When is the Reunion?
The reunion is during March 9-18, 2009. However, participants are welcome to stay through the weekend of March 19th and 20th to explore on their own. There will be no planned events on these two days.

Why is there a $100 deposit?
The $100 deposit from each individual is to help defray administrative and operating costs that occur when organizing an event for 600 people. These expenses include: programs, memorabilia, operating expenses for our 40+ committees, and refreshments that will be served in the Reunion House during your visit.

The $100 deposit is a per person charge and is refundable until November 1, 2008. Please make your check out to KSA Reunion and mail it to 2009 KSA Reunion, C/O Saudi Aramco, Box 13426, Dhahran, 31311, Saudi Arabia.

Who can attend?
We welcome Saudi Aramco retiree expats; former employees, retirees and their families (brats and their families) who do not have an opportunity to return to Saudi Arabia. We regret we cannot accept unmarried couples due to Saudi customs and regulations and we will not be able to obtain visas for unrelated individuals. If the unmarried individuals are both brats, they are welcome to apply.

What about hotel and accommodations?
Staying with friends or relatives on a Saudi Aramco facility will have to be approved by Community Services. This is a standard policy when authorizing visitor staying in an employee's home. If you are staying with friends or relatives who do not live on Saudi Aramco facilities, you will need to provide a contact name, address and telephone number with the Organizing Committee.

For security reasons, all participants are expected to have a place to stay while in Kingdom. Visas will not be issued without firm verifiable accommodations.

Married couples with different last names need to bring their marriage certificate to prove their marital relationship in accordance with Saudi customs and laws.

Hotel costs are approximately $200-$300 (see rates below) a night per room, some may include a complimentary breakfast.  Please let hotels know that you are with the 2009 KSA Reunion Group.  The rates below are based on you contacting the hotels and making the arrangements yourself, they do not include breakfast.  Please be aware that the travel agent has higher rates.

Boudl Apartments for rent neat and clean. Small Kitchen in each room, daily cleaning near downtown and restaurants.  A lower cost than hotels.  www.boudl.com

Al Rashid Residence : Al-Rashid Residence is a complex of furnished apartments and gateway to Al Rashid Mall.  All apartments have high standards of splendor fully ready to welcome visitors.  Al-Rashid Residence will allow 3 free nights if you go on an In-Kingdom trip.  Premier apartments that cater to families; group of individuals can share a 2 or 3 bedroom apartment.  www.alrashidres.com .  Please contact Mr. Yuqoob Tucy for reservations at ytucy@alrashidres.com .

Le Gulf Meridien, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia - located on the corniche in Al-Khobar, has large comfortable lobby, water views from all rooms, restaurants and shops nearby, also has suites and spacious 3 bedroom villas for rent ($1085/night spacious enough for 10-12 people, great for family sharing). You will need to download a form from their website and email/fax to the hotel for reservations. Contact: parshant.sharma@lemeridien.com, attention: Prashant Sharma.

Al-Gosaibi Hotel, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia - first hotel in Khobar, currently under expansion and still operating, suites available, restaurants and shops only a short taxi ride away. Use discount code #812 to get special rates. Villas are available on request (2 & 3 bedroom). Approx cost of villas ranging from $276-$460. Contact: maiahmurad@yahoo.com, attention: Murad Maiah.

Al-Nimran Hotel, Al-Khobar, Saudi - located on Pepsi Cola road, small, quaint and quiet.  Nice accommodations, restaurant in hotel, close to restaurants and shopping. Contact: mail@alnimranhotel.com, attention: Neil Walker.

Intercontinental Hotel, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia - newly opened, all rooms are beautifully decorated suites with a spacious living room and bedroom equipped with all the amenities, located off Pepsi Cola road, shops and restaurants nearby. To take advantage of the rates, reservations need to be made before October 31^st.  There are cancellation penalties after December 15, 2008. Contact: hilal.saade@icalkhobar.com, attention: Hilal Saade.

Holiday Inn Hotel, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia - located on Khobar Dammam highway.  Neat clean. Nice rooms. Restaurant in hotel. Indicate that you are with the 2009 KSA Reunion to get the discount rates. Contact: jerry.Dignos@ihg.com, attention: Jerry G. Dignos. 

Dhahran International Hotel, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia - located near the old airport, closest hotel to camp, newly renovated rooms, only hotel that has two double beds in a double room (all other hotels have two twin beds in a double room), suites available, provides shuttle service to camp, short taxi ride to Al-Rashid Mall and Mall of Dhahran, will arrange for transport to and from King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) located in Dammam, Saudi Arabia (group of 10, no charge) or Bahrain Airport. Suites available. Use discount code 2009KSAAR/DHA to get special rates. Contact: sales@dhahotel.com.sa, attention: Fateen Naguib.

Coral International Hotel, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia – new hotel located on the road to Al-Khobar, nice rooms and suites, near to Rashid and Dhahran Malls, next closest hotel to camp, suites available. Use discount code AR0309 to get special rates. Contact: a.kanaan@coral-intlkhobar.com, attention: Ammar Kanaan, Fax: +966 3 899 0191 or email reservations@coral-intlkhobar.com

Group Hotel Rates

What about the flights?
Al-Tayyer Travel and Tourism Group is available to help you. All bookings and payment will be directly to Al-Tayyer Travel and Tourism Group. If you prefer to book with another agency, the final destination will be King Fahd International Aiport, Dammam Saudi Arabia.  Airline reservations can be handled by Al-Tayyar’s U.S. office Grand Travel and Tours. You can make your arrangements by contacting:
Mr. John Metzger, email: jmetzqer@grandtravel.net
Phone: 703-532-0444 ex 107   

Mr. Peet  Thaivalappil, email: peet@grandtravel.net
Phone: 703-532-0444 ex 111, Cell: 703-269-8180

Please be aware that you may find cheaper rates on-line.  You should check out all your options to ensure you get the best fare for you.  

Here is a list of some popular Airlines that fly into King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and Bahrain. However, there are more airlines that have the same route:  (click on airline to go to their website.)

Click on the an airline below in order to access their website.

Air France, Air India, British Airways, Continental, Delta, Emirates, Etihad, KLM, Luftansa, Pakistani, Qatar, Saudia, to name a few.

Emirate Air is offering a 10% discount.  Fares will be $1000-$1500 depending on point of origin + fuel surcharges and taxes.  This is for oneline booking.   Please click on the following link to get your discount.  http://www.emirates.com/cugo.aspx?promoCode=SAARMCO&pub=/sa/English&j=t  

A popular alternative route is to fly into Bahrain and then take a limousine over the causeway. Limousines are available from the airport (approx. $90 one way). Each individual will be responsible for booking their own flight reservations and payment.

Airfare should be approximately $2,000 RT, (Houston to Dammam). However this amount could be higher depending on fuel surcharges. If you plan to visit other countries in the area, going through Bahrain or Dubai would be the best option so you do not have re-entry visa issues.

What do I need to know about visa and passport?
Visas cost $70 per person. All visas will be singe entry and exit only. Visas for USA participates will be issued by the Saudi Consulate in Houston, Texas. Aramco Services Company will coordinate the handling of passports and visas.

All other countries will attain their visa from the Saudi Consulate nearest to their residence. The Saudi Foreign Ministry will inform those consulates in your area.

You need to have at least six months of validation on your passport for this trip. This means that your passport must be valid through at least October 2009 in order to receive a visa. If this is not the case you might consider renewing your passport. Visas will not be issued to any passport holder with less than 6 months validity on their passports. 

We will need a recent digital photo and a scanned image of your passport page with your vital info on it.  Please email these images to kelschlt@hotmail.com.  We will need these for both your visa and your Saudi Aramco ID Badge.  For your privacy and security, these items will be destroyed after we use them.

What if I need medical care during the trip?
It is recommended that attendees check with their insurance provider regarding coverage while in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Aramco will provide Emergency Health Care ONLY. All other health care problems will need to be addressed at local hospitals.   Most hospitals here will be considered out-of-network providers.  You will need to pay for medical treatment and file a claim for reimbursement upon your return. 

There are no mandatory shots to enter The Kingdom, but it's a good idea to have Hep A & B [twinrix], which is a once in a lifetime vaccine series, and quadravalent meningitis ACWY [every 3 years]. Tetanus should be up to date [every 10 years].

If you are planning to travel to other areas, you will need to check the web for those requirements.

Will there be a charge for In-Kingdom trips?
All in Kingdom trips to will have additional cost for transportation, food and hotel. The Shaybah trip is the only exception as it is a Saudi Aramco facility and we will be using Company transportation.

Approximate costs per trip:

Asir/Abha - $ 500                 

Jeddah - $ 400                      

Madein Salah - $ 500            

Red Sea Dive Trip - $ 700

Riyadh by Plane - $ 400

Riyadh by Train - $ 400

What transportation will we have access to in Kingdom?
Transportation on Saudi Aramco buses will have no charge. Taxi and rental cars are available.

Do I need an International Driver’s License?
It is best to have one.  You obtain and international driver’s license in you home county or by going to the link below or any other internet site that you feel suits your needs. http://www.idl-international.com/

How do I get Money? 

The easiest way to get Saudi Riyals will be to bring Traveler’s checks, Cash, ATM Card or Credit Cards.  There are several ATM machines on camp and in local communities.  They are networked with Cirrus, Plus, Visa, and Mastercard. You should check to see if you bank has international exchange rate fees or be aware that you may be charged an exchange rate fee at your bank. 

Most banks will be able to exchange US $ Traveler’s Checks, Pound Sterling Traveler’s Checks, and Canadian $ Traveler’s Checks.  The bank will exchange US Dollars, Euros, and Pound Sterling cash only.  NCB Bank will also be able to give you cash advances on your credit cards.  Personal identification will be required for these transactions.   NCB Bank will not cash personal checks. 

Can I use Credit Cards? 

Credit cards have become an accepted way of life in Kingdom and many purchases can be made on your credit card. Please be aware there maybe a 3% surcharge for credit card use in Kingdom.  You should notify your credit card company that you are travelling to Saudi Arabia and let them know that you may be making purchases while you are here.  Letting your credit card company know your plans may prevent them from blocking your credit card for security reasons on out of country or out of the ordinary purchases.  You might want to check into a Capital One credit card that has a “no foreign transaction” fee.

Will there be computer or internet access?
At the Reunion House we will have computers with internet for you to access your email, free of charge. Guests will only be allotted 10 minutes to use the Reunion House computers.  Email access will also be available at local hotels as well as internet cafes for a nominal fee.

What about Mobile Phone Services?

Prepaid phone chips are available in Kingdom.  You can purchase these prepaid chips downtown in local grocery stores.  You will need your passport to obtain one.  If you want to use your current phone service, visitors may want to check to see if they have international calling service added to their cell phone plans and that their phones have the European/Asian 1800 bandwidths. (If you have a tri-band or quad-band phone, it will work overseas) 

What about dining and meals?
Both the Welcome Dinner, hosted by Saudi Aramco, and the Farewell Dinner hosted by local businessmen, is a complimentary part of the package. Several self directed groups will be holding activities for the reunion participants and the cost associated with these is likely to be nominal, if not cost free, depending on the activity. You are also welcome to enjoy the local cuisine at downtown restaurants.

What about Security?

Much thought from many corners has gone into, and will be pursued in earnest to make sure that this large group of visiting guests of all Nationalities will be safe during their visit to the Kingdom. 

The Reunion Committee has subcommittees containing Security consultants, as well as most every other profession of some of the best volunteers Saudi Aramco has to offer. Further, Saudi Aramco will assist and provide the best it has to offer in making this Reunion as successful and safe as possible. 

The Dhahran Community, as well as other Aramco Camps, has many layers and levels of security.  The various activities and ventures outside of the Community will be carefully planned and coordinated with Security forces not only within Saudi Aramco's security forces, but Government and local security forces in all corners of the Kingdom if it becomes necessary.

What about Drugs and Alcohol and other contraband?

Drugs and alcohol still carry heavy penalties here In-Kingdom.  Please make sure you are not in possession of these items or other contraband such as pornography when you go through Saudi Customs.  Anyone caught with contraband can be arrested and detained.