Scholarship table
MU Fan in CTI had 12 days in India, and it went better than I expected. I stayed at all Marriott properties, with exception in Bangalore, and had no health/food issues. Ate every meal at the hotel, with exception of Hard Rock for lunch on the last day. The dogs and monkey's made walking around difficult and we used a driver to go everywhere. We had four nights at hotel that lost their liquor license but used hotel car to take us to another hotel for cocktails.That is the good news, the bad news it looks like India will be regular stop for me in 2024. I appreciated Wags and others mentioning not to let my guard down on food and water.
WagsTruthfully, India was far better than I expected. I prefer the flight to China, but not a major difference. While I am very excited about a new chapter in my career, wouldn’t mind being a decade or so younger. I was somewhat concerned if I still competitive chops going into the trip and that concern went away quickly.
Don't be afraid to try the Oberoi and Taj hotels in India. They are far better than the ITC/Marriott/Hyatt. I had 5 years of my life with 100+ days in India and have been to the back of beyond as well as to all the major cities. It is one of my favorite places to travel. Let me know if you need any specifics.
WagsDirect flights are hard to come by these days. The flight back from Delhi to Newark was 16:40 long. I prefer the tailwinds and nonstop Shanghai or HK to Chicago.
What about the flight to China do you prefer? They are more or less the same distance wise. I guess it depends on your route to India these days. Direct to India was much easier/nicer before the Ukraine conflict changed the routes.Yea those are right on par with any Western hotel, but depending on where, you'll pay. I stayed at a Taj for a wedding on a trip a few years ago and it was double my normal Sofitel/Marriott rates.A third of the year in India? WOW. I bow to your expertise in comparison Where were you based at the time? I'd imagine you have a stomach of steel.
Just curious, do you guys think biz class or first is worth the money? I work for myself and I struggle to justify the crazy high prices these days. I have flown biz or first a lot of times over the years, but find it too expensive these days.On a sidebar, my wife travels to Europe very regularly on biz and her company has no problem paying $10k for a ticket. I have always felt publicly traded companies should offer to split savings with their employees to fly economy. My wife would take biz, I would take the money.
Goose,For the Asia flights I think Business Class, despite being overpriced, is necessary for sleeping and meal purposes. Economy Class doesn't flatten enough to really sleep and you get less food.For Europe, I can fly business class but I don't. The flights are too short and would be completely unnecessary. I usually compromise and go Comfort Plus for the priority boarding and extra legroom and drink service and it is only $200-$400 extra per ticket.
chickThat is pretty cool. I am far from a wealthy guy but have over 3 million miles flown in my life. I also can be found in coach, often a middle seat. I always say to myself what I can do for my kids with the extra $4-8k per trip. On my trip to India my client paid my expenses and still flew coach.
I have my own opinions on the truly affluent flying coach on business trips, mostly around their value of their own time and comfort, but I don’t need to insult anyone so I’ll keep it to myself. Though I will say, if you truly have lots of disposable income that you can splurge and you’re regularly flying long haul in economy, you’re doing yourself a disservice health wise over the long run, IMO
If you have flown that many miles, why the hell are you in a middle seat? You certainly have some level of permanent status on a carrier. I can understand coach, but there is never an excuse for a middle seat short of buying a flight the day of or switching in an emergency. I have my own opinions on the truly affluent flying coach on business trips, mostly around their value of their own time and comfort, but I don’t need to insult anyone so I’ll keep it to myself. Though I will say, if you truly have lots of disposable income that you can splurge and you’re regularly flying long haul in economy, you’re doing yourself a disservice health wise over the long run, IMO
Wags1.5 million on UA, with literally one trip since pandemic, over 1 million on Delta with one trip since pandemic and well over 500k spread over Cathay, Japan, American and local China airlines. My status is now middle of the road on UA and Delta and way down the list of priority flier.For years I was given white glove service by UA and Delta and those days are long gone. Now, to your point on middle seat, the only time I have a middle seat is if I get the right row. 9 out of 10 I take the window seat.You may be right on general health, and I will likely only take the Comfort Plus on UA moving forward. It really is not much lower than what business class was 30 years ago. As Chick noted, the bloated difference in price is what bothers me. If a $2-3k difference I likely take business, at a crazy premium I am a seller.I will say, Marriott has been the one company that has taken care of me since the pandemic. They have kept my status every year, even with few nights stay at their properties. Until they piss me off again, they get 100% of my business.
Are sports bars a thing in Malaysia? Should I plan on getting a VPN? Trying to plan a way to watch the Maui invitational games next week.