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Its usually a condition of being advertised on the big sites that hotels can't publically advertise a lower rate. Properties cant afford to not be on the expedias etc even though the sites take a chunky cut. For local hotels, especially non-chain ones you may well get a discount (or perks) by...

No idea on the big picture but discovering you can get 5 QF/$ at Bunnings via giftcards on QF marketplace (3 bonus + 2 for QF spend with the right card) on top of the 2.5 VA/$ via Flybuys with a Onepass has been helpful for my points accumulation.

My plan is 40% CX, 40% Avios (BA likely as the Boost is cheaper than QR if I needed it) and leave 20% for VA

Realise I broke TR convention with so many real faces but all consented and I thought the flight counting was too fun to leave out

Flight 10 SIN-SYD SQ Y+ B777-300ER Va award as above Pax: mr&mrsandye and mstrs andye3&4 A reasonably tight connection so quick march between terminals. Never at risk but no lounge time Good flight. The extra comfort of Y+ appreciated particularly for the incremental points cost. And we were...

Flight 9 JNB-SIN SQ Y+ A350-900 VA award 97.5k VA + $89 pp (JNB-SIN-SYD) Pax: mr&mrsandye and mstrsandye3&4 I stuffed up and didnt check in until T-12. Couldn't allocate seats as a result. Beating myself up that what I hoped would be our best flight would have us dispersed throughout the...

Late morning came and back to Joburg. Staying at the Radisson again. All on the Exec floor and a great suite upgrade for me and mrsandye. Lounge very good with a Nestoresque guy in charge

Next morning we had our last game drive. A smidge jealous of the Swedish couple wjo'd ticked off the Big 5 ay Kruger the previous day. Howver, all agreed we wanted lions. It had been raining and not much to see, a 'rare' hornbill and eagle aside in the first hour. But the chatter went out...

The lodge put on a decent BBQ/braii that evening. Available pics dont to justice

Next day was allotted to a tour of various scenic spots aroind the Drakensberg Mountains. The Rondavels, various waterfalls and God's Window ( a scenic view Mozambique toward the Indian Ocean). It apprears on almost all the safaribookings tours as a Highlight. Pretty scenic but to be honest we...

We didnt have much luck with cats but did see a (slightly dishevelled) leopard just as we were leaving

Kruger is a big park and full of game. You have to stick to the sealed roads. Open to private cars. You can stay on the Rest Camps for a pretty budget experience without long drives. We were in a jeep with very good visibility.

Next day was into Kruger. We picked up our fellow travellers from the Radisson (looked pleasant enough but very glad we chose the lodge). It was am interesting bunch and felt a bit like a set-up for a slasher film 1. Us, the doctor and nurse with a couple of teenage kids 2. The man from New...

There is, it's called Gin! I picked up some Four Pillars Rare

Its tempting to say its like a stick for a marshmallow but its really for a spotter to give an extra pair of eyes to the driver. This one was particularly good

After settling went for an evening game drive on the reserve. Have missed out on rhino on my 2 previous safaris but there they were within 20 minutes. Open jeeps so very easy to see. Had a hunt around for a leopard before and after drinks but you cant win them all

The safari part of the trip is the one I spent the most hours researching, trying my best to balance budget with the experience. I found safaribookings.com invaluable with a wide range with useful filters. Ended up choosing the Khaya Ndovlu lodge3-night tour which though not the cheapest, made...

We had an early pick-up from the hotel for our minibus trip to Hoedspruit. Its a 6-hour drive with a couple of stops. The first had an opportunity to see a little game in the distance.

I had booked the hotel some time ago, choosing Radisson as I had VIP status due to the Avolta status match (Avolta status also due to a status match). It's a pretty smart hotel and both rooms were upgraded from a very cheap base rate to the Exec floor. Our timings meant we missed the lounge but...