Jet Airways - New Service to Colombo, Sri Lanka

Jet Airways will launch a new service between Mumbai and Colombo starting on the 5th November 2010.  The flights will be daily and brilliant for those connecting out of other cities such as Johannesburg.  Previously Emirates owned the route but I see Jet Airways closing all of Emirates niche markets soon.

Onboard Jet Airways is fairly decent, entertainment is good but legroom a little dodgy.  Otherwise good value for money.

One last thing, SAA and Jet Airways are partner Airlines, unfortunately you cannot redeem miles on a Jet Airways flight out of Africa on SAA Voyager Miles.



Hotel Review: Holiday Inn Bangkok (Ploenchit Road)

Exterior of the Hotel

Lobby

Superior room

The Holiday Inn Bangkok is suprisingly luxurious and modern.  The interior is warm and welcoming.  Staff are very enthusiastic and always willing to assist.  The rooms are spacious and very comfortable.  After an 18hour flight, the bed was so good:)  LCD tv's in every room with a good array of channels.  Breakfast was divine, enjoyed the food thoroughly.

Its located on Ploenchit Road which has an overhead tram service.  Its brilliant to get around Bangkok.  The stations are simple and cost effective.  Ploenchit Road also hosts the Siam Paraggon mall and other high end brand retailers along the road.  The Intercontinental is situated on the same property.  A little pricey though.

Across the road, theres a Starbucks and Mcdonalds just in case you dont like the local food.  All in all an exceptional experience.

The hotel comes in at $100 per night.  Outstanding price and quality.  I would call it a 4 star hotel anyday.

Emirates Airline online Visa Application Service (VFS Global)



I just booked an Emirates Airline flight and was excited at the fact that I can now apply for my visa via the emirates.com booking portal for Dubai since I was going to be in transit.  So I scanned all the documents into my computer and uploaded it as requested like the passport copy, proof of address and pasport picture.  Then I paid for the visa + an additional security deposit.

I got an email a few hours later asking for all visas to the Europe and USA and if I was ever declined entry to the above.  I mean really, wtf does this have to do with Dubai?  So I reply with all the info and then I get an email asking for proof of an investment of $8000 or more.  Are these guys for real??

Sent them the investment details and the application is still pending after travelling to Dubai 5 times previously without a hitch.  I then find out Emirates outsourced the Visa Application process to VFS Global who is based in INDIA.  What a whirlwind frustrating, annoying, irratating experience.  My advice is to book with a travel agent for your visas. DO NOT USE THE ONLINE SERVICE, take my word for it....

Saudi Arabian Airlines will fly direct flights between Jeddah and Johannesburg starting December 2010.  Only problem is that the bulk of the passengers are pilgrims to Saudi and the Saudi Arabian government has decided not to offer South African's visas during the holiday period (Dec / Jan).  So my question to Saudi Airlines is, who will flying on your airline if you are not issuing visas??

Priority Club - New Point Breaks released

The new Priority Club pointbreaks have been released.  Rush to priorityclub.com to make a booking between 7th October 2010 and 31st December 2010.  Some lovely hotels up on offer.  For just 5000 points per night, this is the best value for money offer by any hotel group worldwide!!!

SAA Voyager is One Useless Excuse for a Frequent Flyer Programme

SAA Voyager has to be the most useless frequent flyer programme that exists:

1.  Very limited flight options.

2.  No miles sharing between members or even family members.

3.  Can only be redeemed for one resort, health spas and car hire.  REALLY???

4.  Whenever you want to travel the damn flights are always booked upto 1 year in advance.

5.  The taxes are so high, you rather just buy the ticket from another airline cheaper.

So I have to ask myself again, why the hell do I have SAA Voyager??  The Emirates skywards programme is amazing.  Since moving over to them as a loyal frequent flyer I am amazed at the options and felxibility.  SAA is in serious need of educated people to help them forward...

SAA Cuts Durban - Cape Town Route

So we have been hearing and constantly reminded about the good fortune of hosting the World Cup.  I personally have yet to see any effect to the contrary actually.

For one, the tourist trade must be non existant for SAA (South Africa Airways) to cut the route altogether as of 1st November 2010.  We now have to fly on a low cost airline between the 2 cities.  Some might argue that this cost cutting measure might be beneficial to South Africa as there might be less likelyhood of a government bailout again.  For a national carrier to cut flights between 2 of the lagest cities in the country is just pathetic!!

 image via: Southafrica.to

Blog back in action

Hi There,

After months of not posting any info, we have received lots of emails to restart the blog.  Thats exactly what I intend doing.  Keep checking back for more news, tips and all travel related info.

In the interim, enjoy the 2010 World Cup in SA wooooooooowwwwwwwww.

Regards
Jet