I’ve decided to bundle this trip into a trip report after all – the trip which I randomly booked wayyy ahead due to a previous Amex offer on Cathay Pacific for $100 off any $500 spend. And this is how I’m going on this 3N fun hop for only $400+ on economy.

The first step was finding a route on economy that will tip me just over the $500 threshold and also at the same time will maximize my OWS status. After considering Seoul and what not, I settled for Shanghai as my final destination, via Hong Kong. I’ve been to the city before but its been a while too so it’ll be fun to see whether anything has changed

Economy flights are not fun to review, nor read about but figured the 4-hr+ / 2-hr+ flights won’t be terribly exciting so will skip reviewing these.

And since my flights are going to boring, I figured I’ll at least check off other exciting agenda for the 4-day run.

HOTELS

I have 2 nights in Shanghai and its a city where there is no lack of fancy hotels to splurge on but I eventually defaulted back to trusty Bonvoy as I still need more nights to renew Titanium. After researching a little, I decided to splurge on the newest Bonvoy property in the city – St Regis On The Bund (website)(a conversation from the previous Wanda Hotel). Its not often that I pick a hotel with no executive lounge but booking via Hotelux at least gets me some spending money.

I’d then have one night in Hong Kong before I head home so I chose to go with Accor as I found availability for The Silveri Hong Kong MGallery (website) with my StayPlus yay. This hotel has looked pretty solid based on my stalking so far and I’d be able to experience the Executive Lounge as a Platinum. Score!

AIRPORT LOUNGES

Not taking into consideration the multiple PP lounges that HKIA offers, the main agenda was to check off as many CX lounges as I can when my OWS status is still valid.

Singapore – Changi Airport

First up, at home ground, the CX lounge (website) which I’ve wistfully looked at while numbing myself at Blossoms. Finally I’m getting this checked off! Plus, numbing my sense with bubbles before an econ red-eye sounds like the perfect survival strategy.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)

If my flights work out correctly, I’d have 3hours plus layover at Hong Kong Airport and I’d make a beeline for the recently opened The Bridge (website) – dim sum and bacon and eggs for breakfast topped off with more champagne sounds like a great plan!

Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)

I will check the Cathay Pacific Lounge at PVG (website) off on my return and whilst the pics make it look similar to all the CX lounges, It’s still an exciting spot to check off on this CX-centred trip heh.

Of course there’ll be the PP restaurants to check off with my Citi Prestige PP but since it is no longer unlimited and instead only 12 visits this (and each) calendar year, I may have to think about it a little more if I want to hit some of these spots. Let’s see.

My final itenary:

• Cathay Pacific Lounge, Singapore Changi Airport
• Cathay Pacific The Bridge, Hong Kong International Airport
• St Regis On The Bund
• Cathay Pacific The Bridge, Shanghai Pudong Airport
• The Silveri Hong Kong MGallery

And off we go!