Air France- CDG-JFK Business Class Report- Service with a "Sourire"
Our last night in Paris was a memorable one- meeting a close friend in Le Marais for dinner and then watching the World Cup championship at a local bar. I was rooting for Spain, but it was interesting to see the 50/50 split of Spain/Dutch fans at each establishment- all of whom were getting along famously.
Anyway, the night was cut short because we stayed at the Sheraton at CDG, since our flight was at 10am and we didn't want to wake up early. Additionally, we got cash and points availability for the stay, so it was only $90 and 4,000 Starwood points - not a bad deal for a $220 hotel.
Check-in at CDG 2E was painless and security was minimal. We were leaving from the new axillary terminal at 2E which the check-in agent described "like Heathrow T5". Hardly. It was clean and there were your run-of-the-mill airport shops, but nothing high-end like T5.
We checked out the lounge, which was impeccable. Nicely stocked with breakfast munchies and many beverage choices and plenty of open seats with a computer lab. The club was huge- two identical halves on each sides of the check-in desk. Free wifi and a couple glasses of Perrier- we were ready to board and get back to NYC. Lounge pics:
The time came to board and we walked into the airy, windowed terminal to the very end, where we saw our 777-200 waiting for us.
Even though we flew over on the larger 777-300 aircraft, the in-flight seats were the exact same. I didn't find the slanted lie flat bed very comfortable to sleep in, however, I wasn't planning on getting any sleep on this flight so it wasn't going to be an issue.
We were seated in row 4, which is in the first mini-cabin in the Affaires cabin. Once again we walked by the Premiere (first class) seats and were jealous of their space. However, the flight crew was extremely friendly and welcomed us on board and helped us stow our bags and take our jackets. I've heard many horror stories about
Air France flight crews, but our experiences were all extemely positive. In fact, all of our Air France flight attendants went out of their way to make sure we were taken care of (more on that later).
The weather in Paris was rainy, so our flight was delayed an hour and 15 minutes to wait for connecting passengers. Once we were loaded up, we pushed back and quickly taxied for a smooth takeoff.
Once airborne, drinks were served and an amuse-bouche of salmon and peas was presented. Nuts were also passed out, but rather informally in a cardboard box.
I then took a chance to browse the menu and decide what I was in the mood for. This time, there were four entree choices:
1) Pan-seared veal chop with mushroom cream sauce, mashed potatoes with tumeric and hazelnuts, sauteed baby spinach (My partner's choice)
2) Duck a l'orange with buttered tagliatelli and sauteed mushrooms (my choice)
3) Grilled pollock fish with herb sauce, couscous vegetables and semolina with tumeric and raisins
4) Crisp vegetables- thyme potato crisp, fricassee of sun-dried tomatoes and zucchini, parmesan cheese
Lunch service was timely and drinks were replenished without asking. Afterwards I decided to try out the in-flight entertainment system, but soon noticed an issue- it was jammed. The flight attendant was apologetic and tried to reset it several times, but it kept sticking on the main menu. He then offered to move
us to a center row of 3 seats in the rear business class cabin. However, after being fully settled with our belongings stowed, I didn't really feel like moving. In fact, I took it as a sign to get get some writing done, so I politely declinedhis offer. He was still very apologetic and the head purser ended up coming over and giving me a 30 Euro gift certificate to be used on an Air France flight or in the Duty-Free- which I opted to use on a new Hermes cologne :-)
After several hours of work (fueled by multiple glasses of gourmet earl grey tea), it was almost time to land at JFK. The flight crew came
through with the pre-arrival snack, which was vegetables with curry and lemon, marinated salmon canape and savory tomato-almond macaroon with fresh fruit.
After the snack, we started flying down the eastern seaboard,
including, which gave me nice shots of Cape Cod.
Weather in NYC was dry and hot and landing was uneventful.
Luckily, we were off the plane first and customs was a breeze (even though both customs and immigrations officials had no idea what the Seychelles were).
Overall, this trip was even more show-stopping than expected- thanks to the 120,000 Delta Skymiles and 24,000 Starwood points that I used - otherwise I would have never been able to afford the flights- even in coach! If anything, I hope this inspires people that anything is possible with your points and that spending some time on a strategy, can pay off handsomely.
[card card-name='Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express' card-id='22034414' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.