Max'ing 4 Segs in EUR on a dONE4

[Alanslegal]

Guys,

Need some help from the experts here re: dONE4's

I know its not much but I'm looking to max out the 4 segs I'm allowed on a dONE4 trip for July 2010. I know there's the usual LHR-DXB return but specifically for my case, I prefer not to be there if I can avoid it.

I need to be in the following cities - San Sebastian, Pamplona, Barcelona, Ibiza and Helsinski. So if that helps, how can I fit this all into a dONE4 whilst max'ing the mileage? OR otherwise, is it better that I max out the dONE4 purely for a MR (with 2-4 day stop overs) and purchase cheapie intra-EUR flights for flight where I need to go.

[fwiw I currently have xLHR-BCN-HEL-VIE-xLHR as a rough EUR route plus additional intra EUR flights]

Also, slightly off topic, anyone been to the raving island of Ibiza? how are the parties? I know to go weekend, but does anything happen during the week?

Thanks all in advance.

 

[docjames]

If trying to maximise SCs/miles, BCN-HEL is not bad if staying in western europe.

What about returning to LHR via MAD or BCN again?

eg LHR-BCN-HEL-MAD-VIE-LHR

Whether you max out depends on how important it is to max it out vs the time it takes and the extra cost to buy side trips. If maxing out, DXB or AUH is the way to go. But you specifically preclude that in this case (any reason??).

AMM would be another SC maxing option.

 

[haydensydney]

RE: Ibiza

I've had a few friends go to Ibiza on seperate occasions and they were all bitterly dissapointed. It's reputation exceeds it's reality unfortunately. Although it still gets some big headline acts (such as Tiesto) its not as awesome as it used to be. Also, its ultra expensive as well - which was the no.1 gripe from my mates.

I'm told that the islands in Greece (whilst always were quite party orientated) have come back as a hot party destination...

 

[Hawkeye]

I'm not going to help you make up your mind about using the flights to get to where you want to be versus a mileage run.

But, a simple LHR-MCT-LHR-HEL-FCO will net you 380SC's in D, and I am struggling to find an itinerary that will net you more. The hard bit is finding flights that earn 80SC's or greater (most are 60 only). You can then use AA to USA, or CX to HKG, depending upon which way you are going from FCO.

This is just an attempt to work-out max SC's from intra-europe flights, without taking into account where you do want to be.

Not that I would condone such a mileage run, mind you!

 

[docjames]

Re: Ibiza,

Had a number of friends recommend

- Portugal

- Croatia - especially if you can organise a (small number) boat cruise

Both easy ex-London.

 

[Flashback]

Re: Ibiza,

Had a number of friends recommend

- Portugal

- Croatia - especially if you can organise a (small number) boat cruise

Both easy ex-London.

I'll second Portugal.

 

[serfty]

Back to the OP.

Where are you coming to Europe from? Asia, America? Are you coming from spacifi ports or are you flexible?

 

[Alanslegal]

thanks all for those suggestions

there's a few combinations out there; so far i'm leaning towards something like this:-

Dps-nrt-syd-lhr-bcn-hel-lhr-las-dfw-anc-ord-yvr-mia-jfk-hkg-nrt-dps
(MM says ~53,656 miles and 1660sc to QFFP)


re: ibiza ; yeah it is probably overated and exxy but it's one of those things I just need to say "i've been there"

 

[Alanslegal]

Back to the OP.

Where are you coming to Europe from? Asia, America? Are you coming from spacifi ports or are you flexible?

Im pretty flexible (looking at up to 2 months for traveL) and looking at a ex-DPS fare

 

[medhead]

I believe that San Sabastian and Pampolona are rather close together. I'd recommend using the train between those places and using intra europe flights to and from.

In terms of maxing out the other segments. CTA is just over 1200 miles from LHR. But you didn't mention going there....

LHR-CTA-HEL-BCN-LHR?

If trying to maximise SCs/miles, BCN-HEL is not bad if staying in western europe.

What about returning to LHR via MAD or BCN again?

eg LHR-BCN-HEL-MAD-VIE-LHR

Isn't that 5 segments?

 

[tuapekastar]

Also, slightly off topic, anyone been to the raving island of Ibiza? how are the parties? I know to go weekend, but does anything happen during the week?

Try and avoid those horrid people that featured in the Ibiza TV show a few years ago.

 

[serfty]

It actually comes up 1680 for D, but when you factor in the A class for another 160 SC's then it's 1840.

Is London twice necessary?

What about Dps-nrt-SYD-LHR-HEL-BCN-AMM-ORD-YVR-MIA-DFW-ANC-DFW-JFK-hkg-nrt-dps (You can do LAS as a side trip from DFW)

This earns 1910 SC's all up.

 

[MelUser]

2 questions:

(1) What are the visa requirements for Australian passport holders when travelling to AMM?

(2) In winter (when DFW-ANC is not possible) what is recommended to replace this? [It may well be something that earns 120SCx2 rather than 150SCx2]

 

[docjames]

I


Isn't that 5 segments?

True, my bad. Was a bit distracted (pager went half way thru).

I like serfty's suggestion.

 

[Alanslegal]

Is London twice necessary?

What about Dps-nrt-SYD-LHR-HEL-BCN-AMM-ORD-YVR-MIA-DFW-ANC-DFW-JFK-hkg-nrt-dps (You can do LAS as a side trip from DFW)

London isn't necessary twice, I thought it was like one of the cities that could take me near the west coast of USA (and earn loads of miles).

I like your route Serfty, guess I could fly that

 

[Alanslegal]

Try and avoid those horrid people that featured in the Ibiza TV show a few years ago.

hehe I didn't watch it so I won't know what to avoid

 

[tuapekastar]

2 questions:

(1) What are the visa requirements for Australian passport holders when travelling to AMM?

This site suggests a Visa is required but too much detail to post here.

Visit it and plug in the appropriate details to see the info (as always, I would confirm with the consulate/embassy of the country you are visting rather than rely 100% on this info).

 

[davidj-bell]

Visit it and plug in the appropriate details to see the info (as always, I would confirm with the consulate/embassy of the country you are visting rather than rely 100% on this info).

you can get a visa on arrival for about $20 from memory. make sure you take local currency with you,

 

[Alanslegal]

ftw, I did book a dONE4 a few weeks back but it ended up being ex-LHR

LHR-LAX-LAS-DFW-ANC-ORD-YVR-JFK-SYD-SIN-NRT-DPS-HKG-FRA-AMM-CDG-LHR (~49,579 miles)

I didn't exactly max out the mileage from this dONE4 but did as best I could for what I needed to do. I'll be making my way to LHR via Spain & Finland.

the above fare came out to gbp4558 (~aud$8200) at the time, so I guess it is pretty good value - its a pity that ex-UK fares have gone up substantially since then.

 

[serfty]

Shame about the £100 in APD - at least that's only $180 these days.