How do you remain clean and sane when travelling in whY long-haul?

[Mattg]

I know a lot of AFFers don't have this problem as they have SG or greater status or fly J etc. but unfortunately I am not as yet a QF SG or WP and I don't have paid QP membership, so do not currently have any access to airport lounges. When travelling Y long-haul, particularly when travelling for up to 2 days straight through multiple airports, it would be nice to be able to freshen up, e.g. to have a shower at one of the stopover airports.

Obviously it would be nice to get into a lounge, but I was wondering, can you buy one-off lounge entries, pay a small fee to use a shower or anything else to help freshen up during a long trip at airports such as LHR, FRA, DXB or even SYD or MEL? Without lounge access or anything, it is quite difficult to remain clean and, well, sane for 2 days straight while travelling in whY. How do you cope?

 

[NM]

A couple of options:

• Carry a change of clothes - at a minimum a change of underwear, socks and a shirt. Multiple changes if necessary. And deodorant. There are always places you can change into some fresh clothes and apply some deodorant.
• Look for lounge options, such as Priority Pass or lounges where things like Diners Club or Amex card may gain access through their membership benefits.
• Monitor sites like AFF for others traveling through the same airports at the same time and try to meeting up and be "guested" into a lounge.
• Break up the journey with stopovers that permit an overnight stay in a hotel.

 

[ReLoad]

Hi mattg,

Paste us an itinerary for us to look at with timings etc(time on the ground etc) we can then get into specifics.

Speaking generally there are paid lounges and even in board little things like paying for an exit row, or selecting a better than ordinary seat.(some aff members with EF subscription may even suggest certain dates/flights for you to buy a better seat)

In some airports there are even better restaurants and options than you will get in a lounge.

On board, are you a good sleeper? If not think about options to help you with that. (Many great threads on here about options)
Load up on entertainment, get noise cancelling headphones(they are worth their weight in gold)

Travelling in whY long haul can be fine if you maximise it. Not all of us fly premium all the time too.

You'll never walk alone to row 98

 

[trippin_the_rift]

If you plan to do long haul (or even short haul) semi-regularly, invest in a good pair of noise cancelling headphones.

Diazepam is also a good friend to have

 

[get me outta here]

I find 1/2 a Zolpidem (stilnox) essential. That usually does me for about 4 hours. Then I have a walk around, toilet stop and chugalug some water and take another 1/2 tab if on a long flt. I find it best to not eat a lot when jammed in Y.

 

[stewiejp]

If you are flying Qantas or Jetstar, have a look on Ebay - there are single entry Qantas Int. Business Lounge passes going for around $50 - the same ones some credit cards hand out, and the ones you get when achieving silver. Single entry, fully transferable. VERY handy if you are stuck at an airport for a few hours, and considering the prices some airports charge for a half decent feed and a beer - pretty good value. Qantas website lists the airports they have lounges in.

 

[nickykim]

In the US Delta Lounges can be accessed for a fee. Have a look at their website. It doesn't seem to matter if you are on a Delta flight and its a day pass.

if you are flying Air NZ you can pay for lounge access $50 for 4 hours.

Some airports have general public pay for use lounges.

Auckland Airport has showers after customs, so if you had a long stop you could go into NZ with your carry on and come back through ready to board.

 

[nickykim]

Showers and Toilets - Auckland Airport

Even better, there are showers in the international terminal.

 

[serfty]

if you are flying Qantas and/or American Airlines a 30 day admirals club membership for US$99 gives you QP/AC access before QF/AA flights.

Also some credit cards provide Priority Pass membership at no cost. e.g. The AMEX Platinum Reserve gives two free entries per year then US$27 each time after that.

 

[Mattg]

Thanks everyone, there's some very good advice. In particular I was wondering about DXB (flying QF)?

(Note that I won't be eligible for Dubai Connect unfortunately)

 

[Fantic125]

In Singapore you can pay to use the hotel pool, which also has showers included - possibly some other airport hotels do the same.

Another option is to do what a person in a toilet cubicle next to me in Bangalore Airport did; strip off, stand over the toilet and use the bidet hose as a shower. :shock:

 

[straitman]

Mattg,
If you are flying as much as you seem to be then a paid QP membership may be the go.
Through AFF it is $230 joining fee plus $400pa (or $709.99) for two years.

 

[legroom]

Another option is to do what a person in a toilet cubicle next to me in Bangalore Airport did; strip off, stand over the toilet and use the bidet hose as a shower. :shock:

Wish there were a dislike button!

Give substance to the expression 'the mass of the unwashed' in whY

 

[scwappy]

Thanks everyone, there's some very good advice. In particular I was wondering about DXB (flying QF)?

(Note that I won't be eligible for Dubai Connect unfortunately)

You can use the Marhaba lounge in DXB for a fee, or free with some credit cards, eg Emirates Citibank. I think you may still have to pay for showers on top, but may be worth it. From memory there are at least two lounges , one of which is very busy and one which tends to be quieter.

 

[casanovawa]

if you are flying Qantas and/or American Airlines a 30 day admirals club membership for US$99 gives you QP/AC access before QF/AA flights.

If travelling in the US you can get the 30 day AA pass and fly any airline and use it, but have to be flying QF here to use it to get into QF lounges... The only problem in the US is that several of the ACs that i used didn't have showers, not quite as well appointed as most QF clubs...

 

[Mattg]

Mattg,
If you are flying as much as you seem to be then a paid QP membership may be the go.
Through AFF it is $230 joining fee plus $400pa (or $709.99) for two years.

Straitman,
Thanks for the advice but I expect to hit SG later in the year anyway so probably not worth paying that price for the amount of use I would get in my opinion.

 

[Mattg]

You can use the Marhaba lounge in DXB for a fee, or free with some credit cards, eg Emirates Citibank. I think you may still have to pay for showers on top, but may be worth it. From memory there are at least two lounges , one of which is very busy and one which tends to be quieter.

I had a look at this. It seems quite good and only $45. Has anyone used this? What exactly do you get for your money? Should I pre-book?

 

[randomtraveller]

You could join Priority Pass (prioritypass.com) - you can use their lounges whether you are flying or not and membership is a lot lower than the airline lounges. If you have an AMEX platinum charge you get free membership. We have used their lounges when flying Ryanair or one of the other budget airlines in Europe. We find it good for when we don't have access to the Qantas Club.

 

[markis10]

I find 1/2 a Zolpidem (stilnox) essential. That usually does me for about 4 hours. Then I have a walk around, toilet stop and chugalug some water and take another 1/2 tab if on a long flt. I find it best to not eat a lot when jammed in Y.

Hopefully you wont be catching QF1 anytime soon?

 

[michaely]

Exit Rows or last two rows in 777, at the back with two seats in each (EK), spacious, comfortable and fairly quiet. worth a look.
safe travel !