[GillyDee]

soneillirl wrote:

I have a QR flight (booked though BA Avios redemption) in the next 48 hours, but I cannot check in online on the QR app or website.

I contacted QR customer service and they said that this was because I had booked through BA.

Has anyone had this experience previously – not being able to check on online with QR because the ticket was booked through BA?

(My recent experience is when I am not able to check in online, this means that there is a downgrade – this has happened last my two Avios flights).

Thanks for any thoughts/advice.

Just returned from Melbourne on Qatar on a BA booked redemption – couldn’t check in at 48 hours, but could at 24.

[GillyDee]

JDB wrote:

BA 7 will operate daily with a 789 and BA 5 will operate Tue/Thu/Sat on a 777 in the 2024 winter timetable on current plans, but might well change.

I do hope it doesn’t change – I’ve just managed to pick up 2 reward seats on BA 5!

[GillyDee]

Out of idle curiosity, because I’m currently in Australia, I decided to check out Tokyo flights at 01:00 BST, 355 days out. The 8 business class award seats across 2 flights disappeared in just under 6 minutes…

[GillyDee]

Checked my BAEC details yesterday as explained by @Aston100 (thank you) and found OH and I had the same number. Changed the number, OH got an email saying passenger details had been updated – however, this morning it is wrong again, so I would highly advise double checking on Qatar.com and/or at check in.

[GillyDee]

India?

Bahrain? You could fly out PE, back in First if dates worked.

[GillyDee]

Very quick and straightforward – hand over your credit card – and you’re away. You just need to decide whether you need single or multiple entry. We did a side trip to Saudi so needed multiple. I wouldn’t recommend Saudi as a side trip – not cost effective in terms of the visa for a couple of days..

[GillyDee]

BJ wrote:

While I was aware of SeatFrog I have never used it, preferring always just to book First Advance tickets with various promotions. What are chances of success and scale of successful bids, particularly on LNER between Edinburgh and London in either direction? Most trains I have taken in the last two years have been almost full so I’m guessing SeatFrog is next to useless or is what’s filling the trains.

Oops! Didn’t mean to report – fat fingers; sorry.

[GillyDee]

If you do go to Rapa Nui, use Latam’s Chilean website and look at business class prices. We went in 2019 and the price was very reasonable.

We liked Valparaiso. Had a guided graffiti tour, nice restaurants. Stayed at the Sheraton.

Can’t say much about Santiago – the day after we arrived martial law was declared and we were curfewed in the Marriott. Only place open for food was Maccy D’s drive thru, on foot.

HI Santiago airport was excellent.

[GillyDee]

Froggee wrote:

Indeed if you look on BA’s reward flight finder tool, it is showing 3 economy and 2 business seats on that day. Obviously if you click through to book it, this availability disappears.

So basically the BA source that Seatspy uses licks bag.

I agree this is frustrating.

Licks bag?

[GillyDee]

Some time ago we did a Nile cruise on the Oberoi Philae. We’d had to cancel our trip to Antarctica after FIL’s death so splashed out on a suite. It was very enjoyable with great food and interesting excursions. I think the Oberoi Zahra is more luxurious.

[GillyDee]

As promised a quick review of Coast.

Started off well, went downhill. Service was friendly, nice cocktail (Citrus Bonsai) arrives, order taken, wine chosen, then the adjacent table was much more interesting to the server and our appetisers arrived but the wine didn’t materialise for another 15 minutes.

Cooked fish was very good – fish & chip cones, beautifully cooked scallops, crispy calamari. The sushi tile for 2 was awful; I expected it to taste fresh but everything was just tired and mushy. It was a bit too “room temperature” for me.

1 cocktail, 1 beer, 2 glasses of Sauvignon Blanc, 2 appetisers, 1 main and the sushi tile + tip – 261 Can dollars.

Amex credit posted 2 days later

[GillyDee]

We booked a King Terrace Suite with Cathedral view in the IHG using an AMB weekend voucher. We added an extra night on points and they kept us in the same room. It was a lovely room, great housekeeping and nice staff. We had lounge access and the food offerings were fine, but as @JDB says, there are so many better dining options within easy walking distance to try out (but see below)

An old Roman city, Serdika, was discovered whilst the metro was being extended; that’s worth a look.

We had the tasting menu at Andre’s, a short walk from the IHG. The food, with drinks pairings, was interesting, but badly let down by the pacing. It was quiet when we arrived so the first few courses were very rushed, whilst we waited over 30 minutes for each of the last 2. Wouldn’t recommend.

Lovely city, full of things to do and see; I’d happily go back as we barely scratched the surface in 2.5 days.

[GillyDee]

rakesh wrote:

I was interested in the menu on board more for the kids, normally they prefer and eat the adult meals, but wanted to take a look in case I needed to request a child meal for any of them, particularly the 4 year old.

Not yet booked anywhere in Bahrain..just secured the flights..always tough with 5 of us. Reminds me to look at options for next Easter. Where would you recommend we stay in Bahrain ?

Yes will enquire about the Hilton, do you know which part of the island they are building it on
Where are the in laws staying? We are supposed to come back on 30th but she thinks 5 nights might be too short .. so could extend.. kids back in school on 6th June.

We are getting to T5 early, so I might get chance to have breakfast and lunch in the CCR.

Quick question.. it is my sister’s birthday on day we plan to fly back…worth bothering to contact youfirst people . Do they ever spoil birthday people.. is that more for kids.. I recall getting a trip to the cockpit on a PanAm 747 for my birthday (got to sit on the captain’s knee.

We planned to stay at 2 different hotels in Bahrain, either side of a short trip to Saudi. The first was the Sofitel Zallaq Thalassa, finishing with the FS. In the event the Sofitel advised that they were hosting a big Indian wedding over 2 of the 3 days we were there and that parts of the resort would be off limits. This is a very regular occurrence as far as I can tell. So we stayed at the Hilton instead which was very much out on a limb (but with a lot of construction around it planned), nice enough but not luxurious and convenient only for the Grand Mosque. I wouldn’t recommend.

As for the FS I wish I’d saved my money and stayed at the HGI which is just across the bay. Breakfast couldn’t possibly have been as poor and it would have saved having to get the little ferry boat across to the mall which had some excellent food options. @Mandy stayed at the IHG; I don’t think she had any complaints.

[GillyDee]

rakesh wrote:

We are staying at the Hamilton Princess.. my local friend insisted we stay there and not any of the others.

Have a trip to Bahrain in First booked for Feb 24 half term that looks like going from T3

Will be my first ever use of BA first wing at T5 and first visit to concorde room departure and arrivals..

Loved Bahrain, lunch on the patio at the fort was very pleasant. Where are you staying? The Four Seasons was a bit fur coat and no knickers, undeniably lovely outside space, very bling rooms, shockingly poor breakfast.

[GillyDee]

I’ve booked Coast for 29th May. I’ll report back if you’re in Vancouver after that date.

[GillyDee]

DonLee wrote:

Grant wrote:

I submitted a complaint to Creation when the first wave of FOS offers started coming through. I received a reply today, just about within the time limits set out in my acknowledgement, upholding my complaint in full and confirming I would be awarded my missing points and free night cert (already received a few weeks back) and a pro rata refund of the card fee.

I submitted a complaint to Creation 3 months ago also received same email today confirming all I will be awarded. Also pro-rata refund of card fee, but Creation asked for bank details and recent bank statement so the refund can be processed which is strange as I have direct debit they have all my details.

Ditto – except I only emailed customercare 6 weeks ago and I didn’t have a DD set up. What is a little odd, is that I hadn’t earned the free night as I stopped spending on the card before the closure date but the inference is that they are going to award it anyway based on what my projected spend would have been.

[GillyDee]

We were also late to the party. However, we emailed customercare@creation.co.uk on 18th March, received the automated response and then a follow-up on 22nd March. My complaint was only with regards to missing points and a pro-rata refund. Points arrived last week, no sign of a refund.

[GillyDee]

Staying at the Fairmont Pacific Rim at the end of May prior to a cruise to Seward. Booked thru Emyr; roughly £500 per night. Hoping for a great stay – will let you know!

[GillyDee]

And the car park is HUGE

[GillyDee]

Love the Sofitel too. Tried to blag an upgrade to the executive lounge (bloomin’ lovely service last time, thanks Mihaela and team)) and was quoted “best I can do is £140”. We declined gracefully and went to the bar for thick cut chips, salt & pepper squid and some nice Rioja blanco. £50, job done.

During the night someone appeared to be trying to get in the room with a keycard. Drunk or murderer – you decide…

[GillyDee]

Top tip. Himeji Castle is considered a must-see and it is spectacular. I would go back there just for the Koko-en Garden; even in early spring it was exquisite.

[GillyDee]

Cesar Manrique Foundation and his house on Lanzarote…

[GillyDee]

lollyfry wrote:

We’re also looking at tour companies for a first trip to Japan. Reading the comments I see people suggest self touring, but we really want to use a tour company as not comfortable sorting it ourselves so does anyone have a recommendation for a reasonably priced tour company for a 10-14 day tour?

It all depends what you’re after. A fully accompanied private tour would be exorbitant in Japan (unlike India for example), but a company like InsideJapan could provide a comprehensive itinerary and make all the arrangements for you but you’d have to get yourself from place to place – aka self-guided. And they could add value and provide specialist guides in one or more places depending on your interests. Or you could opt for a small group tour – InsideJapan, Exodus Travel, Intrepid. My only experience is with InsideJapan, when we were time-poor and it was easier to let them organise it.

[GillyDee]

meta wrote:

Japan is best explored on your own. Being completely lost all the time is part of the experience as a first timer. If you want a guide, you can do walking tours in Kyoto or other places. Most attractions also have guided tours in English.

You don’t stay lost for long; Japanese are wonderfully helpful. Love the place.

[GillyDee]

We used them a few years ago for a 21 day trip. The guides and activities they provided were absolutely first class, but there’s no doubt we paid a hefty premium for that.

Getting and using the Japan Rail Pass is straight forward and there’s a handy calculator on the Japan Guide to make sure that it’s cost effective for your trip.

We’ll be organising our next trip – Autumn 2024 – ourselves.