Made any travel mistakes lately?

[cove]

I checked the wrong bag so I had the journey home from Los Angeles without my Resmed sleep machine. Having two bags that look the same was not a good idea for 20 hours of flying.

 

[JohnK]

I booked BNE-MEL on Virgin and then MEL-BKK award flights on JQ for 3 of us for September 2026.

Ive been looking for flights back to any Australian city for October 2026 and nothing. Some awards on MH which we don't want to do but these are now gone. There were 3 awards for DPS-BNE on JQ a few days ago but when I went to book they were gone. Qantas pretty much has nothing early October.

SQ has award from BKK-BNE and pretty much any other Australian city for the 3 of us but that's around 150,000 Amex points. Thai airways the same. Tried Lifemiles, nothing. United has availability but miles required also ridiculous. One way airfares are ridiculous apart from Philippine Airlines but Im trying to avoid transitting MNL.

Looks like everyone has same idea and that makes this points game very difficult. Seriously thinking about cancelling airfare to MEL and points to BKK which means losing around $400 but can't see anything better as a return airfare from BNE or even SYD/MEL.

I remember before Covid it was fun piecing together award flights for travel at basically anything. Now it's so difficult and it's just economy not business class. Very stressful.

 

[drron]

We are coming back in October also. Problem is it is coming to the end of Australian school holidays then. Although we will have been away a long time by then will probably put it off for a little while. luckily we like Bangkok.

 

[Seat0B]

I double bag any bottles, and then bag all my travel packs - added bonus is keeps everything dry in case my luggage is left out in torrential rain.

I always double ziplock bag bottles and other liquids like UHT milk and put them in the padding of clothing (like you @Flyfrequently) and have never regretted that extra effort.

 

[Seat0B]

There's always the leaking shampoo bottle, but hopefully in the toilet bag so it is the only thing affected.

I double ziplock these too!

 

[burneracc]

Being new to the game, I booked cx j with cash (never flown cathay before) not knowing that their award availability is great and that it would’ve been a great use of my Amex stash pre-devaluation. Silver lining is that I’m pushing for Qantas wp so I am simply buying some very expensive SC. Still, would’ve been >$5k better off so it stings a little.

 

[JohnK]

We are coming back in October also. Problem is it is coming to the end of Australian school holidays then. Although we will have been away a long time by then will probably put it off for a little while. luckily we like Bangkok.

Qantas unlike SQ is saving award availability to release gimmicky promotions where website crashes and hard to book awards anyway.

 

[jase05]

I booked BNE-MEL on Virgin and then MEL-BKK award flights on JQ for 3 of us for September 2026.

Ive been looking for flights back to any Australian city for October 2026 and nothing. Some awards on MH which we don't want to do but these are now gone. There were 3 awards for DPS-BNE on JQ a few days ago but when I went to book they were gone. Qantas pretty much has nothing early October.

SQ has award from BKK-BNE and pretty much any other Australian city for the 3 of us but that's around 150,000 Amex points. Thai airways the same. Tried Lifemiles, nothing. United has availability but miles required also ridiculous. One way airfares are ridiculous apart from Philippine Airlines but Im trying to avoid transitting MNL.

Looks like everyone has same idea and that makes this points game very difficult. Seriously thinking about cancelling airfare to MEL and points to BKK which means losing around $400 but can't see anything better as a return airfare from BNE or even SYD/MEL.

I remember before Covid it was fun piecing together award flights for travel at basically anything. Now it's so difficult and it's just economy not business class. Very stressful.

JQ awards for 3 people
DPS-ADL Oct 1
DPS-BNE Oct 6,7
DPS-SYD Oct 1

Plenty of Y on CX
BKK-HKG-SYD Oct 13,14,15,16
BKK-HKG-BNE Oct 12,13,14

Likewise good Y availability on CX and MH out of HKT

 

[JohnK]

JQ awards for 3 people
DPS-ADL Oct 1
DPS-BNE Oct 6,7
DPS-SYD Oct 1

Plenty of Y on CX
BKK-HKG-SYD Oct 13,14,15,16
BKK-HKG-BNE Oct 12,13,14

Likewise good Y availability on CX and MH out of HKT

Yes I saw those although I did miss DPS-BNE on Oct 7. Ideally Oct 9 would be best as that is 3 weeks away and any later and daughter misses more than 1 week of school.

 

[Rich]

Not sure if this is a mistake or just unlucky. I recently booked 2 QF award seats MEL to Kingscote. The choice was a 6:15 am departure (Classic Reward) with 2 hr 20 min in Adelaide in J or 7:55 am departure in Y (Classic Plus) for about the same number of points. (I know some would say paying Classic Plus is a mistake in itself) with 45 minutes in Adelaide. I chose the latter, opting for more sleep.
4 days later Qantas changed their schedule and moved us on to the 6:15 am flight and of course the business rewards were no longer available. With the original tight transit time it might be a blessing in disguise, but just wish I took the J flights in the first place.

 

[Beano]

Left a small phone charger in the HIX in Brisbane, but that's the subject of another thread. Hotel emailed me with a photo and 30 days to claim.. No offer of posting to me but would probably cost more that it's worth. Choice is pick up (can nominate another person) or dispose. Nice touch and never been altered by the hotel before. Email included a photo.
I've got 30 days, but not back in Brissy in that time.

 

[serfty]

... September ...

That's your problem in relation to awards.

 

[JohnK]

I've got 30 days, but not back in Brissy in that time.

Im not far from HIX. Let me know if you want me to pick it up and post it to you or keep for you until you are in Brisbane.

That's your problem in relation to awards.

Shouldn't be though. I started looking before the dates were available and there are slim pickings if any at all. This is a stupid game Qantas is playing.

 

[Beano]

Im not far from HIX. Let me know if you want me to pick it up and post it to you or keep for you until you are in Brisbane.

Thanks, it's a small item and really not worth the bother. I will wait and see how thinks develop.