Oneworld: UL: DXB-CGK in J, $800 R/T
#181
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
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As for the B2B, i wouldn't subject myself to the risk, or indeed to four consecutive 4-hour flights, with an adrenaline rush half-way, when comfortable hotel rooms are available in UAE at very little cost.
I have no idea if you know Abu Dhabi, but it's an interesting enough place to kick your heels for a couple of days: you could even do Dubai Jakarta as your second "run", so you sample another route, another aircraft and another emirate (it's a very easy 5/2-hour bus ride between the two).
#182
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: LHR
Programs: BAEC GGL & CCR / QF LTG
Posts: 829
Micro-managing these things sets you up for disappointment when there's a 333/332 switch. it's a short-ish flight: the 321 is perfectly fine for a couple of hours' snooze.
As for the B2B, i wouldn't subject myself to the risk, or indeed to four consecutive 4-hour flights, with an adrenaline rush half-way, when comfortable hotel rooms are available in UAE at very little cost.
I have no idea if you know Abu Dhabi, but it's an interesting enough place to kick your heels for a couple of days: you could even do Dubai Jakarta as your second "run", so you sample another route, another aircraft and another emirate (it's a very easy 5/2-hour bus ride between the two).
As for the B2B, i wouldn't subject myself to the risk, or indeed to four consecutive 4-hour flights, with an adrenaline rush half-way, when comfortable hotel rooms are available in UAE at very little cost.
I have no idea if you know Abu Dhabi, but it's an interesting enough place to kick your heels for a couple of days: you could even do Dubai Jakarta as your second "run", so you sample another route, another aircraft and another emirate (it's a very easy 5/2-hour bus ride between the two).
#183
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: BAEC Silver, UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum., Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,488
#184
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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As you say, opinions
I have no interest in a bed on a four-hour flight with a service circus going on in the cabin.
Others do, which is fair enough. So for me the 321N is on par with the 332: indeed the smaller business-class cabin gives it a small push to the front.
I do however rate the convenience of full aisle access offered by the configuration of the 333. I'd therefore feel disappointed by a switch from 332 to 332.
So there you are: my opinion delineated. I'd prefer to travel on the A333, even on a short-haul flight, but not enough to switch routes, pay more or adjust my schedule to do so.
I have no interest in a bed on a four-hour flight with a service circus going on in the cabin.
Others do, which is fair enough. So for me the 321N is on par with the 332: indeed the smaller business-class cabin gives it a small push to the front.
I do however rate the convenience of full aisle access offered by the configuration of the 333. I'd therefore feel disappointed by a switch from 332 to 332.
So there you are: my opinion delineated. I'd prefer to travel on the A333, even on a short-haul flight, but not enough to switch routes, pay more or adjust my schedule to do so.
#185
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: LHR
Programs: BAEC GGL & CCR / QF LTG
Posts: 829
I've taken the plunge and booked a few of these for a TP run. For those doing B2B, it seems you can have you Mandatory Plastic Check completed at a SriLankan Airlines office. Here are contact details. I've not tried this, but will when I am back in the UK.
#186
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Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
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My take has always been that travel beyond Gold requalification is better channelled into status with another alliance, giving me a wider spread of comfort across global networks. Perhaps I'm missing something, and should have aimed higher within BAEC, but i thought GGL offers some upgrade paths with BA I never really understood, and lounge privileges at LHR.
On the other hand Turkish elite+ (quite easy to get) earns me two relatively straightforward, long-haul upgrades through Istanbul at no cost (except for the uplift in APD if travelling from UK), and STAR Gold privileges cross the alliance network.
But back to the Sri Lankan trip. I've done it a number times, but I've never been through any sort of credit card inquisition. I was prepared for it on my first trip because I'd got a replacement card between buying the ticket and the date of travel: but the letter confirming this, which I'd wheedled out of MBNA, wasn't needed. Perhaps I was lucky...
#187
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: LHR
Programs: BAEC GGL & CCR / QF LTG
Posts: 829
It's difficult to phrase the question without it sounding like an attempt to needle you - which is not the intention! But what are the joys of GGL above vanilla Gold that make it worth the effort + time and cash?
My take has always been that travel beyond Gold requalification is better channelled into status with another alliance, giving me a wider spread of comfort across global networks. Perhaps I'm missing something, and should have aimed higher within BAEC, but i thought GGL offers some upgrade paths with BA I never really understood, and lounge privileges at LHR.
On the other hand Turkish elite+ (quite easy to get) earns me two relatively straightforward, long-haul upgrades through Istanbul at no cost (except for the uplift in APD if travelling from UK), and STAR Gold privileges cross the alliance network.
My take has always been that travel beyond Gold requalification is better channelled into status with another alliance, giving me a wider spread of comfort across global networks. Perhaps I'm missing something, and should have aimed higher within BAEC, but i thought GGL offers some upgrade paths with BA I never really understood, and lounge privileges at LHR.
On the other hand Turkish elite+ (quite easy to get) earns me two relatively straightforward, long-haul upgrades through Istanbul at no cost (except for the uplift in APD if travelling from UK), and STAR Gold privileges cross the alliance network.
- Being able to give my partner Gold is helpful as he travels in Y a lot for work
- Being able to give my sister in Oz a BA Silver card gets her access to the Qantas Club / Business class check-in (She doesn't care about points and only flies Y)
- Between my partner and I, being able to use A Class availability for 2-4-1 Avios redemptions twice a year (although maybe the A class Jokers will go)
But back to the Sri Lankan trip. I've done it a number times, but I've never been through any sort of credit card inquisition. I was prepared for it on my first trip because I'd got a replacement card between buying the ticket and the date of travel: but the letter confirming this, which I'd wheedled out of MBNA, wasn't needed. Perhaps I was lucky...
#188
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: BAEC Silver, UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum., Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,488
Last year I flew CGK-DXB-CGK in J on UL, and all four flights were changed to 333 from 332/321. It was very nice, but I'd be very surprised if it happened again. And the service was top notch too (can't remember what the champagne was...).
#189
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It's only the knowledge of your good fortune that will make my downward switch bearable
#190
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,915
I've taken the plunge and booked a few of these for a TP run. For those doing B2B, it seems you can have you Mandatory Plastic Check completed at a SriLankan Airlines office. Here are contact details. I've not tried this, but will when I am back in the UK.
I'm thinking of doing similarly, the last week of May - but will also try and go to a Sri Lankan office to sort the plastic check.
M
#192
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: LHR
Programs: BAEC GGL & CCR / QF LTG
Posts: 829
Please forward below details in order to do the veryfication.
Thank you!!
- Copy of the Passport (signature page) or National Identity Card of the card holder
- Copies of the Passports of the passengers
- Official bank statement reflecting payment to SriLankan airlines.
Thank you!!
#193
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
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i found another useful benefit - being able to mess around with reward bookings, cancel them, change them, without charge. It used to be a general Gold bennie, but was one of those that got ripped away from us.
Just beware of the addictive nature of it all. If you aren't hooked into an annual cycle of mileage running, the recipients of those magic cards will make it clear you should be
Good luck!!
Just beware of the addictive nature of it all. If you aren't hooked into an annual cycle of mileage running, the recipients of those magic cards will make it clear you should be
Good luck!!
#194
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,915
#195
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: LHR
Programs: BAEC GGL & CCR / QF LTG
Posts: 829
i found another useful benefit - being able to mess around with reward bookings, cancel them, change them, without charge. It used to be a general Gold bennie, but was one of those that got ripped away from us.
Just beware of the addictive nature of it all. If you aren't hooked into an annual cycle of mileage running, the recipients of those magic cards will make it clear you should be
Good luck!!
Just beware of the addictive nature of it all. If you aren't hooked into an annual cycle of mileage running, the recipients of those magic cards will make it clear you should be
Good luck!!
And I've been addicted for a while... Made QF Lifetime Gold (BA Silver) last year, so am moving across to BAEC It's a fun game to play!