South Africa: BA F, BA J, SA Y, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Safari and Garden Route
Jun 24, 2017, 3:47 pm
#21
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,742
Great pictures and start to your report. I have a couple questions.
If I counted accurately, you had 5 pieces of luggage. Was someone traveling with you? If not, were you charged for excess bags?
You mentioned leaving your home at 9am for a 7pm flight. Did you have any trouble checking your bags in so far in advance of your flight?
As an erratic BA traveler, generally in first when I do fly BA, could you please elaborate on the new door and where you now enter the lounge? Why is it called the Million Dollar Door?
I understand there is a new and sleeker amenity kit than the last time I was on BA. Did you happen to take a picture?
If I counted accurately, you had 5 pieces of luggage. Was someone traveling with you? If not, were you charged for excess bags?
You mentioned leaving your home at 9am for a 7pm flight. Did you have any trouble checking your bags in so far in advance of your flight?
As an erratic BA traveler, generally in first when I do fly BA, could you please elaborate on the new door and where you now enter the lounge? Why is it called the Million Dollar Door?
I understand there is a new and sleeker amenity kit than the last time I was on BA. Did you happen to take a picture?
Jun 24, 2017, 3:59 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
Very nice, particularly the photography; I'm looking forward to seeing the rest. 
BA is happy for oneworld Sapphires/Emeralds and those travelling in J/F to check in at any time on the same day.
If you're travelling from Terminal 5, just head towards the First Class Check In (turn right as you enter the terminal and go all the way to the southern end). If you are being dropped off by car, it is the final entrance before the ramp exit. After the check in desks, which you don't have to use, there is a dedicated security route for F and Emerald pax.
It was informally called "Millionaire Door" because BA had to pay a lot of money to the airport to install the door and provide a way for their F pax to bypass the shopping mall. Some others call it "Millionaires' Door" because apparently, all BA F pax are millionaires ( I'm not
). BA have now re-instated the door after complaints from travellers who naturally come in that way from domestic flights.
It was informally called "Millionaire Door" because BA had to pay a lot of money to the airport to install the door and provide a way for their F pax to bypass the shopping mall. Some others call it "Millionaires' Door" because apparently, all BA F pax are millionaires ( I'm not
). BA have now re-instated the door after complaints from travellers who naturally come in that way from domestic flights.
Jun 24, 2017, 4:30 pm
#24
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,109
Nice report!
The Kedgeree Arancini is a fusion cuisine I can get behind. Why are these works of genius not available in supermarkets across the country, eh? Grocers of Britain: you are slacking off.
Edit to add:
BA F allows 3 checked bags and 2 carry-on bags, also some bags do combine in various ways (for example, I personally often travel with a camera bag that fits inside my main carry on bag, but may also be seen separately during my journey).
The Kedgeree Arancini is a fusion cuisine I can get behind. Why are these works of genius not available in supermarkets across the country, eh? Grocers of Britain: you are slacking off.
Edit to add:
BA F allows 3 checked bags and 2 carry-on bags, also some bags do combine in various ways (for example, I personally often travel with a camera bag that fits inside my main carry on bag, but may also be seen separately during my journey).
Jun 24, 2017, 4:37 pm
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: London
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Posts: 1,106
Thanks!
You did count correctly. Maybe I have been a bit naughty in my dialogue but I packed both my smallest rucksack in my large hold suitcase. Onboard I took my largest rucksack and satchel. With two hold bags. This was absolutely fine for BA.
There was a concerned comment by the check-in agent that I had arrived early, but this was more for my own mental state than BA's coffers
I may be wrong here, there's a lot of misinformation flying around, but the "million dollar door" is immediately past south track security on your right. It's very easy to miss as everyone walks left and past the Boots on the upper floor of T5. I believe it's called the "million dollar door" because that's what it costs BA every year to "rent" from Heathrow Airport to compensate them for loss of shopping income from high net worth travellers.
Alas this had yet to make its way to the JNB route and so we had the usual old school BA bag, which is perfectly sufficient but not as pretty!
Alas this had yet to make its way to the JNB route and so we had the usual old school BA bag, which is perfectly sufficient but not as pretty!
Jun 24, 2017, 4:39 pm
#26
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Jun 24, 2017, 4:40 pm
#27
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Jun 25, 2017, 2:41 am
#30
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The North
Posts: 1,844
Excellent report so far with lots of detail – thank you for sharing! I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of the trip unfolded.
As a fellow Canon shooter I'm also intrigued to see your style of photography, given the really diverse nature of the destination and your itinerary. South Africa really does have so many opportunities for photographers.
As a fellow Canon shooter I'm also intrigued to see your style of photography, given the really diverse nature of the destination and your itinerary. South Africa really does have so many opportunities for photographers.