UA MR to DXB, DEL, or BOM. Recommendations?
Sep 3, 2013, 7:49 pm
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC, SFO, YYC
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Posts: 13,437
Sep 3, 2013, 9:24 pm
#32
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Up in the Air
Programs: DL MM; UA MM/1K
Posts: 613
I travel to India frequently.
1) I seldom find R space in advance, however my hit rate for gate upgrades as a 1K is 18/22.
2) If you control your schedule try flying to India Tuesday or Wednesday, return Saturday.
3) I am one of those BOM haters. Last time I have been there I spent 2 hours in various security lines, 45 minutes for the right to enter the terminal. DEL is manageable.
4) There are numerous tourist attractions in and around New Delhi: Minar Kutab, Taj- Mahal, Agra Fortress, etc. Mumbai can be fascinating if you are open to learn about different cultures and you have a local buddy (tour guides will not help here).
5) Be cautious when reserving hotels in India - Oberoi, Taj or a known upscale western chain (Radisson, IHG, Marriot, Starwood or Hilton - through the chain website).
Have fun
DLP
1) I seldom find R space in advance, however my hit rate for gate upgrades as a 1K is 18/22.
2) If you control your schedule try flying to India Tuesday or Wednesday, return Saturday.
3) I am one of those BOM haters. Last time I have been there I spent 2 hours in various security lines, 45 minutes for the right to enter the terminal. DEL is manageable.
4) There are numerous tourist attractions in and around New Delhi: Minar Kutab, Taj- Mahal, Agra Fortress, etc. Mumbai can be fascinating if you are open to learn about different cultures and you have a local buddy (tour guides will not help here).
5) Be cautious when reserving hotels in India - Oberoi, Taj or a known upscale western chain (Radisson, IHG, Marriot, Starwood or Hilton - through the chain website).
Have fun
DLP
Sep 3, 2013, 9:46 pm
#33
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
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IME, a V fare is usually $50~ more than the W fare on IAD-DXB tix. If the u/g looks like it tight, the V will at least put you above all the other 1Ks on W fares. I've done that the past two years- W if it can be confirmed, and then V on the waitlisted segment. Hasn't failed me yet.
Sep 3, 2013, 10:02 pm
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
IME, a V fare is usually $50~ more than the W fare on IAD-DXB tix. If the u/g looks like it tight, the V will at least put you above all the other 1Ks on W fares. I've done that the past two years- W if it can be confirmed, and then V on the waitlisted segment. Hasn't failed me yet.
Sep 4, 2013, 7:13 am
#35
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Join Date: Jun 2000
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Well our 2 experiences of it this month were a nightmare, and I've traveled to over 125 countries, and have seen a few airports. @:-)
Arriving at an airport at 10pm and seeing literally HUNDREDS of pax with bag carts lining up in total chaos outside the entry doors in the heat for 20 minutes, just to get in is a bad look.
Business or First class pax get no breaks. Join the chaos.
Checkpoint one, of the idiotic over-security there at BOM. If you think this is great policy - good for you.
The last straw was check 5 security check of boarding pass and carry on tags BEFORE putting pax onto interminable bus rides at midnight was stupid.
Why not give wide-bodies a gate and air-bridge at midnight, for goodness sakes?
How on EARTH can anyone get past the either 4 earlier checkpoints and pat downs, past customs and immigration, and into the Departure area? Total overkill.
Go to buy Duty Free with my last 3500 rupees on some Chivas, and get told only INDIANS can spend Rupees in Duty Free, not tourists.
Arriving at an airport at 10pm and seeing literally HUNDREDS of pax with bag carts lining up in total chaos outside the entry doors in the heat for 20 minutes, just to get in is a bad look.
Business or First class pax get no breaks. Join the chaos.
Checkpoint one, of the idiotic over-security there at BOM. If you think this is great policy - good for you.
The last straw was check 5 security check of boarding pass and carry on tags BEFORE putting pax onto interminable bus rides at midnight was stupid.
Why not give wide-bodies a gate and air-bridge at midnight, for goodness sakes?
How on EARTH can anyone get past the either 4 earlier checkpoints and pat downs, past customs and immigration, and into the Departure area? Total overkill.
Go to buy Duty Free with my last 3500 rupees on some Chivas, and get told only INDIANS can spend Rupees in Duty Free, not tourists.
Sep 4, 2013, 8:45 am
#36
Join Date: Oct 2010
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Posts: 7,763
Sep 4, 2013, 8:53 am
#37
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Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
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Posts: 32,330
All three required me busing at BOM in widebodies, in recent weeks at late hours.
Thanks for your great insight.
In the meantime I'll just suffer their 'cheapo' service somehow.
Sep 4, 2013, 10:38 am
#38
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,259
Well our 2 experiences of it this month were a nightmare, and I've traveled to over 125 countries, and have seen a few airports. @:-)
Arriving at an airport at 10pm and seeing literally HUNDREDS of pax with bag carts lining up in total chaos outside the entry doors in the heat for 20 minutes, just to get in is a bad look.
Business or First class pax get no breaks. Join the chaos.
Arriving at an airport at 10pm and seeing literally HUNDREDS of pax with bag carts lining up in total chaos outside the entry doors in the heat for 20 minutes, just to get in is a bad look.
Business or First class pax get no breaks. Join the chaos.
http://aera.gov.in/writereaddata/consultation/123.pdf
I've honestly seen worse llines strecthing out of LAX/TBIT to get into terminal. Immigration lines at US/LON are worse. I've never had to wait more than 5 minutes to enter the terminal. They now accept reservation on phones. Most airlines have representatives outside to escort premium passeners.
Checkpoint one, of the idiotic over-security there at BOM. If you think this is great policy - good for you.
Again - been through BOM hundred of times and I will take that over TSA/LHR security anyday.
Why not give wide-bodies a gate and air-bridge at midnight, for goodness sakes?
This is recent development as SQ in particular refuses to use the second runway. Again things should change when the new terminal opens.
How on EARTH can anyone get past the either 4 earlier checkpoints and pat downs, past customs and immigration, and into the Departure area? Total overkill. .[/QUOTE]
There is only one 'security'. Secondary screening is only for US bound flights. Immigration, enterning terminial is not really a security. Try reading the thread about AA boarding at LHR today if you find this intrusive.
Go to buy Duty Free with my last 3500 rupees on some Chivas, and get told only INDIANS can spend Rupees in Duty Free, not tourists.
Sep 4, 2013, 10:44 am
#39
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
It sounds as if, given the brevity of the trip I'm contemplating, there's some consensus that DXB would be a good choice. I'm willing to spend the extra $500 or so on a V fare, so I'm also hearing that I'll have a better-than-50/50 shot at upgrades on the transcon segments using my 1K friend's GPUs.
Any advice on a hotel right in the middle of things? I've been known to splurge on nice hotels, though when nice means >$1K/night, my resolve weakens. What I'm more interested in is: are there any hidden gems for <$300/night, maybe with traditional Arabian decor, where I'd feel like I'm somewhere genuinely exotic, and not in the middle of a billionaires' playground?
And yes, before anyone helpfully chimes in, I'm aware that Dubai is a billionaires' playground.
Any advice on a hotel right in the middle of things? I've been known to splurge on nice hotels, though when nice means >$1K/night, my resolve weakens. What I'm more interested in is: are there any hidden gems for <$300/night, maybe with traditional Arabian decor, where I'd feel like I'm somewhere genuinely exotic, and not in the middle of a billionaires' playground?
And yes, before anyone helpfully chimes in, I'm aware that Dubai is a billionaires' playground.
Sep 17, 2013, 10:12 am
#40
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
When I couldn't find an exotic-feeling hotel in DXB under $300/night, I decided to reevaluate my choices. I looked into where I could get guaranteed R space and ended up in ...
SOF! Plenty of R space on SFO>FRA midweek nonstops in November, and I've always wanted to see Bulgaria, so this seemed a perfect compromise. And the nicest hotel in the city, the Grand Hotel Sofia, is cheap, not a chain, and has stuffy-looking old-school rooms, just like I wanted.
The route is only 13K miles r/t, but it turns out I'm flying SFO<>BOS in December, so that'll push me to just over 50K for the year, meaning I'll make Gold.
Thanks again to everyone for the great suggestions. I'll take you up on them someday, I'm sure.
SOF! Plenty of R space on SFO>FRA midweek nonstops in November, and I've always wanted to see Bulgaria, so this seemed a perfect compromise. And the nicest hotel in the city, the Grand Hotel Sofia, is cheap, not a chain, and has stuffy-looking old-school rooms, just like I wanted.
The route is only 13K miles r/t, but it turns out I'm flying SFO<>BOS in December, so that'll push me to just over 50K for the year, meaning I'll make Gold.
Thanks again to everyone for the great suggestions. I'll take you up on them someday, I'm sure.
Sep 18, 2013, 10:47 am
#42
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: WAS
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Nexus, GE
Posts: 2,123
I'm a huge fan of India, in general, and not at all a fan of DXB, which is a giant clean version of Vegas/Miami. But a 48 hour trip? DXB wins by far. The idea of getting in and out of DEL in 48 hours and actually seeing something just seems crazy. It's very spread out and you can't really get out and enjoy the sites in such a short period. The idea of a "quick trip" to the Taj Mahal seems funny to me--between car traffic/train delays that is a verrry long day trip to do when jet lagged and most likely a lot of time in a car in order to take 5 minutes of pictures and be hassled by touts for another 2 hours. Delhi is AMAZING but takes some time getting used to in order to really enjoy--too short a trip and it'll be overwhelming and exhausting. If you had a week I'd say go for it.
And the Taj is slightly pushing it for a day trip. My 1.5 hour train ride back turned into a 10 hour train ride. I think 48 hours in Delhi would drive me slightly crazy. I haven't been to Dubai, just Abu Dhabi, but I think that would be just the right amount to keep you occupied. And if you want to experience South Asia, you just have to go to the right neighborhoods there.
Sep 18, 2013, 2:04 pm
#43
Original Poster
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Sep 18, 2013, 2:56 pm
#44
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,645
I'm not sure if this is still pertinent but I just got an offer from ANA for a really well priced P fare from ORD to DEL and I know they often have great fares to DEL. Anyone looking to do a MR to DEL should check NH right now.
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<Business Class Fares to Asia>
Sample Round Trip Weekday Fares Departing Midweek (Outbound: Mon.-Thurs., Inbound: Tues.-Fri.) <<<
Seattle - Chengdu / Shanghai --> from $3487* (round trip)
Chicago - Delhi --> from $3728* (round trip)
Outbound Departure Dates: October 2, 2013 - March 31, 2014
Booking Class: P
Advance Purchase: 14 days
Minimum/Maximum Stay: 3 days / 1 month
Refunds: USD500.00 for cancellation and refund
Reservation Changes: changes are permitted at USD450.00 per change
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
<Business Class Fares to Asia>
Sample Round Trip Weekday Fares Departing Midweek (Outbound: Mon.-Thurs., Inbound: Tues.-Fri.) <<<
Seattle - Chengdu / Shanghai --> from $3487* (round trip)
Chicago - Delhi --> from $3728* (round trip)
Outbound Departure Dates: October 2, 2013 - March 31, 2014
Booking Class: P
Advance Purchase: 14 days
Minimum/Maximum Stay: 3 days / 1 month
Refunds: USD500.00 for cancellation and refund
Reservation Changes: changes are permitted at USD450.00 per change
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sep 18, 2013, 3:59 pm
#45
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Honolulu, HI
Programs: Ovaltine secret decoder club, Hilton Diamond, United 1K, Hawaiian air Gold, Starwood Gold
Posts: 281
IME, a V fare is usually $50~ more than the W fare on IAD-DXB tix. If the u/g looks like it tight, the V will at least put you above all the other 1Ks on W fares. I've done that the past two years- W if it can be confirmed, and then V on the waitlisted segment. Hasn't failed me yet.
