Best way to spend 5 to 7 hours in AMS?
 

My mission is to achieve 360 tier points by July to retain silver.

I have a planned trip to Barbados in Club World, which will bag 240 of these points, leaving 120.

Now I'm toying with taking a quick day trip to AMS from London City Airport. Flyng Club Europe should net 80 of these remaining points.

The flight gets into AMS at 10:50 and I can leave at either 16:20 or 18:25.

Suggestions as to how to spend 5 to 7 hours would be most welcome.

Well AMS has plenty to offer, but it depends just how much you want to enjoy yourself! :p;)

I always enjoy one of the canal rides as it gives you chance to see things you might want to return to. I use Canal Bus which allows you hop on and hop off at various stops and operates 3 different routes. They have stops at the Anne Frank Huis and Rijksmuseum, etc.

If it's a nice day have a coffee and lunch by a canal somewhere. There's some lovely brown cafes on the Prinsengracht which sit on the canal. Pancake houses are also worth a stop.

But you'll find 5-6 hours go quite quickly.

If you havnt already booked your longhaul flights why not start from AMS using the flight from LCY to position ??

If you need 120 TPs, why not go to one of the 60TP per-sector CE destinations eg. HEL?

This. AMS through London to Barbados will probably be cheaper than an ex-UK fare.

As to what to do in Amsterdam for 7 hours, you could have a leisurely lunch at le Ciel Bleu, which is a fantastic restaurant on top of the Okura hotel :) Alternatively/ additionally, a quick canal boat ride is about as Dutch as you'll get.

There are some fantastic things to do in Amsterdam for a few hours. Get the train from Schiphol to the city (takes about 15mins) - I would recommend the Anne Frank House as it really is something to see.

As others have said, try a Canal Tour or one of the hop-on-hop-off services. If you are into beer, try the Heineken Experience to pass a few hours ;)

There are many many good places to eat - and I recommend sampling some dutch pancakes ^

If you want to feel really Dutch, rent a bike for a couple of hours and get lost amongst all the canals. And don't bother with the locals shouting "tourist" if you are lucky to get a bright yellow bike :p

Mainly because I've never done a European trip before and these destinations would be a bit out of my comfort zone.

As I speak only English, AMS seems a good starting point for my first European venture :)

Also - I can avail myself of a pretty decent Hotline fare to AMS through a BA acquaintance. Financial considerations win out every time :)

I visited the Anne Frank Huis back in October, it's a (sadly) amazing place to visit. FYI, the queue to get in on that occasion was approximately 45 minutes.

Interesting idea, but unless I'm doing things wrong this option seems considerably more expensive.

With the current Sale, club world return to BGI from the UK works out at just under £1600.

AMS-BGI-AMS prices out at just over £2400! There is also the hassle of taking luggage from the UK to AMS and tight connection times given that the BGI flights leave from Gatwick.

You can book a four hour bus and / or canal tour airside at Schipol and they will escort you through the terminal and then back airside once finished. It takes in all the places you need to see in Amsterdam and is worth it merely for the convenience. If my memory is correct you find the tour desk just before the entrance area to the casino and museum within the terminal.

AMS
 

Use the KL Lounge for a shower, the Internet, food and drink. Nothing better.

But KL is not oneworld, so how can a BA silver card holder use this lounge? :confused:

And I thought the OP was looking for things to do in AMS itself, rather than spend time in another airport lounge.

The city of AMS is so much more interesting than the airport, even though I love Schipol.

I haven't used the lounge at AMS for years, far nicer wandering round the terminal with its great view and lots of space.

go window shopping along the canals and by the church;)

Are you assuming the OP is male? ;)

Theres lots to do. Museums, bikes, getting high in a coffee shop, sex, etc. But perhaps the best thing to do as a first-timer is just walk around the center and see what there is to see. The center of Amsterdam is a really small place compared to most other cities.

It will take you 30 minutes to get to the train station (if you're lucky) and at least another 30 minutes to get to Amsterdam Central Station (if you're lucky) so that is already one hour gone (if you're lucky). To get back you need to make sure not to take the latest possible train but one before meaning that you will arrive at least 1:30hr before your flight departs. So that is at least another 2 hours gone (if you're lucky). So, deduct 3 hours to get to the city and back.

That leaves you with either 2 or 5 hours in Amsterdam. The first would be way too stressy so at least take the 8 hour (net 5hr) option. You can walk to a lot of interesting stuff from the station. Just head out cross the busy 'square' and walk the length of the Damrak to the Dam. You can simply hang there for a bit, have a coffee or a beer and maybe even visit a museum. You can also keep strolling across the canals and enjoy the atmosphere.

Red light district: absolute nonsense to go there.
Canal Cruises: if you must. Might be an idea if it is raining. It is much nicer to walk though. Amsterdam's city centre is relatively compact. Not like London or Paris.

Walking around Amsterdam is best done when it is sunny. When it rains we all stay indoors.