The New Travel Thread: Now with write ups in the OP

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by Jax Teller, Apr 8, 2015.

  1. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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    I'll have to look out. I rarely ever see deals from Atlanta on a few of the forums, maybe Scotts has them. Do they do non-economy deals too?
     
  2. WC

    WC Bad Company, ‘til the day I die.
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    Yep
     
  3. Where Eagles Dare

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    Probably early August. I think I was looking 8/3 to 8/14

    Long was like 2200 for premium economy. Then a flight to Portugal
     
  4. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    About to go digging through the thread but planning a trip to Panama dec/jan so open to any must-dos
     
  5. BellottiBold

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    I don't like any of the PE fares when trying to capitalize on your delta status. Looks like they want $700 more than the LHR/CDG flights for reaching LIS via NYC. Ow.
     
  6. Where Eagles Dare

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    Atl to either London or Paris was 1500/2200 round trip for economy vs premium. 700 round trip on redeye is worth the extra money. I can't sleep at all in economy.
     
  7. Pasta88

    Pasta88 Canes, Bruins, Raps, Jays and Sunderland.
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    Red-eye flights to western Europe from eastern North America are too short to get proper sleep anyway. Even if you sleep perfectly, you only have 4-5 hours of sleep time after you factor in take-off, meal-time and landing. I wouldn’t pay extra solely for sleep when I’m going to be a zombie the first day regardless, but I acknowledge others might feel differently if it makes a difference for them.
     
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  8. Where Eagles Dare

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    I'd rather get 5 hours than 0. I really struggle in coach. I've tried drinking myself to sleep, taking sleeping pills, wife's xanax. The only "good" sleep I've ever gotten was getting blitz on edibles in Atlanta->JFK->15 hour flight to China. Unfortunately I've tried that a few times again and I haven't been able to recreate that bliss.

    I did back to back red eyes to Cape Town and slept maybe 1 hour. It was miserable. Mask, ear plugs, head pillow, etc
     
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  9. Where Eagles Dare

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    I did wear only flip flops coming back from Bali 2 years ago. I will never make that mistake again on 22 hours of total flight times. Or if I do I'll 100% have compression socks
     
  10. BellottiBold

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    $2,726 all-DL PE atl jfk lis jfk atl?
     
  11. Where Eagles Dare

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    No it was just ATL-London I think. or Paris. I didn't see anything for JFK to LIS on Delta.

    Seems only United and TAP. TAP seemed like a budget airline.
     
    #23912 Where Eagles Dare, Nov 5, 2021
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2021
  12. BellottiBold

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    TAP is star alliance with a legit business class, def not budget.

    Screenshot_20211105-084251_Chrome.jpg
     
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  13. Where Eagles Dare

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    When I search on TAP it was either 1500 (no free bags, no free carry on, no pre seat selection, no meal/drinks) or 4k listing just those things but free.

    Maybe I was doing multi city and back from Porto. No sure

    Edit: Yeah it jumps to 4k with Porto for Executive
     
  14. Where Eagles Dare

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    Either way....right now 1500 to Europe from the US seems pretty high for economy. I remember after brexit I got my wife a ticket for to london for like 350 :laugh:
     
  15. BellottiBold

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  16. Nug

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    I can fall asleep on planes pretty easily, even if it's just 2-3 hours, as long as I have the adjustable headrests that keep your head upright, or a window seat. Agree that any sleep is better than no sleep -- and, unless you're in first/business class, it's not going to be "good" sleep regardless, so you're going to be in a daze on arrival more often than not.

    My flights to Cape Town were also the worst I've ever experienced -- Seattle to Dubai 14 hours, short layover, Dubai to Cape Town 12 hours. Same route on the way back. Only time in my in my life I was getting legit stir crazy.
     
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  17. Where Eagles Dare

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    Felt like I paid 1300 to Bali 2 years ago. Seems like Europe was usually 1000 for economy, max
     
  18. Where Eagles Dare

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    Yeah, Delta's Premium Economy isn't lie flat I don't think, but it is much better than coach. My wife flew it to China pre-pandemic and said it was 100x better
     
  19. BellottiBold

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    I mean I just pulled off LGA LHR CDG JFK in biz for around $1,800 (purchased points/award redemp) so you don't need to convince me that's too much for PE lol
     
  20. tjosu

    tjosu This is kind of like the breakfast club, huh?
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    Some highlights from the past week in Maui:

    -Stayed at the Hyatt Regency in Kaanapali and loved it. I did a couple mattress run nights before the trip to hit Globalist and it was well worth it, the club access was our breakfast every day along with fresh ahi poke bowls for “appetizers”/small dinners several nights. We also got sent a 25% off code for the luau I asked about, so it was $300 for us instead of the $400 advertised. Also got free parking which alone saved $240

    -Both Monkeypod and Down the Hatch were great recommendations and we had no issue getting into either, although we did go to Monkeypod at somewhat off times to avoid the rush. We also did Merriman’s one night for our splurge meal and everything about it was incredible. Even got to see a boomer couple lose their minds when the manager wouldn’t seat them because they weren’t vaccinated, which was great because you have to agree 3-4 separate times while making your reservation to showing proof of vaccine to eat there.

    -Snorkeling at Black Rock beach was a ton of fun and an easy cheaper activity that can take up most of a day. We also splurged on a helicopter tour which was a ton of fun as I’ve never been on a heli before and we lucked into the front two seats. We flew over to Molokai and then around the Lahaina area and the Iao Valley state park.

    F258FB8F-4EEE-4180-9ED0-A20E2F46F58F.jpeg FC4146D5-5749-4CC1-9FA6-14C4A3774E29.jpeg 3482D7A1-B23D-4EB7-9CB1-DDA91B0DAEBC.jpeg
     
    #23921 tjosu, Nov 6, 2021
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2021
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  21. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    booked ANA in first for 60k pts one way

    insane value for the credit card/points folks
     
  22. Nug

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    One unexpected perk of being out of the country for a long time -- no stupid daylight saving time
     
  23. Lawnole23

    Lawnole23 FSU Seminoles 2020 National Champions
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    Anyone use time shifter app to fight off jet lag? Going to try it out for my flight Wednesday to London. My buddy swears by it.
     
  24. BayouMafia

    BayouMafia Thought Leader in Posting
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    Yes but year round in Costa Rica it gets light super early and gets dark super early as well. I always tell them they are in the wrong time zone but so far they haven’t acted on my feedback
     
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  25. Nug

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    This is true as well -- sunset at 5:15 isn't ideal
     
  26. DuffandMuff

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    Where'd you transfer points from and where are you flying?
     
  27. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    ORD-NRT (hopefully HND-ORD on the way back)

    from chase/amex to virgin atlantic
     
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  28. DuffandMuff

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    Speaking of Dubai, I'm highly considering transferring all the credit card points I have earned the past few years to Emirates. Looking at the Emirates A380 first class from SFO to Dubai in late March. I've always wanted to fly that first class with showers and a full service bar on board. Bucket list type thing for me.

    Debating where to go from Dubai. Either South Africa or Indonesia.
     
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  29. DuffandMuff

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    Phenomenal.
     
  30. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    Trying to buy a delta flight through the Chase portal but one of the connections (available on Google Flights) isn't available through the portal. I'm guessing it's because its through one of Delta's subsidiaries?

    What's the best way to use points to buy this damn flight? Am I screwed?
     
  31. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    EDIT nevermind it's on there, just that 2nd leg is a lot more expensive through the portal for some reason. Guess I'm splitting it 50/50
     
  32. Nug

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    But not US citizens that are vaxxed??? The fuck?

    I'm wearing my mask, but there's definitely some anxiety about testing positive before my flight home for Thanksgiving.
     
  33. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    the test requirements for return to the us even if fully vaxxed should go away imo

    i assume most international restrictions beyond vax will start to fall around the first of the year
     
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  34. Where Eagles Dare

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    Ha, that was my first thought to this tweet. That needs to happen asap if they are allowing untested tourists
     
  35. Spontaneous Cumbustion

    Spontaneous Cumbustion Well-Known Member
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    Yeah I'd be glad to not have to pay for a test in Europe just to get back home. Between work and vacation I'll have gone over there 3 times this year and will probably be over there 4 - 5 times next year. The less times I have to stick something up my nose the better.
     
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  36. bwi2

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    US citizens haven’t been barred from international travel
     
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  37. Arliden

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    Went to La Paz in early October, still in the 90's then but it was a good time. Went spear fishing, ate ceviche, swam with seals, overall spent a lot of time in or near the ocean, ate some overall great food, and threw in a mezcal tasting, etc.

    IMG_2953.jpg IMG_2890.jpg IMG_2902 (1).jpg IMG_2962.jpg
    IMG_2824 (1).jpg
     
  38. DuffandMuff

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    I think he means vaxxed Americans are required to show a negative Covid test before flying back into the US.

    Foreign visitors to the US just have to show their vaxxed.
     
  39. bwi2

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    All do

    https://travel.state.gov/content/tr...19-faqs-for-travel-to-the-us-information.html
    • Fully vaccinated air travelers will continue to be required to show documentation of a pre-departure negative viral test from a sample taken within three days of travel to the United States before boarding. That includes all travelers – U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (LPRs), and foreign nationals.
     
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  40. Nug

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    Santa Teresa is nice, and it seems like they only allow beautiful people to visit, but man -- the town itself is just one big construction site. Dumptrucks and constructions equipment constantly traveling thru the main drag -- which is just a 1.5 lane dirt road with restaurants and shacks on either side -- loud as shit, incredibly dusty. Talking to some folks this began a few months ago, and it seems every third building is under construction. Think I may have missed the scene by about a year or so.

    But, I'm staying about 5km south in Mal Pais, which is still dirt roads and much less developed/quieter. Beaches are still great and surf is awesome.
     
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  41. Where Eagles Dare

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    Yeah, I've heard that there is a lot of construction. I also went during rainy season and it's supposed to really help with the dust. So much good food there. Please eat fish tacos/sandwich at Product C. If you're in Mal Pais Caracolas was really good, right on the beach.

    Lots of various ex-pats around. Las Piedras Parrilla was damn good Argentinian steak house. Tipsy is a good french wine store if you want some decent wine to go. Blacked out a few times off their wine.
     
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  42. Nug

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    I'm staying in a bungalow like 500 ft from Caracolas, will def check it out. Have seen it on Google maps. Product C is definitely on my list from your rec :respek:

    On another note, I've caught more waves in the past 3-4 days than I ever have in my life - had a really good instructor in Samara. Still just doing beginner stuff, but having a blast, and a good way to stay in shape when my diet includes a steady dose of Imperials.

    Got a scooter for only $20/day for my 10 days here after I bought some weed from the dude. Life is good my friends.
     
  43. Where Eagles Dare

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    Nice man! I'm going to Nicaragua in 3 weeks, new board is arriving today from Hawaii. I'm stoked.

    Seems like you could pretty much surf up and down from Playa Carmen up through Santa Teresa. Los Loras seems to be the "best" spot in town. I stayed next to it for easy access and surfed there every AM. There were always ppl of all levels out there. Doesn't seem to work well at high tide (link below). Tide shifts about an hour each day. Also Playa Hermosa maybe 15 minutes north is another stretch of beach that is pretty neat. Huge tide swings and pretty beginner friendly. Big beach

    Tides
    https://magicseaweed.com/Playa-Santa-Teresa-Surf-Report/914/

    Los Loras. Idk why I can get a link in google maps, but these are the coordinates. There is a little parking area.
    9.64358725217427, -85.16938277608105
     
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  44. Nug

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    WED this place is the ripe tits. Entire staff is just some awesome characters
    26C607BC-B28E-4157-9BAE-0969B8993104.jpeg
     
  45. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
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    Damn I went to Product C and only got a bowl.
     
  46. Where Eagles Dare

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    They definitely didn't have beer when I was there....or at least good beer.

    It was seemingly the only place with Bourbon/whiskey. They had some kind of Bourbon lemonade that was good.

    We ate there 2 or 3 times for lunch over 6 days
     
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  47. Nug

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    It was the best IPA I've had in CR, and I've sampled almost every one I've come across. The guy told me it was a brewery down in Mal Pais.

    I'm here for the next 10 days, will be eating there several times.
     
  48. Lawnole23

    Lawnole23 FSU Seminoles 2020 National Champions
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    Reykjavik airport has the nicest bathrooms I’ve ever seen. Extremely clean and big stalls for a great pooping experience.
     
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