Europe the long way?

[LiamR]

I'm hoping the collective knowledge of AFF will have some feedback for my upcomming trip to Zurich.

Usually, I'll jump on QF31 to LHR and then a BA flight direct to Zurich. Boaring.....

To take full advantage of my newly minted Platinum status, generate some juicy SCs and take a side trip I thought I'd go the long way to europe. That is...

OOL-SYD-LAX-JFK-AMS-ZRH

With Stopovers in SYD, JFK, and perhaps AMS.

OOL-SYD on DJ J/PE
SYD-LAX on VA J
LAX-JFK on VX (I'm tempted to use Delta on the basis of Lounge and priority access, but, then again, it's Delta) on Y
JFK-AMS-ZRH on KLM in Y

ZRH-AMS-LAX-SYD-OOL

ZRH-AMS-LAX on KLM in Y
LAX-SYD on VA in J
SYD-OOL in PE/J

Stopping over in AMS (If I didn't on the inbound flights), LAX and SYD

Thoughts? Am I crazy?

Does anybody have any suggestions for an alternate airline rather than KLM?

Should I choose VX or DL? I've flown VX on the route before, and found it great. Would have loved better lounges and priority checkin, but meh!

Suggestions for AMS?

I've got Velocity Status as well as FlyingBlue Gold (I think it's Skyteam Elite plus?) to keep me sane on KLM.

Anything else I should be aware of? Would love to what others think!!

Thanks in advanced!

 

[sergeyvzn]

Sounds like lots of fun

Don't feel like flying Swiss direct to Zurich via an Asian gateway? Also, they have a great deal on mixed class RTW fares via Zurich where you get to fly Swiss in J, starts from $4500 - if you're really after the long way to Zurich

The most logical alternative KLM for your European leg with Flying Blue Gold is Air France, you could even try their premium economy, it looks pretty sleek

Amsterdam is great city and lots of fun, what sort of things are you after?

 

[cove]

Yes crazy covers it!
You must really enjoy long haul to contemplate doing such a long cut.
Time to read the earth maps I was thinking.
That trip had SQ written all over it and in a couple of snoozes you would be there.

 

[Fantic125]

Sounds like fun, althought the SYD-LAX leg in Y isn't much fun (doing MEL-LAX today, return on Friday ).

Amsterdam is a fun place. I was there in 2005 on a business trip with a couple of other guys. We weren't aware until we arrived there that it was the weekend of the annual gay Mardi-gras! I've never seen so many leather g-strings in one place before! :shock:

It certainly made for an interesting weekend, and the parade on one of the main canals was entertaining, although we did give the after parade party (Joystick 2005!) a miss.

You have to visit the Red Light district (of course). We also visited the Van Gogh museum and the Heineken brewery/museum (both enjoyable). We stayed at the Crowne Plaza right in the city centre, and with the trams and buses its easy to get around.

Have fun!

 

[notzac]

Thoughts? Am I crazy?

Yup! That's why you're here, right?

Does anybody have any suggestions for an alternate airline rather than KLM?

Considered LX? Usually a little more expensive, but that's the Swiss for you. Otherwise, AY might be a fun option..

Should I choose VX or DL? I've flown VX on the route before, and found it great. Would have loved better lounges and priority checkin, but meh!

VX is lovely, but so is lounge access. I've not flown DL, but I think I'd still prefer VX (especially if you're in whY).. personally, if I was wanting to stick to VA I'd fly OOL-SYD-AUH-GVA and then train to ZRH, but that's probably not quite as fun. Another option if you want to go the long way would be OOL-SYD-LAX (DJ/VA) then LAX-LHR (VS) then finally LHR-ZRH (take your pick of carriers).

 

[simongr]

Why all this in whY:

JFK-AMS-ZRH on KLM in Y
ZRH-AMS-LAX on KLM in Y
LAX-SYD on VA in Y

How is all of that pricing?

Personally in that scenario (and I know this doesnt meet the need to use your Virgin Plat status) but I would be doing a DONE4 - all in J and probably a the potential to rack up extra OW SCs without setting foot on QF.

 

[LiamR]

Considered LX? Usually a little more expensive, but that's the Swiss for you. Otherwise, AY might be a fun option..


VX is lovely, but so is lounge access. I've not flown DL, but I think I'd still prefer VX (especially if you're in whY).. personally, if I was wanting to stick to VA I'd fly OOL-SYD-AUH-GVA and then train to ZRH, but that's probably not quite as fun. Another option if you want to go the long way would be OOL-SYD-LAX (DJ/VA) then LAX-LHR (VS) then finally LHR-ZRH (take your pick of carriers).

Looking at LX now... I wouldn't mind AY either.

I think I can forgo lounge access in order to fly VX.

Why all this in whY:

JFK-AMS-ZRH on KLM in Y
ZRH-AMS-LAX on KLM in Y
LAX-SYD on VA in Y

How is all of that pricing?

Sounds like fun, althought the SYD-LAX leg in Y isn't much fun (doing MEL-LAX today, return on Friday ).

I said above that VA SYD-LAX return would be in J.

I'm going through JFK because I'd like to see New York again, as well as LA on the way home.

 

[simongr]

Ok it says lax-SYD is Y though. I love NY too and really miss visiting 2-3 times a year