London Calling

[anat0l]

read the linked to trheads and the links within them as well ...

Do you require the visa if you are there for less than 24hrs?

The strict rule is - as soon as you need to cross the border into Russia, you need a visa. This includes staying the night before you depart again, or even changing terminals.

There is a transit facility in the airports in Moscow, however it is also rigorously guarded. They may ask questions or send you out to check in again. In the latter case, visa required.

If you have checked bags, tough luck - you can't route a bag out through the same two port pairs (i.e. routing of ...-LHR-MOW-LHR is not possible). At least, in my experience this is what I've had before. Which means you'll need to claim your bag and re-check it. Which needs a visa.

There has been one case I know of of a Flyertalker (who shall remain anonymous for various reasons) who did a mileage run from America to Moscow which was a hand baggage only straight turnaround. The flight in and flight out was on the same aircraft and thus the same terminal. He printed a set of the Russian visa rules and took these with him. Luckily he did. He had to convince the check-in and gate agents at his departure port and almost had to (somehow!) convince the Russian authorities to let him transit without a visa. He "survived", but he studiously maintained that his entire sortie was completely legal.

This brings up another issue. Even if you can argue that your transit without a visa is fully legit, some airlines may be reluctant to check you in or board you if you do not have a visa. The airlines can be fined if you are rejected entry to Russia, so they can be very picky about checking that you have a visa. You can't force the airline to board you even if you think they are being too cautious - they will rather put up with your complaints later rather than risk being fined for having to repatriate you.

Given an itinerary like ...-LHR-MOW-LHR...-MOW-LHR-..., someone looking at that may not like you at all and just might be ready to give you a really hard time.

Of course, you could just suck it up and get a visa. The added cost may not mean too much more to you compared to a conventional routing ticket, but the main headache for Russian visas is time, not cost.

The Russian visa rules and the Moscow airports' websites make the whole thing seem too easy. Anecdotal reports around the place are both conflicting and paint a different picture.

 

[sergeyvzn]

Unfortunately, anat0l is quite right - there is no such a thing as the transit without a visa

Aeroflot used to put you on a minibus to take intro Novotel in SVO where you were virtually guarded to prevent you from leaving the hotel until you'd catch your onward flight next morning but I think this is the thing of the past

On the other hand - getting a visa for Russia is not difficult at all and does not take much time either, contrary to a very widespread popular opinion. I get it for my partner ( who is Australian) all the time and believe me, if you follow some very simple rules Russian consulates have on their websites, you get it easily enough. Time is not an obstacle, either - if you are in a hurry, you can get it done in 2 days ( it costs of course)

The thread seems to be drifting away from it's initial topic though

 

[Lawlass]

The thread seems to be drifting away from it's initial topic though

I don't mind. I'm still trying to justify a trip to London for a party. It will hurt to burn all my points.

If only bossreggie was still here... http://www.australianfrequentflyer....news/lost-bet-punishment-is-coming-28506.html

 

[sergeyvzn]

Come on, if the party is that good, it's worth burning all these points

 

[Lawlass]

In case anyone is even slightly interested, I booked a YASA for 180K points + approx $350. Given that I get 37,000 points back and 120 SCs, this is way better value than a classic award IMHO (which was around $900 cash component).

Also managed to wangle some FLounge action on the way over and nabbed seat 71D on the A380 home.

Bring on the partay

 

[Febs]

Edit: Oops, didn't see your post above. Oh well, this might be relevant to others.

Apologies if it's already been said, but if you're willing to spend 128k points on an award seat, and you have 180k...I recommend spending 140k (or 142.5k if booking via the phone) and going for a OneWorld Award Explorer. Particularly if you want to travel around Europe, and have any reason for a US stopover.

It doesn't work for everyone, but every time I've considered going to Europe on points, I've ended up making a world trip out of it for 14.5k more points.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Lawlass]

Apologies if it's already been said, but if you're willing to spend 128k points on an award seat, and you have 180k...I recommend spending 140k (or 142.5k if booking via the phone) and going for a OneWorld Award Explorer. Particularly if you want to travel around Europe, and have any reason for a US stopover.

It doesn't work for everyone, but every time I've considered going to Europe on points, I've ended up making a world trip out of it for 14.5k more points.

Cheers,
- Febs.

As this is just a very short trip for a party and I couldn't really be away from uni for that long, I found the YASA was the best value for me

I do want to do one of the 140K OWE trips one day, but when I have a LOT more time.

 

[serfty]

...
I do want to do one of the 140K OWE trips one day, but when I have a LOT more time.

... and another 140K points and about $1500 for taxes/levies/charges!

 

[Alanslegal]

its a bit late now but buying us airway points would have got you going to europe for 2k rtn in business class

 

[Lawlass]

Also managed to wangle some FLounge action on the way over and nabbed seat 71D on the A380 home.

I should give credit where it's due here - jdlover23 is responsible for both my FLounge time and for alerting me to the vacancy of 71D.

 

[Shanye2233]

I have tried booking this trip and I have found the dates for the rate of 3780RUB there and 3780RUB back. But when I continue the rate the first time I did it was the 29,000RUB approx.

Now when. Try again it keeps coming to over double 60000RUB.

I'm travelling in may I think 17th and returning on the 14th June. Im looking for SYD FRA (stop) ((FRA ZADAR FRA)) MOW FRA SYD. I'm going to book the trip FRA zadar FRA seperately.