[QRA]

Greetings from Mong Kok
Just a quick update; flight from MAN delayed by over an hour due to bald tyres, arrived at LHR late then stopped at transfer barriers to be directed to have a word with customer services. They informed us, as suspected, we’d been downgraded to WT+, but would review at gate. Explored other rerouting options with lounge, who in fairness were accommodating, but as we are only in HK a few days, before onward travel, and there were no same day options or early following day (all at capacity) then we hit a dead end. Don’t worry, was the mantra, the gate should bump you back up when all the horse trading is done. Got to the gate and waited………………………………………………………, only to be presented with a fait accompli. Pre printed downgrade letter, informing us to contact BA for “fare difference”. Managed to get 16J/K in WT+, and to ensure we didn’t cut short our HK part of the trip we made the under pressure decision to board, but ensured it was noted as involuntary.
Pushed back late at 6pm, then sat on the pan for 1 hour, then back on stand for another hour due to technical issue. Eventually arrived in HKG after being on board in WT+ for over 15 hours. Interesting point to note are that the lounge staff did say when we were discussing rerouting that BA would accommodate us overnight.
We tend to travel to Asia for leisure once each year, usually on decent J fares from one of the ME airlines, it has always been great service, stress free, good solid product and a part of the holiday.This year is the first year I decided to use a BA 241 for this trip. Quite frankly it has been a sh*t show, lesson learnt, BA Premium Plus card in the shredder when home, as whats the point for me? Many Asia routes cut, and then at capacity + in those remaining. Equally I’d also rather not fly with the Arthur Daley of the aviation industry who can sell my seat and put an extra couple of monkeys in their pocket! I ordered a Ford Granada automatic and received a Ford Fiesta (Ghia).
The Cordis hotel though in Mong Kok, on first impressions, seems to be good. The excellent (over) service at the lounge has helped us unwind from the battering taken from BA. Thanks to all for your advice and comments, Off to bed!

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Arrived at MAN, check in agent was not able to allocate seats for HKG as will be allocated at the gate! Advised me to speak to the lounge staff at LHR to see if they are able to assist.

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Thank you both, I have a connection from MAN at 12.05 hence allowing earlier OLCI. Will try again though as something may open up at 5.40pm.

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There is often greater availability when using a BA 241 voucher when departing from the regions.I am travelling to HKG from MAN next month, there was no availability at the time of booking from LHR.

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Thanks Mark

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Please could anyone with the Deep Blue Extras add on give me a steer as to boarding. I have checked in via the app (with DBE showing) and it has allocated a boarding time of 3.30pm however various online comments mention expedited boarding for DBE at 1.30pm which I would be keen to do given our arrival time. We are sailing from Barcelona. Thanks

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Hotels.com is 3x voucher value. Make sure you check the before tax price of the hotel you are planning to book on hotels.com and convert enough only for that amount. Taxes are payable separately.

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You should get 2 MR points
Cardmembers enrolled in the American Express Membership Rewards programme earn one additional Membership Rewards point in addition to their standard earn rate for every full £1 spent on flights, prepaid hotels, car hire and experiences on americanexpresstravel.co.uk/travel. This excludes cruise bookings and Fine Hotel + Resort and The Hotel Collection bookings where the Cardmember has selected to pay directly at the hotel.

[QRA]

I am sat on 3 -241 vouchers, after 2 were returned from FTVs from cancelled trips to the Far East. I am unable to use any for my November trip due to availability so have booked to fly to Phuket with Qatar (out from Dublin) 150000 avios + £282, then return with Etihad for just over £2000. So for £2300 plus 150000 avios for the two of us it wouldn’t be far off what we would have paid in total for the trip with BA, on a 241, as we would have needed the connecting flights with Bangkok Air.Maybe time to ditch the BAPP.

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Thanks pbcold. Apart from the breakfast, are the other dining and drinks offered “(3 proper meals a day, beers, spirits and bubbles 06.00-20.00)” by benefit of lounge access? If so I assume you are Diamond? Any experience of Gold having a similar upgrade? Thanks again.

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The Sofitel bed with the duck featherbed topper always makes me want to sing the Steve Harley song- Mr Soft. It’s like sleeping on a marshmallow, not that I have yet succumbed to that level of hedonism.

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I wouldn’t ordinarily comment, however this is the second thread within a week where the question over compensation for delays caused by medical episodes has been raised.I understand that EU261 is there to grant travellers rights, and compensate them when appropriate however I do find even questioning whether you can benefit from compensation because of someones unplanned medical misfortune rather distasteful.

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Some promotional rates do not allow the use of points

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I have not been so lucky with receiving points for multiple rooms but have received breakfast for all on more than one occasion.

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In Bangkok the Siam Kempinski is a haven within the metropolis, with swim up rooms that are great after a hot day in the city.

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I have had 5 visits to Anantara Rasananda in Koh Phangan. All rooms have dip pools and the Ocean suites/villas open directly on to the beach, which is a glorious bay. You also have the little village of Thong Nai pan Noi just behind the resort for some great local food. Arrive on the beach via their own speedboat from Koh Samui in just over 30 mins. I have also stayed at the Cpnrad in Koh Samui where the rooms and vistas are superb but the overall vibe is somewhat sterile by comparison.

[QRA]

I have flown both Qatar (not Q suite) and Oman Air Business Class.I found them equally good in both soft and hard product, apart from the lounge experience where I much preferred Doha to Muscat. Given your routing though that will not be an issue. It was thankfully not dry on our route which was LHR – BKK via Muscat.