Looking for *A KF award (First) SYD-DEN(Denver Colorado)

[robtemt]

Hi all,

I've gone through quite a few years worth of posts, but things aren't any clearer since I've been trying to figure this out. Any advice would be appreciated as always.

We have just on 500K Ascent MR points to convert to KF. We are willing to buy a few more from Amex to get to the 510K needed if we dont have them by booking date.

We want to leave Sydney, and end up in Denver. We are happy (and probably prefer) to do stopovers in Europe or Asia, as long as we can book on the *A chart and not the KF miles chart. My +1 wants to go so we can fly Lufthansa, I don't mind really (although prefer not to fly UA First unless we have to).

Other "side trips" we will be making from DEN include LAS and SJD (which we are happy to book on our own).

We wouldn't mind going to SEA (suppose I have to go see my parents while in the US), but that may be a side trip.

My +1 wants to experience the Lufthansa First Terminal, I wouldn't mind seeing the Private Room again.

Any recommendations how to go about booking this trip?

Having to do this by submitting a one page form, is confusing. How do I know what flights and seats SQ can get on other airlines. We are looking at Early July to end of July (need to be in Colorado for 4 July).

Thanks for any tips you can provide. A sticky thread, wiki page would be great for a guide for this sort of thing!

Safe Travels

Rob

 

[MEL_Traveller]

LH opens up First class to partners at 14 days prior to travel. So your plans would need to be fairly flexible. Agree with your partner wanting to visit the FCT - it makes the Private Room look on par with the Qantas business class lounge at Melbourne international. The FCT is probably the best lounge lounge out there.

 

[Mattg]

You can check availability (and book) by calling KrisFlyer - it's much quicker and easier than filling out the online form. But you can get a pretty good idea of what's available on Star Alliance partner airlines by doing an award search on the United website.

Personally I would lock in some flights now, and then change the booking if LH opens up seats 14 days out. That way you don't risk missing out completely.

I would look at booking something like SYD-SIN-HND-ORD, flying SQ to HND and NH for the last leg. Something along the lines of SYD-SIN-ICN-JFK, with the last leg on OZ, should also work. This will price at the Star Alliance award levels, and you should be able to find F availability on all flights.

 

[robtemt]

Thanks Mattg! For flights in July though, I still have to wait 350 days out right?

You can check availability (and book) by calling KrisFlyer - it's much quicker and easier than filling out the online form. But you can get a pretty good idea of what's available on Star Alliance partner airlines by doing an award search on the United website.

Personally I would lock in some flights now, and then change the booking if LH opens up seats 14 days out. That way you don't risk missing out completely.

I would look at booking something like SYD-SIN-HND-ORD, flying SQ to HND and NH for the last leg. Something along the lines of SYD-SIN-ICN-JFK, with the last leg on OZ, should also work. This will price at the Star Alliance award levels, and you should be able to find F availability on all flights.

 

[Mattg]

Thanks Mattg! For flights in July though, I still have to wait 350 days out right?

It depends on the operating airline. SQ flights are available 355 days out, but for other airlines it can vary. ANA is 356 days.

 

[vantage03]

Is this for 4th July this year? LH only flies F to DEN from MUC so FCT is out unless you're originating in FRA before flying via MUC to DEN. Totally doable. 2 week out partner awards should be easy on that route.
I don't think 510KF miles will be enough for F all the way on this trip for 2 people.
Lots of *A award availability to Sydney from JFK on OZ, I've been booking them a lot for my family this week for a wedding we all have later in the year.

 

[robtemt]

Is this for 4th July this year? LH only flies F to DEN from MUC so FCT is out unless you're originating in FRA before flying via MUC to DEN. Totally doable. 2 week out partner awards should be easy on that route.
I don't think 510KF miles will be enough for F all the way on this trip for 2 people.
Lots of *A award availability to Sydney from JFK on OZ, I've been booking them a lot for my family this week for a wedding we all have later in the year.

July next year (2018), planning ahead like you need to with award travel

*A F award chart from Australia to North America = 255K return per person (510K total).

 

[vantage03]

Is it the same when routing through Europe? If so lock in the SQ flights then change 14 days out to LH