On Luck and Flying

Flying these days is literally on a wing and a prayer. However, luck can change in an instant… I had had a pretty crappy day overall. MSC had changed the World Cruise itinerary again and this time removed an overnight meaning I couldn’t do an overnight safari in Mombasa. 

I waited for my shuttle to the airport for over an hour (shuttle was supposed to run every 30 minutes) spent 90 plus minutes on the phone waiting to get no real update on the Brazil visa. These are first world problems and I am lucky to be going on a cruise. 

Once I took my seal, there was a screaming baby in the arms of his mom beside me in premium economy (she traded seats with a guy to be nearer to her husband). Then an older couple came and insisted that I was in their seat. I was very confused and showed them my ticket said I was in the correct seat. Almost immediately, a lovely flight attendant came and explained she upgraded me to first class and would I please follow her. I gave her a big smile and said "Yes, yes I will thank you!" 

Lobster for dinner? Yes, that sounds delicious. Thank you.

Cod with baby onions and roasted carrots. Then a nice tip back in the lie flat seat for a few hours before they served a nice breakfast.

I chose the omelette with a croissante and yogurt with granola. How did the Airfrance 777 compare with Delta One? The food was excellent. The seat was nice but maybe not quite as nice. 

The amenity kit was more like you would get in Delta Premium Economy. 

All this aside, I bought the ticket on a promotion with AirFrance to try their Premium Economy seats for 23K miles. I transferred miles from my Platinum Amex with a bonus promotion to get more than a 1:1 points transfer. This was probably the best deal I have ever had on a transatlantic flight in Business class.

To top it all off, Air France didn't lose my luggage (I have read horror stories) and I arrived at Marseille a few minutes early.

Hotel transfer was in a Tesla with a nice and very chatty driver.

All in all, not a bad day!!