Hello from NYC

[galah]

Hi everyone,

Long time reader, first time caller - ex-pat Aussie who flew the coop a few years back and now calls NYC home. I travel semi-regularly for work and leisure, and have gone to some great (MR) lengths to keep my QF status up!

Happy to help out other US-based fliers with tips on getting the most of QF and AA programs.

Cheers!

 

[stoneman]

Good morning galah
I would indeed like some tips on any status runs ex YVR heading to MCO or MCO heading back to LAX.
I have plenty of time to play with around thanksgiving

 

[Steady]

Welcome aboard galah

 

[prozac]

Hi everyone,

Long time reader, first time caller - ex-pat Aussie who flew the coop a few years back and now calls NYC home. ...!

What do we call you now your name's not pat?

...have gone to some great (MR) lengths to keep my QF status up!

Every Aussie loves a battler and it is no different here on AFF. Welcome to AFF galah.

 

[galah]

Thanks all for the welcome. I always wondered why pat was such an unpopular name :shock:

stoneman - You could try routing a YVR-PTY fare (currently around the US$600 mark) via MCO, but it might not allow more than a 24 hour stopover at that price. Enough for a quick thanksgiving dinner?

 

[sausagefingers]

Welcome, I am totally envious of you living in NYC.

 

[RooFlyer]

What do we call you now your name's not pat?
<snip>.

There was a Two Ronnies sketch, discussing the name of a garden gnome:

R1: I just discovered his name - its Pat

R2: Pat? How do you know?

R1: Its written on the bottom - Pat Pending.

Your first o/t contribution, galah - welcome to AFF

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF galah!

 

[Dr Ralph]

Welcome to AFF galah

 

[TomVexille]

Welcome aboard!

 

[yld200]

Welcome galah,

I spent a week in NYC last October and loved every minute of it. The tacos at Chelsea market were one of the highlights of my trip.

 

[BettyB]

Welcome

 

[marki]

Welcome to AFF galah

I would like to add my welcome too !!

Galah welcome to AFF

 

[galah]

The tacos at Chelsea market were one of the highlights of my trip.

I was surprised at the quality of tacos on offer in NYC - they certainly have become a regular part of my diet since moving here :mrgreen:

Chelsea Market is great - you really can't go wrong with any of the shops. I love the Lobster Place (in moderation), and often visit Tuck Shop for a meat pie when I'm feeling home-sick.

 

[get me outta here]

I have very fond memories of the lobster bisque from the Lobster Place, so, I'll be back in May for another mug of it. Where are some good tacos places?

. Chelsea Market is great - you really can't go wrong with any of the shops. I love the Lobster Place (in moderation), and often visit Tuck Shop for a meat pie when I'm feeling home-sick.

 

[galah]

Where are some good tacos places?

Too many taco places to list! Some of my favourites include Tacombi, Cafe Habana, La Esquina (and it's downstairs restaurant), Mission Cantina, and my favourite was a taco truck called Mexico Blvd until it closed down a few months ago. BUT - they have a sister restaurant open in Astoria, Queens, called Chela & Garnacha, if you ever find yourself out that way

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks, I have added these to my list of things to keep an eye out for. I have a month, so should come across them. Used to love tacos at original Mexican restaurants in Ca lots of years ago.

Too many taco places to list! Some of my favourites include Tacombi, Cafe Habana, La Esquina (and it's downstairs restaurant), Mission Cantina, and my favourite was a taco truck called Mexico Blvd until it closed down a few months ago. BUT - they have a sister restaurant open in Astoria, Queens, called Chela & Garnacha, if you ever find yourself out that way

 

[QF029]

Welcome galah. Have you got AA status also? What's your thinking around it?

 

[galah]

Thanks QF029.

I made a call when moving here to maintain my QF status instead of shifting to AA, as my flying patterns were more likely to net better results with QF (and they have - I just reached WP on the weekend!). I would've only made Plat with AA (OWS) so it was a good choice for me. The only tricky part has been to make the 4~ QF/JQ flights each year, which can be time consuming

AA status (plat/exp) doesn't get you AA lounge access, but on the flip-side QF status doesn't get you free upgrades on AA, so it's a trade-off. As long as I find enough cheap AA [-]error[/-] sale fares in F, I'm happy and don't need to battle the other 2 million AA elites for the upgrades. And when I'm in Y, the free MCE seat selection is a nice perk.

Points earn is another story, however with the impending devAAluation it doesn't exactly make AA's case any better.

So, it's a case of YMMV, but I can't really see a case for AA status unless you're frequently travelling long-haul to AA destinations.

 

[yld200]

I have very fond memories of the lobster bisque from the Lobster Place, so, I'll be back in May for another mug of it. Where are some good tacos places?

I also had the lobster roll there The taco place is just across from there and you need to try the beef tacos. We also ate at Tacombi which was good as well, just check out Yelp and filter for Mexican. That'll do the trick - also make sure you try Essa Bagel for amazing everything bagels.