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Went the last weekend in Jan from HNL to KIX with my wife. Managed to get the last two seats in First which was great because flight was overbooked in Business and Economy. From KIX took the train to Kyoto and spent the night at the Westin, which happens to be very nice, although pricey (no travel employee discount available at the time I went). Colder than I had anticipated (-2 C) so I had to buy some gloves and a thicker jacket. Saw some temples and walked around and shopped for a while. I really liked it there and will go back when I can stay longer. Then took the train to KIX to fly to SFO. There were eight of us in first on that flight, ALL UA employees. How sweet that party was. Spent the day tooling around San Fran with my wife's cousin before taking the last flight back to HNL. Didn't get first, but did get exit row in the Economy Plus section, which was nice but still a world of difference from the intl First Suite.
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Greetings from Chicago. I've flown nonrev a few times on UA into and out of several cities both domestic and international, including HNL. I have to say that the HNL employees I have encountered are by far the most competent anywhere in your system! If this Chicago based company could duplicate its HNL employees you guys would be queen of the skies again!
By the way, my partner was born and raised on Oahu. Most of my inlaws still live there. We go back regularly to visit.
Welcome aboard!
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by uainhnl:
Went the last weekend in Jan from HNL to KIX with my wife. Managed to get the last two seats in First which was great because flight was overbooked in Business and Economy. From KIX took the train to Kyoto and spent the night at the Westin, which happens to be very nice, although pricey (no travel employee discount available at the time I went). Colder than I had anticipated (-2 C) so I had to buy some gloves and a thicker jacket. Saw some temples and walked around and shopped for a while. I really liked it there and will go back when I can stay longer. Then took the train to KIX to fly to SFO. There were eight of us in first on that flight, ALL UA employees. How sweet that party was. Spent the day tooling around San Fran with my wife's cousin before taking the last flight back to HNL. Didn't get first, but did get exit row in the Economy Plus section, which was nice but still a world of difference from the intl First Suite. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I always thought the reason why United was or is in Bankruptcy is because their 1st and business classes are always full with non-rev UA employees. I know we all non-rev but I don't think more people do it than UA employees.. gosh, there are so many of them.
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The United First Suite, now that's the way to travel... just tuck me in http://bestsmileys.com/sleeping/11.gif
You mentioned the hotel was pricey, what about food and shopping? I've heard so many stories about traveling in Japan, unfortunately all ended with the line, not for the non-rev on a budget.
Keep'em flying
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The several times I've been there Mig, I've always found it to be reasonable or on par with other major worldwide destinations. Finding a nice litte tucked away outside the tourist area restaurant is not expensive (finding one with English menu's - priceless). Going to a western hotel chain property and ordering Kobe beef is, on the other hand, very expensive.
There are vending machines literally everywhere selling almost everything you could possibly want from beer in a mug, to a sewing kit.
Staying at traditional Ryokans (a bit like a B&B in say England) certainly don't cost the earth, but hotels can be expensive. Jumping the didcated express trains to Narita or Kansai cost a lot more than getting one of the local limited stop trains - I've always gone out to Narita on one of the local stoppers. Takes longer, but it's an experience and certainly far cheaper. The Shinkansen's can also be expensive, but it's their equivalent to jumping on a flight to go from LAX to say LAS which makes the cost seem more reasonable. Why fly when the Shinkansen's can get you there not all that much slower?
I consider some cities in Europe like London and Paris to be more expensive than those in Japan in many respects. The key, like in many places, is to "think" and act like a local, rather than a tourist. You go to the tourist type places for eating and drinking, yeah, it will kill ya, but go local and it's fine.
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So Al you've been to Japan... why am I not surprised. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif I've always had an interest in Japan and when AA started service LAX/NRT we thought about it; even went so far as to talk to friends, recent arrivals from Japan (ANA), about it. Al they told us to budget around $400 a day. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif. Now to be fair that price did include two spaghetti dinners and the purchase of several jazz albums http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by AL - SYD:
The key, like in many places, is to "think" and act like a local, rather than a tourist. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I don't know Al, since neither of us read or speak Japanese, I just don't see us successfully pulling off "acting" like a local. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif
So what did you do, use one of those electronic translators or just pointed and hoped for the best?
Keep'em flying
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Well the food didn't seem too expensive compared to other places, even the US. As previously mentioned there are vending machines EVERYWHERE just out on street corners, and they are reasonable. What gave me a kick was that some sold beer. They also have little 7-Eleven type stores everywhere, including one called Lawsons that were fairly cheap as well. But then again I am used to Hawaii grocery prices. Starbucks cost about the same. Saw McDonalds but refused to go in. As for shopping, yeah some of it could be pricey especially if looking for name brand consumer goods but little mom-and-pop stores had a wide range of prices if looking for souvenirs. As for the comment on UA having too many non-revs in higher cabins, that was an abberation, many times it is full of paying customers and often non-revs can't get on these flights at all, especially HNL-NRT. But if it isn't why begrudge us employees the seat? It's not like we kick out paying pax so we can hitch a ride. Don't hate, duplicate.
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I always did look good in a Kimino Mig !! http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif What I meant to say was "go local, do local, be local" not go only to the massively expensive places set up mainly for Western tourists.
You will need to carry a ATM around with you in the latter case.
Eating cheap is easy - even in the little local shops they usually have "models" of the different plates of food they are offering. Just a matter of point and hope it's not full of Wasabe Sauce or something! The ones you can find with Japlish menus are gold.
Local bars a beer is no more than you'd pay at a local bar at home. I honestly don't know where they are getting a USD400 per day amount from. That seems an extraordinary amount to budget per day.
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by AL - SYD:
I always did look good in a Kimino Mig !! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif
And the world of nonrev.net breathes a sigh of relief that he spared us the photo attachment!
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by AL - SYD:
I honestly don't know where they are getting a USD400 per day amount from. That seems an extraordinary amount to budget per day. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Well 50% was hotel. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif
and Randy lets not prejudge, this little guy looks pretty cute in his kimono. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
Keep'em flying
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The bear, yeah. But Al? http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...n_confused.gif
But what I'd really like to know is how we managed to turn this simple trip report blog into a discussion about Al's dress fetishes. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emotic...on_biggrin.gif
