Half 1 of my SAS EuroBonus problem: Flying to South Korea and Bali

Final week, I wrote about how I used to be taking up the SAS EuroBonus million-mile problem. Now that my journey has kicked off, I will be checking in with periodic studies on the way it’s going.

I am flying around the globe in 25 days on 18 flights with 15 airways, visiting 15 nations, and journaling each step alongside the best way. Up to now, I’ve flown three airways almost 9,000 miles amongst 4 airports and stopped in two totally different Asian locations.

Here is how my journey goes up to now and among the experiences I have been having.

Flight 1: The brief hop from Portland to Seattle on Delta

My first flight was an uneventful 30-minute hop from Portland Worldwide Airport (PDX) to Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport (SEA) on Delta Air Strains early within the morning.

Relatively than paying $35 to verify a bag (in spite of everything, it is a lengthy journey!), I used to be as an alternative capable of improve to top quality for simply $29, which gave me the power to verify two baggage without spending a dime if I wanted to. Not unhealthy saving $6, particularly contemplating I additionally obtained a extra comfy seat.

Flight 2: The long-haul flight from Seattle to Seoul on Korean Air

After I arrived in Seattle, I wanted to get my bag after which verify in with Korean Air, as I’d be flying to Incheon Worldwide Airport (ICN) exterior Seoul for the following leg of my journey.

As soon as I used to be all checked in, I headed to the Amex Centurion Lounge to calm down earlier than my flight, since I’ve The Platinum Card® from American Specific, which allowed me entry.

The airline gods had been smiling upon me for this flight, as I seen that after boarding had ended, no one was sitting within the center seat subsequent to me. That meant I had extra room to stretch out (a particular bonus for somebody who’s 6 toes, 4 inches tall), and it helped that even the common financial system seat pitch was about 34 inches, which rivals what you may discover in some extra-legroom seats on U.S. carriers.

My favourite a part of the flight was the meals. My first meal was a Korean staple, bibimbap. It was fairly tasty and, dare I say, even rivaled some variations I’ve had on land, although the portion was small.

The second meal I used to be served was a hen and rice dish, and whereas it was good (if overly sauced), it did not rival the flavour of the bibimbap.

Between consuming, nodding off and watching just a few motion pictures, 12 hours handed very quickly, and earlier than I knew it, I used to be in “The Land of the Morning Calm,” as South Korea is usually identified. My solely gripe with this flight was the dearth of inflight Wi-Fi, however I need to admit it was good being disconnected for some hours.

As soon as I deplaned, I went by way of an extremely environment friendly immigration course of and was on my solution to my resort, the Sheraton Grand Incheon, for a great night time’s relaxation earlier than my subsequent massive flight.

Flight 3: The medium-haul flight from Seoul to Bali

The next morning, I headed again to the airport to verify in for my Garuda Indonesia flight to Ngurah Rai Worldwide Airport (DPS) on Bali. I used to be feeling additional excited as a result of Bali has all the time been on my bucket checklist.

When checking in, I used to be introduced with a proposal to improve to enterprise class for simply $217, which I thought-about a steal for an almost-seven-hour flight. I jumped on the provide, however as quickly as I attempted to purchase it, the Garuda consultant instructed me they may not promote it anymore. Regardless of the frustration, I used to be pleasantly stunned on board to search out I had a whole four-seat row to myself on the Airbus A330 that was taking me to Bali.

On this 6-hour, 50-minute flight, we had been served two meals. The primary was one other bibimbap dish that was good however not as tasty as Korean Air’s. The second was simply a mean tuna sandwich.

This flight did have Wi-Fi, but it surely was not working correctly, sadly, so I could not benefit from my lengthy daytime flight to do a little analysis on my upcoming locations. On the plus aspect, the service was exemplary — heat and gracious however environment friendly — and made me much more excited to be visiting Bali.

We landed within the night and, though every part had gone like clockwork up to now and all my flights had been nice, I used to be thrilled understanding that I would not need to step on one other aircraft for 5 days.

Bali highlights

After I walked out of the airport in Bali, I used to be instantly met with humidity and plenty of rain. It is presently the wet season, so all my plans to hang around on the seaside and see the sights had been deliberate across the few hours every day when it could be dry and sunny.

I stayed on the Aloft Bali Seminyak for 5 nights, which price me 50,500 Marriott Bonvoy factors. A cut price by any normal, I even saved just a few thousand factors by making the most of Marriott’s fifth night time free on award stays perk. My Marriott Bonvoy Titanium elite standing additionally obtained me an improve to a room with direct pool entry.

On my second day, I went to the Tanah Lot Temple, an oceanfront temple and monument. Regardless of the pouring rain, the views had been undoubtedly price it, and others appeared to share my sentiment, because it was filled with vacationers.

On my third day, I got here down with meals poisoning, sadly. I used to be down for the depend for the following two days, which derailed my plans to go to Uluwatu, a preferred beachfront space the place I hoped to go to Savaya Seashore Membership, a stylish venue I might examine.

On my final day in Bali, I journeyed as much as Ubud, an space identified for nature, journey and wellness actions. I finished by the verdant Tegalalang rice terraces and the Tegenungan waterfall, which was some of the breathtaking cascades I’ve seen.

After, I finished at Omma Dayclub, which has fairly priced meals and drinks and is perched within the timber above the waterfall.

In case you’re staying on the coast and need to go to Ubud, I’d recommend getting a resort close to the town for a few nights as an alternative. Visitors on Bali could be very heavy and hectic, which means the journey from Seminyak to Ubud can take greater than two hours, despite the fact that it is solely round 20 miles. Extra intrepid vacationers may think about renting a motorcycle or scooter as an alternative, since that may lower down on journey occasions.

I cherished getting exterior the extra developed areas, personally, and seeing among the island’s rural areas, the place you possibly can nonetheless discover stunning little villages and quiet temples.

I additionally discovered it helpful to have money available slightly than relying on with the ability to pay for issues with a bank card, since many locations I visited didn’t settle for playing cards, or had prohibitively excessive minimal spending necessities. I used to be disenchanted I couldn’t maximize my earnings, as the vast majority of the cash spent was on meals and transit, which I’d have paid for with my Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card.

Backside line

Up to now, my journey goes effectively and I am feeling nice, regardless of the massive distances and plenty of time zones I’ve already traveled. I might been wanting ahead to visiting Bali for a very long time, and the island actually didn’t disappoint, regardless of some wet climate. It is merely stunning, and the individuals I met had been so form. Subsequent time, I plan to go to throughout a sunnier time of 12 months, although.

The flights I’ve taken up to now have already been posted to my SAS account, which is an effective signal as I hold transferring to satisfy the problem. At this charge, I would even earn SAS EuroBonus elite standing, which I can later use to standing match to different airways.

Subsequent, it is on to Vietnam, the so-called “Land of the Blue Dragon,” for extra adventures, so keep tuned for half 2 subsequent week!