I know we’re already 10 days into 2023, but I thought I’d share a little reflection on and highlights of travel in 2022. It was the year borders properly reopened and travel started to resemble pre-pandemic days. For me, 2022 was a big travel reset. It also coincided with many changes in my personal life – including starting this blog. Fortunately, these changes also allowed me to embark on some travel experience that have been on my to-do list for awhile. I was able to visit some new places, try some new airlines and products, and revisit some old favourites. In no particular order, here’s some of my thoughts on the travelling I was able to enjoy in 2022:
1. Less crowds makes for better travel
While most countries reopened in 2022, leading a massive increase in travel volumes, limited restrictions and off-peak seasons were still quieter than usual. I was able to visit Japan a few days after reopening, and it was relaxing to be able to be able to explore Kyoto’s sights with barely any crowd. I daresay it’s going to be very different when I head back there for sakura season. Not least because China has now reopened their border, politics notwithstanding.
From a miles and points perspective, the lower travel volumes – at least in the first half of 2022 – was beneficial in a few ways. Most obviously, hotel rates were lower in some areas. I was able to rack up a few stays in properties that might otherwise be out of my budget, such as the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok and the Conrad Koh Samui. Prior to Japan’s reopening, I also managed to lock in some excellent, and flexible, rates. I speculatively made bookings, cancelling each until Japan announced their reopening. This allowed me to stay at the Conrad Tokyo at a great price. I managed to get the Conrad Tokyo and Conrad Osaka locked in for sakura season too, which I’m really looking forward to.
Besides the great rates, it was also a little easier to snag upgrades. At the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, I was upgrade four or five categories to the corner suite (though it had its drawbacks). At the Hilton Sydney, I managed to get a junior suite for a four night stay. That’s a nice upgrade at a hotel that’s usually very full. Heck, even in the Hilton San Francisco, they originally upgraded me to a junior suite, though I eventually declined in favour of getting a room immediately in the morning.
Overall, the reduced crowds made for a nicer, more pleasant travel experience in all respects (unless of course you were travelling in Europe during summer). I don’t expect 2023 to be the same, but I’ll take whatever wins I can get.
2. Finally ended a 3-year chase
After 3 years and 2 cancellations, I finally managed to get on ANA First Class. The first cancellation occurred in 2019, when I was due to fly SFO-HND in ANA F, but I had to cut short my time in the US to rush home for a family emergency. The second attempt was planned to be ORD-NRT in April 2020, and we all know what happened in 2020….
Was the wait worth it? Hell yes. It was one of the best flights I’ve ever. It helped too that I lucked out by getting a 777 fitted with ANA’s latest ‘The Suite’ first class. Oh, and did I mention I was the only passenger in first class on the flight? The service was top notch, the hard product fantastic and the food phenomenal (for airplane food). Sadly, it’ll probably be awhile before I get on ANA F again, but even if I never do it again, I’m fully satisfied at having finally ended this 3-year chase.
I had redeemed my ANA F ticket through Avianca Lifemiles. It’s a useful programme if you’re willing to put up with occasional customer service issues, and the cost of buying miles. The usefulness is limited in some respects, as many Star Alliance carriers limit premium cabin redemption on their metal using Lifemiles. SQ of course is well known for limiting premium cabin redemption to only KrisFlyer and Alaska Mileage Plan. However with Lifemiles, I’ve noted ever since Covid-19 hit that even Thai has restricted its premium cabin from Lifemiles redemption, though redeeming via KF is still possible.
3. Ticked off some new airlines and products
Besides ending that 3 year chase for ANA F, I had the opportunity to try a handful of other new products in 2022. Or at least products that were new to me. Some airlines were ones that I was already familiar with, but I experienced the full long haul service for the first time. Almost all were rather positive – surprisingly so in the case of certain airlines – and exceeded my expectations.
TAP Air Portugal’s A330-900neo business class
This was another holdover from the pandemic. I had to cancel a TAP flight for April 2020, and TAP being TAP would only give a voucher. I flew them from New York JFK to Lisbon, and connected onto London Gatwick on an A319. The service was pleasant and the seat – a basic Recaro CL6710 – was comfortable. Given their keen transatlantic business class fares, I wouldn’t mind flying TAP again. Just hope nothing goes wrong operationally.
Jetblue new Mint Suite
Jetblue Mint was not something new to me. I flew it once in 2019 between JFK and Seattle. But Jetblue then took Mint to a whole new level with the new Mint Suite and Mint Studio. I managed to work this into my 2022 travel plans, on the same trip as ANA F and TAP.
This is one truly phenomenal product. All-aisle access, doors for privacy, coupled with the superb Mint service and dining. This is the best narrowbody hard product anywhere, and arguably the best way to fly transcon in the US.
Singapore Airlines 737-8 business class
Another narrowbody product, but less cutting edge. The new Singapore 737-8 business class seat is a good, though not great product. Perfectly serviceable for the short and medium-haul routes the aircraft serves. Finally, Singapore Airlines has a narrowbody that doesn’t make passengers wonder if they boarded the right aircraft, especially if connecting from a long-haul. Now if only those pesky 737-800NGs would go….
United Polaris business class
United Polaris has been around a few years now, but somehow I’ve never been able to get round to trying it. That finally changed in 2022. United gets a lot of stick for the soft product, and while some of it is justified based on my experience, there’s no doubt the Polaris hard product is rock solid. The Saks Fifth Avenue bedding is excellent, and the seat on the whole is well-thought out. The Polaris lounge is lovely as well, and was well worth arriving at the airport early for. Protip: try to snag a bulkhead seat, there’s more foot space when lying flat.
EVA Air 787 business class
EVA Air has long been one of my favourite carriers to fly in business class. The warm Taiwanese hospitality, combined with excellent food and seats make for lovely flights. Up till 2022, my flights on EVA were mostly limited to SIN-TPE or HKG-TPE runs. I finally had the chance to get the long-haul experience, and it was superb. The top-quality Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame definitely helped enhance the experience too, in many ways. I love their pyjamas too, which is a rare amenity for business class.
JAL business class
Given JAL’s reputation, this was sadly one experience that underwhelmed. There were aspects of both the hard and soft product that were disappointing and occasionally, just bewildering and laughable. I’ll be flying JAL business between Singapore and Tokyo again in a couple of months, and unfortunately I’m not overly excited about those flights.
4. Lack of travel for 2 years made me rusty
With my first “post” pandemic trip being right at the end of 2021, I was still pretty rusty in terms of travel in 2022. I made some rookie mistakes that Id normally not do. For example, for my TAP Air Portugal flight from JFK to Lisbon, I actually missed a notice on of the airline’s emails that they were relocating from JFK T5 to T1. I ended up still heading to T5, getting confused, and then literally running to the AirTrain to get to T1.
I also almost failed to earn KF miles on one of my SQ flights. This was due to through checking a Lifemiles redemption with a paid SQ flight. I should have instructed both the United and SQ ground staff more thoroughly what to do with the FFP fields, but didn’t think it would be an issue. In the end, it took a rather aggressive two months back-and-forth with SQ to get the miles into my KF account.
5. Nothing to beats returning to old favourites
Besides visiting new places such as Koh Samui, Kyoto (ok I never actually left the resort) and Los Angeles, it was heading back to longtime favourite destinations that felt most satisfying. I lived in Melbourne for five years, and made annual visits since leaving at the end of 2015. It was the last trip I took before borders closed, and not being able to head there for two years was painful. So finally travelling there in April 2022 was honestly an amazing feeling. Stopping by in Sydney, a place I hadn’t visited since a work trip in 2016, was delightful as well.
I also returned to one of my favourite resorts in the region, the W Bali. It might not be to everyone’s taste, but I love it. I’ve always had impeccable service, it’s conveniently located within Seminyak, and the breakfast is pretty good. normally stay in one of the villas. Those don’t get a beach view, but the private pool and larger space makes up for it. I love the service there, and the villa remains my favourite hotel villa. I love the , but my desire to sample different resorts means I don’t get to stay there as often as I’d like. Ok, that and the fact it is rather pricey.
Looking ahead for 2023
For 2023, most of travel plans are still a bit uncertain. A lot will depend on how hotel rates and airfare move. I do need to think about requalification for KF and Hilton Honors, which I’ll detail in a separate post. Those will likely drive my travel plans, more than anything else. For now, I’ve got a couple of things planned for the first quarter, starting with Bali. There’s some trips in the pipeline as well, including a potentially a first visit to the Middle East towards end of the year.
Conclusion
Somehow this post has ended up longer than I thought it would. Overall, I had a great time travelling in 2022. I’m not sure yet how much I’ll be doing 2023, but I’m hoping so. I’ll certainly be aiming to deliver more content on this blog, particularly the reviews that most readers come for.
Here’s to safe and enriching travels in 2023 for everyone!