USA North East and West Coast.

[Blackadder]

Well my annual leave starts today so may as well start my US trip planning/report.
Managed to get a deep discounted sale fare with QF/AA for my itinerary SYD-DFW-EWR/JFK-ORD-SNA/LAX-SYD , all up roughly half price compared to the usual pricing for Jun/Jul.
The down side to the deep discount no possibility of an upgrade from whY, so the extra for exit row seating it is.
Have a bit over 3hrs transfer in DFW, so CBP willing the plan is to pick up a AA day pass, for a Shower and change of clothes before my flight through to Newark.

The first 3 nights will be at Doubletree Newark Penn for ease in getting around , without the NYC accommodation prices. Then across the river for a couple of nights at the HGI Times Square.
A very good regional rail system in the NE, so planning day trips to Boston and Philadelphia.
Meeting a friend in NYC who has a friend with a condo on E 57th St that we can use for a week.
Planning a day trip to Washington DC , plus some Broadway shows (The Outsiders,Book of Mormon,Hamilton). Also have tickets for the 4th July fireworks , watching from the Liberty Belle on the East River.

The JFK-ORD-SNA sector courtesy of FF points + approx US$12 for myself and friend. A shorter than I would've liked transfer in ORD (< 1 hour) , but beggars can't be choosers with limited options on a points booking.

10 days in and around So. Cal staying at my friends place before my flight back to SYD.

 

[Blackadder]

Well mostly packed (I think) , for the first time I can recall actually let me do the check in online, all other times it has asked me to check in at the airport.
Newark, NJ hit a record high 39c today , thankfully a more reasonable mid/high 20's for my arrival.
All the paperwork done, and for peace of mind printed out,MPC app downloaded.
All in all 40 pages of Printouts for flights,accommodation,Broadway shows,4th July Cruise, travel insurance etc.

 

[Blackadder]

A very busy day at the International Terminal, so my general lounge invite wasn’t to be.
After the bag drop a lengthy queue to get through security, but thankfully a 0940 boarding was close enough for the 0900 call to move ahead in the queue.
No lounge access so slumming it with the mere plebs. Most surprisingly Tim Tams were actually at retail price in the duty free.
As it turns out no need to rush for the gate , as a) It’s barricaded off, and b) Late arrival of the inbound flight has pushed it back by approximately 15-20mins.
Edit: About a 35min delay by the time my group was called. Group boarding seemed well controlled.