Having enjoyed six nights in New York in October, I was excited to be going back to the Big Apple a few months later in December to enjoy the festive holiday atmosphere. It would be the second of my Cathay Pacific New Year Deal tickets so I was also looking forward to flying their First Class product again.
With some planning this trip would also help me achieve Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold (the equivalent of Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold) and complete the Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Challenge.
In this post:
Making The Most of Winter In New York
While I wasn’t expecting a polar vortex during my visit in mid-December, the temperatures would be better suited either for winter-only opportunities or indoor activities rather than strolling through Central Park or walking the High Line.
Ice Skating At Rockefeller Centre
I walked past the Rink At Rockefeller Centre in December a number of years ago and thought it would be great fun to go for a skate. It was my top activity for this trip.
New York Rangers Ice Hockey At Madison Square Gardens
Continuing the winter sports theme, the New York Rangers play at Madison Square Gardens during the National Hockey League season between October and April. As luck would have it, the Rangers were playing the Nashville Predators on my first night in town.
World Class Museums
Three of the great museums of the world are each a great way to spend a winter’s day in New York.
The Met always has interesting exhibitions with a Felix Valloton retrospective and a Dutch Masters exhibition during my visit. MoMA has just reopened in October 2019 after a four month, US$450 million renovation. And the Guggenheim is arguably Frank Lloyd Wright’s greatest building.
Flights To New York And Back To Sydney
With the Cathay Pacific New Year Deal, my flights from Danang to New York via Hong Kong were sorted.
Qantas helpfully had Business Class award seats from Hong Kong to Sydney for my dates so that was my homeward leg covered.
The remaining flight was to get from Sydney to Danang and was an opportunity to hit the 50,000 miles required for Alaska MVP Gold. Needing around 2,000 miles, I went with a paid Economy Class ticket on Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong.
Hotels In Danang, New York and Hong Kong
The hotel loyalty goal from this trip was to complete the 8 remaining nights required to earn Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status for 2020 via a Platinum Challenge.
My one night in Danang was again a choice between the Four Points by Sheraton Danang or the Sheraton Grand Danang. Given the good experience I had on my October stay, I went with the former.
Using the Marriott Best Rate Guarantee, I was able to secure five nights at the Fairfield Inn Manhattan Financial District for US$69 per night. While not the most luxurious hotel, the location is good and the price was definitely right.
Marriott have fourteen hotels in Hong Kong so I was spoilt for choice. For my two night stay I went with the Mira Moon in Causeway Bay, which turned out to be a great boutique hotel in a great location.
Summary
This 26,445 mile encore was a great way to start off the Christmas holidays and enjoy the best of New York in the winter.
It was also an opportunity to achieve Alaska MVP Gold status and complete the Marriott Platinum Challenge, which will be useful for my travels in 2020.
And any trip that involves Cathay Pacific First Class, an inaugural visit to the Cabanas at The Wing and the new Business Suites on the Qantas A380 is likely to be fun!
Introduction – The Cathay Pacific Encore Trip
Review: American Express Lounge Sydney
Review: Cathay Pacific Economy Class 77W
Review: Cathay Dragon Economy Class A321
Review: Cathay Dragon Business Class A320
Review: The Wing First Class Lounge
Review: Cathay Pacific First Class 77W
Review: Fairfield Inn Manhattan Financial District
Review: Jean Georges New York
Review: Olmsted Brooklyn
New York Winter Activities
Review: AA Flagship Lounge & Flagship First Dining JFK
Review: Cathay Pacific First Class New York – Hong Kong
Review: Mira Moon Hong Kong
Review: The Wing Business Class Lounge
Review: Qantas Hong Kong Lounge
Review: Qantas Business Class A380 (New Business Suite)
Summary – Highlights & Points Earned
