35k mile ROUTING CHALLENGE in F - Experts only please

[timmy-t]

So, I want to burn 420k QFF points and do a 35k mileage redemption in First. Aug/Sep this year...

I'm trying to create an experience whereby I will try F on the best OW carriers as well as their signature lounges.
e.g. CX F + lounge in HKG, QF F + lounge MEL/SYD, BA F + Concorde lounge from LHR, JL, etc.

I have tried QF F, so not essential, but I think that's the only way of getting out of MEL on F on a OW carrier? (I don't believe I can do EK for this redemption).

The only must go cities on the itinerary are: PMI (for a wedding), HAM and SAN (to visit Relos).

I feel I'm getting close, but not quite right yet.... any suggestions would be welcome. I love flying, so maximum flights and routes for the 35k miles would be brilliant.

I'm keen to try F on: CX, JAL, Qatar, if possible. BA F on the 787 would be good too I reckon.

Sample 1:
MEL-LAX (QF)
LAX-SAN - stop 1(AA)
SAN-LAX
LAX-JFK (AA) transcon F
JFK - HND (JL)
HND - HKG (CX) - I think they still do F on this route?
HKG - DUS (CX) -stop 2
DUS - PMI (J - Niki or AB) - stop 3
PMI - HAM (J - Niki or AB) - stop 4
HAM - LHR (J - BA)
LHR - AUH (F - BA)
AUH - DOH (F- QR)
DOH -MEL (do they fly F to MEL yet, or do I need to go via SYD?)

Anyway, I think this is too many miles but you get the idea of what I'm trying to do...

Anyone have any sample routings they want to share to demonstrate their brilliance??

Sample 2::idea:
MEL-syd-hnd-hkg-dus-pmi-dus-lhr-auh-doh-lax-san-lax-mel
is 34,867 miles, but no JAL F and Syd-HND is QF J

 

[Croupier]

Ok I'll go First, excuse the pun ))

MEL-SYD QF J
SYD-SIN BA F
SIN-HKG CX F
HKG-BKK CX F
BKK-HND JL F ( or go BKK-HKG-HND on CX F for another crack at the wing )
HND-LHR JL F (nice 12.5hrs of bliss)
LHR-DUS BA J
DUS-PMI (as u said)
PMI-HAM (as u said)
HAM-LHR BA J
LHR-MCT BA F (787-9 newer F)
MCT-DOH QR F (regional F)
DOH-SYD QR F
SYD-MEL QF J

Trip excludes QF F but as you said no matter.

31053 miles, good luck finding award seats ))

Such a shame JL has canned F to/from SYD the only way to F'it to Asia on OW alliance is BA now (

 

[BacchusMarsh]

good luck finding award seats ))

Yeah, that was my second reason for not responding.

 

[timmy-t]

very good routing, but no SAN?

 

[kpc]

I'm not an expert so won't add anything

 

[Croupier]

very good routing, but no SAN?

My apologies I completely overlooked the stop in USA (

 

[timmy-t]

My apologies I completely overlooked the support in USA (

will be a lot harder to fit it in under 35k miles....

 

[Croupier]

My apologies I completely overlooked the stop in USA (

Ok Try this one )) 33960 miles. EDIT: Damn is that a give away I've been searching flights on AirAsia? Eeeeeek

 

[RichardMEL]

You're like 4 months out. Finding availability would be a stroke of luck on a lottery scale IMHO.

I reckon this is the sort of thing you want to plan for a year or so out and snaffle the seats as they come out.

I'd also note that I think it may be an illegal RTW itin to go OZ-USA-North Asia-Europe-OZ..(though happy to be corrected by OW routing freaks ). I'd think you prob need to do it OZ-USA-EUR-Asia-OZ. You couldspice it up with a drop in on South America too if you wanted to max your miles, thouh LA doesn't have an F to offer and I wouldn't count much on AA, though maybe something like DFW-HKG (or v.v. could be an option?)

just my 2 cents.

 

[Mattg]

Something like this could be possible:

MEL-LAX QF F
LAX-SAN AA J (stop 1)
SAN-LAX AA J
LAX-NRT JL F (stop 2)
NRT-HKG CX F
HKG-FRA CX F
FRA-PMI HG J (stop 3)
PMI-HAM AB J (stop 4)
HAM-LHR BA J
LHR-MCT BA F (LHR-DOH via Muscat as per Croupier's suggestion)
MCT-DOH QR reg. F (stop 5)
DOH-MEL QR F

All up this comes to 34,981 miles and gives you 12/16 permitted segments.

Getting award availability on all of these flights will be a whole different challenge. It should be possible on most flights IF you book a year in advance - probably not if you're booking 4 months out though. Also, I've never seen any AB/HG J award space on Euro short-haul, so you might have to fly Y to/from PMI.

 

[Croupier]

You're like 4 months out. Finding availability would be a stroke of luck on a lottery scale IMHO.

I reckon this is the sort of thing you want to plan for a year or so out and snaffle the seats as they come out.

I think his only other hope would be closer to the departure dates, check constantly for last minute space to open up but really a long shot on such a complex F itinerary.

 

[dajop]

I'd also note that I think it may be an illegal RTW itin to go OZ-USA-North Asia-Europe-OZ..(though happy to be corrected by OW routing freaks ).

OK, I'll correct you, no direction or backtracking restrictions relating to oneworld awards issued by Qantas using QFF points. In the past I've done SE Asia-USA-SE Asia-Australia-SE Asia-Australia-SE Asia.

For OP, one consideration if getting transcontinental F LAX/SFO/etc-NYC turns out to be elusive may be worth considering YVR-JFK on CX.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

In the past I've done SE Asia-USA-SE Asia-Australia-SE Asia-Australia-SE Asia.

.

Out of interest, was that booked all online, or via the phone?

 

[RichardMEL]

OK, I'll correct you, no direction or backtracking restrictions relating to oneworld awards issued by Qantas using QFF points. In the past I've done SE Asia-USA-SE Asia-Australia-SE Asia-Australia-SE Asia.

Thank you. I am edumacated

 

[timmy-t]

that's true for a RTW ticket, but this is a 35k mileage redemption, so in theory I believe you can fly any way you like....

 

[timmy-t]

Something like this could be possible:

MEL-LAX QF F
LAX-SAN AA J (stop 1)
SAN-LAX AA J
LAX-NRT JL F (stop 2)
NRT-HKG CX F
HKG-FRA CX F
FRA-PMI HG J (stop 3)
PMI-HAM AB J (stop 4)
HAM-LHR BA J
LHR-MCT BA F (LHR-DOH via Muscat as per Croupier's suggestion)
MCT-DOH QR reg. F (stop 5)
DOH-MEL QR F.

I don't think CX do F on NRT-HKG, only HND-HKG, so it would tip me over the miles for the surface section NRT-HND

 

[timmy-t]

You're like 4 months out. Finding availability would be a stroke of luck on a lottery scale IMHO.

I reckon this is the sort of thing you want to plan for a year or so out and snaffle the seats as they come out.

I had a look this week and actually once you are out of Australia, the availability is pretty good. Only need 1 seat.... the challenges are only on the legs in and out of OZ.

 

[dajop]

Out of interest, was that booked all online, or via the phone?

It was a while ago now, was on the phone as at that point some of the partner sectors (CX, JL) did not come up online.

 

[RichardMEL]

I had a look this week and actually once you are out of Australia, the availability is pretty good. Only need 1 seat.... the challenges are only on the legs in and out of OZ.

Well.. I'm surprised.. but that's great

 

[Mattg]

I don't think CX do F on NRT-HKG, only HND-HKG, so it would tip me over the miles for the surface section NRT-HND

Good point - I missed that.

Flying out of HND shouldn't push you over the 35,000 mile mark though. By my calculations, NRT-HKG is 1,842 miles. HND-HKG is 1,805 miles, and the distance between NRT and HND (which would count towards the mileage) is 37 miles. So NRT-HND-HKG is also 1,842 miles - exactly the same amount.