A few additional food options if seaweed, rice and redbean are your thing.

Notes:  I love design. Thats why upon walking into the Korean Airlines KAL Business Class lounge at Tokyo Narita, I assumed that I’d just love it here. It’s a clean, bright lounge with a heavy dose of mod-luxury aesthetic. Expectations suddenly high, I checked in and began the bunny-hill slow series of disappointments. First, a majority of the seating is (at best) a little less than comfortable. The only exception is the small section of deeper, better cushioned chairs near the windows in the main area. Also, each personal area leaves little room to spread out and stow your carry-on luggage. Food is a disappointment here too. Tiny white bread finger sandwiches failed to do little more than absorb the abundance of caffeine from all the coffee I consumed on the flight in. There are a few other choices that put this on par with a US carrier domestic lounge, but the limited menu puts this KAL lounge at a disadvantage when compared with others nearby.

Wi-Fi: Yes/Complimentary with code obtained at front desk.

Service: Staff was friendly and made sure to point out that the lounge closes earlier than most (16:30). Our flight was to depart awhile after, so it was a nice courtesy to let us know before investing in the visit. Food attendant was very friendly too, but didn’t quite understand my request for decaffeinated coffee.

Convenience to gate: Convenient to Korean Air gates.

How I got in/Strategies: Priority Pass. If you’re not particularly loyal to a specific airline or don’t travel enough to use airport club rooms, I highly recommend joining.

Rating: 2 hops (of 5)

Pre-flight bubbly aboard United PS flight in First.

The Seat: I’m normally a little whiny about “lie flat” seats that don’t actually “lie flat”. But for a 5-ish hour transcon flight this one is just fine. In fact, I prefer this seat and class of service above any currently offered between New York and LA or San Francisco. United offers Premium Service (“PS”) on specially configured Boeing 757-200s in a 3 class service (First, Business and Economy Plus) between these markets only. Despite not reaching a full 180 degree recline, the seat gets pretty close. If you’re just trying to catch a few winks before pitching your awesome cats in space themed sci-fi script in LA, this should work without gravity pulling you into the bulkhead wall while you’re passed out. There’s elbow room enough for even the widest, most muscular gorilla juicehead and legroom for 1 stretched out LeBron James. I’m also a big fan of where the power port is too. It’s easy to plug in the laptop or phone charger right between the seats above the armrests and under the reading light…not hidden deep beneath the seats amongst the dusty life vests and the scent of a million soda spills.

Service: Our flight attendant was phenomenally appropriate for a product called “Premium Service”. The entire first cabin holds only 12 seats so attention is easy to come by if you need constant coffee refills or are on an in-flight booze bender.

Notes: It probably doesn’t matter much, but the C/D bulkhead seats lack the extra cutout in the bulkhead wall (as the A/B seats have).

Summary: With legacy airlines (and Virgin America) working to win over bi-coasters willing to pony up for little luxury, I think United is a big winner here. While PS Business class competes with the top offering of it’s competitors, PS First is the only game in town(s) for a relative top-level flight experience. Sure, it wouldn’t compete nearly as well overseas, but shines as a domestic choice.

Rating: 4.5 hops (of 5).

Strategy: You may find that booking a PS transcon flight using miles of a partner airline can save you a few miles. At the time we booked we found the best mile redemption deal using US Airways Dividend Miles at 50K miles round trip in First. US Airways award chart doesn’t differentiate between domestic first and business class so both classes are offered at the same level. While miles might be better applied toward bigger overseas itineraries, this isn’t the worst domestic mileage deal out there.

How I got it: Used US Airways Dividend Miles via phone (Partner redemption cannot be done online.)

Just minor leg-angling required on the window in this aisle.

The Seat: I’m not sure where in the scheme of things I started to like leather seating. Luckily for me this aircraft sports Delta’s unnaturally shiny blue leather seats complete with pillowy headrest, personal fold-up video entertainment system and in this row, plenty of legroom for a mid-sized guy like me to stretch way out. While the  aisle seat is the king of legroom here, beware toe-smashing beverage carts and lavatory congregators. While neither posed much of a problem on this flight, it’s not unlikely that you could be hurt or annoyed at any given time. The window seat seems like a good option here despite the exit door slide compartment imposing upon some of that extra legroom. You’ve got the wall for leaning, a window to stare out of and fewer people doing the bathroom dance directly in front of you while you’re trying to watch 30 Rock.

Service: Friendly enough flight attendants, but unmemorable. I had to rely on my notes for this one and even then all I seem to have noted was “prompt beverage service”. From that, all I gather is that I was probably half in the bag not long after take-off.

Notes: Seats 30A & B are similar seats on the opposite window side of the 2-3-2 configured aircraft.

Summary: With Delta collecting cash for their Economy Comfort seats a little further toward the front of this plane, it’s nice to see they left  a few plain-ol’ exit row seats alone. Sure, there’s no extra recline, but the added legroom is a nice option for a few lower-level and non-elites to battle for.

Rating: 3.5 hops (of 5).

Strategy: These seats are available for Delta SkyMiles Medallion members in advance and released for everyone else at check-in. The best bet for non-elites is to arrive early and ask the gate agent if you weren’t able to choose them online or at the kiosk.

How I got it: Purchased outright at Delta.com.

Be careful. Things could get a little crazy in here. Self-Serve at AMS Servisair Menzies Lounge

Notes: Judging by the hordes of people pouring in and out of busy airline-specific lounges down the hall, I felt pretty good about my chances at this independently run club. Such gut feelings aren’t always right, but this time I was right on. I practically had full run of the place with the exception of a few early business travelers all tucked away in quiet corners. This gave me a chance to move around and really kick the tires on the joint, sitting in just about every type of chair and sampling a good number of snacks with a lesser-than-gluttonous hangover of carb excess.

Most everything seems less than a few years old here. The wear and tear seems light on this lounge giving it a fresh, welcoming feel. The cafe furniture felt a little wobbly but the deep leather chairs were almost too comfortable. (Set an alarm for your flight, just in case!) There were plenty of snacks set out and well stocked. No real “meal” items were to be seen, but then that might be expecting a bit much. Along with a pretty decent selection at the self-serve bar the food and drink here are just above average, I’d say.

Wi-Fi: Yes/Complimentary for 60 minutes throughout Schiphol.

Service: If you’re planning on napping horizontally in the lounge, forget about it. While very sweet checking people in at the desk, I saw the lounge agent scold a customer for using a couch as a bed. Whether this is good or bad service depends on what you define a lounge to be. Clean up and re-stocking of food-stuffs was prompt and the lounge was spotless.

Convenience to gate: This is a centrally located lounge. The airports website has a map feature with maps indicating how long a walk it is to different gates or airport landmarks.

How I got in/Strategies: Priority Pass. If you’re not particularly loyal to a specific airline or don’t travel enough to use airport club rooms, I highly recommend joining. Per-visit passes are also available for this and tons of other lounges at GoSimply.

Rating: 4 hops (of 5)

Airline/Club Name: Delta Sky Club
Location: LAX (Los Angeles, CA)
Terminal/Concourse: Terminal 5

Departures/Arrivals. Delta Sky Club at LAX.

Notes: This Delta Sky Club was remodeled in 2010 and is a remarkable improvement over it’s predecessor. The space is open, bright and provides a variety of seating options for any kind of group. There are quiet areas for those who need to get work done (or are just aren’t that social) and there’s the large main room that’s more active (and closer to the food). In regards to comfort, You’ll have a wide choice of seating from bar stools to large odd but cute cube chairs with high backs and sides (that seem more like artwork than furniture). Showers are available if you’d like to wash off the plane smell in between flights. You’ll also have a good view of the lounge from the check-in counter so you can see how crowded it is before bothering (this is particularly helpful if you pay per visit and don’t want to pay extra to be squished into a spot that’s more crowded than the terminal).

Wi-Fi: Yes/Free. Connect to T-Mobile HotSpot within the lounge and connect as member.

Service: The front desk was well staffed even this late at night to check people in (to the lounge) and help with reservations. No real smiles or warm welcome from the front desk, but I’m sure those were spent on the jillion passengers who stopped by at the beginning of their shift.. The crew stocking the snack/drink bar was fantastic. Nothing sat unattended to very long and cleanup was quick throughout.

Convenience to gate: Easy. The terminal is small and the lounge is airside (past security) so you don’t need to allow extra time in getting to your flight.

How I got in/Strategies: I paid $25  with my Delta branded American Express Card, giving me 1-time access (price is per-guest). If you don’t fly Delta more than once in  a calendar month, this is likely the way to go. If you’ll be flying Delta several times within a 30 day period, you have a $90 option that gives full member access to Sky Clubs and partner lounges. This option (as do all full memberships) also grants entry to your spouse or up to 2 guests over 21 years of age. Delta offers a range of options for yearly memberships, most notably the option to pay monthly (although slightly more expensive than paying for the entire year up front). Discounts are given to medallion (premium) frequent fliers.

Rating: 4 hops (of 5)

Hotel Name: Ilikai Hotel & Suites
Location: Waikiki Beach – Honolulu
Stars: 2.5

"Mountain View" room at Ilikai Hotel & Suites. Honolulu.

The Room(s): It’s like visiting your cool grandparent’s Waikiki Beach winter timeshare. If that visualization doesn’t help then you might have gathered from the video that the room’s furnishings are slightly dated and the room is a bit tired. Decor aside, the space is at the very least functional. A good sized living area and full kitchen make it great for longer trips and family travel, particularly if you’re on a budget and choose to eat-in. The washroom is pretty bland but serves it’s purpose…again, underwhelming. There’s wired internet access but it ties you to the small desk area. On a leisure trip this might not be a huge disadvantage but if you’re like me, you’re always wanting to type something so this makes it difficult.

Service: Front desk staff was very friendly…at least I think they were. I had my eye on a nearby TV screen repeating the shot of Jack Lord in the opening to the original Hawaii 5-0 so they didn’t have my full attention. Door staff , Concierge and other hotel staff were perfectly courteous.

Perks: Nothing extra here except the natural benefits of being close to the beach …(Note that I didn’t say “on” the beach). The neighboring Hilton has the prime beach area that you’re more than welcome to use. There’s also a small lagoon-like thing to swim in if you’re afraid of large bodies of water…or  sharks.

Location: This is why you stay here. For the money the location is just about right. A short walk out the back of the hotel and you’re on the beach and not far from the little touristy village attached to the neighboring Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Lobby: The lobby is large, open but  just as dated as the rooms. Not in a cool Hawaiian retro-style, but more of a “we remodeled in the mid-90s” thing.

Overall: This is a hotel that should embrace it’s long past but sticks to it’s more recent past. If they put me in charge (which they shouldn’t), I’d throw some retro furniture in the rooms and lobby and litter the place with cardboard cutouts of hula dancers everywhere (or real ones). It seems that management doesn’t share my passion for kitsch so it retains it’s moderately priced family hotel chic that shares it’s hallways with smelly condo owners. The rooms are certainly habitable though, unless you’re sickened by Bush Administration (the first one) era decor.

Rating: 2.5 Hops (out of 5)

The Deal-How I got it: This was part of a package from Delta Vacations and still seems like our preferred location as other choices seem to be a little further off the beach. However, there are other hotels in this class (3 star) to choose from that might provide a better balance of style and location. This was paired up with a Delta flight aboard an Airbus 330, although it appears the airline has switched up the type of aircraft it uses to Hawaii since my visit.

Airline/Club Name: United Red Carpet Club
Location: MSP (Minneapolis)
Terminal/Concourse: Terminal 1 (Lindburgh) / E Concourse
Get in! (support modhop): Priority Pass

Notes: The United Airlines Red Carpet Club at MSP is small. Likely the smallest lounge I’ve seen at least in recent travels. And while I’ve never been here when it’s crowded, I’m assured by United faithful that it can get pretty tight now and then. It’s recommended that you ask the gate agent if you’re coming up on a glut of United flights or busier times…It should be easy to see if the lounge is full if you just walk in.

Wi-Fi:Yes/Free. Accessed with either Red Carpet Member # or with PIN code issued at front desk.

United Express flight boarding at MSP

Service: The front desk agent seemed as if she were lost in the woods with nothing more than a basket of stale bread and crappy wine upon check-in. As it turns out that just about summarizes the service and the food situation in the lounge. She failed to mention that the lounge would be closing very shortly as the last United flight was boarding for the day. When I later asked why everyone was leaving she then mentioned that they close shortly after the final flight, despite what the hours on the United website told me. Something I would have LOVED to have known prior to wasting a Priority Pass visit on.

Convenience to gate: Easy if you’re flying United. A lot less easy if you’re flying from far-away gates, particularly those on the G or C concourses.

How I got in/Strategies: Priority Pass. If you’re not particularly loyal to a specific airline or don’t travel enough to use airport club rooms, I highly recommend joining. You can also access this room with annual Red Carpet Club memberships and by purchasing day-passes either online in-advance at United’s website for $39 or at the club upon your visit for $50 (prices are per-person). You may also use miles to enter the lounge, but at 7,000 I think it’s a bit steep.

Rating: 2 hops (of 5)

Airline: Delta Airlines
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200LR
Seat: 14A
Class: First  (Business Elite)

The Seat: This version of Delta Airlines Business Elite is one that’s stirred up tons of discussion since it’s  introduction as the airlines first with flat-bed seating. The reviews have been mixed and I can understand why. The angling of the seats is a little awkward in my opinion. 14A in particular is one that you’ll have to recline a bit to enjoy the benefits of being next to the window. You’ll also be facing in a direction that forces you to stare right at other seats…Again, awkward. Legroom isn’t as generous as other versions of Delta’s business class but by no means constricting (for most). If you’re one of our tallest modhop friends, you may find the curvature of the seat compartment a little frustrating. When the seat is fully reclined in the lie-flat seat position, even I (at 5’8″) found the curvature of the seat at the bottom to be bothersome.  One thing I really liked about the window seats in row 14 is that they’re separated from the aisle by a coat closet, giving the seat a more private feel and a little extra table space to spread out. The same is true for window seats in row 7.

Service: In most cases you would be flying this aircraft overseas so you’ll enjoy the benefits of an expanded menu, full duvet/pillow and amenity kit. This was a domestic flight with service that was adequate but nothing extraordinary.

Notes: This seat has the benefit of being far from galleys or lavatories so traffic is very low. If the bulkhead is free of crying babies, (or crying adults)  it should be a quiet flight.

Summary: The privacy of this seat is great. The extra table space provided in these window seats comes in handy and the seat is quite comfortable in the seated position. The benefits of a true lie-flat seat are enormous if you’re trying to sleep but the smaller area for your feet gives it a tighter feel. Certainly not much of a problem if you’re an average height, but I can see it being a little uncomfortable for the tallest of us. A good seat, but research other carriers to see if there’s a better choice on your route. Trans-Pacific options like Cathay Pacific and Qantas are worth looking into. On trans-Atlantic flights, try Virgin Atlantic…Just a few suggestions (there are plenty more).

Rating: 3 hops (of 5).

Strategy: Look for these larger planes when connecting via the airlines hubs if you’d like to fly them on US domestic routes. In this case, we connected in Detroit en-route to Los Angeles. This is done to position the aircraft for overseas routes or continue on to international destinations (and you’re more likely to find a 767 than a 777).  These larger business class sections create more upgrade opportunities for elites and can mean purchasable upgrades for anyone else at the gate.

How I got it: Delta Medallion Status

Airline/Club Name: Qantas Club Lounge – American Admirals Club
Location: Honolulu International (HNL)
Terminal/Concourse: Overseas Terminal above Gate 26
How we got in (support modhop): Priority Pass

Notes: I was traveling on a Delta Vacations itinerary but found this lounge close to my departure gate so I whipped out the Priority Pass card and ducked in. Shared by One World partners Qantas and American Airlines, this is a small lounge decorated nicely with locally themed wall art and fairly typical lounge furnishings. The view is nice as you can position yourself to either look out onto the tarmac or back toward the stunning topography of the island…if you can find a place to sit.

Wi-Fi & Workstations: There are just a few workstations (as seen in the video review) each equipped with desktop computers. The computers themselves take up quite a bit of room leaving little space to work. You’ll be better off just firing up the laptop in a more comfortable seat in the lounge. Wi-fi was complimentary and worked well.

Service/Food & Drink: Service was outstanding. Check-in was quick and I was welcomed with a smile and a full (albeit brief) rundown of the clubs features. Various reviews across the web have given this lounge high marks for service as well. Food and drink was however a disappointment. Few snacks and and a very limited selection of alcoholic beverages were available and really not worth it if you’re paying per-visit.

Convenience to gate: Great if you’re flying Qantas but not so great if you’re flying American. That said the entire terminal isn’t huge so it’s not terribly inconvenient. Surprisingly very close to the gate my Delta flight departed from.

Rating: 2 hops (of 5)

How we got in/Strategy: Priority Pass membership (recommended) will get you into this lounge or 2 others at Honolulu including United Airlines’ Red Carpet Club.  Other ways to get in: American Airlines Admiral Club members, Qantas Club Lounge members and OneWorld Alliance highest tier members can enter. Additionally you can purchase an Admirals Club One Day Pass for entry.

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