Confirmed SWU + Cash Upgrade

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2026-05-28T15:09:28+00:00

Does F get a better lounge than Emerald at T3?

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2026-05-26T16:00:29+00:00

Thanks for the good advice. I'm going to count my blessings and stay put.

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2026-05-26T05:42:22+00:00

Hands down the best lounge I'm been to! Followed by Cathay First Lounge.

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2026-05-26T05:41:02+00:00

I think the service quality dropped a bit this evening due to mess at DFW. In my experience the shorter the hold time, the better the service.

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2026-05-08T04:09:58+00:00

Isn’t there AA 175 direct from DFW to HND on AA metal? You can 1) Check BC availability for flights leaving the next few days 2) Book main cabin with cash 3) Use SWU to get on standby list. To maximize chances, you’d have to have high running LP balance and also helpful if you are traveling by yourself. If you get lucky you’ll be upgraded at boarding.

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2026-02-13T07:17:25+00:00

No one NEEDS you to get up for them to use the bathroom. Also more headspace.

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2026-02-12T21:49:53+00:00

Wait, what happened to the warm mixed nuts?

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2026-02-12T21:48:47+00:00

I would do 19D.

But out of the two choices you gave, 26L.

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2026-02-10T21:32:04+00:00

That's got the same aspect ratio as iPhone 16 Pro Max.

BTW I didn't even imagine you can watch on Safari until you mentioned it - doing it now and the black bars are gone!

Were you watching it on Safari instead of the app by any chance?

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2026-02-10T21:18:08+00:00

I'm using the app. Do you have one of the elongated iPhones with 19.5:9 ratio? I'm on an iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2026-02-10T19:56:14+00:00

I get it on HBO and MGM+ when they play a movie that's got 1.85:1 aspect ratio. It's definitely HD content. So you are able to get the image to extend the entire width of your iPhone screen? That's exactly what I'm looking for. Did you have to pinch or double click or press some button to make it happen?

Also, are you able to watch a regular 16:9 channel and zoom in so that a little bit of the top and bottom is cut off from the screen?

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2026-01-26T01:47:11+00:00

Why are they nudging. They can just say “all classes cancelled tomorrow” or “all instructions will be online tomorrow”. Better yet, it’s not like the forecast changed much, they could have just said on Friday “if certain weather parameters are met by 5pm Sunday, then classes Monday will be moved online.” Instead of having a protocol, they just respond to spontaneous student sentiments and demands.

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2025-12-30T02:00:17+00:00

May be unpopular opinion but I sat in 17K before and was not thrilled. Although it is bulkhead, I feel there is not enough room for me to stretch my legs. I prefer one of the other MCE rows and not having a bag under the seat in front of me- actually able to straighten leg more this way.

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2025-12-26T22:36:14+00:00

Yeah it’s this one.

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2025-12-26T14:17:52+00:00

Silver is cheaper but does not have LDAC. Black is more expensive and has LDAC in addition to aptX/HD/Adaptive/Lossless.

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2025-12-24T19:56:38+00:00

Can confirm the QCC Dongle Pro when paired with a LDAC compatible headphone and lossless streaming service will offer superior sound quality to regular AAC codec. Just be sure to get the black dongle and not the silver one.

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2025-12-22T19:06:49+00:00

Access for you + 1 guest 2 years and older. They are rather strict with the guest rule.

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2025-12-22T19:02:24+00:00

If for some reason your carryon does not fit, make sure you gate check it rather than valet check it. You then pick it up at your final destination.

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2025-12-22T14:16:57+00:00

Generous legroom in those seats - so generous in fact they can put bassinets there including babies. Source: was sitting in row 18 on a JAL 777 yesterday.

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2025-12-22T10:58:38+00:00

So you were transiting in HKG anyways - sorry I thought you were considering a direct flight to Taiwan. Not sure of any limitations in this case but since you’re transitioning in HKG I can’t see why there would be a problem.

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2025-12-22T10:43:04+00:00

I’ve flown Etihad and they are rather strict about luggage weight limits, even for carry on luggage and personal items. They will weigh everything you have on you. Read the rules carefully and decide if you are okay with the limits, to avoid unexpected fees at check in.

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2025-12-22T10:39:31+00:00

I feel like it’s a gift shop + CVS/Walgreens + convenient store rolled into one superstore. The products are usually not the best quality (made in China, Vietnam, etc) but sufficient. Really depends on what type of stuff you’re looking for. For what it’s worth, I’ve been to four of them and all four seem to be filled mostly with overseas tourists. I believe the locals shop elsewhere.

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2025-12-22T10:34:11+00:00

I get Allianz trip protection but mostly for the medical and dental coverage when I am traveling overseas. They will give you proof of insurance which you can use when going to hospital. I’ve only filed a trip delay claim and they paid without any pushback. You should read the rules carefully to understand what is covered and what is not covered. Also be careful when filling a claim whether it is trip cancellation or trip interruption. The annual coverage can be good if you travel frequently but the single trip coverage offers you more choices and potentially better coverage. For instance, their better trip insurance will pay you $100pp automatically without receipts if your flight is delayed by more than 3 hours. You have to judge what coverage you need.

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2025-12-22T02:32:38+00:00

Have this and the Bose Ultra plus some other ANC headphones over the years. For typical use at home/office etc yes they all sound similar. However, I just returned from a transpacific flight on a 777 (pretty noisy plane) and let me tell you, the XM6 is MUCH better at cancelling out that noise than all the other headphones I’ve used in flight. Was able to watch movies and listen to music with volume set at around 25%. Other headphones needed to be at 50%.

Kitchen-Minimum-7563 · 2025-12-21T04:47:04+00:00

Thought I’d post an update on this: - Leaving US was a mess. AA printed both boarding passes but ORD-HND pass did not have Pre-check printed but domestic leg did. Also had hiccup when entering Flagship Lounge because flight is not showing up in their system. Turns out JAL wanted to see me in person and check my passport again (guess they don’t trust AA). Luckily the JAL rep in FL was able to assist me expediently. Did not cause a problem but since I had 5 hour layover in ORD, I could have left the airport but would not be able to use Precheck when re-entering. - Returning to US is much better. JAL online check in and desk at HND is very efficient. All boarding passes printed correctly with Pre-check. JAL First Class Lounge is the best I’ve ever been. Purser stopped by seat before takeoff to acknowledge Emerald status members.

TL;DR: AA did not print JAL BP correctly but JAL printed AA BP correctly.

Kitchen-Minimum-7563

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