[Aston100]

Avant wrote:

Unfortunately given the situation, anywhere where there are likely to be a lot of wealthy white westerners is a target, especially if they’re US. Unfortunately many areas of Dubai would count.

I rather suspect the countries being targeted by Iran are those with American bases.

[Aston100]

Super Secret Stuff wrote:

I hope it’s over in a few days, for the sake of civilians caught up in it, but I personally don’t think it will.

I bet this will be another Afghanistan / Iraq / Syria.
Where the population will be freedomed to death.

[Aston100]

CJD wrote:

Did the same thing not happen last time Israel and the US had a stooshie with Iran? Seem to remember Doha airport having to be closed at short notice due to Iranian missiles.

IIRC Doha airport was closed for a bit when Israel launched an attack on a building containing Hamas officials.
I think the Qatari govt got a heads-up from the Americans about the impending raid, and allowed it to happen and then carried on with business as usual a few hours later.

[Aston100]

When I did that exact thing (but a much shorter connection at Doha) we got into the Al Safwa lounge at Doha, and the usual Qatar lounge in Bangkok.

[Aston100]

etting wrote:

Anyone want to spell out how to max the game?

You having a laugh?

[Aston100]

IIRC Jim was telling us about £35k worth of points every year a while back.

[Aston100]

FCDO have now updated their info on the China entry requirement page to confirm UK passport holders can enter visa free for 30 days until the end of the year.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china/entry-requirements

[Aston100]

ekposh wrote:

I 100% paid on Amex and I 100% got £100 dining credit for it.

💯

[Aston100]

Visa free entry (from UK) to China apparently to commence from February 17th:
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xw/fyrbt/fyrbt/202602/t20260215_11860467.html

[Aston100]

A useful addition.

[Aston100]

gerjomarty wrote:

Aston100 wrote:

Anyone got experience of ebook readers (not Kindle).
Suitable for travelling abroad with, readable in bright sunshine on a lounger and able to handle epub format.

I think one of the Kobo branded ones might be an option?

I’m a fan of the Boox e-readers, if you’re not bothered about it being a Chinese brand. Main selling point is that is just runs Android and allows access to the Google Play store, so you can install the Kindle app, or any other app, or use the built-in app to read epubs as well. I’ve had a Go Color 7 in my bag for about a year and a half.

That is helpful. Thank you.

By the way, when does colour become useful?
The books I read don’t have pictures or maps etc – so only the front cover art would look better in colour.

[Aston100]

Anyone got experience of ebook readers (not Kindle).
Suitable for travelling abroad with, readable in bright sunshine on a lounger and able to handle epub format.

I think one of the Kobo branded ones might be an option?

[Aston100]

KHepworth wrote:

Which route are you looking at? Reward Flight Finder will allow you to set Alerts on a flight-by-flight basis and also for Club Suite specific seats if it’s available on your route?

Hi Katie from RFF.
Remember when your site got caught scraping data from your competitor Seatspy?

[Aston100]

AndrewT wrote:

Wow I didn’t know Etihad had been around for almost 100 years!!!

I thought the same about Manchester City!

[Aston100]

@super secret stuff
Is the intruder still in your room?

[Aston100]

Super Secret Stuff wrote:

Well I’ve just had someone walk into my hotel room, not quite sure what to do about it

“And that kids, is how I met your mother”

[Aston100]

MD wrote:

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — FAA says it has lifted temporary closure of airspace over El Paso, Texas, and all flights to resume.

So from 10 days to 10 minutes. Great that they have such competent people in charge of their airspace! country 😂

FTFY

[Aston100]

davefl wrote:

P.S. ATMs are everywhere and zero transaction fees.

Careful. The majority don’t charge an admin fee, but there are some that do (like the agricultural bank or something which is everywhere).
Maximum withdrawal is 4000 EGP (around 63 EGP to the pound) , but you can do back to back withdrawals.
Obviously, decline DCC as you would in any country.

[Aston100]

davefl wrote:

JakeMc wrote:

@davefl:

I am going to Egypt in May. Any good recommendations / hotels / tips? Sorry if I have missed the thread.

Firstly ignore anyone coming up to you and saying taxi taxi as with any city, secondly May will be f***ing hot. If you’re sensitive to dust bring whatever medication you need. All the days we were there the weather forecast on my phone was “dust” and the air quality levels just said “dangerous”.

If you’re aspirational and want to stay at the Mena House then great, the have their own golf cart service to the pyramids but you need to book it a day in advance, and buy tickets online beforehand (which is easy). If you don’t I can recommend the Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo Hotel, which is directly opposite the Grand Egyptian Museum, rooms are a third of the price. I didn’t stay there but we went for a group tour lunch and the food was easily the best I had during the trip. Buy GEM tickets online too. GEM will take you a minimum of 4 hours so scratch the surface, maybe more to do it justice, I went twice for about 7 hours total.

Museum of Egyptian Civilisation and the old Cairo Museum in Tahir square is not to be missed. Even if it looks like an abandonded 1920s film set it does have unique pieces such as the 7cm tall statue of Khufu.

Great thing now as opposed to 19 years ago that you can freely take photos in all the tombs and inside Abu Simbel. I took over 1200 in 10 days.

Anything more specific let me know

Good summary.

I will add that you should assume that anyone approaching you is looking to benefit at your expense this even includes at the airport or inside museums and such.
I have never been to a country that is so filled to the brim with hustlers, scammers and touts, and they don’t leave you alone. Relentless, especially in Luxor and Aswan.
Also, expect shenanigans with Uber drivers messaging you asking to be paid in cash, or asking for larger amounts, especially outside places like the GEM or the Giza Plateau where your other option is the taxi mafia who can and will charge you *5 or more the actual amount.

[Aston100]

Is the IC Jimbaran in scope for you? It’s under twenty minutes to the airport.

[Aston100]

Thanks JDB.
Is it always the Danish historian leading all the different tours?
Also, do you recommend any of the other tours they operate, especially the evening ones?

[Aston100]

@jdb I’ve looked at a bunch of walking tours around Beijing and have noticed that Beijing Postcards (whom you’ve recommended) are about double the price of their competitors.
For example, forbidden city is not far off £50 pp for a group tour, whereas others are around £25 for what seems to be the same activity.
What do Beijing Postcards offer that justifies the premium?
I understand the main guy is a historian of sorts – is that it?

[Aston100]

I’ve not flown F on BA, so no idea.
But just wanted to congratulate you never the less.

[Aston100]

Tommy Cooper (I think):
“somebody actually complimented me on my driving today. They left a little note on the windscreen. It said, ‘Parking Fine.’ So that was nice”

My experience with Hertz is that they just forward fines and don’t pay them. They do add an admin fee – think it was £42 last time. Apparently that’s the cost of forwarding a fine.

[Aston100]

Dragonlady wrote:

Presidents Club means zilch IMHO.

I had this same battle in a couple of countries (Malaysia and Turkey).
I think the local operating culture overrides the company standards.