Flight UPgrades: A How-To Guide

[trip style = luxury on a budget]

---------------
Editor's Note: We're currently on a research trip which has us exploring Kuala Lumpur, Bali and Tokyo. With this, we'll be pausing in our in-flight schedule this Thursday and next week, returning May 8th with our regular Tuesday-Thursday Trip Stylin'. In the meantime, check out our posts on Instagram. 
---------------

Scoring a flight upgrade is akin to Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket—a sweet deal worth munching on a few regular chocolate bars to unwrap the golden one.

Going from economy to cushy class without status is a hard-to-achieve travel perk, but when it happens, it's like you've entered a candy land you never want to leave. Think: lie-flat seats that double as massage chairs {Emirates}, sommelier-selected wines {most major airlines}, and lounges with included manicures {Virgin Atlantic} or made-to-order noodles {Cathay Pacific}. 

Two weeks ago I wrote an article for the Expedia Viewfinder Travel Blog—to which I'm a regular contributor—about how to score a business class upgrade in the clouds. In it, I list six tips to get you one step closer to Champagne perks at 35,000ft based on how I've scored sudden upgrades. To give you a hint of what's in the article, here are the tips in their ultra-basic form. Find the FULL details, here. 

1/ Dress nicely. Need some inspiration? Follow our JetSet Style series.

2/ Fly airlines offering low-cost upgrades. No joke; if the stars align, you can upgrade for as low as $50.

3/ Focus on B routes at B times. Unless you have status, it's hard to get bumped to the front of the plane if you're flying major routes like Vancouver to Toronto, or Los Angeles to New York. 

4/ Be nice, and treat those around you like humans versus droids. The power of nice can have a huge impact on your seat selection. 

5/ Get serious about travel credit card spending and racking up miles with an airline alliance. 

6/ Ask. It can't hurt. 

[top photo by @tripstyler, bottom photo via Cathay Pacific]

Roam+Board :: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

[trip style = luxe + foodie + sun + spa]

Editor's Note: This R+B is part of a series on my luxury jaunt to Asia. Earlier posts include: flying Cathay Pacific's business class, exploring Hong Kong and checking into the Four Seasons Hong Kong. Look for a wrap-up in a few weeks, when I take you on an elephant trek in the Golden Triangle {where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet}. 

What
Staying in hotels as my passion project and my living means resorts are much more than a stay I've sought out, or an assignment I've been given; they are my second home, my source of inspiration and my global community {from the room attendants to the other guests}. And sometimes, I can't shake certain stays.

The Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai is one of them. Sprawling 20 acres over botanical gardens and a working rice farm in Northern Thailand, the resort's tall curvy roofs, open-air living and stepping-stone pathways, designed in an ode to the area's Lanna Kingdom heritage, are only part of its je ne sais quoi. Looking back, the reason I can't {and will never} shake this stay, is the property's personality. In a word, it's got soul. 

Built around gently cascading rice terraces, 64 pavilions accompanied by a private outdoor living room {aka: sala} beg you to be. Three hours later, you realize you drifted away. While I'm normally a go-go-go gal, the surrounding quietness and beauty lulled me into a never-never land. Beyond the pavilions, a collection of 34 pool villas and private residences round out the wild and with-it accommodations. 

Aside from a sightseeing and shopping visit to the 700-year-old city—Chiang Mai is the cultural capital of Thailand—a trip to the Spa and a few sun sessions by the infinity pool, I spent most of my time consuming Northern Thailand's famous fare like kaow soi gai {the area's signature yellow curry noodles with chicken} in the hotel's four restaurants.

My culinary crescendo came on the last night in the hotel's Cooking School when under the tutelage of Chef and local restaurant owner Nuttaluck Roswan, I prepared green papaya salad and noodle-wrapped fried chicken in an exotic dining pavilion sporting exposed-beam ceilings, timber floors and a symphony of copper pots.  

You find the soul of a place through its food. Combine this with the Four Seasons' trip styled setting, it's no wonder I fell so hard. Trip Styler approved.     

Trip Styler Tip: Leave your Jimmy Choos at home; the cobblestone and teak pathways are better tailored to flat soles over spikes.

Where
In Chiang Mai, Thailand's Mae Rim Valley, 30 minutes from the Chiang Mai Airport {CNX} and 20 minutes from the city.

When
Chiang Mai's weather ranges from warm to hot year round. August and September accumulate the most rainfall, so while there's no bad time to visit, most stay between October and May.

Who/Why
Garden variety resorts aren't for you. You want something savvy with soul. A place to be pampered, yet go rice planting; to eat well, yet sharpen your kitchen skills in a cooking school.

Cost
Rates start around $487 a night and include use of mountain bikes, an area resort shuttle, a sauna and herbal steam room. Note: The Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai skews towards adults, though small ones are welcome and will gush about their own pint-sized resort experience due to the kids club with daily activities.

Photos

Adult pool

Main pool

Chic seating perched over main pool

The dining scene at Sala Mae Rim, one of four resort restaurants

Pad Thai {when in Rome}

Dessert: sweet coconut soup with taro pearls

The Cooking School

Mixing my own green papaya salad in cooking class

Ask for it: Rice Field cocktail

A server offering Monsoon Valley, Thailand's only locally made, beautifully flavored sparkling wine

My pavilion

My bathroom

My outdoor sala, attached to every pavilion

Inside the sala

Lobby lights

Floating flower arrangements, a familiar sight in every corner of the 20-acre property

Two workers--part of a staff of 50 full-time gardeners--tending to the rice fields

The rice paddy parade, an end-of-day procession happening every night at 4.50pm

More Roam+Board
Four Seasons Hong Kong
Korakia Pensione - Palm Springs 
La Gazelle d'Or – Morocco
Mandarin Oriental – Las Vegas
Hotel Lone – Croatia
Four Seasons Resort at Manele Bay - Lanai

[photos by @tripstyler, except top photo and cooking school via Four Seasons Chiang Mai, taken as a guest of the hotel]

Roam+Board :: Four Seasons Hong Kong

[trip style = luxe + urban + food & wine]

Editor's Note: This R+B is part of a series on my luxury jaunt to Asia. Earlier posts: flying Cathay Pacific's business class, and exploring Hong Kong. 

What
The Four Seasons Hong Kong exists at the cusp of business and pleasure, boasting the streamlined efficiency of a Fortune 500 company and the escapism of a far-flung retreat. Graced with a soothing blend of Asian hospitality and Four Seasons' signature service, I felt at home the minute I walked into the sleek and daylight-drenched lobby.  

Not holding anything back, each room features floor-to-ceiling views and a marble ensuite flaunting fresh flowers and separate spaces to soak and rinse. The pillowy-firm beds, seemingly outfitted for the long-haul traveler, mean sweet dreams quickly overtake jet lag. 

Completely content with the lure of the Spa, Pool Terrace and Michelin-star restaurants, there were moments when I second-guessed walking out the front door into the waterfront metropolis. There's a distinct retreat quality to the urban tower.

Intent on experiencing the hotel with all five senses, every day, I did two things: Swim in the infinity pool perched over Victoria Harbour {pictured above}, and visit the Spa's water therapy circuit, complimentary for guests and the ULTIMATE way reinvigorate the body after flying.

At night, it only seemed fitting to delve deeper into the hotel's global allure and toast the city, where I started dating my husband, at Caprice, home to Asia's largest selection of artisanal French cheese. In the discreet and dark-hued bar-lounge, I sat in a velvet settee with a glass of Bordeaux, a wooden board of cheese and the hope that my trip styled stay could one day be repeated. Trip Styler approved.

Where
In the heart of the Financial District on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong, 25 minutes from the airport via the Airport Express train or 35 minutes by car/taxi.

When
Hong Kong's weather is sweetest in spring and fall when precipitation is at a minimum and temperatures are warm like a West Coast summer.

Who/Why
You're looking to make a splash in Hong Kong, both in the rooftop infinity pool, as well as in the Michelin-starred restaurants.

Cost
Rates start around $545 a night and include free WiFi and access to the Spa's vitality lounge, thalassotherapy pool, steam, infrared sauna. 

Photos

Pool terrace

My room

My bathroom

Bathroom orchids

Tai Chi with master William

Dim sum in Lung King Heen, the world's first three Michelin star restaurant

Caprice Bar

French cheese board at Caprice Bar

Thalassotherapy pool with chi water in the Spa

More Roam+Board
Korakia Pensione - Palm Springs 
La Gazelle d'Or – Morocco
Mandarin Oriental – Las Vegas
Hotel Lone – Croatia
Four Seasons Resort at Manele Bay - Lanai

[photos by @tripstyler, except lead image and Caprice Bar via Four Seasons Hong Kong, taken as a guest of the hotel]

Hong Kong

[trip style = luxury + foodie + urban]

Editor's Note: This is the second post in a series I'm writing about my March trip to Asia. Look for continued coverage over the next few posts, and don't miss the first instalment: Vancouver to Hong Kong Business Class. 

Taking an inventory of the 48 hours I spent in Hong Kong, I came to the conclusion I could be writing for days—I mean, how do you summarize Asia's glitziest gateway in a Haiku? There's a saying that goes "two is better than one," so with this, I'll tell you about the city today, and gush about my hotel, the Four Seasons Hong Kong, on Thursday.  

Hong Kong holds a special place in my heart. It's the metropolis where Mr. Trip Styler and I found our spark. We were in China to study international business; neither of us foresaw getting an A+ in Coupling 101.

Fast forward a decade, or so, and the city is precisely how I remember: Highfalutin and polished with a democratic sensibility. Everyone meets on the street. Skyscrapers rule—all 7500+ of them. Neon signs pulse. Beaches abound. And nature isn't that far off {spoiler alert: there's a huge hiking scene}, in fact 80% of Hong Kong is covered in foliage.

While I didn't get to tie up my hiking boots or suntan in the sand—been there, done that and got a sunburn at Repulse Bay—I did get to put on my lucite-rimmed spectacles and explore the art, restaurant and street food scene, as well as make time for one of Hong Kong's fondest pastimes: Shopping {evidenced by the fact that there's a two-month Hong Kong Shopping Festival}. 

F & B
LUNG KING HEEN - It's a crime to visit Hong Kong and not indulge in a traditional dim sum feast. And since you're there, why not ensure China's first three-star Michelin chef prepares it at Lung King Heen in the Four Seasons Hong Kong. My multi-course meal mingling vegetarian hot and sour tofu soup with wontons, and roast Chilean sea bass with sweet fermented bean sauce was exquisite, but it should be noted that my well-traveled friend, Chad, who has lead dining teams at top restaurants around the world, told me Chef Chan Yan Tak's fare is the best dim sum he's ever tasted. 

Vegetarian hot and sour tofu soup with wontons at Lung King Heen. 

YARDBIRD - The new and now tide shifts very quickly in this major metropolis, but one restaurant has remained hot since the day it opened in 2011, Yardbird. Helmed by Chef Matt Abergel who hails from Masa in NYC, Yardbird offers a mod take on yakitori {skewered, grilled chicken}, in a an urban, loft-like environs. Don't miss the inclusion of Portland-based Stumptown coffee in the form of housemade shochu {a Japanese distilled liquor}, or the fact that you can BYO dessert with no cutting fee. 

Yardbird

STREET FOOD - I hit up the Jordan district for my street food fiesta starting with one of Chef Tak's top stops: steamed rice rolls topped in soy sauce, and a peanut and sesame paste. The neutral taste of the rolls subdued the sauce's sweet and salty into luscious perfection making me wish I'd ordered more.

Street food: steamed rice rolls in soy sauce, and a peanut and sesame paste.

FOOD INSTITUTION - Also in Jordan, start your day with scrambled egg and a slice of cheese on thick white toast at the Australian Dairy Company. While this seemingly non-exotic concoction sounds blasé, both the restaurant and the dish have reached cult-status since the proprietor went to work in Australia at a dairy farm, discovered milk's charms, and moved back to bring his pairings to the masses. Pair your scramble with a milk tea, and finish with custard.    

Australian Dairy Company

Shopping
Witness Hong Kong's shopping craze first-hand along Canton Road, home to some of the highest-grossing stores in the world. And in case you're wondering how Dubai got the idea to place skating rinks and such in malls, look no further than Hong Kong, home to awe-inspiring shopping meccas—try Harbour City or IFC Mall—so large, you need a map to navigate. If you're pining for the traditional, browse by the Jade Market for the precious stone in all shapes, sizes and forms. 

Jade Market

Sightseeing
While I love Victoria Peak because it's the one vantage point in town you can actually tower over skyscrapers, one of the best {and most wallet-friendly} ways to see the city is on the Star Ferry, criss-crossing between Kowloon and Hong Kong a zillion times a day. 

Street Scenes

[photos by trip styler (except for Austrlian Dairy Co via Daniel Food Diary) snapped while a guest of Cathay Pacific and Four Seasons Hong Kong]

Cathay Pacific: Vancouver to Hong Kong

[trip style = luxury]

Also see 
*What it's like to fly aboard Cathay Pacific's latest-gen A350 aircraft on the Vancouver --> Hong Kong route! 
*A trip styled tour of the Cathay Lounge in Vancouver

With direct flights to New York and Hong Kong from Vancouver, flying Cathay Pacific has been a regular part of my life at 35,000 feet for the past 15 years. For both of these routes, I'm so Cathay-loyal, I won't fly any other carrier because the Hong Kong-based airline flies circles around its competitors when it comes to professionalism, graceful service and attention to detail—have you ever seen a red-suited Cathay flight attendant with so much as a hair out of place? 

While I've always flown economy with Cathay, the more I travel, the more I try and fly business class on transcontinental flights {as a frequent flier, the sleep-tential in fully flat seats is my sky survival}. Traveling to Hong Kong and Thailand in March, I did not have to go through my regular dance trying to sort out which points I could gather or upgrade fees I could fandangle to fly biz. Due to my four-year investment in Trip Styler, I was invited by Cathay to lie-flat in their business class and explore Asia. Obviously, I said yes because I'm already a fan of the airline. 

Before liftoff: Cathay's signature and antioxidant-enriching Original Breeze, combining sour plum tea and cranberry juice with honey, fresh lemon juice and rose water. It's as refreshing as it appears.

After nibbling on a few pre-flight bites in the Vancouver Cathay lounge for an hour, I boarded my bird in the wee hours of the night at 2.25am—the second of two daily, non-stop flights to Hong Kong from Vancouver. I dig this departure time because it fits nicely into the night-versus-day time-zone tango. You get on the plane tired, hopefully sleep, and arrive in Hong Kong 13 hours later at 7am as if you hadn't jumped a calendar day.

While I don't normally drink on flights due to alcohol's moisture-sapping effect, when in business class, you must celebrate with at least one flute of brut. So I did. After settling into pod 20c, cleansing my hands with a hot towel and placing my down comforter over my legs, I was ready to relax for night.

Since I was unable to take photos of myself sleeping, here's one to give you the gist

Knowing I wouldn't be able to sleep immediately, I clicked my TV button and a 15" screen appeared from the depths of my pod. Eyes fluttering in lala land, I half-watched two movies {Dallas Buyers Club and Diana} while nibbling on salad and fine cheese until my lids requested I manoeuvre my chair into the horizontal position. Almost asleep, I remember thinking my seat-bed was wide enough for my starfish-like sleep positions and long enough for a leggy supermodel; turns out it's one of the longest and widest provided on any commercial airline. 

Indulging in on-demand Haagen Dazs {obviously}

As the lights came on, the cabin filled with the scent of coffee and a multi-course breakfast arrived at my pod starting with tropical fruit, a croissant, yogurt and a landing 'elixir' blending papaya, kiwi, honey and mint.  

Fully awake and well fed, I slipped into the lavatory to check for pillow marks on my face and get Trip Styled for touchdown. I was met by a vase of orchids and citrus-scented Jurlique products, which I slathered over my skin while brushing my teeth. Now I was presentable enough for Hong Kong, where I'd spend a few days before taking a flight to Chiang Mai, Thailand. 

Personal amenity kit by agnes b. with products from Jurlique

If you have airline status or fly in business class on a regular basis, you know that airline lounges—especially the flagship locations—are an INTEGRAL part of the jet-set experience, and in some cases make you long for a lengthy layover. 

The Wing

Such is the case with Cathay's The Wing lounge in the Hong Kong International Airport {one of six Cathay lounges at the airport}. At over 4,500 sf including the Business and First Class lounges, The Wing is a modern labyrinth dressed in Carrara marble, live bamboo, Italian leather, warm woods and 24 shower suites.

The Wing has many nooks and crannies. Trip Styler Tip: Explore the entire footprint before settling on a place to sit.

Shower Suite

Three spaces that made me wish my flight was delayed were The Noodle Bar, The Long Bar and The Coffee Loft. The Noodle Bar feels more like a woodsy-sleek and sun-filled restaurant than an airline lounge, and therein lies its brilliance. Though, at a restaurant you pull out your wallet and wait for your food. At The Noodle Bar, you peruse the made-to-order menu and your ramen or char sui bao is prepared in about three-to-five minutes at no cost. 

Made-to-order ramen in The Noodle Bar

The Long Bar is as it sounds, clocking in at 23 meters. Twenty five seats line the lengthy white-marble slab and when I perched myself at one of the leather bar seats, I found a stash of fresh-baked croissants to pair with my mimosa {it was 8am}.

The Long Bar

The Long Bar morning croissants

Finally, tucked into the far back corner of The Wing, The Coffee Loft is the newest addition to the mega-lounge sporting Foster bar stools, Knoll armchairs, and butter imported from France for the pastry selection. In the morning, real coffee is ground and frothed by a barista, and in the evening, the lights dim and the environs shimmies from cappuccinos to cocktails. And for the record, like on the plane, you can request a Haagen Dazs here, too. Cheers.

The Coffee Loft

The Skinny 

• From Canada: Cathay Pacific offers 17 non-stop flights per week between Vancouver and Hong Kong, and more than 10 non-stop flights per week between Toronto and Hong Kong, plus daily non-stop service between Vancouver and New York {JFK}.

• Approximate Fares: Vancouver/Hong Kong return, Economy Class $1,367, Premium Economy Class $2,321, Business Class $4,926, First Class $9,778.

• From the US: Cathay Pacific offers daily non-stop service to Hong Kong from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York {JFK & EWR}.

• Once in Hong Kong, connect to destinations such as Bali or Thailand with sister airline: Cathay Dragon.

Other Dispatches in this Series
Flying Well :: Cathay Pacific's Revolutionary A350
Style Inspiration :: The Pier Business + First Class Lounges in Hong Kong
First Look :: Cathay Pacific's GORGEOUS New Lounge at YVR
Hong Kong :: Instagram Diary
My Most Beautiful Meal in Hong Kong
6 Hong Kong Hints {that will make you want to book a ticket ASAP} 

[photos by trip styler—some courtesy Cathay Pacific Canada—taken while as a guest of the airline]