question, you didn't get any hotel in BKK for the 1:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. "layover"?

Thanks Stu for the clarification.

I find it interesting that even you couldn’t get award space for a couple of these tickets. If you can’t manage, what chance do we mere mortals have?

Need to be in a particular place at a particular time because you have a life and now the points are pretty much worthless or a moderate cash discount.

I wonder if there's a lesson here.

Well said.

Thanks Arturas for your clarifying this.

"Look" is a matter of taste. But, how about the "feel?" It would be amusing if, after all of the delay and anticipation, the Allegris seat is "just another business class seat" relative to the current generation.

Please rate Allegris on a scale of 1 to 5 Stars, for obvious reasons.

so r u taking ur kid in biz class or what?

Unnecessary question. It's of course all of them.

1* + 2** + 3 + 4* + 5 ***** = 15 stars

The airlines and products Ben chose to fly on this trip were all products he had wanted to fly for a very long time, but couldn't make it work before due to any reason (also including award space). However, Ben wanted to complete his goal of flying every First Class product in the world, and he was motivated to make progress on it for this trip, which is likely why he was willing to shell out cash for it (and use AMEX points to pay for it - despite being at not such a great price in terms of maximizing value). He had a price for the experience he was willing to pay. That's why the way Ben paid for the Kuwait and Thai tickets may not have been the best redemptions based on maximizing value, but it allowed Ben to make progress on his goal.

@eskimo. That was unnecessary. and, to be clear, rude.

YAY!! Ben finally reviews KU F Suites!! How long as it been on your list, Ben? Over five years? Definitely since before the pandemic.

Hope the service on yours was better than when I flew KU F. Gorgeous product, but the soft service was nonexistent both in the air and on the ground from JFK. I had better much service on the regional legs.

Hi Ben!
That connection time at NRT was quite tight that didn't leave much room for delays. Since you were on separate tickets, did you have a backup flight booked just in case?
Out of curiosity, do you usually assume flights operate on time, when scheduling such itineraries?

I’m grounded. If they ever launch that boom overture I’ll come out of retirement.

Ben,
I know your "role" in a way requires you to do these breaking pieces, so in a way, it's a way to get an edge on the competition.
But I do wonder whether you carbon offset these things (even though carbon offset is a bit bs overall).
Being American, I know it's very easy to feel that climate change is not real etc etc etc. It does make me wonder what you and your partner is doing to make sure your kid and other people's kid aren't going to end up "footing the bill".
More of a curiosity than anything because the benefit of the doubt says you'd do more than the "rest of America", but America isn't the greatest at that overall.

As someone whose company had to pay 10s of thousands to a "Green" consultancy firm over the last few years to please a customer/partner, the carbon offset credits are a total sham.
This is not to try and discredit climate change or efforts to reduce emissions, but this particular side part of the industry is smoke and mirrors.

Individual efforts on a personal level are feel good measures that won't do anything for the global situation as long as countries that don't care about climate concerns continue to pump out massive amounts of pollution. True change will come from innovation and technology making clean energy as cost effective and efficient as fossil fuels, not scaling back minimal amounts of first world consumer consumption.

Would you have an email address for The Le Merdien Cairo Airport? They only have phone numbers for the contact for the hotel. Thanks