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The QE2 cruise ship is now bookable in its new life as a Dubai hotel

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Whilst not strictly miles and points related, I thought this was an interesting story which would appeal to a lot of readers.

Those of you with long memories may remember that the Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise ship was sold to Dubai, via the Dubai World holding company, back in 2008.  Her final voyage ended in Dubai and the liner was handed over.

QE2 floating hotel Accor Mgallery Dubai

The timing, of course, was terrible.  The financial crisis hit Dubai very hard and plans to turn her into a floating hotel hit the buffers.  For many years the ship sat in the port, still requiring a full-time crew of 40 to keep it operational.

The market finally turned and conversion work began.  On 18th April, the QE2 will reopen as a hotel via a ‘soft launch’ ahead of a formal reopening in the Autumn.

You can find out more, and book, on the QE2 website here.

Comments (42)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Carl says:

    OT: Can you still get bonus points for applying for a supplementary partner card on the Amex platinum.

    • mark2 says:

      I believe so, but remember that you only get one free; after that they cost £170 per year. Gold and green are free but no points.
      Has anyone got a supplementary in their own name (type ‘other’) recently and got points/been charged?

      • Jon says:

        Didn’t some people have success in getting (I think) 3k points for adding their first supplementary partner card on the Gold card? But it seems to be more luck (or an I.T. glitch) than anything set in stone?

    • Jonny says:

      Apparently so (5,000) but not guaranteed – and you need to add a supplementary card after you have received your own card

      • Richard says:

        That’s my recent experience — didn’t use a special webpage to add the partner card, but received 5000 bonus points anyway.

        Does anyone know if the same is true on the BA cards? There have been occasional partner card promotions in the past.

  • Bonglim says:

    OT
    Flying out of Bangkok soon, on BA CW.

    Any idea which lounges I can use and which is the best?
    Was thinking Cathay Pacific.

    • AndyR says:

      Qatar have opened their lounge recently so try that. Other than that Cathay is probably the best. You can you go in Japan Airlines lounge too.

  • Ammar says:

    OT – Quick Q – If I book a hotel with any AMex Gold PRG vs BA Amex PP – is there any difference in protection if the company goes bust, i.e section 75 for a credit card i understand, but not sure re protection with a charge card. Obviously have travel insurance so can claim that way too.

    • Daniel Macdonald says:

      Amex Gold is charge…and a refund would be at the discretion of Amex..

      BA PP is credit…and subject to section 75 coverage.

      I know which I would pick…

  • Crafty says:

    OT: I’ve done my best to do my research before asking – spent a good hour looking through as much of HFP as appears relevant, and read ALL the way through the lengthy FT thread on the topic, without an answer.

    I am hoping TripRep, in particular, may see this – re: BA 2-4-1 downgrade outcomes. We travel next week. I know it’s a low probability, but want to be forearmed. What is the right play if ONE of us is downgraded (likely my partner – the “companion”)?

    1) Can we insist on being sat together (and so either both being downgraded, with compensation, or both travelling in the class booked), based on the T&Cs of the voucher?
    2) Can we request to be moved to a different flight (later or earlier)? If yes, can we insist BOTH of us are moved rather than travel on separate flights which we are not prepared to do?
    3) If we do either of the above, to what extent would we forfeit our rights to reimbursement/ compensation?
    4) What other eventualities/ options would you advise me to prepare for?

    • Rob says:

      AFAIK you have no rights except that BA has to get you back in a timely fashion (if that means no BA seats for a week, irrespective of seats on other airlines, that is acceptable it seems) and pay for a hotel and food whilst trying to do so.

      In reality you may choose to pay for a seat on another airline (at full fare of course) and then sue BA later to get the money, a case you would probably – but not certainly, which is an issue as probably £5000 would be at stake – win.

    • Stu N says:

      1-3) see below

      4) for now don’t worry about it, it seems to be very rare but people who it has happened to make a lot of noise about it (understandably).

      If you can’t check in online or you don’t get a seat allocated when you do then that’s the time to start to worry, but even then there are lots of possibilities that don’t involve a downgrade. If this happens then maybe have a view on whether you’d rather just get to destination anyway or willing to travel indirectly or next day or what.

      But basically (4) as above.

      • Crafty says:

        Thanks both.

        • JamesB says:

          Unfortunately all the theory goes out the window when you are faced with a disinterest eheck in or gate agents who much prefers to gossip with other disinterested colleagues. Reality is you often have to make a quick decision on whether you are getting on the plane or not. Probably safest option is just to get on and try to sort out the mess later.

  • Robin says:

    Hi Rob, what value per point do you typically value Marriott points?

  • Roger says:

    OT- Did anyone else receive 10000 bonus for booking direct with IHG for stays before mid-June?

    • AndyGWP says:

      No – I got offered 6000 points (back in March, but valid for 3 months)

  • Chris A says:

    O/T re. Amex companion voucher
    I am 11 months into my BA Amex card year. At the beginning of the year I had the Premium Plus, spent over £10k, earned the companion voucher and greatly enjoyed using it. I downgraded to the free card a couple of months ago and focused my spend elsewhere.
    I have just noticed that I have spent £18.5k this year, and the Amex website tells me that I need to spend £1.5k in the next month to get a companion voucher.
    Obviously it is only one voucher per year irrespective of spend, but it is rather cruel for the progress tracker to suggest another voucher is imminent!

    • Anna says:

      If you’re spending £20k on the card, would getting another BAPP for a partner be an option, or applying for the Lloyds card while there’s still time for an upgrade voucher?

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