First time burning some points

[smithym]

Starting the plan Mrs Smithym and my 10 year wedding anniversary in Feb next year. We have decided on the Conrad Koh Samui.

Some back ground:

VA Plat
QF Bronze
HH Diamond
VA Points: 220K
QF Points: 440K
Live near OOL.
Dater 14/02/14 - 25/02/14
Travel will be in the pointy end, probably J

Options looked at so far:

1. QF OOL-SYD-SIN-SYD-OOL in J for 240k points + $1k in taxes. Would then do a side flight to USM and return to SIN for a few nights. ? in a 747
2. VA Points BNE-SIN-BNE with either SQ or EY. Cant get exact points required from VA but have been given estimate of between 200K - 240K points. The purchase side flight to SIN-USM-USM ? in a A330-300
3. VA BNE-PER (purchase a TWO41 credit card offer flexi fare and upgrade with credits) then PER-HKT-PER in J on VA for 200K points + taxes. Then purchase side flight from HKT-USM-HKT ? in 73H

Not sure what best option to do. Have never flown Intl J only domestic so not sure what product would be best to go for. I have looked at the Different A/C but trying to compare something you have never been on is getting confusing.

Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[robbielewinski]

Sounds like a mega trip! For SQ, you'd want to snag a 773 or a380 A/C, for a better J product compared to the a330 SQ J product (identical to the new VA a330 coast to coast J product). Keep in mind the VA PER-HKT product is measly domestic 737 J product.... So many options!

 

[smit0847]

Starting the plan Mrs Smithym and my 10 year wedding anniversary in Feb next year. We have decided on the Conrad Koh Samui.

Some back ground:

VA Plat
QF Bronze
HH Diamond
VA Points: 220K
QF Points: 440K
Live near OOL.
Dater 14/02/14 - 25/02/14
Travel will be in the pointy end, probably J

Options looked at so far:

1. QF OOL-SYD-SIN-SYD-OOL in J for 240k points + $1k in taxes. Would then do a side flight to USM and return to SIN for a few nights. ? in a 747
2. VA Points BNE-SIN-BNE with either SQ or EY. Cant get exact points required from VA but have been given estimate of between 200K - 240K points. The purchase side flight to SIN-USM-USM ? in a A330-300
3. VA BNE-PER (purchase a TWO41 credit card offer flexi fare and upgrade with credits) then PER-HKT-PER in J on VA for 200K points + taxes. Then purchase side flight from HKT-USM-HKT ? in 73H

Not sure what best option to do. Have never flown Intl J only domestic so not sure what product would be best to go for. I have looked at the Different A/C but trying to compare something you have never been on is getting confusing.

Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

1. QF option - I don't think anyone knows what the operating aircraft will be on this route in 11 months time so it could be a great J product or a terrible one.
2. VA option on SQ - will be regional J for that price quote. There is a significant (50%?) premium for A380/77W SQ J - you will not have enough VA points. EY points requirement is generally much lower than SQ and EY J is still a great product - you're lucky they do BNE-SIN.
3. VA all the way option - Assuming BNE-PER is A330 the J will be excellent. Be aware that the PER-HKT J is absolutely horrible (many, many reports on here) - it's far too long for a comfortable 737 journey.

Another option is to look at US DM or Life Miles. USM is one of the easiest places on earth to get to through these programs as TG is very generous with their availability (I've never had a problem booking TG through either program). You cant use your QF or VA points to book through these programs, but you can buy discounted points in either of these programs from time to time (there are threads on here about both) and it's only about $1300 return pp through LM to anywhere in South East Asia and TG will deliver you all the way to USM for that price (it's about $1650 pp return through US DM). You may wish to consider this if you want to save your VA or QF points for something more valuable.

So, I'd either go the EY option or consider US DM or Life Miles considering how easy it will be to get there and the great pricing for South East Asia zones.

 

[markis10]

Another option is to look at US DM or Life Miles. USM is one of the easiest places on earth to get to through these programs as TG is very generous with their availability (I've never had a problem booking TG through either program). You cant use your QF or VA points to book through these programs, but you can buy discounted points in either of these programs from time to time (there are threads on here about both) and it's only about $1300 return pp through LM to anywhere in South East Asia and TG will deliver you all the way to USM for that price (it's about $1650 pp return through US DM). You may wish to consider this if you want to save your VA or QF points for something more valuable.

So, I'd either go the EY option or consider US DM or Life Miles considering how easy it will be to get there and the great pricing for South East Asia zones.

I would look at the Lifemiles option, especially from Brisbane where SQ availability in the A330s is excellent. As mentioned it will cost around $700 in J for South East Asia per person, you just need to buy miles when they have a promo. Looking at 10-17/2 next year, options show SQ to SIN then Thai, J is 38000 miles + USD $727, + $157 taxes and a USD$25 redemption fee for the round trip. Sign up and you can check options/costs etc straight away.https://www.lifemiles.com/index.aspx

 

[support]

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