Denver to Vancouver

 Today started the long journey to Australia. The first leg of my trip was Denver to Vancouver. Why Vancouver to Australia? I had enough points to fly first class to Vancouver on United Airlines and Vancouver to Sydney was more than $1,000 - in some cases several thousands of dollars - cheaper than any US city on the west coast. I got to DIA before 10 am for my 1pm flight, but with all the security issues, delayed and cancelled flights I figured waiting was better than missing my flight. As it turns out I encountered none of those issues so watched a couple episodes of Fringe before boarding.

I had scheduled a long layover in Vancouver only because I thought I'd have to go through customs, collect my bag and recheck it. Imagine my surprise - and delight - when my ticket bought through United was actually operated by Air Canada. I had to go to the Air Canada counter to check in and they were happy to check my bag all the way through since my flight out of Vancouver is on Air Canada. So no customs, no collecting and rechecking my bag, just a simple scan my passport and a lovely lady whom welcomed me to Vancouver.

Ray and I had taken this flight from Vancouver to Denver the year I took him on a train trip across Canada for his senior spring break/high-school graduation. I miss my travel buddy but at least he and I got to do some really fun trips and the memories - and pictures/videos - will last a lifetime.  But I digress. What we learned was there were 2 seats on one side of the plane and single seats on the other - and the single side had no overhead storage. So I was first in line, a lesson learned from my sister. If you have read my other travel blogs you may remember my sister taught me everything I know about maximizing travel - and I appreciate it every time I travel. Yet again I appreciate her words of wisdom as I was first to stow my carry on - a luxury not all the passengers enjoyed. 

As I mentioned, I was in first class which on a jet like that offers a comfy but standard seat, I'm guessing extra leg room because I could really stretch out, and great service. Our cabin staff passed out water as we arrived and I figured that was all we got because the ticket said no meal. Wrong. They served a lovely meal. Choice of chicken or gnocchi. I asked for the gnocchi then was asked if id give it up for a vegetarian passenger, which I was happy to do. Turned out to be another lucky happenstance - I don't think the gnocchi was stellar as I watched people around me pick at it. But the chicken in a sauce with a hint of maple syrup - Canadians take their maple syrup seriously - was just delicious. A nice little salad, bread and cappuccino cheese cake that also was quite good - and real silver wear, linens and china. Started with a CC and coke, finished with bailey's and coffee. Our cabin crew was a delight virtually no turbulence so all in all an excellent flight.

My boarding pass said "Invitation to Signature Club" which I didn't know what that meant until I came across a signature club. I scanned my boarding pass, then they asked to see it. I thought "oh no, off to the gate".  Instead she said "we invite you to the signature" club and walked me personally to another host who showed me the lay of the land in a separate, quiet, comfy area. Who knew?!?!  So I am here making my first post for my first big post pandemic trip. Hope this is a sign of things to come!

A note about United and first class, which I think I have noted in other posts. They entice you with "buy economy" then upgrade with points. Unlike British Airways that really does let you upgrade, United just adds your name to a very long list of names waiting for an upgrade. I never give in to the "buy and hope", I start my booking journey very early since I've discover United generally offers a few 1st class seats at a reasonable price. I flew to San Francisco first class for less than my colleague who flew premium economy. Doesn't always work out, but I have been successful more times than not.