NYC-Africa---Need Help!
Jul 27, 2008, 8:42 am
#16
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,338
I recently flew JFK-DXB-EBB on Emirates. You don't earn EQMs, but you can earn regular miles. Alternatively, you can fly IAD-DXB on United and switch to Emirates for the DXB-EBB portion.
Jul 27, 2008, 10:39 am
#17
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 3,169
I've only flown KLM on one itinerary which took me on both the 747 and 777 (I think) last year, and it was the worst flying experience I've had in terms of being royally cramped (OK, yes, bad pun intended).
The 777 in particular had a really uncomfortable coach seat - and I thought CO's Y product was bad. I was especially surprised, given that KLM's lounge in AMS is the best I've ever seen. I also thought that airlines try to make long-hauls more bearable, but some combination of seat design and pitch made for a particular gruelling experience.
It sounds like consensus is for option 3, so hope your experience is better!!
The 777 in particular had a really uncomfortable coach seat - and I thought CO's Y product was bad. I was especially surprised, given that KLM's lounge in AMS is the best I've ever seen. I also thought that airlines try to make long-hauls more bearable, but some combination of seat design and pitch made for a particular gruelling experience.
It sounds like consensus is for option 3, so hope your experience is better!!
Jul 27, 2008, 10:43 am
#18
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 3,169
Thank you....I am trying....I have tried CO, DL, NW, other VS gateways, etc.....to no avail.
I can do this with 225,000 and $800. the way I want.....I guess my big question is how bad is KLM?....is it worth an additional 65,000 miles and $450. to fly VS over KLM one way???
I'm just not sure.
I can do this with 225,000 and $800. the way I want.....I guess my big question is how bad is KLM?....is it worth an additional 65,000 miles and $450. to fly VS over KLM one way???
I'm just not sure.
I did EK JNB-DBX-stopover-LGW-EWR on EK/CO all with standard level OP miles. so i know its doable.
i belive EK J may also fall at the lower level (ala KL) as they have 3 class service.
Jul 27, 2008, 7:10 pm
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS, Amex Centurion, UA 1MM
Posts: 557
I completely forgot about EK. that's definetely an option porvided they get you to a desirable point in africa.
I did EK JNB-DBX-stopover-LGW-EWR on EK/CO all with standard level OP miles. so i know its doable.
i belive EK J may also fall at the lower level (ala KL) as they have 3 class service.
I did EK JNB-DBX-stopover-LGW-EWR on EK/CO all with standard level OP miles. so i know its doable.
i belive EK J may also fall at the lower level (ala KL) as they have 3 class service.
The UAL/EK option is interesting, though maybe a very convoluted
itinerary. I can look at a mid east-Africa OnePass reward, though I dont know if it exists.
I have selected option 3 with the hope that KLM isnt that bad...though my friend who I am going to visit in Uganda just today just confirmed my fears. I got a text this morning...yesterday, he took KLM JFK/AMS/EBB (in Y).... his flights were on time, but his bags are in AMS for the night!
On an interesting, and not so good note. I am unable to waitlist the outbound CO flight (CO28 EWR-LHR) because the KL Biz reward is different (120k RT) vs the CO BF/ VS UC reward at 180k RT....thus making it impossible to waitlist for a seat when I am confirmed on a lower reward...
so it looks like I am probably KL bound without checking everyday....
