Location: InterContinental Johannesburg O.R.Tambo Airport
Dates Stayed: 3/1
From our house to Newark Airport is about an hour and a half away and United has a non-stop flight 14-hour flight to Joburg. We were fortunate to have gathered enough American Express Reward points to upgrade to business class (United calls it Polaris), so we had lay down seats. Since we left at 8:30pm, it was easy to settle in, watch a little TV, and go to sleep. When we landed in Joburg, they are 7 hours ahead, so it was 6:30pm local time.
Our hotel was walking distance from the airport and a porter (Cousin Luggage -- ask our kids 😀) brought our bags over to the hotel. The hotel was very nice and everyone was accommodating. Brian ordered a chicken sandwich with a coke light (South Africa's version of diet code) from room service. Total cost was 210 rand plus tip. For perspective, a room service hamburger and diet code in a Mariott in the states are typically $24 and $6 respectively -- plus service charge and tax and tip. 210 rand is $11.40 USD.
In the morning, the hotel front desk arranged for a porter to pick up our bags and bring them to the airport. The porter stayed with us through the bag check with Airlink and escorted us all the way to security. The airline customer service agent was also helpful. Apparently, you aren't allowed to have inflated soccer balls in your checked baggage (you are supposed to deflate them -- who knew?), but he checked them anyway (they were a donation to a local village in Zambia).
After security, which was uneventful, we headed to the American Express lounge and stayed there...
|
Open Full Screen |