Having recently had my employment status change (as some who were at AFF Sydney drinks are aware of) I decided on a short ski trip to Niseko, Japan – one of the snowiest best powder ski regions in the world. I also wanted to take full advantage of the recent Qantas double status credit promotion to Hong Kong and get nearer to Lifetime Gold (within spitting distance)

Bookings consisted of a FASA To HKG, Classic First to TPE, Business Saver return to CTS Via HKG And then a D Class Circle Pacific 22k home.

Left Sydney having not quite locked in the Circle Pacific home after struggling to get the ticket issued. Initially failed on a few counts with HK that they failed to pick up (4 lax transits and 2 Syd transits). HK failed to contact me about the error and it took over a week to work it out with various calls to HK and Dallas. Eventually got it sorted with a special exemption to break the 7-day ticketing rule (ticket was settled 7-days before but HK not open to accept payment) and a scanned credit card form for the HK office.

Reflecting my employment situation I decided to go the cheap way to the Airport – Train + 400 Bus. Left home at 9am for Banksia station to 400 bus. For reference the Banksia station stop is on the shop side not Princess Hwy.

QF First checking queue was outside the enclosed ox so I went to Business for the first time in a long while where there was no queue. A quick visit to First Lounge for a prebooked massage (where the staff directed me to go directly there arriving 5 min before appointment but also reserved a table for me when I finished, although it wasn’t needed). Massage superb and I took a few photos of the massage room.

Then onto to A380 Seat 2A (I’ve done 1A before!) which was my choice for  the trip.