Gardyloo: I reviewed MCT for that very reason but I found it it to be pretty dull, offered very few really nice hotels and it looked like a third world country with nothing to do. DXB on the other hand...

I realise there's a good chance of 757L to ANC by September next year but for the possibility that I might get one of the old ones I'm not so keen.

Aaupgrade: ANC doesn't really interest me having just recently done a 8 day Inside Passage cruise through Alaska from Seattle. The hotels look disgusting in ANC as well.

A friend of mine went to AUA recently (via a YUP/KUP SC run that I organised for him from SFO). Said he would never go back again, reckons it was a dump. BGI is certainly worth my while visiting but thats the sort of place I'd go to on a YUP/KUP fare from the West coast. On a OWE it also only racks up D SCs and old 757s again.

The reason for ORD was partly because I would like to go there for a couple of days, but also because the connecting flight to DFW is a 777 (Int'l config with F suite).

Cheers

http://www.shangri-la.com/en/propert...aljissahresort

http://www.ghmhotels.com/

There is so much to do in Oman I wouldn't know where to start. Personally, I chose MCT over DXB almost every time.

QF does (did?) not allow A bookings on the A380. Only R and F. I have been refused on board twice, even as a OW Emerald. Could have changed by now. Last refusal was in January...

Some people have been lucky but unless you are confirmed I would not expect it.

QF does have A class on A380 (unlike SQ). So just a matter of finding availability (granted may not be easy).

There have been people here finding A class ever since the QF A380 started. However most recently A class has been available in larger quantities than dioxin molecules in baby shampoos so people were actually able to book.

There is still plenty of A class on flights 1-2 weeks out.

I'm not really into the cultural/historic stuff which MCT seemed to offer a lot of. Call me shallow and superficial but DXB looks great for 2-3 days.

I don't expect to secure A380 A availability 11 months out, so will place a firm booking in for one of the numerous flights that depart SYD-LHR in the afternoon and standby on the A380 flight. Having recently experienced QF 744 First Cabin for the first time a few weeks ago, it was nice but below my expectations for a 'premium product'. Maybe the EK First suite ruined it for me.

OT but I'm actually tempted to go with BA for their First product on the 777... any thoughts?

OT but I'm actually tempted to go with BA for their First product on the 777... any thoughts?

Yes - Don't.

THe 777 F is fine in itself, but the 744 I think is much better, simply because of the less through traffic from FA. It makes it much more private and less like a very expensive corridor with beds which is the feeling I sometimes get on the 777.

Having done many test ex AKL routings over the last few weeks, the on-line tool will only permit the "operating" carrier on flights from AKL to Oz - i.e. QF or LA numbers only.

AA codeshare on QF metal AKL-LAX is fine.

Don't book a transit unless you are very, very sure it will never turn into a >24hr stop. This would lead to a reissue at $125.
Change DXB to MCT. DXB is boring as hell.
Don't count on the A380 too much.
Have fun and don't stress too much!

I have a proposed transit throught DFW purely as a means of maximising SCs from West to East Coast. Are you saying that even if its not my fault (the carrier delays a flight), that I will still be up for a reissue?

Please tell me what MCT has to offer over DXB (given that I am not even slightly interested in Middle Eastern history nor culture) ?

A380 is a bonus on the day of departure if standby is confirmed.

Not stressing, jsut trying to be very thorough with my planning and research so that I can minimise risk of problems etc.

You might still be up for a re-issue but you won't have to pay for it if it is the carriers fault.

I think you have made it quite clear that you don't want to go to MCT.

Good luck with the A380.

If you are not interested in ME culture you should not go there... But since you decided to anyways, you picked the Costa del Allah. If that is your thing, that is your thing. Why see the world if you can be safe in your hotel compound, right?

MCT has far more to offer. Not only in sights (nature and otherwise) but also in authenticity, although I doubt you are much persuaded by the latter. If you are desperately worried that you will be exposed to something new you can hide away at Shangri La's Barr Al Jissah Resort. No worries, you can pretend you are anywhere.

If the OP doesn't want to go to MCT he doesn't want to.

No need to resort to this kind of post. Bad form.

Yeah, and you can't even go downhill skiing in MCT anyway.

I merely answered his question

Albeit it with a hint of sarcasm. Lets not be overly sensitive, shall we?

One of the bigger shortcomings indeed.