Re: Belgium accomodations, first-class seats...Donna? Anyone?

[Guest guest]

Hi ;

AS far as accomodation goes my wife and I just booked in to the Holiday Inn

from day one . We did some sight seeing prior to surgery and after during

rehab. It's no problem even by public transportation for your uncle to travel

from the H.Inn to Jan Palfijn or elsewhere for that matter. The H.Inn also has

free taxi service from there to the centre of Ghent after 6:00 PM during the

week and all day on the weekends.

If you can swing it Business Class is the way to go . THat extra room is

really nice ,not to mention all the goodies they are constantly serving . AS

you're probably aware , if you don't go Bus. Class then get an isle seat at the

bulk head if possible . Getting up and moving every 1/2 hour on the way home

is a MUST.

One further suggestion . Don't let anybody talk you into taking the train

Ghent to fort on the way home . Spend the $75+ bucks and go by taxi . Any

way the trip home can be smoothed out is the way to go . Got a ride from the

airport to your house when you arrive back?

All the best . I'll go alot more easily than you think

Good Health

Fred.(L BHR DeSmet Mar 3/04)

[Guest guest]

Hi . Jan Palfijn Hospital does not have family rooms like the

University Hospital. I believe De Smet's staff will take care of

the B&B reservations for you pre-surgery.

Hi . I booked RT bulkhead coach seats, and my bf is donating a

business class upgrade for my return, although I am first on a wait-

list right now. I was told priority is given to people who pay or

use RT miles, so I didn't want to take a chance with a sympathy

upgrade. I flew business class rt the first tiime and if you can

swing it, it's definitely the way to go. I'm also paying for my

girlfriend's ticket, so I can't do it this time around. Hope this

helps. Donna LBHR 11/13/02 De Smet RBHR 9/7/04

> Hi Belgium hippies!

>

> Ok, so I will be talking to my uncle tomorrow about airfare,

> accommodations, etc...and I understand there are " family

> accommodations " at the hosptial for 15 Euros incl breakfast....or,

> there's a B&B 800m away. Would anyone recommend the family accom

at

> the hosp? Would it be better/more comfortable to stay at the

nearby

> B&B - and if so, which B&B is closest (I think there are

several?)

> My paperwork says one is 800m from hostpital.

>

> As for airfare...not that I'm trying to cut corners or anything

(nah,

> not me!), but since I have to pay for surgery 'cuz my insurance

sucks

> (ahem...), anyone know whether booking coach and later getting

> a " sympathy " upgrade is a possibility? Am I dreaming? Probably.

> I'm sure there's a risk that there won't be any 1st class/bus

seats

> available if I wait. The other thing is having to get 2

> first/business class seats so I can sit with my

uncle...hmmmm....just

> tryin' to figure. Has anyone gone coach, and was it absolutely

> miserable? Were you doing laps up and down the plane showing your

> scar to insomniac passengers? Speaking of insomniacs....what

> time is it? :/

>

> Just some Qs...am talking to my uncle tomorrow and hope to book in

> the next few days (or find a friend with buko (a.k.a., lots) of

miles

> that I can maybe purchase for less than I'd have to spend? I'm

goin'

> back East ( " home " ) as I mentioned in a prior post, and UT (my

uncle)

> and I will be discussing all...so just curious if anyone can shed

any

> light of any of this stuff.

>

> THANKS TO ONE AND THANKS TO ALL HIPPIES!

>

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I flew United's economy coach and they put me in an aisle bulkhead

seat by the handicapped lavatory. I was up walking every half an hour

or so on the 9 hour ride home so 1st class would have been kind of a

waste. People have received courtesy seating but don't count on it.

Unless you're tall, it costs way too much to be worth it. Don't count

out your insurance just yet. I thought I had the world's worst, but 5

months after surgery I submitted a claim and today received checks for

ALL surgeon's fees and hospitalization, so save your receipts, keep

your bills paid on one credit card, screw the preauth and go for it!

Take care,

Steve Vince

Bilat BHR De Smet Jan 6, 2004

> Hi Belgium hippies!

>

> Ok, so I will be talking to my uncle tomorrow about airfare,

> accommodations, etc...and I understand there are " family

> accommodations " at the hosptial for 15 Euros incl breakfast....or,

> there's a B&B 800m away. Would anyone recommend the family accom at

> the hosp? Would it be better/more comfortable to stay at the nearby

> B&B - and if so, which B&B is closest (I think there are several?)

> My paperwork says one is 800m from hostpital.

>

> As for airfare...not that I'm trying to cut corners or anything (nah,

> not me!), but since I have to pay for surgery 'cuz my insurance sucks

> (ahem...), anyone know whether booking coach and later getting

> a " sympathy " upgrade is a possibility? Am I dreaming? Probably.

> I'm sure there's a risk that there won't be any 1st class/bus seats

> available if I wait. The other thing is having to get 2

> first/business class seats so I can sit with my uncle...hmmmm....just

> tryin' to figure. Has anyone gone coach, and was it absolutely

> miserable? Were you doing laps up and down the plane showing your

> scar to insomniac passengers? Speaking of insomniacs....what

> time is it? :/

>

> Just some Qs...am talking to my uncle tomorrow and hope to book in

> the next few days (or find a friend with buko (a.k.a., lots) of miles

> that I can maybe purchase for less than I'd have to spend? I'm goin'

> back East ( " home " ) as I mentioned in a prior post, and UT (my uncle)

> and I will be discussing all...so just curious if anyone can shed any

> light of any of this stuff.

>

> THANKS TO ONE AND THANKS TO ALL HIPPIES!

>