DSC Dash across the Ditch for a Long Weekend in the Land of the Long White Cloud.

[Flyfrequently]

Of course when the email landed in February for DSC's, I put on my thinking cap and started tallying up SC's in my sleep to retain WP for my 2027-28 year

By August I would have 660 SC's from GT x 2 and February promo flights to Singapore, so I booked J to Sunny Coast for Christmas Day to visit my brother - anything to get out of hosting Christmas Lunch.
This will add another 240.
But in the meantime, next question was where to for Mr Flyfrequently's birthday in September??

Haven't been to NZ in 10 years so Auckland it is.

Booked MEL-AKL-BNE-MEL this will give 225 SC's x 2 = 450 and probably my last LB.
Wanted to try the Dreamliner AKL-BNE but alas now subbed for A330.
T24 and have checked in.

 

[VPS]

Enjoy - looking forward to following along

 

[Flyfrequently]

With flights locked in, it's time to sort accommodation.
As usual, I head to the Accor app and settle on SO/Auckland. Good location and it has a Lounge
Light bulb moment and I touch base with Fora agent. He comes back with HERA rate, includes a free night, USD100 credit and is ~AUD 100 cheaper.
Done deal.
Now, to have a think about what we would like to do over our 4 days
As my sister Party Aunty scoots over the ditch about 3 times a year, I seek her counsel.
Not surprisingly, she's a bit of a thrill seeker, so I rule out her suggestions of a hike up Mt Taranaki Summit, jetboating, white water rafting and helicopter winery tours.

Will wait till we get there, weather dependant might take a ferry to Waiheke, Devonport, Half Moon Bay, stroll the Saturday market - who knows!

 

[Flyfrequently]

Since booking in February, we've knocked out a few trips, Brisbane, Jakarta, Bali, Singapore and Thailand and bingo, time to get cracking.

Booked Ibis Styles Melbourne Airport instead of our usual choice of Novotel due to $70 price difference.
Apart from the slightly smaller room, all the facilities and Platinum benefits are the same.

Kept an eye out for a RHR - no luck, so stuck with $203 for the night.
Previously, have had RHR at Novotel for a very reasonable $126!
Honestly, for our pre/post travel overnighters think price will now be our deciding factor.

Fast forward, as it's only New Zealand
Travel folder is only a printout of our hotel reservation and e-ticket, yay no medication permits


For this short jaunt, I'm happy to tackle HLO but seeing Mr Flyfrequently is bringing a guitar, gonna be waiting at a carousel anyway!

Though to my credit, I have eliminated my usual cabin wheelie, and taking a very small backpack.
Feeling confident that I can leave most of my "just in case medications" behind and only take the "if I get crook quickly " meds with me, all systems go.