[davefl]

Not sure why you didn’t just ask your favourite search engine. There’s tons of articles on this https://www.virginatlantic.com/flying-club/airline-partners/klm

and https://hfp2026mar.kinsta.cloud/2025/07/13/earn-virgin-atlantic-status-flying-klm-air-france/

[davefl]

asp wrote:

Is anyone liable for our hotel cost? Not sure how much longer we can stay if we are footing the bill. Any advice appreciated.

You should be ok https://gulfnews.com/business/tourism/dubai-abu-dhabi-tell-hotels-to-extend-stays-for-stranded-guests-1.500459842

[davefl]

NorthernLass wrote:

The Egyptian collections in Berlin and Vienna are also incredible, I have a feeling you may have seen at least one of them?

I’ve been to both but looking at my photos, Vienna needs a revist for that and more.

[davefl]

freckles wrote:

Welcome home @davefl – yes you made it just in time.

A quick question on customs/tax if friend buys a new tablet in USA. Looking online, if it exceeds £390 I think VAT would be due, but no additional customs duty?

Thank you, yes just squeaked it. Nice to be home in my own bed. I would say ummm… if it’s in a carryon and has no box then who’s to know.

NorthernLass wrote:

@davefl, welcome home. Sounds like you’ve had a proper bucket list trip there. I’ve had a couple of Ancient Egypt exhibitions pop up on social media recently so hoping to check at least one out on our London trip in May.

Thank you it was defintely one of the better trips. Can’t expect perfection with the complexity and intensity of my plans. Although I’m finding I need more rest days than I used to.

As far as Egyptian stuff it’s really everywhere. I’m looking forward to my visit to the museum of fine art in Boston which was one of my earliest inspirations on the topic but it’s everywhere. I’m hoping to visit the Ashmolean for the 1st time next month.

My best wishes go to anyone who has their trip ruined over the forthcoming weeks, and to the people of the countries who are effected, especially those such as my new American friend Elle who got trapped in Aqaba yesterday as her flight was cancelled and had to watch missiles pass overhead, Also to all the wonderful tour guides/drivers I met in the region who will have their livelihoods decimated for the forseeable future.

[davefl]

Not sure why you expected any different to be honest.

Projects like this are always a farce

[davefl]

Looks like I got away just in time and very glad I’m flying AMN-MAN direct and not back via anywhere else.

Very old school meal service on RJ. Each course brought out on a trolley in large dishes and ladled on to a plate. So you can choose exactly what you want and no plastic in sight. Fattoush ladled from a big bowl and then croutons poured on top just like a family dinner at home.

Food was excellent as well even for a fussy bugger like me.

[davefl]

@Froggee and clan on trend https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2026/02/27/nothing-beats-a-jet2-holiday-budget-carrier-is-the-favorite-short-haul-airline-among-brits/

[davefl]

@masaccio One last tip. When you’re driving from Madaba to the airport, the last petrol station is after the right turn onto the highway to the airport. So ignore the right turn and it’s on the next block. Then just double back. Filling stations are all attended service.

Here PWJV+CG Amman, Jordan

[davefl]

Not sure why the crown lounge at Amman gets such bad reviews. Nice comfy seats, Barista station with a choice of four regional beans, a guy making burgers to order, serve yourelf ice cream and a lot more. Maybe when it’s rammed there’s a problem but not this morning.

[davefl]

Super Secret Stuff wrote:

I refuse to believe anyone that tries to justify that long walk. It’s poor airport design, they should’ve done a satellite terminal

The MAN press office can justify anything mate. They’re only one step removed from the orange one’s grip on reality.

[davefl]

masaccio wrote:

Great tips, thanks @davefl. Did you try Careem for taxis at all? I downloaded it just now and a trial booking from the airport suggested Apple Pay would work

Careem is the only one I haven’t used on this trip. Not an apple/google pay user either so can’t comment.

Your plan to stay in Madaba is likely a sensible one as Madaba is actually closer to the airport and a really easy 25 min run as opposed to Amman.

There’s a few decent restaurants in the town, I had lunch at Jaw Zaman surrounded by parrots and other screeching birds and the food was good.

[davefl]

freckles wrote:

Put my big girl pants on and did airtrain to Jamaica thrn LIRR to Grand Central, managed to find right side to exit then 4 min walk to hotel.

Yay, well done 🙂 I waited nearly 2 hours in the MPC line last time and then was told I need to moisturise because the fingerprint scanner wouldn’t work on me.

Enjoy the frozen apple. I think I’d be spending it in the Met today, tommorow looks decent though.

[davefl]

@NorthernLass I used to walk past it every day during my college years on the way to the chippy for lunch. Never had any interest and only visited after the pandemic. Now I learn that Prof Fletcher runs regular hands on days there, 15 mins from my house. It’s a small world.

I hopped a train to Southport last year to visit the egyptian collecton at the Atkinson and was inspired by this https://museumcrush.org/the-victorian-female-collectors-who-were-captivated-by-ancient-egypt/

It’s amazing what’s on your doorstep.

[davefl]

Jim Utd wrote:

£75 back on a £300 spend with Avis sat on my Amex Plat this morning. Perfectly timed.

I have it on the Marriott card, but 5 bonus Avios for every £1 spent online at Avis on the BA free.

Hope they track on the US rentals as usual because the timing is perfect for once.

[davefl]

qc wrote:

@davefl can I ask did you see any evidence of refugees there? Are there charities to which one could donate clothing etc? When the first exodus of Syrians arrived in Turkey there were a lot of people we saw on the streets

Nothing at all visible, however I don’t speak Arabic so I wouldn’t understand any signs if there are any. No homeless on the streets, nobody begging etc. I think the problem is far worse at home.

When I was last here 19 years ago I was told there were 8 million people in Jordan, 2 million native, 6 million from various other countries. It’s now 11 million but I don’t know the split.

[davefl]

NorthernLass wrote:

There’s a Cleopatra exhibition? I might have to stop off there en route to or from the NE the weekend after next! Never been to Barnsley.

No rush, you have a year https://www.barnsley-museums.com/news/step-into-ancient-egypt-at-the-cleopatra-and-the-queens-of-egypt-exhibition-opening-next-weekend

@Strickers Don’t be so sure, the yanks can be pretty hospitable. I currently have offers of free accomodation, food, access to privately owned Frank Lloyd Write properties and will be the recipient of many hugs and more. Although hugs seem more freely given these days, I even got one from the host of the hotel in Dana, that was most unexpected from an elderly muslim guy 🙂

[davefl]

strickers wrote:

@davefl It sounds like quite an adventure, even the bits forced upon you?

Huh? This is travel right? 😉

Yeah this trip has been a blast. In context very little wasn’t as per plan. Just 1st world problems compared to the stories of others of weather/strikes/delays/planes going tech etc.

Highlight was meeting and enjoying the company of the amazing Joann Fletcher for 10 days and I’m going to take a trip across the Pennines next weekend to say hi at the opening of the Cleopatra exhibition at the Barnsley Museum. She’s worked on it for 3 years so it promises to be incredible.

I just need to get home, rest and recover as my next trip is in 10 weeks time.

[davefl]

tootsci wrote:

2) About 30% of bags being pulled aside
4)A gates are a surprisingly long walk

30% is a good day.

I’ve said it before but it’s 7000 steps from A1 to the rail station platform.

In other news today MAN Press Office said that queues for T2 parking entrance and exit have increased since all airlines (apart from O’leary) moved to T2. Well no shit, seems they really didn’t anticipate that. FFS!

Have a good trip.

[davefl]

@freckles Yeah, finding your way out of Penn is a thing. I did get lost last time 🙂 Actually scratch Penn, Grand Central is a better end point. Look at this https://maps.app.goo.gl/K9amqezJrjxr5M9CA it’s much closer to the Barclay.

I’ve got 7 weeks in the US coming up and I know the temps will be extreme for part of it so have planned laundry days in hotels such as Residence Inns.

[davefl]

freckles wrote:

how many women do you know who can do 2 weeks hand baggage only 😉)

Honestly more than you’d realise. I’m always in awe of the women I meet around the world that go HBO for weeks/months and I’ve met many on my travels. I’ve got better as I’ve got older and I reckon I can do 12 days now with just a medium backpack but it does depend on destination.

You know the Uber/Taxi is slower these days because of all the roadworks and is around $115 now with tolls and tips right? You can do the LIRR route with one suitcase reasonably easily but I personally wouldn’t do it with two.

Happy for you that the BA Wifi is actually working for once 🙂

[davefl]

Quick update/tips for Jordan.

Sixt over Avis, just no hassle. Driving in Jordan is wonderful, just don’t do it in Amman, particularly rush hour. The rules are akin to Cairo – Never give way, never follow any traffic signals, police directions, white lines, pull out in front of everything and drive like a lunatic straight at pedestrians on a zebra crossing.

The only ATM that is fee free is Jordan Kuwait bank (or so I’m told)

If you like your alcohol then buy it at the duty free as you arrive or from the liqour stores in Amman before heading south. There’s nowhere to buy in Wadi Musa etc unless you drink in the 5* hotels or a couple of bars. Note: Liqour stores in Amman are closed during Ramadan but bars still serve. Go figure.

Uber is cash only – There is an option to register a card but I tried 3 and all returned invalid card. There seems to be a 15 JOD surcharge from the airport into town, the fare came up as 35 in to town and 20 out but that only shows when you’re actually at the airport so it’s geo fenced. Otherwise Uber fares are dirt cheap. 2-5 JOD.

I made the mistake of catching the airport bus. Was supposed to be 3.3 JOD and 1 stop to the end of the line at north bus station. Well the driver took very weird turns, kept picking up and dropping off people for cash all over the place. We were over half an hour late, and he stopped very near the Marriott to let someone else off, I tried to get off and was prevented from doing so. He shouted at me about the police and I couldn’t leave the bus there. Obviously some kind of scam going on.

Only time I was actually asked for a tip (not even in Egypt) was at the archeological museum in Maddaba. The guy in the ticket office decided unprompted to give me a tour which mostly consisted of the words greek, roman, 6th century, byzantine. I think those were the only words of Engligh he knew – Then asked for his tip. Funniest thing was he just couldn’t stop yawning – Ramadan causes that apparently.

[davefl]

freckles wrote:

Now I have 1 less day in NY, hope to pack in as much as my jet-lag addled brain/body will allow in the time I have left before moving to Washington. What are the chances of me going straight to Madison Square Garden tonight to watch an ice hockey match??

Air train to Jamaica, LIRR to Penn Station and you’re there. I’m assuming you’re HBO. Amtrack have bag storage in Moynihan Train Hall, you don’t need to be an Amtrack ticket holder.

Hope you have a great trip and the weather doesn’t interfere with things.

Managed a walking tour today, I stink of various perfumes that the guide insisted on smearing on my wrists during a demo. It doesn’t seem to wash off 🙁 I’ve now had to stand/sit through 5 spice shop demos in a month!

But back in the room now, it’s comfy but just wierd.

[davefl]

P.S. I forgot to mention the mirrored wall and the mirrored ceiling over the bed!

The construction noise of hammers on concrete began at 8.55. The breakfast is in the sports bar because the other two restaurants are also closed for refurb.

@Gordon this would freak you out. 21 seperate light switches, only 6 of which are multi function (both sides of the bed for example) and no master switch. The rain shower is a dribble.

[davefl]

Good morning from the Amman Marriott where the lounge is closed due to refurbishment (booo) the alternative is a meal from a limited menu and a couple of drinks in the sports bar until 7.30pm. The refurb is so recent that everywhere reeks of paint inc my room. Upgraded to an exec suite which is more than 2.5x what I paid for the basic room and weirdly has a dining table with 6 chairs.

Mini bar prices are taking the mick, £12 for a miniature vodka. The biggest problem with this hotel is the location – I chose badly which is not something I usually do. It’s way out of the centre but it’s comfortable and the sunrise was nice.

@TJ look in yesterday’s thread for my comment on Sixt. I’d switch if I were you.

[davefl]

IHG open overpriced IC in Capetown https://youare.travel/ihg-intercontinental-cape-town-south-africa-mandela-table-bay/