Intro

We were married on January 15th, Y2K. My how time flies when your having fun! To celebrate the 10 year anniversary of this momentous occasion, we decided to go back to Koh Lipe, Thailand. Last year when we went there, we paid for our tickets, which meant that our cache of Aeroplan (AE) miles had grown a lot. In fact we had just under 220,000 miles, almost enough to get 2 tickets in First Class (F) to Asia and back (120,000 each). Years ago, we had been bumped into Air Canada's Executive class (J) on the Incheon, South Korea to Vancouver flight and thought it was fantastic. This was on the older style F seats that people now seem to look down upon. While perusing Red Flag Deals I came across this deal with AMEX that gave you 25,000 AE miles after spending $1000 CDN (it's since risen to $3000 CDN). One set of winter tires and rims later and we had enough to go first class!

When we looked on the Aeroplan website to see what options were available it was apparent that they don't give you all the possibilities. While Googling, we came across the Flyertalk (FT) website. This is a fantastic resource for air travelers, giving you all sorts of tips and letting you in on what you can actually get away with on the various airlines. I posted in the AE forum asking for advice on putting together a memorable anniversary trip. This was when our education in airline travel started. Some of the things we learnt from the great advice on FT included:

• Flying on Air Canada means you will pay more in taxes for your "free" AE flight so try to avoid if possible.
• You can make 2 stopovers for free as well as your turnaround point.
• You can stay up to 23 hours and 59 minutes at each of your hop points.
• You can fly around the world by going East to West or West to East rather than each direction on the away and return legs.
• Some lounges are way better than others.
• There is a vast difference between First and Business Class.
• The Nippon Airlines "ANA tool" is a great free way to find out availability on most Star Alliance (*A) carriers.

Once Helen got the go-ahead from work, we started to research our options based on going around the world and using some of the great First class lounges. Then 4 months prior to when we wanted to leave I started another FT thread asking for specific advice and after a couple of phone calls to the AE booking center we finally arrived at the following itinerary that worked with our schedules:

Outbound:

1. YYC (Calgary) - ORD (Chicago) United Airlines First Class
2. ORD (Chicago) - FRA (Frankfurt) Lufthansa First Class

Nip into Frankfurt to check it out for a few hours.


3. FRA (Frankfurt) - BKK (Bangkok) Thai Airlines First Class
4. BKK (Bangkok) - HDY (Hat Yai) Thai Airlines Business Class

Andaman paradise for 24 days

Return:

1. HDY (Hat Yai) - BKK (Bangkok) Thai Airlines Business Class
2. Stopover for a couple of days of BKK shopping

Stopover for a couple of days of BKK shopping


3. BKK (Bangkok) - NRT (Narita) Thai Airlines First Class

Check out Narita town for a few hours.


4. NRT (Narita) - SFO (San Francisco) United Airlines First Class
5. SFO (San Fancisco) - YYC (Calgary) United Airlines First Class

The BKK/HDY flights don't have F cabins so we had to settle for business class for these hour long hops. Another "disappointment" was that we couldn't find 2 F tickets on Lufthansa from FRA to BKK and had to go with Thai Airways. This meant we don't get to experience the famous Lufthansa First Class Terminal in FRA. We are "stuck" with the First Class Lounge available to flyers landing on an LH F ticket. The upside is that apparently we can use the also famous TG F lounge upon arrival in BKK. On the way home we also get to use the TG F lounge so we'll definitely be making use of the free spa with massages etc.

Since we avoided Air Canada, we managed to keep the extra fees and taxes down to $147 CDN each. That's actually pretty good for such a big trip. You can see some example charges for "free" reward flights here. Here's the breakdown:

$31.50 For the phone call to spoon feed the flights to the rep
$115.06 in taxes
________________
$146.56 per person

Technobabble from the itinerary:

Taxes, surcharges and airline fees per passenger (age of 2 and over) Canada Security Charge (CA) 17.00 Canada Goods and Services Tax (GST/HST #10009-2287) (XG) 1.05 Combined taxes, fees, charges and surcharges *for ClassicFlight, see fare calculation below (XT) 97.01

19JAN10YYC UA ORD0.00LH FRA0.00TG BKK0.00TG HDY0.00TG
BKK0.00TG NRT0.00UA SFO0.00UA YYC0.00CAD0.00 END ROE1.28
XT21.00SQ5.40AY10.80XA15.12XY21.83RA18.00TS XF4.86SFO4.50
Additional Information:
• THE NON-REFUNDABLE AEROPLAN SERVICE FEE
• OF CAD30.00 PLUS 1.50 GST PER PASSENGER
• FOR A TOTAL OF CAD31.50
• HAS BEEN CHARGED TO YOUR CREDIT CARD.

Update 21-12-2009: When we first made the booking, we had only been able to get business on the return BKK to NRT TG flight. Using the ANA tool I noticed that Thai airlines seemed to trickle out the F seats on this flight. After checking the ANA site every day for almost 3 months I finally saw F available so quickly called AE and got us upgraded to F seats for free. Without this we wouldn't have been able to use the F lounge in BKK going home so we were pretty excited.

Update 1-1-2010: With all of the craziness going on with Canada to US flights following the Christmas bombing attempt, we are now worried we won't be able to take our usual backpack lids on. Fingers crossed they change the draconian carry-on limitations.

Update 3-1-2010: After coming across the NEXUS border clearance setup on the FT forum, we applied today (Jan. 3) online via the US GOES site. This cost us $50 US each and is good for 5 years. It basically expedites you when going through customs by having your retina scanned. It'll be interesting to see how long it takes and whether we get them in time for the trip although by the sounds of things, chances are slim. Once our applications are approved we then make appointments at the Calgary airport to be interviewed by US and Canadian customs. Then you wait for your card in the mail.

Update 7-1-2010: Apparently there is a new First Class Lounge in Frankfurt that is as good as the FCT or maybe even better: "FCL is newer, fresher, less crowded and with the same amenities as the FCT". So it turns out that our decision to fly out on TG was better as we still get a great lounge in FRA and also get to use the fantastic Thai F lounge in BKK upon arrival there.

Update 14-1-2010: We finally received our initial NEXUS approval 11 days after applying. I immediately called the Calgary Airport Customs office to make an appointment for the final approval interview only to find that the earliest we could do it would be 3 days after we leave on our trip. So I booked for the weekend after we get back. Ah well, it was worth a try.

And They're Off! 21,286 miles to go!

We set our alarm for 4AM (Helen being cautious :-) ). As soon as were were all showered and ready to go, Joanne of "All 4 You" limo service had showed up. Ironically its cheaper to take a limo to the airport than a cab as we live just south of Calgary in De Winton. For $75 we got a ride in a nice comfy luxury car and she had Tim Horton's coffee for us to drink on the ride. Definitely the way to go! :-)

	Ready to go Waiting for Joanne to show up for the limo ride to the airport.
	Excited and can't believe its finally trip time! We'd been counting down the days so we were totally excited and freaked out as we'd never done a luxury trip like this before as you'd usually find us in coach.
	Waiting sucks! Going through customs to the US will suck the excitement and joy out of anyone. Here's Paul waiting for the flight to Chicago (ORD) at YYC on United flight UA5856 in first class. We completely avoided Air Canada flights to keep the cost down of the "free" trip.
	First Flight to ORD Chicago Our first flight was on a dinky little united plane. Service sucked and you got basically nothing even though we were in "first c;ass". One cool thing was that we sat next to Darry Sutter. Helen spoke to him about the Leafs as we deplaned and is taking credit for the Dion Phanouef trade which went down shortly after this.
	First Class Lounge at ORD Finally something more fitting to F class. O'Hare airport was a zoo. We went straight to the F lounge to wait for our Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt.

Lufthansa 431 ORD to FRA in F

When it got close to boarding time we headed over to the gate and saw that there was a separate entrance for First class passengers. As we walked up to the attendant there you could almost see in his face that he was thinking "ahh some more cattle trying to get in the wrong entrance". We showed him our tickets for seats 1A and 2A and we were in. Wow! This is were the coolness of the trip really sank in...

	Welcome to LH 431 After we sat down there was some Champagne and nuts for us to snack on.
	I do this all the time! Yeah right! Paul trying to act like he flies First class all the time.
	Now We're Talking! The First class cabin on the LH Airbus A340-600 was fantastic! The seats were very comfy in upright and flat configurations. We enjoyed being next to each other but we could see how some travelling alone might not appreciate the closeness to their neighbour in the middle seats.
	Our wonderful stewardess There were only 2 other passengers in the 8 seat first class cabin so we basically had a stewardess to ourselves. She was fantastic. She told us that she enjoyed looking after people who don't usually fly in F as we were so excited and in awe. She told Helen to try everything and not to worry if she didn't like something. The caviar and chilled vodka was neat but I wouldn't rave about it. The rest of the food was absolutely fantastic!
	Helen Ready For Bed We both were given some really nice PJ's along with a bag of other schwag. Thanks to the very nice booze we slept well. :-D

Frankfurt Airport and the First Class Lounge

Frankfurt airport (FRA) is one of the busiest in the world. Unless you enjoy crowds and bustle its not exactly a fun place to spend 7 hours. We ha dspoken to the stewardesses on the LH flight an dthey'd give us a list of some things to checkout in the city. However once we landed it was snowing and raining and we did not have the shoes and clothing to ventur eout into it. SO unfortunately we were "forced" to spend our time in Germany in the luxurious First Class Lounge (FCL). There is also th eFirts Class Terminal but since we were departing on Thai Airways we could not use it. The only real difference is you don't get a ride to your flight from the FCL. No major loss. We showered, slept, ate and drank in luxury for the next few hours.

	Helen enjoying the FRA FCL After we sat down there was some Champagne and macedamia nuts for us to snack on.
	Schnitzel in the FCL The food and booze election was just as good in the FCL as it was on the plane.
	FRA FCL The FCL was an oasis in the hustle and bustle of the busy Frankfirt airport. Huge selection of alcohol, cigar room, showers, sleeping room, restaurant, mmm.......

Thai Airways TG 921 FRA to BKK

Frankfurt airport (FRA) is one of the busiest in the world. Unless you enjoy crowds and bustle its not exactly a fun place to spend 7 hours. We ha dspoken to the stewardesses on the LH flight an dthey'd give us a list of some things to checkout in the city. However once we landed it was snowing and raining and we did not have the shoes and clothing to ventur eout into it. SO unfortunately we were "forced" to spend our time in Germany in the luxurious First Class Lounge (FCL). There is also th eFirts Class Terminal but since we were departing on Thai Airways we could not use it. The only real difference is you don't get a ride to your flight from the FCL. No major loss. We showered, slept, ate and drank in luxury for the next few hours.

	Our FRA to BKK 747 Here's our plane as seen from the gate. It was an older 747. At least it wasn't swapped out for one of their no-first class planes. That would have really sucked for such a long flight.
	Seats 2F and 2K This 747 was an old one but we still enjoyed the seats and amenities. Dom Perrignon really is very niiice! :-)
	First Class on the TG 747 to BKK Here we are in our complimentary Thai Royal Orchid silk PJ's.

Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge and Spa in Bangkok Airport (BKK)

When we arrived at BKK, the stewardesses held back everyone else in the plane while the First class passengers deplaned. As soon as we stepped off there was a girl from Thai Airways waiting for us to take us straight to the first class lounge and spa. Check out the video of our ride:

The lounge was great.

	Our Personal Room at the BKK TG FCL We got in early and had our own room in the first class lounge. Got to watch a Liverpool match and did some surfing on the free wifi while we waited.
	Nice bathrooms at the TG FCL We both took showers in the fancy bathrooms attached to the first class lounge.
	The Spa When you fly Thai Airways first class you get to use the spa in the airport. On the way there we had back and neck massages. On the way home we went for full body massages.
	Relaxing after a Massage in the First Class Spa They give you some tea and biscuits and some other munchies to chill with for a bit after your massage. After that we headed back to our room in the lounge.
	Good Food in the Lounge We were kept well fed and watered while we were there. Here we were having an espresso, latte, pad thai and green curry.

Hat Yai and on to Koh Lipe

We caught a short one hour afternoon flight to Hat Yai after our stay in the FCL. Since the ferries to Lipe only run in the early afternoon we had arranged to stay the night in our favourite Hat Yai Centara (used to be Novotel). Its in the center of downtown Hat Yai and has a fantastic breakfast buffet included with the room. The buffet has sections of Thai, Malay and western breakfast items. To be honest we pretty much stay here just for the breakfast buffet. :-D

The lounge was great.

	Our Room at the Hat Yai Centara Hotel Nothing fancy but clean and great price with fantastic breakfast buffet included.
	Waiting for speedboat at Pak Bara pier Getting close. We had to wait fo rabout an hour in the sweltering heat at the Pak Bara pier. Slather on the sunscreen!
	Speed Boat to Koh Lipe Times have changed. You used to have to take a slow 3-4 hour ferry ride to get to Koh Lipe. Now most people take a 1 hour ride in a speed boat. We prefer sitting up front. Can be scary when the seas aren't calm. We made a stop at Koh Turatao to drop of some people.
	Relaxing after a Massage in the First Class Spa They give you some tea and biscuits and some other munchies to chill with for a bit after your massage. After that we headed back to our room in the lounge.
	Good Food in the Lounge We were kept well fed and watered while we were there. Here we were having an espresso, latte, pad thai and green curry.

Photos

Picasa High Quality Version slideshow at dpreview.com

Videos

Youtube videos (make sure to select 720P!)