🥇 Part Six: The Finale

Hello again!

First, a quick apology and clarification: Due to the intensity of this whirlwind journey, I ended up only writing newsletters for the days I actually flew. My initial estimates were a bit off - turns out, when you're constantly in the air, time becomes a bit... fluid. So, thank you for your understanding, and let's dive into the final leg of this tier point odyssey!

CGK to CMB: The Home Stretch Begins

As I arrived at Jakarta airport for the last time (for now), I felt a mix of excitement and exhaustion. With only 1.5 hours before departure, I navigated the now-familiar terminals with ease. A quick stop at the lounge was in order, though a sudden bout of sweating had me worried about potential flu. Thank goodness for that viral blue Bali medicine from the pharmacy!

The flight itself was packed to the brim, including a full business class cabin. I'll admit, by this point, the constant company of fellow travellers (and their various coughing/sniffing) was starting to wear thin. Despite a slight delay in take-off, we had a smooth journey with the consistently good service and food I've come to expect from SriLankan Airlines.

Landing in Colombo a bit behind schedule, I still managed to squeeze in some lounge time. However, the joy of a final lounge visit was somewhat dampened by the chaotic security checkpoint situation. Pro tip: Always look for the business class line - sometimes you might even need to politely assert your business class status to get through efficiently! 😅

CMB to AUH: The Grand Finale

In a now-familiar move, SriLankan Airlines boarded business class passengers last. The separate bus for premium passengers was a nice touch, though.

The cabin configuration was the comfortable 2-2 layout with just 4 rows, and surprisingly, only 4 passengers including myself. Very exclusive! I indulged in the chicken massaman once again (because why mess with perfection?), and settled in for the final leg to Abu Dhabi.

A small hiccup occurred when a crew member asked me to turn off my GoPro - a first for this trip. But hey, every journey needs its bit of drama, right?

The Moment of Truth

Upon landing, I eagerly checked my tier point status. Good news: 11 flights had been added after my email to the CEO. The bad news? I'm still one short of Gold status. Even more perplexing, the app is only showing me as Bronze. Fingers crossed for a quick update!

Reflections and Looking Ahead

As I sit here in Abu Dhabi, processing the whirlwind of the past few days, I'm struck by a few key thoughts:

1. This journey was intense, exhausting, but ultimately incredibly rewarding.

2. The addition of the Cathay Pacific flights was a game-changer - definitely a highlight of the trip.

3. The inconsistencies in the British Airways app and tier point tracking are... frustrating, to say the least.

As you will be aware, it has been some time since the trip now allowing me to fully digested this experience, and will share a more comprehensive conclusion very shortly. But for now, I can confidently say: This was one hell of a trip!

Stay tuned for my final thoughts on whether this tier point run was worth it, lessons learned, and whether I'd do it all again. (Spoiler alert: Only ask me after I've had a good night's sleep in a stationary bed!)

Thank you all for following along on this journey. Your support and interest have made the long flights and layovers all the more bearable. Here's to reaching new heights - both literally and in airline status!

Until next time, may your tier points always accumulate and your upgrades be plentiful!

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