Round the World (*A) - my booking experience

[cymbolz]

Hello,

Am wanting to share my recent experience of redeeming a *A Round the World award using KrisFlyer points in case anyone is about to do the same.

My adventure starts in July for just shy of 3 months: MEL-SIN-HKG (SQ), HKG-NRT (NH), NRT-LAX (SQ), JFK-FRA (SQ), FRA-BKK (TG), BKK-SIN-MEL (SQ)

Reasons I locked this in now:

• Had just enough Velocity points to convert to 240k KF (for J redemption)
• Continue to see devaluation in KF redemption (SQ earlier this year, *A in a few weeks, suspect RTW is on the radar)

By no means is this the most optimal itinerary, but am pleased with what I got particularly the number of SQ flights. I had to make the book late the other night as a few of the segments had award availability and I was afraid it may disappear if I didn't act quickly.

A few points of note:

1. Availability for Australia to Asia on SQ was generally good
2. But not so for Asia to NA, I was rather fortunate to get one on SQ12 out of Tokyo. Although it is 8 months out, maybe better if I was aiming for 11 months from now.
3. No business award availability in US (was looking for west to east coast). And KF couldn't see any economy either (I could on the United site) as I was willing to do a trip across the states in Y. So I've open-jawed it.
4. The United site helped a lot for the non-SQ flights (NH and TG), and of course the SQ site for their own metal
5. I had my flights and dates ready when I called, took less that 3-4 minutes on hold to check and overall was booked and paid within 1 hour including a call back after 20 mins of getting supervisor approval.
6. I spent many hours researching, including how to get SQ as much as possible and checking aircraft / seat types.
7. Transfer from Velocity to KF was immediate.
8. Even though NRT-LAX was showing as an available Saver Award on the SQ site, they had to waitlist me as agent couldn't see it on his system. But as he was talking to me I received a confirmation of availability.
9. Out of pocket is under $500 (AUD)
10. Seat assignment easily accessed under the operator's website (ANA and Thai, plus SingaporeAir of course)

Obviously any suggestions are too late for me know but feel free to share as it can help the next person.

I also encourage anyone thinking of doing this to act sooner than later, surely the 240k for J award cannot be sustained.

Happy Travelling !
Matt

 

[Drakecula]

I am hoarding points to be able to do this too. So far have just shy of 240k KF points (or the equivalent of in various locations), but since there's two of us, I have to keep earning and hoarding and hoping that I can do something in a couple of years. Fingers crossed whatever changes they make won't affect us too badly. I've only really gotten into earning points in the last few years.

Good to know the process was pretty painless - I like researching so I am sure to do a similar thing with flights/dates etc.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[daft009]

This process should become easier post 7th Dec after SQ add partner bookings to their online system....

 

[nightelves]

Wait does Singapore even offer round the world rewards redemption like their OneWorld counterpart? Can you provide me the link?

 

[Drakecula]

Wait does Singapore even offer round the world rewards redemption like their OneWorld counterpart? Can you provide me the link?

I think this is what you're looking for.