Another Frequent Flyer Travelling to North America

[Albion]

Just over a week to go before myself and Mrs Albion jet off to USA and Canada. The trip has been in planning for over 15 months when we tried to book a Churchill Polar Bear trip and missed out on our preferred date.
We fly out on October 10 and return on November 18 using Qantas points for our return airfares,
First Class (seats 2A & 3A) QF7 Sydney - Dallas with connection flight to Orlando.
7 Days Orlando with US friends
Amtrak Silver Meteor Viewliner Roomette Sleeper Jacksonville - New York
7 Days New York City Leo House Chelsea.
United Airlines Newark - Quebec City
Quebec City Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
VIA Quebec City - Montreal
Montreal Auberge du Carre St-Louis
VIA Montreal - Toronto
Toronto staying at St James Hotel. Hiring a car and driving to Niagara Falls and London (to see our son)
VIA The Canadian, Sleeper Cabin Toronto - Winnipeg
Winnipeg In At The Forks
VIA The Hudson Bay, Sleeper Cabin Winnipeg - Churchill
5 Days in Churchill on a Frontiers North Polar Adventure
Fly Nolinor Churchill - Winnipeg
Fly Westjet Winnipeg - Calgary - Las Vegas
Rental Car Las Vegas - Williams AZ
Booked a 2 night package deal for the Grand Canyon Hotel and Travelling by train to the Grand Canyon and return.
Las Vegas Bellagio
Rental Car Las Vegas - LAX
Business Seats 14 J & K QF16 LAX - Brisbane
Qantas Link Brisbane - Newcastle

Although first time at it I'll try and write an interesting trip report as I go, in the meantime anyone any helpful hints for place we are visiting.
thanks in advance
Albion

 

[sausagefingers]

Sounds like a cracking trip, look forward to reading all about it.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Bon voyage.

I have a 4 month trip to Canada/US coming up in July 2017, so looking forward to seeing your experiences.

 

[ellen10]

Sounds like a great trip. Enjoy!

 

[JessicaTam]

Buckiling up for the trip. I am especially looking forward to your US train travel.

 

[deejo77]

Just did some of your stops and are currently in Hong Kong on way home. Just wanted to say Niagara Falls had changed a lot since I was last there (2004), it feels like a mini Vegas to me now. Parking is expensive.

i would recommend this place for a meal......all the food was fantastic. Home

sticky toffee pudding




Sheppards pie

 

[RooFlyer]

Sounds a goodie. Would like to do Churchill bears at some stage, so will read with interest.

Only a couple of tips: The freeways in Toronto can get extraordinarily congested, so time your drive out to Niagara with care.

And I was going to offer advice on YYC (Calgary) airport transit but just realised that the new international terminal there will be open in a few days. Hope you can include some commentary on how you find it. You'll clear US customs and immigration at Calgary of course. One thing I was told last time I was there: there still won't be lounges for departures to the USA (not that WestJet do lounges, anyway). There should be a 'Rocky Mountain' lounge and AMEX plat will get you in.

 

[Albion]

Tanks Red Red I'll take notice in Calgary on how things are and report back. Do you have any info on DFW on Lounges as we have about 4 hrs there?

 

[OZDUCK]

Just a seconder to Rooflyer about being careful on times for the Toronto freeways - incredibly busy at many times. Also DO NOT use Highway 407ETR. Have a read of Trip Advisor for the full story, but basically very high tolls (claimed to be highest in the world and excessive fees charged by rental companies to collect them off you - apparently can be up to $60. You do not have to use it for your trips but just be careful.

 

[Albion]

Thanks Ozduck, luckily it will be a weekend car rental from 0800 Sat. As my sons girlfriend is working Friday night, will keep an eye out for tolls.

 

[sausagefingers]

parking at Niagra falls I just parked on the main street (Canadian side) with all of the tacky restaurants, $10 for about 5 hours I think.

 

[JohnM]

BP scanned, settling into 1A.

Like RF, I'm very interested in the Churchill bit.

 

[RooFlyer]

Tanks Red Red I'll take notice in Calgary on how things are and report back. Do you have any info on DFW on Lounges as we have about 4 hrs there?

I assume you are on AA DFW-Orlando? Others will be more experienced at DFW; I think AA leave from more than one Terminal, but as a QF Plat you will have time to get to the AA Flagship Lounge in Terminal D no matter where your flight leaves from (Terminals connected by 'air train'). A review and tips of the dining area here: Review: American Flagship Lounge Dallas DFW Airport - One Mile at a Time .

I'm pretty sure you won't get access to the AA lounge if you are flying J - it'll be your QFF plat OW Emerald status that gets you in; so make sure you have your QFF card with you AND look to see that they have your status printed on your BP (but again, others may know different).

 

[Quickstatus]

Most would say no need for rental car in LAS unless it's a red mustang convertible

 

[Albion]

Our rental will be a Mustang Convertible colour not known.

 

[Quickstatus]

I'm pretty sure you won't get access to the AA lounge if you are flying J - it'll be your QFF plat OW Emerald status that gets you in; so make sure you have your QFF card with you AND look to see that they have your status printed on your BP (but again, others may know different).

Correct
1)OWE + connecting to INT/Dom AA/OW flight irrespective of cabin class
2)Arriving from incoming OW F cabin class + connecting as above
3)AA ExecWP + connecting to international only AA/OW flight

+1 guest if OWE or if international F passenger.

Solely domestic J/F Passenger gets no access unless the flight is a 3 class cabin - usually on transcontinental flights.

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/clubs/club-and-lounge-access.jsp

 

[VPS]

subscribed and enjoy

 

[Boca68]

Also scanning BP.

As with others looking forward to the Churchill experience and the US train feedback.

 

[Major]

I can thoroughly recommend the buffet at the Sheraton Niagara Falls

https://www.sheratononthefalls.com/niagara-falls-restaurant/fallsview-buffet/

 

[stoneman]

Subscribed, have fun !