Planning & Booking
Cathay Pacific 777-300ER First Class New York (JFK) to Vancouver
Fairmont Pacific Rim
Shangri-La Vancouver
We're just a couple of weeks away from our long weekend in Vancouver. This was a really easy trip to book (most weekend trips are) as there was plenty of availability for both the flights and hotels we wanted.
Cathay Pacific 777-300ER |
First, I booked our flight from JFK to Vancouver in Cathay Pacific First Class. I was able to book the flight online using 65,000 British Airways Avios for both of us. There were also taxes of $44 USD. The flight is a quasi redeye leaving New York at 10PM and landing in Vancouver at 1AM PDT. Luckily, we'll have great pajamas and a bed to get some rest on the way there.
As a reminder, British Airways Avios is a transfer partner of both Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards...so it is really easy to accumulate a ton of BA points. Not a bad redemption for a flight which would have cost a few thousands dollars.
I am headed to a conference before our trip so I'll be making a stop for a couple of nights in Chicago prior to heading to meet Emily in New York.
My routing courtesy of the Great Circle Mapper |
I paid cash for our United tickets home from Vancouver at a cost of around $400 for both of us. Yes this is a roundabout way of getting to Vancouver. But it will be a fun weekend adventure flying one of our favorite first class products.
In terms of hotels, I used the free nights from my Chase Fairmont card for the first couple of nights at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. I was able to upgrade us to a suite and we'll have $100 to spend on breakfast and $50 to spend on dinner. Not bad.
For the third night, I booked a paid rate ($220 USD) at the Shangri-La Vancouver through American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts. The rate includes wi-fi, breakfast, and a $100 on-property credit which we'll put to good use at the bar.
All in, we booked a long weekend in Vancouver for under $700. That includes 3 nights in luxury hotels, free breakfast, $150 in dining credits, and 6 hours in Cathay Pacific First Class. Follow the blog and Instagram for updates on the journey!
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