The city of New York is among one of the world’s greatest cities. It has world class neighbourhoods, hundred of tourist attractions and restaurants that fit among the best in the world. In terms of a travel destination, it has a number of airport access points spread across La Guardia, John F Kennedy International, and another major airport in neighbouring Newark New Jersey. Hotels are spread across Mid Town, Downtown and Times Square. With so many combinations, how does one approach and plan a trip to New York?

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Trip Introduction: Mileage Running to New York City via Delta Airlines First Class for Alaska MVP Status.

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Trip Background:

It’s been almost ten years since our last actual mileage run. After several paid trips this year to Hawaii, USA, and Germany, Alaska MVP status for 2017 was within our reach. We ended up taking this trip in December 2016 to round off the calendar year. You never know when elite airline status will come along handy and with Alaska’s distance based mileage chart and the past relationship with Delta, it was easy to earn enough miles for Alaska Airlines MVP status.

In addition to earning Alaska Airlines status for the year, it also offered the opportunity to take in some Christmas lights and shopping in New York City just in time for the holiday season. New York City is always a festive location at this time of the year. Provided you have the extra time,

Trip Planning and Constructing the Trip:

I happened to find some reasonably discounted First class fares on Delta Airlines from Vancouver to New York at around the $800 CAD ($645 USD) mark return. With these flights earning a generous 100% elite qualifying miles plus a 75% class of service bonus into Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, what’s not to like? With the thoughts of Rockefeller Center’s Christmas Tree and 5th avenue shopping in MrsWT73’s mind, we booked ourselves a long weekend get away to stay in New York. We settled on Delta Airlines New York La Guardia airport option over John F Kennedy International Airport for the close proximity of La Guardia to Manhattan.

In terms of hotels, having previously stayed at the Westin Grand Central near mid town, and finding the neighbourhood a little lacklustre and business oriented, and with not much to do in the evening, we decided on the W Union Square. The area was much more engaging; it was a better neighbourhood that was more residential and it had interesting shopping. It was close to Designer Shoe Warehouse and had a Nordstrom Rack across the other side of Union Square. I also happened to find a rate that was discounted.

I hope you will enjoy a weekend of shopping in New York by following this trip report.

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This post is one chapter on our trip to New York City, New York, United States of America. This trip was enhanced through Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status and credited to Alaska Mileage Plan. For more information on how this trip was booked, please see our trip introduction here. For other parts of the trip, please see this index.

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We ended up having an interesting trip getting re-acquainted with one of the world’s greatest cities.

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If you visit New York, how do you maximize value from your trip ?

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