HNL-MEL Award booking help

[MEL_Traveller]

The food in September on JQi had a noticeable downgrade in quality from previous flights. Hopefully that was a one off then.

 

[tizey]

Can you get a reward seat LAS-MEL (or LAX-MEL) with HNL as a stopover? That'd be worth an explore, as I can bring up many revenue fares with this. Also, have you tried HNL-BNE or HNL-SYD with a connection to MEL?

I've been doing a lot of researching on this route MEL-HNL return in readiness for trying to book something in April 2018 - it seems to be a really, really difficult route to obtain J award seats on, regardless of carrier or miles involved (I'm currently holding VF, QF & AA Miles to try and get this in J). Y seems to be no problems if you're early, but J is haphazard at best and 2 pax in J seems almost impossible.

I think I've resigned to the fact that I'll be booking Y reward seats for my trip as soon as I can to confirm dates (very specific dates) - and then watch them like a hawk to try and obtain two J seats together as it comes closer for either journey. If its meant to be, it will be.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I would connect through SYD or BNE or anywhere - however the Ette has decreed direct flt or she is flying solo.

 

[tizey]

Hrmm.. that should be easier then.

1 x J* Y HNL-MEL
1 x SQ F/J HNL-TKO-SIN-MEL?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Update to HNL-MEL J flts search - looking at QF site during week I found 2 x J* *Class for exact date we reqd - so for 57K QF pts ea + USD305 total we are now set - the Ette gave a big tick to direct flt. Thanks to all who offered assistance esp those who contacted me via pm - you know who you are!

Now to decide on accom - hotel v Airbnb - never been to Hawaii before so right in middle of Waikiki is where we will stay for 8nts - right or wrong we'll take the good with the bad. Members experiences?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Update to HNL-MEL J flts search - looking at QF site during week I found 2 x J* *Class for exact date we reqd - so for 57K QF pts ea + USD305 total we are now set - the Ette gave a big tick to direct flt. Thanks to all who offered assistance esp those who contacted me via pm - you know who you are!

Now to decide on accom - hotel v Airbnb - never been to Hawaii before so right in middle of Waikiki is where we will stay for 8nts - right or wrong we'll take the good with the bad. Members experiences?

For a beach holiday I'd tend to go for a hotel. More of a resort/holiday feel. Nice not to have to cook or mix your own drinks. The hotel will have entertainment and you can walk straight from your room to the beach... no need to worry about where to put your valuable and all that stuff while you go for a swim.

We tried the semi private BnB thing in Bali with a villa... it just didn't have the same holiday feel.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

So seat selection is next cab off the rank - as noted elsewhere 3G/J blocked for crew rest - that being the case are 1A/C the preferred pair for a couple?



How is leg room fore row 1 - TBH I would never select row 1 in any cabin unless the risk of seat in front being reclined into our laps is as bad in J* as also noted elsewhere.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So seat selection is next cab off the rank - as noted elsewhere 3G/J blocked for crew rest - that being the case are 1A/C the preferred pair for a couple?

How is leg room fore row 1 - TBH I would never select row 1 in any cabin unless the risk of seat in front being reclined into our laps is as bad in J* as also noted elsewhere.

No question! 1AC are the ones to go for. Snap em up if they're available!!

There is sufficient legroom to put your full-sized rolla-board on the floor (after take-off) and use that as a full-flat horizontal legrest. It makes the flight a lot more comfortable (the built in footrest is not much use)

The second and third rows - with someone reclining in front you can't even get out from the window seat.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

No question! 1AC are the ones to go for. Snap em up if they're available!!.

They are - and I have - thanks for the heads up MEL.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

LAS-HNL in J - AA or UA? Only interested in day time flts.



If we choose UA which metal 737 or 319?

 

[boomy]

Now to decide on accom - hotel v Airbnb - never been to Hawaii before so right in middle of Waikiki is where we will stay for 8nts - right or wrong we'll take the good with the bad. Members experiences?

Depends on your budget, The Royal Hawaiian is very nice resort on Waikiki beach. It's member of Luxury Collection so you can find deals there through SPG, AMEX, Virtuoso etc.

 

[drron]

Well the AA daytime flight is cheaper and also not one that requires an early wake up call so would be OK.AA in the premium cabin is generally good.
AA build in 20-30 minutes to their arrival time so although we left on time from LAX we got in to HNL 50 minutes early.Report here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....tour-of-celebrations-79488-3.html#post1557117

As for hotels SPG have the best spots by far with the Sheraton Waikiki.Royal Hawaian and the Moana-surfrider.On the beach and central.
Anywhere in Waikiki will be busy with Americans and Japanese tourists.