MEL-AUH the long way round

[JessicaTam]

Some time ago I booked a cheap fare to AUH. The only thing is that includes 6 hours in CHC on the way. And CHC will close soon after I arrive! Fortunately my foolishness does not travel alone. Vitagen is coming along for the ride - well some of the way. And he has to get to MEL from PER to do it.

I arrived at MEL 4 hours before the flight, "Plenty of time", I thought. A bit too much time as it turns out. Checkin does not open until 3 hours before the flight Off to the domestic VA lounge I go. My logic was that PE with VA TT gives lounge access, so that should work for the domestic lounge, yes? No!

I am now sitting in the general terminal area waiting for checkin to open. This must be the longest time I have spent in an airport and not been in a lounge. So that's what most people do!

 

[JessicaTam]

But first a bit of background for my trip...

After booking the flight over I had to find a return. My best option was CX in J via HKG, so that will be another first for me. The only trouble is that I have to wait three days before the flight. So then it was off to find accommodation. Hilton Abu Dhabi stepped up with a good rate and I was set.

So what to do in Abu Dhabi? Ferrari World! For a petrol head like me, the perfect solution.

It looks like checkin is opening a bit early, so off I go.

 

[Mogul]

Go back to VA Lounge and use the card scanner thingy for access, it's in between the 2 doors into the Lounge itself.

 

[jetlagger]

Bon Voyage..
Looking forward to hearing about your comparative adventure.
+1 for Ferrari World.
If time avails.. Make sure you visit the Grand Mosque & high tea @ Emirates Palace.
It's divine!

 

[JessicaTam]

Go back to VA Lounge and use the card scanner thingy for access, it's in between the 2 doors into the Lounge itself.

I had no boarding pass and only a red card.

 

[JessicaTam]

Well that was quick. Checkin opened and then as I was first in line was welcomed with a cheery smile. It soon turned to amusement when she realised I had 6 hours in CHC before heading back to Oz. i was offered a lounge pass (finally) and an express card. On reflection she said that it was very quiet and I wouldn't need it so here's another one for the two of you in SYD. Of course I won't be leaving the terminal in SYD, so they will be filed away for future use. She also checked me through to AUH - much to her surprise when 3 BPs spat out of the printer.

A quick trip past TRS and I am in the Koru lounge. It is rather empty at the moment, but I am sure that will change. Now to wait for vitagen to arrive.

Edit: my BP scanned me in at the lounge so I now have a spare lounge pass - for today anyway.

 

[smit0847]

Interested to hear how this goes - if the 'offer' had been return I probably would have pulled the trigger on this.

How much was your CX J return fare? You didn't want to wander over to DXB from AUH and get a direct QF flight home?

 

[jetlagger]

You didn't want to wander over to DXB from AUH and get a direct QF flight home?

Now that would be out of the realms of AFFs' MO to engage in that simple course of action ;-)

 

[JessicaTam]

Interested to hear how this goes - if the 'offer' had been return I probably would have pulled the trigger on this.

How much was your CX J return fare? You didn't want to wander over to DXB from AUH and get a direct QF flight home?

I have to agree with Jetlagger, what a silly suggestion. CX in J is $1600 with 5 hours in The Wing and 240 SCs as well. QF direct when I looked was over $1000, so a no-brainer.

 

[jetlagger]

Let me guess..
Your glass is filled with the Lindauer bubbles & there is fish & wedges on the offerings..
As the lounge is filling.. ;-)

 

[JessicaTam]

Let me guess..
Your glass is filled with the Lindauer bubbles & there is fish & wedges on the offerings..
As the lounge is filling.. ;-)

Sauv Blanc! And fish and wedges!

Vitagen has just arrived so we are set for the next leg. Which incidentally has just been delayed until 19:01.

The Koru Club:

[xATTACH=CONFIG]16007[/ATTACH]

 

[LadyC]

I have to agree with Jetlagger, what a silly suggestion. CX in J is $1600 with 5 hours in The Wing and 240 SCs as well. QF direct when I looked was over $1000, so a no-brainer.

That is a super deal! Was that a sale price?

 

[Must...Fly!]

Sauv Blanc! And fish and wedges!

Vitagen has just arrived so we are set for the next leg. Which incidentally has just been delayed until 19:01.

The Koru Club:

View attachment 16007

upside down

tripped me out for a few seconds!

 

[vitagen]

I'm only going to Syd then going home to Per. What a waste of Syd-Auh: (

 

[JessicaTam]

That is a super deal! Was that a sale price?

Regular price at this time of year it seems. Considering MEL-HKG ret is over $7k I was quite happy.

 

[Major]

This should be interesting

 

[mella2007]

Look forward to reading more!

 

[JessicaTam]

Departure has been pushed back to 1925 so even less time trying to sleep in CHC

edit: thanks for fixing the photo.

 

[Fifa]

I'm riveted...
Thanks for the commentary

 

[jetlagger]

I'm riveted...
Thanks for the commentary

Better slow down on the SB.. You still have the inflight open bar to sample