Backtrack & Y to get better J or short Y + inferior J...??

[dajop]

I am looking at some flights using some miles or combinations there of, due to expensive fares and no availability of awards on direct routing at the evening time I want to travel.

Option 1 is 34,500 miles (30K UA, 4.5K BA) + $145 AUD. It involves 1 hr economy flight (737), a 2.5 hr same dom-intl connection (no bus ride) then 8 hr flight in a circa 2000 angled lie flat business class product on a 777 in 2-2-2 configuration. Dep 20:00, Arr: 04:35. Separate tickets.

Option 2 is 30,000 miles (UA) + $90 AUD. It involves 3.5 hr economy flight in 3-4-3 configured 777, a 55 min international-international connection (which is MCT), followed by 10.5hr business class flight in fully flat, all aisle access 787. All same ticket. Dep 18:45 arr 06:40.

Until very recently I was only looking at #1 a (#2 not available). I see pro's of #1 being short economy sector and would be in bed by 05:30ish, enough for 2-3 hrs sleep in proper bed. On the hand #2 will probably get a better sleep in flight, and seems great value. Not so sure about the 3.5 hr economy makes the business class worthwhile, and involves serious backtracking.

Any thoughts?

 

[Franky]

I suppose some may ask 'from where and to where', but I guess the itinerary could apply anywhere. But it might help give us a better idea on how to comment.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Knowing the airlines, and from/to might help. Can make a big difference.

 

[dajop]

Was hoping to keep it airline neutral, as the airlines involved provide IMHO good service . It shouldn't be too hard to work out though ( for those familiar with star alliance ... which is what the UA awards are for), if I said the journey started in Australia ...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Was hoping to keep it airline neutral, as the airlines involved provide IMHO good service . It shouldn't be too hard to work out though ( for those familiar with star alliance ... which is what the UA awards are for), if I said the journey started in Australia ...

Option 1 is SYD-MEL followed by TG to BKK. Option 2 is Air new zealand to AKL followed by TG to BKK. I'd take the flight via MEL.

 

[Mattg]

Option 1 is SYD-MEL followed by TG to BKK. Option 2 is Air new zealand to AKL followed by TG to BKK. I'd take the flight via MEL.

I assumed option 1 was via CBR and option 2 was via AKL, with SIN being the final destination. Could be wrong though.

I would probably go via AKL, personally, to get the fully flat bed on the long overnight sector. (It's also a little cheaper.)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I assumed option 1 was via CBR and option 2 was via AKL, with SIN being the final destination. Could be wrong though.

I would probably go via AKL, personally, to get the fully flat bed on the long overnight sector. (It's also a little cheaper.)

yes, that could be the routing. I'd go for the SQ out of CBR. 3-4-3 on NZ not much fun. You'd be half way to SIN by the time you got to AKL!

 

[dajop]

Yes, MEL-AKL-SIN vs MEL-CBR-SIN are the correct flights, MEL-BKK is longer than 8 hrs!

If I could have got J on the MEL-AKL sector it would be a definitely go that option, and the only reason I'm considering NZ, apart from being protected on same ticket (vs separate tickets via CBR) is for the longer in flight sleep and the full dinner service (although it will be 2 am local time, that's only 9pm SIN time), vs the supper service on SQ . That and the novelty factor, as I do fly SQ a fair bit (NZ have wines more matched to my tastes too). SQ product on CBR is their old space beds, which are much maligned, but I used to travel on them a fair bit when they still had 747's in service and used to sleep OK on them. So it would be a nostalgic trip in that sense.

I could just waitlist on the direct service in economy using Krisflyer miles, but this will also be the last chance to use UA points @ 30,000 pts for a J between SE Asia & SW Pacific!

 

[Lemon_Party]

Less miles and more time in the air sounds great, but isn’t the NZ 787 seat supposed to be like a coffin?

 

[dajop]

Less miles and more time in the air sounds great, but isn’t the NZ 787 seat supposed to be like a coffin?

I've heard it is quite narrow, but as I sleep on my side, doesn't bother me so much.

In any event it's a non starter, due to phantom availability MEL-AKL in Y. It errored out after submitting CC details to pay for taxes, and then spent 20 mins on the phone to UA, who had the same problem, but eventually found out no award seats on the MEL-AKL sector ...