2026 travel plans

[Flashback]

Starting 2026 off in China for the new year to enjoy the cold then back late Jan via DPS to pick up a VA redemption home. ZRH and FDH in June followed by TYO in August for trade shows. China for Easter and October. Hotel wise hoping to get back to both IHG RA and Accor ALL Limitless (I miss the metal card)

 

[markis10]

This time last year I had an unexpected 24hr layover in PVG, thanks to MU cancelling my connection to SZX while I was doing domestic transfer. Only took three hours to locate my baggage in the international area after I came through domestic area following special customs clearance! What a mess. The HIX at PVG has the best buffet of any HIX I have stayed at, a legacy of it being a rebrand.

 

[Mikethekiwi]

Good morning. I need help. I am travelling from New Zealand to Europe in October and returning late December. I purchased an R class business class ticket on an Oman Air Journey. I am travelling on Qatar Airways from Auckland to Doha and the from Doha to Istanbul via Muscat. On the return flight I am travelling from Frankfurt to Doha via Muscat and then from Doha to Auckland. Qatar has changed the time of the return flight to Auckland from 2:00 to 18:40. I arrive in from Muscat 15:30 the day before which means I have a long stopover (27 hours). My question is what is the maximum time you are allowed to stay in the business class lounge(s). .

 

[I love to travel]

Good morning. I need help. I am travelling from New Zealand to Europe in October and returning late December. I purchased an R class business class ticket on an Oman Air Journey. I am travelling on Qatar Airways from Auckland to Doha and the from Doha to Istanbul via Muscat. On the return flight I am travelling from Frankfurt to Doha via Muscat and then from Doha to Auckland. Qatar has changed the time of the return flight to Auckland from 2:00 to 18:40. I arrive in from Muscat 15:30 the day before which means I have a long stopover (27 hours). My question is what is the maximum time you are allowed to stay in the business class lounge(s). .

Not that long. Just get a hotel room and enjoy your layover

 

[Bundy Bear]

Dubai/London April 2026 London Marathon,
Berlin September 2026 Berlin Marathon

Maybe some shorter local trips but those 2 for a start.

 

[Flashback]

Good morning. I need help. I am travelling from New Zealand to Europe in October and returning late December. I purchased an R class business class ticket on an Oman Air Journey. I am travelling on Qatar Airways from Auckland to Doha and the from Doha to Istanbul via Muscat. On the return flight I am travelling from Frankfurt to Doha via Muscat and then from Doha to Auckland. Qatar has changed the time of the return flight to Auckland from 2:00 to 18:40. I arrive in from Muscat 15:30 the day before which means I have a long stopover (27 hours). My question is what is the maximum time you are allowed to stay in the business class lounge(s). .

As long as you like.

 

[drcam]

Taiwan and HK in March isn't great. It rains a lot. October and November much better

 

[n7of9]

I cancelled a Vancouver to Alaska cruise after I learned in this thread it would have been at the same time as the soccer world cup. Now booked on an Icelandic Fjords and British Isles cruise instead, round-trip from Southampton

I just checked to see what room I'd chosen and found it's now $3K more than when I booked! I'd also eyed out a Rome to Croatia cruise for 2027, maybe I should get on that.

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF @Mikethekiwi

As long as the lounge is open, you could stay the whole time - but why would you? Check for airside hotels or even take the day and have a look at Muscat.

 

[Mikethekiwi]

Has anyone paid to get into the Qatar Airlines first class lounge at Doha? How easy was it to get in?

 

[Mikethekiwi]

As long as you like.

What about the business class lounge in Doha? Can you visit both lounges in Doha?

 

[Flashback]

What about the business class lounge in Doha? Can you visit both lounges in Doha?

So long as you meet the entry requirements, yes.

 

[Scarlett]

Flinders Island and northern Tassie around Xmas or start of 2026. Will probably need to take SH out of MEB to get there, which will complete the set of greater Melbourne RPT airports for me. Hmm, might have to check with my parents whether I ever flew into Melbourne (Essendon) as a baby/child… <goes off to google when Tullamarine opened>

Jan 26 - KAEC and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia followed by Kuwait and Bahrain. Flying PR J long haul from Aus and SV domestically in Saudi, thanks to a cheap PR fare. Bahrain should be my 100th country visited when I get there…

Maybe Sep/Oct 26 (will depend on any changed work role and whether I can get away for a couple of weeks)
- Chile (Puerto Montt and La Serena)
- Peru (Lima and maybe up to Cusco - is there a train that goes up there?)
- Bolivia (La Paz, Uyuni salt flats, Santa Cruz de la Sierra)
I guess this trip will be based around QF/LA flights unless some really good deal pops up via USA.

This one will probably be put off to second half of 2027 as I’d probably need a month and a half to two months and I can’t see sufficient time next year.
Nigeria - Abuja
Benin - Cotonou
Togo - Lome
Ghana - Accra
Cote d’Ivorie - Abidjan
(maybes…)
Liberia - Monrovia
Equatorial Guinea - Malabo, but I’d love to try to get across to the continental part of their country to Mongomo or Ciudad de la Paz, but I’ve read that access is very limited there.

 

[Flashback]

Flinders Island and northern Tassie around Xmas or start of 2026. Will probably need to take SH out of MEB to get there, which will complete the set of greater Melbourne RPT airports for me. Hmm, might have to check with my parents whether I ever flew into Melbourne (Essendon) as a baby/child… <goes off to google when Tullamarine opened>

Jan 26 - KAEC and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia followed by Kuwait and Bahrain. Flying PR J long haul from Aus and SV domestically in Saudi, thanks to a cheap PR fare. Bahrain should be my 100th country visited when I get there…

Maybe Sep/Oct 26 (will depend on any changed work role and whether I can get away for a couple of weeks)
- Chile (Puerto Montt and La Serena)
- Peru (Lima and maybe up to Cusco - is there a train that goes up there?)
- Bolivia (La Paz, Uyuni salt flats, Santa Cruz de la Sierra)
I guess this trip will be based around QF/LA flights unless some really good deal pops up via USA.

This one will probably be put off to second half of 2027 as I’d probably need a month and a half to two months and I can’t see sufficient time next year.
Nigeria - Abuja
Benin - Cotonou
Togo - Lome
Ghana - Accra
Cote d’Ivorie - Abidjan
(maybes…)
Liberia - Monrovia
Equatorial Guinea - Malabo, but I’d love to try to get across to the continental part of their country to Mongomo or Ciudad de la Paz, but I’ve read that access is very limited there.

There are trains, but not quite from Cusco.

Liberia... there is very little to keep you interested there. Monrovia is boring as hell.

 

[RooFlyer]

- Peru (Lima and maybe up to Cusco - is there a train that goes up there?)

No - flying from Lima is the most usual, or bus. You'll be going to Machu Picchu? The train from Cuzco it there is great.

How to get to Machu Picchu from Lima or Cusco | PeruRail

Get to know the Wonder of the World in a safe and entertaining way: travel time, types of mobility, maps, places to visit and more, click here!

www.perurail.com

Ghana - Accra

You'll go down the Cape Coast road to Elmina and Cape Coast town from Accra? The 'castles' there - old slave markets are very sobering. Great beaches.

Cote d’Ivorie - Abidjan

The Basilica at Yamoussoukro is a must-see.

 

[n7of9]

@Scarlett Cusco is beautiful, but you'd need to fly. You can then get a 4 hour train to Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu. I'd say it's definitely worth allocating at least 3 days to the area, a very different Peru experience to Lima.

 

[Mikethekiwi]

So long as you meet the entry requirements, yes.

How many hours can you stay in the lounge?

 

[Flashback]

How many hours can you stay in the lounge?

As long as you want.

 

[Major]

Slowing down. Only Fiji in April