To Johannesburg...for 36 hours!
Apr 17, 2013, 8:35 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
Programs: UA GS, AS MVP 100K, DL Diamond, Marriot Lifetime Titanium, AmEx Centurion
Posts: 5,525
To Johannesburg...for 36 hours!
A couple months ago, people were posting about a fare from DC to Johannesburg, mentioning that while it was a great fare in business class, it wasn’t really cheap enough to be considered a “milage run.” Well, I like to be comfortable, and with business fares earning 1.5 times the elite miles it was a no brainer for me. I tend to think if I can buy a business fare for less than 10 cents per elite mile I’m doing well, and with the limited time off I have it made this a no-brainer. The kicker was that my friend Dewon was already headed back to South Africa to renew a visa, and I could fly the outbound with him. A few days after booking, my friend Phil wanted to join me for the crazy milage run from DC, and we had the makings of an adventure!
Of course, since this was largely for the miles I devised the most insane routing I could to maximize the miles, and it went off without a hitch! All told, it would be around 33,000 elite miles earned, at the cost of only one day of leave…can’t complain too much! Soon, the day of the trip was here and it was time to go. I’m going to break this into three parts…. (1) the trip to South Africa aka this post, (2) our 1.5 days in South Africa, and (3) the trip back from South Africa.
If you'd like to see my other trip reports:
I. London to Iran and Afghanistan in a mix of C, F, and LCCs
II. Above the Arctic Circle with UA/CO/LH and SK in whY, C, and F
III. Around the World in 40 Days for 40 Years
IV. 8 Places People Who Are Right in the Head Do Not Spend New Years
V. 12 Countries, 10 Airlines, 4 Islands, 27,080 miles, 11 Days
VI. 6 Countries in 6 Days - Caribbean Island Hopping and first AA Experience
VII. Guyana, Suriname, and French Guyana with an unexpected sidetrip to Caracas!
VIII. To Haďti - for vacation and a milage run!
IX. Around Senegal and West Africa
X. 4th Annual New Years in Dangerous Places - Libya Edition
XI. Kosovo and FYR Macedonia - Milage Run in United Business + TK/LH
Warning, this part of the post will be extremely picture heavy!
Got to National Airport, check-in was fairly efficient, TSA was a non-event due to TSA Pre-Check, and soon we were in the United Club. .I love the historic club at National Airport, not to mention the awesome bartender who makes the most amazing spicy bloody mary...perfect start to a big adventure!
United (operated by Shuttle America) flight 3523
Washington DC, National (DCA) to Chicago O'Hare (ORD)
Depart 10:35, Arrive 11:44, Flight Time 2:09
Embraer E-170, Registration N638RW, Manufactured 2004, Seat 2F
Not too much to say about this flight...it was a pretty generic express flight. .One more drink, some "gourmet snack mix," some crossword puzzles, and soon we were in Chicago.
Whenever I have time, it's become an O'Hare ritual for me to swing by Chilis for some Tex Mex Eggrolls and a Platinum Presidente Margarita...couldn't resist this time either. .We had plenty of time, and the other option was to sit in a crowded United Club, so the choice was obvious!
Read the rest of the post with lots of pics on my blog at this link!
Of course, since this was largely for the miles I devised the most insane routing I could to maximize the miles, and it went off without a hitch! All told, it would be around 33,000 elite miles earned, at the cost of only one day of leave…can’t complain too much! Soon, the day of the trip was here and it was time to go. I’m going to break this into three parts…. (1) the trip to South Africa aka this post, (2) our 1.5 days in South Africa, and (3) the trip back from South Africa.
If you'd like to see my other trip reports:
I. London to Iran and Afghanistan in a mix of C, F, and LCCs
II. Above the Arctic Circle with UA/CO/LH and SK in whY, C, and F
III. Around the World in 40 Days for 40 Years
IV. 8 Places People Who Are Right in the Head Do Not Spend New Years
V. 12 Countries, 10 Airlines, 4 Islands, 27,080 miles, 11 Days
VI. 6 Countries in 6 Days - Caribbean Island Hopping and first AA Experience
VII. Guyana, Suriname, and French Guyana with an unexpected sidetrip to Caracas!
VIII. To Haďti - for vacation and a milage run!
IX. Around Senegal and West Africa
X. 4th Annual New Years in Dangerous Places - Libya Edition
XI. Kosovo and FYR Macedonia - Milage Run in United Business + TK/LH
Warning, this part of the post will be extremely picture heavy!
Got to National Airport, check-in was fairly efficient, TSA was a non-event due to TSA Pre-Check, and soon we were in the United Club. .I love the historic club at National Airport, not to mention the awesome bartender who makes the most amazing spicy bloody mary...perfect start to a big adventure!
United (operated by Shuttle America) flight 3523
Washington DC, National (DCA) to Chicago O'Hare (ORD)
Depart 10:35, Arrive 11:44, Flight Time 2:09
Embraer E-170, Registration N638RW, Manufactured 2004, Seat 2F
Not too much to say about this flight...it was a pretty generic express flight. .One more drink, some "gourmet snack mix," some crossword puzzles, and soon we were in Chicago.
Whenever I have time, it's become an O'Hare ritual for me to swing by Chilis for some Tex Mex Eggrolls and a Platinum Presidente Margarita...couldn't resist this time either. .We had plenty of time, and the other option was to sit in a crowded United Club, so the choice was obvious!
Read the rest of the post with lots of pics on my blog at this link!
Apr 17, 2013, 8:56 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
Great title and tease, but come on man. This is the Trip Report forum, not the "please visit my blog" forum. If you don't want to spend the time to post a proper report here and insist on linking to a blog, at least give people a reason visit with a more detailed narrative and a lot more pics.
Apr 17, 2013, 9:35 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,024
Apr 17, 2013, 9:37 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
Programs: UA GS, AS MVP 100K, DL Diamond, Marriot Lifetime Titanium, AmEx Centurion
Posts: 5,525
Thanks folks - apologies I seem to have annoyed everyone by doing the courtesy of sharing my blog content here. I don't have the time to flyertalk-tag-edit every post, so I'll stop posting here.
Was fun while it lasted. Meanwhile, if you're interested, you know where you can find my posts.
Mods, please close this thread.
Was fun while it lasted. Meanwhile, if you're interested, you know where you can find my posts.
Mods, please close this thread.
Apr 17, 2013, 10:30 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: VIENNA VA
Programs: BA emerald, AF rouge ,UA premier executive, SQ,ANA, HYATT,, AMENITI
Posts: 836
I don't see anything wrong with this type of trip report he gave us a taste of whats coming then he guided us to his blog. It only takes a slight push to get there. Are we becoming too lazy to do that?
Very nice report btw.
What does motion passed thread have to do with trip reports?
Very nice report btw.
What does motion passed thread have to do with trip reports?
Last edited by SMART51; Apr 17, 2013 at 10:38 pm Reason: add on
Apr 18, 2013, 3:36 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BA Exec club, VS Flying Club, SPG, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 46
Wow, give the guy a break. At least he has taken the time to post. I'm looking forward to reading the blog - what else can you really say about an Express flight to ORD? I also respect the fact you are getting on the margaritas at Midday!!
Apr 18, 2013, 8:27 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: UA*S/Club, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Silver
Posts: 485
I don't see anything wrong with this type of trip report he gave us a taste of whats coming then he guided us to his blog. It only takes a slight push to get there. Are we becoming too lazy to do that?
Very nice report btw.
What does motion passed thread have to do with trip reports?
Very nice report btw.
What does motion passed thread have to do with trip reports?
Apr 18, 2013, 9:43 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Burlingame, CA
Programs: TK Miles & Smiles, CM ConnectMiles, AA Advantage
Posts: 2,129
What a loss for this community. I enjoy your refreshing perspective and "off the beaten path" destinations which make your reports so compelling to read. Count me in as a follower.
Apr 18, 2013, 11:50 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
Programs: UA GS, AS MVP 100K, DL Diamond, Marriot Lifetime Titanium, AmEx Centurion
Posts: 5,525
33 Hours in Johannesburg
So, what's that they say about controversy being good for ratings? Janet Jackson at the Super Bowl? The infamous wardrobe malfunction?
Well, I'm not one to care about ratings...I think I've checked how many hits my blog got maybe three times ever. But, today I checked...out of curiosity. Highest hits ever....by 3x! So, thanks for the, um, "helpful suggestions." I'm gonna keep posting
We landed at 10am, and immigration was quick without bags, and we were spared the odd questions about why we'd come to Johannesburg for just 33 hours. Fortunate.
I've been to South Africa dozens of times, but haven't actually visited Johannesburg in over 15 years. I flew into JNB two years ago during my round the world 40th birthday trip, but immediately got in a rental car and headed to Lesotho, so I hadn't properly visited the city in a long time. I was excited to get a small preview of how things had changed.
Actually, that's not entirely true. I did do a similar milage run about 5 years ago, when Lufthansa published a DC to Helsinki fare that allowed Johannesburg in the routing rules. So, yes, I did go DC - Frankfurt - Johannesburg - Frankfurt - Helsinki. It was legal, and only like an extra $10 in taxes, but as it was a connection I only had about 8 hours in Johannesburg. I did manage to get down to Sandton for lunch, but had to take a giant share taxi which was a bit of a pain in the butt.
Why am I going on about this? Because everyone I knew from there had told me how nice the Gautrain was. JNB to Sandton and Rosebank in about 15 minutes. Clean, fast, efficient, and relatively affordable. I was sold! We only had to wait about 10 minutes for a train, and it was actually rather nice!
Short train ride later, we were at the Sandton station, which was located conveniently across the street from our hotel, the Radisson Blu Sandton Gautrain. .Check-in was quick and pleasant, and we were "upgraded" to a business floor room. .Nothing special about the room, except that Radisson Blu's business class rooms seem to all have Nespresso machines in them. .I was a happy caffeine addict. .Perhaps the strangest part was the picture on the wall outside our room:
Yes, that's the Farragut West metro station in Washington, DC, the same station I get out at most every day to go to the office. .Halfway around the world. .Go figure. .It was if the hotel was taunting us! .We took advantage of the Nespresso machine in the room to refuel, and since it was almost noon at this point we headed across the street to Nelson Mandela Square to get some lunch.
We settled on Baglios, mainly because they had a table on the lanai where I could sit and enjoy the 23C sun since it was still cold back in DC. .But first, to start lunch off on the right note, I introduced Phil to Savanna Dry cider!
You'll note the tent set up in the background. .It was Easter, and there was a concert getting ready to begin. .But we were hungry, and it was time for lunch...and perhaps the most interesting "club sandwich" I've ever had. .Yes, those are chicken breasts and full-size hard boiled eggs. .Go figure. .But yes, at least it was super tasty!
After lunch we were starting to fade once again, so we headed inside to Vida e Caffe to get a few espressos to fuel us. .I seriously have never seen Easter taken so seriously. .First Lufthansa gave us chocolate bunnies, and now the coffeeshop was giving them out. .Perhaps the US has taken political correctness a bit too far and has stopped putting bunnies at every corner.
The rest is on my blog at this link...cut mostly because there's mild controversy in the next few pics
Well, I'm not one to care about ratings...I think I've checked how many hits my blog got maybe three times ever. But, today I checked...out of curiosity. Highest hits ever....by 3x! So, thanks for the, um, "helpful suggestions." I'm gonna keep posting
We landed at 10am, and immigration was quick without bags, and we were spared the odd questions about why we'd come to Johannesburg for just 33 hours. Fortunate.
I've been to South Africa dozens of times, but haven't actually visited Johannesburg in over 15 years. I flew into JNB two years ago during my round the world 40th birthday trip, but immediately got in a rental car and headed to Lesotho, so I hadn't properly visited the city in a long time. I was excited to get a small preview of how things had changed.
Actually, that's not entirely true. I did do a similar milage run about 5 years ago, when Lufthansa published a DC to Helsinki fare that allowed Johannesburg in the routing rules. So, yes, I did go DC - Frankfurt - Johannesburg - Frankfurt - Helsinki. It was legal, and only like an extra $10 in taxes, but as it was a connection I only had about 8 hours in Johannesburg. I did manage to get down to Sandton for lunch, but had to take a giant share taxi which was a bit of a pain in the butt.
Why am I going on about this? Because everyone I knew from there had told me how nice the Gautrain was. JNB to Sandton and Rosebank in about 15 minutes. Clean, fast, efficient, and relatively affordable. I was sold! We only had to wait about 10 minutes for a train, and it was actually rather nice!
Short train ride later, we were at the Sandton station, which was located conveniently across the street from our hotel, the Radisson Blu Sandton Gautrain. .Check-in was quick and pleasant, and we were "upgraded" to a business floor room. .Nothing special about the room, except that Radisson Blu's business class rooms seem to all have Nespresso machines in them. .I was a happy caffeine addict. .Perhaps the strangest part was the picture on the wall outside our room:
Yes, that's the Farragut West metro station in Washington, DC, the same station I get out at most every day to go to the office. .Halfway around the world. .Go figure. .It was if the hotel was taunting us! .We took advantage of the Nespresso machine in the room to refuel, and since it was almost noon at this point we headed across the street to Nelson Mandela Square to get some lunch.
We settled on Baglios, mainly because they had a table on the lanai where I could sit and enjoy the 23C sun since it was still cold back in DC. .But first, to start lunch off on the right note, I introduced Phil to Savanna Dry cider!
You'll note the tent set up in the background. .It was Easter, and there was a concert getting ready to begin. .But we were hungry, and it was time for lunch...and perhaps the most interesting "club sandwich" I've ever had. .Yes, those are chicken breasts and full-size hard boiled eggs. .Go figure. .But yes, at least it was super tasty!
After lunch we were starting to fade once again, so we headed inside to Vida e Caffe to get a few espressos to fuel us. .I seriously have never seen Easter taken so seriously. .First Lufthansa gave us chocolate bunnies, and now the coffeeshop was giving them out. .Perhaps the US has taken political correctness a bit too far and has stopped putting bunnies at every corner.
The rest is on my blog at this link...cut mostly because there's mild controversy in the next few pics
Apr 19, 2013, 12:38 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BA Exec club, VS Flying Club, SPG, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 46
Great stuff,really enjoying your report and glad you continued to post. It is making me want to go back to SA. Certainly looks like you made the most of your 36 hours!