Day 1 – October 24th 

Welcome to Singapore! Join Cherise on her first day exploring Singapore and the Westin Hotel.

Flight – LAX → SIN

The vacation to Singapore and Malaysia started out a bit differently as we flew out separately. Cherise turned a work trip into a birthday vacation with Kayla arriving two days after Cherise to kick off our PTO. We were out of town for a family wedding so Cherise took a direct flight with United Airlines from San Francisco to Singapore Changi International Airport. We are typically American Airlines girlies and we usually avoid flying with United especially after they changed their baggage policy for their domestic flights. Despite our preconceived notions, Cherise enjoyed her flight. Cherise has been treating herself and upgrading her seats to premium economy especially on some of her longer flights. Cherise has found that upgrading her seat at the airport has proved worth it as it tends to be less expensive than purchasing online prior to her flight. It hasn’t worked 100% of the time but enough to encourage purchasing upgrades at the airport counter.

United offered two options for upgrades – premium economy for $200 which provides extra legroom and premium plus with extra leg room, wider seats, additional reclining room, noise canceling headphones, finer meal options, a thicker blanket, and more. Cherise elected to splurge on the long flight and upgraded for $300. Cherise was thrilled with her choice as she touted the seat was the nicest plane seat her butt has ever met and was able to almost fully recline for the 16 hour flight with her legs propped up.

Kayla on the other hand, flew the airlines Cherise was hoping to fly, Singapore Airlines, because she heard it was one of the best airlines to Singapore.

Kayla was able to jump on the evening flight out of LAX and had a rather easy, roomie and seemingly quick flight experience. At the gate she asked for seat upgrades and while they didn’t have any, she moved Kayla to an empty row which just so happened to be a bulkhead row. She had extra room to stretch out completely, room to whip out her computer to work and elbow room to eat in peace. The flight did not feel like 16 hours to Kayla as she watched movies, worked, slept and ate!