Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - First time in GF First - advice

In a few days I'll be travelling to Abu Dhabi via Muscat with Gulf Air.

I've never flown with GF (normally fly BA) and as I'll be flying in First I was hoping that someone could advise on how to make the most of the whole experience (check-in, lounges, airport, plane, food, amenity kits etc). I don’t have a fully flexible ticket so I understand that I'm not eligible for the chauffeur service.

I've searched FT, GF's website and the Internet in general and I have the basic information but I would be extremely grateful for some inside knowledge from those of you who travel GF regularly.

I know that the LHR-MCT sectors, both outbound and return will be on A330s so I should expect the new SkyBeds.

On the LHR-MCT leg I have about 4 hours to kill in MCT before my connection to AUH on a A320 (business class - not sure what to expect if anything on this short sector).

On the return flight I have a 90 minutes connection from the AUH-MCT flight landing and the MCT-LHR flight departing. I hope the AUH-MCT flight isn't delayed!

I've heard great things about the GF lounge in Bahrain but sadly I couldn't find a routing through BAH that suited my timings.

Also, is my understanding correct that as a UK citizen I do not need to purchase a visa, as my passport will be stamped with a free visa on arrival.

On a side note, I plan to go to Dubai from Abu Dhabi by car to see my brother. I understand that this journey by car should take about an hour? Would you recommend I take a taxi or is there a shuttle-bus service? Also, any ideas on cost.

Thanks to all in advance

AUH is outside of Abu Dhabi so a little over an hour sounds correct. A taxi will cost about 60 to 70 USD. I'm not sure about buses, but would suggest taking a taxi, but establish the rate before as the dirvers tend to play with the official rate.

Thanks for the info Swoop

On a side note, I plan to go to Dubai from Abu Dhabi by car to see my brother. I understand that this journey by car should take about an hour? Would you recommend I take a taxi or is there a shuttle-bus service? Also, any ideas on cost.

You could probably rent a nice car for under 30 pounds. The drive is easy.

In a few days I'll be travelling to Abu Dhabi via Muscat with Gulf Air.

I've never flown with GF (normally fly BA) and as I'll be flying in First I was hoping that someone could advise on how to make the most of the whole experience (check-in, lounges, airport, plane, food, amenity kits etc). I don’t have a fully flexible ticket so I understand that I'm not eligible for the chauffeur service.

I've searched FT, GF's website and the Internet in general and I have the basic information but I would be extremely grateful for some inside knowledge from those of you who travel GF regularly.

I know that the LHR-MCT sectors, both outbound and return will be on A330s so I should expect the new SkyBeds.

On the LHR-MCT leg I have about 4 hours to kill in MCT before my connection to AUH on a A320 (business class - not sure what to expect if anything on this short sector).

On the return flight I have a 90 minutes connection from the AUH-MCT flight landing and the MCT-LHR flight departing. I hope the AUH-MCT flight isn't delayed!

I've heard great things about the GF lounge in Bahrain but sadly I couldn't find a routing through BAH that suited my timings.

Also, is my understanding correct that as a UK citizen I do not need to purchase a visa, as my passport will be stamped with a free visa on arrival.

On a side note, I plan to go to Dubai from Abu Dhabi by car to see my brother. I understand that this journey by car should take about an hour? Would you recommend I take a taxi or is there a shuttle-bus service? Also, any ideas on cost.

Thanks to all in advance

I recently flew in F (A class ticket) on GF on a 'mistake' fare (originating in DEL) and I received Chaufer transfer in LHR x 2 and in MCT x 1 - must be booked in advance though.
The GF lounge at LHR is good with waiter service for both food and drinks - IIRC Mezze is very nice in the lounge. Sky Beds are excellent on the A330s and some A340s now have even newer beds. (not sure if they are doing the LHR - MCT/BAH route yet). The amenity kit consists of socks and eye mask (nothing special even for F class passengers) - you can ask for a sleep suite to change into. A lovely caramel and brown colour and quite tight fitting.
The lounge at MCT is disappointing - very dimly lit anfdthe food is bland. BAH lounge is excellent - shame you can't route through there.

Hope this helps

I am planning to fly GF in F for the first time on FRA-BAH-SIN r/t making use of those decent companion fares. On my return I will have a very long layover in BAH (early arrival and very late departure).

Are there any day rooms at the airport or GF lounge or at the adjacent Moevenpick hotel (or any other decent hotels) available to spend the day in relaxation ?

Hi ngfan,
In your situation I'd check the gulfholidays website rates for using the Movenpick - in many cases GF will give you a voucher for transit use of a hotel.
Cedar Jet has been my best FT resource on hotels for transit at BAH, so you may want to search his profile for threads regarding BAH and the Movenpick.

That said, the GF lounge (J and F) is open until these late flights depart, and include day beds which may be OK if the F lounge is not overcrowded.

If your travel agent can confirm you can collect a voucher for a transit hotel, try to get GF to confirm a booking at the hotel, in case of problems at the transit desk. No doubt you could get it sorted out in the lounge ^ :)

Cheers (please post a report of the trip and your success with arranging the limo and/or hotel!)
Ben

Hi BizziBB,

thanks a lot for your advice ^

I will try to get a STPC for a BAH hotel (Moevenpick preferably) from GF.

STPC worked well one year ago during an EK trip from CAI to SYD in F while transiting in DXB.

Will report back after the trip in Oct.

Cheers

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=570407&highlight=transit

ngfan ,

I flew first into Bah just a few weeks ago.Arrived about 06:30 am and had a connecting flight to Bkk at 22:00 later that evening.I collected my onward boarding card at the transit desk and then made my way over to another GF counter in front of the customs area where I asked if Gulf would provide me with transit accommodation. Absolutely no problem at all...they gave me the Movenpick with limo transfers...plus breakfast,dinner and evening meal vouchers thrown in for good measure! Its a great hotel-you can get a few hours shut eye,have a refreshing swim in the lovely pool,and then take your free meal(s). I hope you enjoy....I certainly did ,so much in fact that I will be doing the same on my way back to Bkk in November.Now a days I deliberately book my flights to include a time delay in the middle east(they gave me the Meridien in Auh) because of this wonderful GF service.

ngfan ,

I flew first into Bah just a few weeks ago.Arrived about 06:30 am and had a connecting flight to Bkk at 22:00 later that evening.I collected my onward boarding card at the transit desk and then made my way over to another GF counter in front of the customs area where I asked if Gulf would provide me with transit accommodation. Absolutely no problem at all...they gave me the Movenpick with limo transfers...plus breakfast,dinner and evening meal vouchers thrown in for good measure! Its a great hotel-you can get a few hours shut eye,have a refreshing swim in the lovely pool,and then take your free meal(s). I hope you enjoy....I certainly did ,so much in fact that I will be doing the same on my way back to Bkk in November.Now a days I deliberately book my flights to include a time delay in the middle east(they gave me the Meridien in Auh) because of this wonderful GF service.

Thanks coops ^

That's exactly the pampering I am looking for (bed, pool, food) ! Great :)

-> coops - is there a good GF fare somewhere out there hiding just waiting to be used, or why did you chose GF?

-> coops - is there a good GF fare somewhere out there hiding just waiting to be used, or why did you chose GF?

Speaking for myself there are very interesting companion fares (two travellers) ex FRA to several intl. destinations currently, in my case to SIN (valid until 31st Oct 2006):

1370,- € + tax in Business and 2020,- € + tax in First (A) (incl. rail&fly 1st class intra-Germany train service)

Great fares IMO, and no need for the CAI dance this time... ;) :D

ngfan ,

I flew first into Bah just a few weeks ago.Arrived about 06:30 am and had a connecting flight to Bkk at 22:00 later that evening.I collected my onward boarding card at the transit desk and then made my way over to another GF counter in front of the customs area where I asked if Gulf would provide me with transit accommodation. Absolutely no problem at all...they gave me the Movenpick with limo transfers...plus breakfast,dinner and evening meal vouchers thrown in for good measure! Its a great hotel-you can get a few hours shut eye,have a refreshing swim in the lovely pool,and then take your free meal(s). I hope you enjoy....I certainly did ,so much in fact that I will be doing the same on my way back to Bkk in November.Now a days I deliberately book my flights to include a time delay in the middle east(they gave me the Meridien in Auh) because of this wonderful GF service.


Does anyone know if Gulf Air provides transit accommodation in Muscat? I have a 15 hour layover in Muscat on my way to BKK and would be nice to go to a hotel and sleep for a while. I will be travelling in F.

Does anyone know if Gulf Air provides transit accommodation in Muscat? I have a 15 hour layover in Muscat on my way to BKK and would be nice to go to a hotel and sleep for a while. I will be travelling in F.

Yes they do (have a look at the interesting GF thread on the Mileage Run pages at the moment :) )

Speaking for myself there are very interesting companion fares (two travellers) ex FRA to several intl. destinations currently, in my case to SIN (valid until 31st Oct 2006):

1370,- € + tax in Business and 2020,- € + tax in First (A) (incl. rail&fly 1st class intra-Germany train service)

Great fares IMO, and no need for the CAI dance this time... ;) :D
Does anyone know if there is a similar companion fare out of Paris. Did you get the Francfort deal directly from GF, or thru a TA? Is the flight to Hong Kong using an old 340?