Aeroflot for Free -- or -- Another for a Fee

[MrDK]

I am going to LOS in a few weeks and all was arranged with Northwest/KLM using miles. A mix up caused the Europe to BKK portion to drop and no free KLM seats are available now.

I now have the option of a free seat (business out / ecconomy back) on Aeroflot or a €800 seat (economy both ways) on KLM. On the surface the choice seems obvious, but using The Search Function, I see nothing but bad to horrifying stories about Aeroflot.

Question for those who have flown Aeroflot; is it so bad that I should pay my way with another airline?

BTW, if I do fly Aeroflot, I will have a night in Moscow (20:00-10:00), any suggestions other than finding a hotel. Keep in mind that I will be coming from LOS and P4P is only medium on the scale.

[pablo]

Aeroflot...hmmm???

You'll probably be OK.55555 (statistically speaking)



Pablo

[K2]

I flew Aeroflot in 1996 - and still remains the worst airline experience I've ever had ... I guess in 11 years things may have got better but they would have to pay me EUR 800 ++ to fly with them again - truly awful and make sure you do not have a long stop over in Moscow - possibly the worlds most depressing airport!

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by pablo

You'll probably be OK.55555 (statistically speaking)

The absolutely most charming answer, thank you!

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by K2

...but they would have to pay me EUR 800 ++ to fly with them again ...

I feared that answer ... actually my trip is only almost free ... taxes + 100k mi (but have 2 mil.)

[t0rn]

The night in Moscow would also put me off, hotels there are very expensive unless you're able to use points.

I assume you've already checked availaility with the other Skyteam airlines?

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by t0rn

The night in Moscow would also put me off, hotels there are very expensive unless you're able to use points.

I assume you've already checked availaility with the other Skyteam airlines?

Thanks for the heads up. I secured a free points (cancel-able) room at a Holiday inn 3km from city center in Moscow and 20 km from the airport. Please don't tell me the taxi will bankrupt me. Truly appreciate you looking our for me.

I do have another option for a free night closer to the airport, if the short time there is not worth a trip to the city.

I did check all Skyteam/Delta options which includes Air France, KLM, Korean, China Air, China Southern, El Al, Singapore and Malaysian Airlines ... tried them all.

[itstime]

Originally Posted by MrDK

Thanks for the heads up. I secured a free points (cancel-able) room at a Holiday inn 3km from city center in Moscow and 20 km from the airport. Please don't tell me the taxi will bankrupt me. Truly appreciate you looking our for me.

I do have another option for a free night closer to the airport, if the short time there is not worth a trip to the city.

I did check all Skyteam/Delta options which includes Air France, KLM, Korean, China Air, China Southern, El Al, Singapore and Malaysian Airlines ... tried them all.

I started flying with them in the early 90s being a expat our company was a joint venture with them today they are not so bad. As well in Moscow for the Night you will have the chance to check out NightFlight Haha.
Taxi is about 50 dollars but in saying this you also can getto the center for maybe 2 dollars not hard.

Send me a PM if you want more info.

Keep in mind moscow is the most expensive city in the world at the moment>
My middle of the road flat in center cost me 5000 USd per month.

But the pay is worth it tolive here

[dizbuster]

I suggest you save your points (miles?) and fork out the 800 euros instead. I worked in moscow for 3/4 months a couple of years ago and hated the place. The previous poster obviously quite likes it, up to him I will never forget my first flight over there, I landed at Sheremetyevo airport - took 1½ hours to clear immigration, there was no queuing, just a big scrum with people pushing forward towards 8/10 booths and when another plane landed, they just swept down the stairs and joined the scrum !! I never got to see the other Moscow airport (Domedyevo I think), but hear it was a lot better. After finally getting through immigration, I spend 30 minutes trying to find my suitcase before realising it hadn't arrived. Then more spent time at the baggage desk talking to what what looked like an ex-Russian female shot putt champion (made me look small which is saying something !!) who kept calling me a "good boy" every time I filled out some form or answered her questions. After this, I then linked up with the pre-arranged taxi driver who had been patiently waiting outside, only to be led out to the car in what felt like minus 30C temperature with a full on blizzard going on !! Another hour was spent going the 150 yards in the car, which was needed to exit the airport car park, during which time I tried to talk to the driver but failed miserably, as my Russian was as non-existent as his English. After a short silence listening to the wind howling outside, I look down at the dashboard and saw that he had one of those radio/cassette players where you can take the front off and take with you when leaving the car. I then turned to him, pointed at the shell where the radio goes, said "music?" and then mimicked singing a song. After several seconds of wondering what the fcuk the nutty Brit was doing, the penny dropped and he exploded into Russian and a big grin. He then reached forward in front of me, opened the glove compartment and started rummaging through the junk in there which led to a hand gun being knocked out and onto to my lap !! At which point he found the radio cover, I handed the gun to him, he put it back in the glove compartment, fixed the radio cover in position and then turned it on

Russia again ??

No thanks

[itstime]

Originally Posted by dizbuster

I suggest you save your points (miles?) and fork out the 800 euros instead. I worked in moscow for 3/4 months a couple of years ago and hated the place. The previous poster obviously quite likes it, up to him I will never forget my first flight over there, I landed at Sheremetyevo airport - took 1½ hours to clear immigration, there was no queuing, just a big scrum with people pushing forward towards 8/10 booths and when another plane landed, they just swept down the stairs and joined the scrum !! I never got to see the other Moscow airport (Domedyevo I think), but hear it was a lot better. After finally getting through immigration, I spend 30 minutes trying to find my suitcase before realising it hadn't arrived. Then more spent time at the baggage desk talking to what what looked like an ex-Russian female shot putt champion (made me look small which is saying something !!) who kept calling me a "good boy" every time I filled out some form or answered her questions. After this, I then linked up with the pre-arranged taxi driver who had been patiently waiting outside, only to be led out to the car in what felt like minus 30C temperature with a full on blizzard going on !! Another hour was spent going the 150 yards in the car, which was needed to exit the airport car park, during which time I tried to talk to the driver but failed miserably, as my Russian was as non-existent as his English. After a short silence listening to the wind howling outside, I look down at the dashboard and saw that he had one of those radio/cassette players where you can take the front off and take with you when leaving the car. I then turned to him, pointed at the shell where the radio goes, said "music?" and then mimicked singing a song. After several seconds of wondering what the fcuk the nutty Brit was doing, the penny dropped and he exploded into Russian and a big grin. He then reached forward in front of me, opened the glove compartment and started rummaging through the junk in there which led to a hand gun being knocked out and onto to my lap !! At which point he found the radio cover, I handed the gun to him, he put it back in the glove compartment, fixed the radio cover in position and then turned it on

Russia again ??

No thanks

There are about 10,000 expats here at the moment, thing have changed alotin the past few years as well ? Interesting why ? I then linked up with the pre-arranged taxi driver Sounds like the person who pre arranged for you did a supper job ? Why not give a place a chance and a person a new experence in life on the positive side ?
Looks at the different problems we have all seen or had or even heard about In the land of smiles no place is perfect in this world ? Why slapa whole country for one bad experence ?

Weather is be london New York I have also had to stand in line at the airport and what ? part oflife some times ?

Its time

[Sirgezza]

Originally Posted by itstime

... Why slapa whole country for one bad experence ?


Its time

He said that he was there for 3/4 months, so it's not just a one off bad experience at the airport.

[t0rn]

Originally Posted by MrDK

I did check all Skyteam/Delta options which includes Air France, KLM, Korean, China Air, China Southern, El Al, Singapore and Malaysian Airlines ... tried them all.

I'm not very familiar with Skyteam but you could use this link Class Availability Airline Flight Reservations to check fare class availability for your dates and if there are business (or economy!) seats showing as readily available you could request that one is released for an award ticket - I know this sort of request is possible on Star Alliance so maybe on Skyteam too.

There is also a Skyteam forum - SkyTeam - FlyerTalk Forums

I'd try and help more but I'm about to embark on my final night in Bangkok

[itstime]

Originally Posted by Sirgezza

He said that he was there for 3/4 months, so it's not just a one off bad experience at the airport.

You can hardly adapt to a place in three or four months no matter where you are at ? Everyday people learn new things it is all about opening up a little and learning about the culture and events ?

Just as much goes down in may places as i said before.
Istime

[dizbuster]

Originally Posted by itstime

There are about 10,000 expats here at the moment, thing have changed alotin the past few years as well ? Interesting why ? I then linked up with the pre-arranged taxi driver Sounds like the person who pre arranged for you did a supper job ? Why not give a place a chance and a person a new experence in life on the positive side ?
Looks at the different problems we have all seen or had or even heard about In the land of smiles no place is perfect in this world ? Why slapa whole country for one bad experence ?

Weather is be london New York I have also had to stand in line at the airport and what ? part oflife some times ?

Its time

The taxi firm used was (is) one that my company used (still uses) whenever employees from foreign offices go to Moscow.

As SirGezza says, it wasn't just a one off experience. Perhaps you like the place, fair play to you if you do, but I hated the place. End of discussion for me.

[landofsmiles]

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