We were in Taiwan for 19 hours waiting for our connecting flight back to the USA. When I booked my tickets two way from NY to Manila and Manila to NY I already know that the connecting flight was long because I prefer to get the cheap ticket. You all know how it goes if you buy cheap flights.
I was thinking we can tour Taiwan for half a day and see what they have there. Another country to visit. So I went ahead and booked a hotel for us since we have our 2 year old daughter with us then.
What I didn’t know was China Airlines has a complimentary hotel already booked for us included in flight itinerary.
So here’s what happened….
We were on our way back to the U.S., arrived in Taiwan and went to China airlines kiosk to ask how we can get to our hotel. The receptionist was very helpful, they gave us a sticker with the name of the hotel so the driver who’s gonna pick us up can see us right away. Didn’t pay attention at the sticker since he was the one who put it on us. When we get to the exit the driver was already there and helped us get in the car.
While en route the hotel, I was wondering why we were traveling for almost 15 mins because as far as I remembered it should only be 5 mins away from the airport. But I didn’t say anything.
At the hotel, I found out we checked in at Taoyuan hotel. All the staff was nice, they gave us the keys and stated that we have a free breakfast and then tomorrow morning the driver will drive us back to the airport so we can catch our next flight. So went along but I already knew that I had to call the airline and ask when they took us to this hotel.
We cheked in the room, it was descent. Not the hotel that I booked which was much better, The Novotel.
After putting everything down any resting for a little hit. I started calling the airline. We were worried we’re gonna have to pay for this hotel. Plus I want to stay to the hotel that I booked.
Here is what happened. Since I booked my plane ticket from cheapoair.com there was no agent who informed me that China Airlines gives complimentary hotel since the layover was 19 hours. So it turned out that I didn’t have to pay anything for this.
Kudos to China airlines!! we were also pleased with their airline staff. They were very helpful.
So what we did was checked out and we took a cab to get to Novotel (the hotel that I separately booked for us). The difference between Novotel and Taoyuan was that Novotel was new, 5 mins away from the airport and it is nicer.
The other hotel that the airline booked for us was an older hotel but still nice and clean, staff was also nice and helpful too.
That was one hell of an experience.
Before I forget, another stupidity on my end. I didn’t’t looked at the whole itinerary. Before we get to Taiwan the pilot announced that we were approaching Osaka, Japan. And I panicked because I thought we went to the wrong flight. Mu husband was like check the itinerary. He doesn’t know any thing about the whole trip because he left it under my hands. I found out too that the flight was from JFK-Osaka-Taiwan-Manila and vice versa going back. I guess I was just too excited about this trip that I didn’t pay attention to all the details since I haven’t been back home for 4 years.
We saw Taiwan by all the en route driving we. Took to get to the hotel. We saw that their salons are all glass made. They also have advanced technology. They are nice to tourist.
The moral of the story was. First of all, Double check the flight details, make necessary calls to the airline and ask if they have a hotel set up for you if you have a long layover. I am not sure if all airlines do this complimentary thing. Second of all, make sure you know all the layovers so you will not be shocked and you’ll know if it was gonna be a tiring trip. And if the ticket are cheap check what is the catch. But if you are up to an adventure. Book it!
Learn from my mistakes. Be an educated traveler. Overall, it was still an experience. It was an adventure for us. My daughter was fine the whole time she was just sleeping. My little jet setter.
