Introduction: To The Middle East... The Very Long Way

Been trying to search for QR F availability on the LHR-DOHA A380 route but I can't find any award space for it whatsoever so I was wondering how you managed to find a space for that route?

@ avery111 -- As explained in the post, it was a revenue ticket. If you want to fly Qatar first class on an award, I'd recommend their routes to Paris or Bangkok, as there's more space on them.

Aren't you going AWAY from the ME, so hence the title should be something else?

The 90k award ticket from Dubai to Los Angeles you booked for Ford, was this AS miles?

@ Kazu -- Yep!

Oooh, the Sheraton Gateway! Stayed there in December on the tailend of my LA/SF trip and loved it, even if the rooms weren't renovated. Great bedding, friendly staff and good location, if only the breakfast spread were better.

I have to admit to being impressed that you took a Megabus.

So with fear of being that asshole, how is Iceland going Lucky?

@ Christian -- Hah, I didn't, my friend Andrew did. Stay tuned. :p

@ No Name -- Realistically not happening. Has been too long and lost some of the pictures, unfortunately.

Sad to hear that Lucky.

Is Travis around or is he knee deep in nappies at the moment?

The Explorer Norway deal he posted about last year is back, link are posted the Ask Lucky section of the site.

Might be good with an updated article early enough in the year that people are able to make use of the offer?

Are you going to do a trip report on the trip that you took with your Mom to Dubai and Barcelona? I would especially be very instested to read your report on the W Barcelona since you said it was a great property before the unfortunate scandle happened.

I realize the fare was a great deal. But, how do you make that awesome route? Do you call the airline? Or, online? Does it increase the fare?

I am new to this and would appreciate your explanation.

Oh my gosh, Lucky, I spotted your flight to Dubai from Dallas. I'm a spotter based in DFW as @dallasforworthspotter on Instagram, and if you would like I could tag you in pics of EK222 from that day. I'm so sad they downgraded to a 77W yesterday, as I had flown Qantas to Sydney, and I dreamed of flying both A380's out of DFW. Plus my pics are less interesting...

*Dallas to Dubai, my bad!!!

for another "nature" resort in the UAE, HIGHLY recommend the Qasr al Sarab resort. It's an Anantara resort. Excellent. don't know how you'd redeem points, but it's worth your while for sure.

Finally!! AL MAHA!!
I've been waiting for long:)

Lucky,

Is your recent trip to New Zealand on your list of pending trip reports? That is one report I really am looking forward to, since NZ is somewhere I want to go. I also did a Hilton Diamond status match, so I was excited to see a non-US destination where I wanted to go, that worked with Hilton hotels.

@lucky, do you also transfer SPG points to Alaska miles to redeem on EK.?

Meant to say, if you are doing so, wouldn't redeeming EK F via JAL mileage bank make better sense as its much cheaper than Alaska. 180K Alaska miles vs 155K JAL miles for EK F class round trip

I hope we will read some guest posts from Andrew B!

The Al Maha Review is coming, I am incredibly excited since you and others on the blog have praised it as the best redemption for points ever made.

My mom and I were in Dubai at the Park Hyatt and I think the first morning we had breakfast at the restaurant and it was pretty empty but there was a few people out on the deck area and I told my mom that one of the guys looked exactly like you.

I didn't say anything because I was like what are the chances and then saw shortly thereafter you talking about being at the PH. I regretted not saying Hi and thanks for what you do as I had based our entire trip on reading omat.

I would like to second what Dave asked. How do you get that crazy route? Was it to increase mileage earnings? Were you earning miles all on AA?
Also, I love that you fly domestic economy tickets to get to major hubs. I do it too, and people think I'm crazy to just not book one ticket, but it can save SO much money and relieve a lot of stress.
Thanks for your wonderful trip reviews. You're incredible.