Asiana Airlines Trip Report: Introduction & Itinerary

Asiana Airlines Trip Report: Check-in & Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX

Asiana Airlines Trip Report: OZ 201 Los Angeles to Seoul-Incheon

Asiana Airlines Trip Report: OZ 723 Seoul-Incheon to Hong Kong

Asiana Airlines Trip Report: Check-in & CNAC Lounge HKG

Asiana Airlines Trip Report: Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge HKG

Asiana Airlines Trip Report: OZ 724 Hong Kong to Seoul-Incheon

Asiana Airlines Trip Report: Seoul-Incheon Airport Transit Hotel

Asiana Airlines Trip Report: Asiana Business Class Lounge ICN

Asiana Airlines Trip Report: OZ202 Seoul-Incheon to Los Angeles

I hope everyone in the U.S. enjoyed your Thanksgiving yesterday. I’m at the midpoint of my trip with Asiana Airlines right now and presently in Hong Kong, so missed out on a turkey dinner, but certainly had a fantastic dining experience on the way here as you’ll read in a future installment.

This trip is my first time flying Asiana and I’ve read fantastic reviews of their service, so redeemed some United Airlines miles and booked a ticket from Los Angeles to Hong Kong via Seoul. As usual, I used the ANA Award Tool to seek out the Star Alliance space. I’m always looking to redeem for First Class travel internationally, but couldn’t secure the return portion up front which was unfortunate as it’s only a 10,000-mile one-way upcharge from Business.

Here’s my itinerary:

OZ 201 Los Angeles to Seoul-Incheon 11:50am – 6:10pm First Class: Seat 2K

OZ 723 Seoul-Incheon to Hong Kong 7:45pm – 10:30pm Business Class: Seat 3H

Ticket price: 70,000 miles + $12.00

 

OZ 724 Hong Kong to Seoul-Incheon 12:30am – 4:50am Business Class: Seat 2K

OZ 202 Seoul-Incheon to Los Angeles 4:30pm – 10:10am Business Class: Seat 21K

Ticket price: 60,000 miles + $42.40

I booked this ticket in August and since Asiana award space isn’t included on ExpertFlyer, I was constantly checking back with the ANA tool to see if First Class opened up for the return. At times OZ202 showed as RQ (request), but United won’t send a manual request for the space, which is frustrating, so I resigned myself to flying Business on the return. That’s okay, though, it’ll be good to compare the differences. Oh, and the ICN-HKG-ICN legs are operated with two-cabin aircraft, so that’s why I’m in Business there.

I started this trip with a mattress run at the LAX Radisson the night before in order to get the 50,000 Club Carlson Goldpoints bonus as part of their Big Night Giveaway promotion. Those points along with my existing balance will earn me two free nights at a Radisson in Europe for a planned trip next year. A pretty good deal in my book given my rate was only $89.

There were some irregularities on my way here to Hong Kong, so stay tuned for those. Also, I was in Hong Kong just this past September, so while I finish up this trip and get the next installment ready, check out my Cathay Pacific trip report flying First Class each direction.