So I've booked my Europe trip... now the questions

[kyle]

Hoping to get some thoughts and ideas.

Took the plunge and booked SQ J flying to ZRH in July. Seems like good value at $6.1K each. First time paying that much on a debit card! Wanting to go to Zurich, London, Munich and Barcelona.

My questions:
1. Can I get my points/ status credits to a different airline for each sector? Currently VA Gold and nothing in KF. Undecided if I should be keeping the VA Gold or start going for KF. Have points in Amex that can go to either in future.
2. Currently HH Diamond still due to the extensions and I know there aren't that many choices in Europe. Will I be better off with ALL, though I see ibis is excluded from status earn and will form part of the itinerary? Currently ALL nothing. Though I hope to retain HH Diamond which seems to get you better service in Asia when places eventually open up. No I don't travel for business, so earning status is not easy.
3. Any must visit places or restaurants (probably somewhere much more relaxed and casual and less expensive than Salt Bae)? I've been to London 20 years ago but haven't been to the other cities and my partner hasn't been to Europe at all.
4. Haven't worked out how to go to the different cities yet. Probably train or air. Any pros and cons?
5. Can I be my inner bogan self in Europe on dress? Tees, shorts and thongs/ bare feet are my usual attire outside of work.

Many thanks for any suggestions.

 

[luxury-lizard]

Hi @kyle - sounds like.a great trip - I'm also off to Europe for July - mid-August (Munich, Austria, Stuttgart, and Switzerland). You don't say how long your trip is which could influence some responses.
1. Personally I'd stick with VA (anyway I don't believe it's possible to split individual segments across more than one FF program) - with only one or 2 trips a year (you don't say how often you travel) - you'll never get status on KF - but if you intend to transfer AmEx points to KF it could be worth it. Others can comment on this but now VA allows redemptions on SQ I'd still say stick with VA.
2. As HH diamond you will get great service and perks at any HH property. Depending on which AMEX product you have - you get ALL Silver automatically (Platinum Charge card gives this - not sure about other products). Gaining higher status levels is based on your spend / not number of nights. I'd stay at the hotels which are best value for your location - no matter what brand (but that's just me).
3. "must visit" place are impossible to comment on - depends on your interests.
4. Some of the cities you mention are very far apart - so you'll want to fly some sectors (e.g. to/from/London). Trains in Europe are great but can be expensive - once you have your itinerary locked down - book in advance - like 60 days in advance - book online before you leave on each country's respective web site. You can weight up the advantages of a Eurorail pass but again (personally) I find just booking point-to-point in advance is best - they have lot's of specials but only if you book online in advance - often by being flexible you can save at least 50% or more. Some trip will take most of a day - e.g. Munich - Zurich is probably 6 hours with one change.
5. Dress standards - just be sensible - smart casual works everywhere - not so sure about bare feet. You'll find Europeans, particularly in cities, are very style conscious.

 

[SydneySwan]

Re 1 - yes you can or at least I have done so in the past. I have split a Sydney to Manila in J on SQ between Air NZ and VA. In 2019 my wife split a Sydney to Manchester in J on SQ between SQ and VA.

 

[kyle]

Hi @kyle - sounds like.a great trip - I'm also off to Europe for July - mid-August (Munich, Austria, Stuttgart, and Switzerland). You don't say how long your trip is which could influence some responses.
1. Personally I'd stick with VA (anyway I don't believe it's possible to split individual segments across more than one FF program) - with only one or 2 trips a year (you don't say how often you travel) - you'll never get status on KF - but if you intend to transfer AmEx points to KF it could be worth it. Others can comment on this but now VA allows redemptions on SQ I'd still say stick with VA.
2. As HH diamond you will get great service and perks at any HH property. Depending on which AMEX product you have - you get ALL Silver automatically (Platinum Charge card gives this - not sure about other products). Gaining higher status levels is based on your spend / not number of nights. I'd stay at the hotels which are best value for your location - no matter what brand (but that's just me).
3. "must visit" place are impossible to comment on - depends on your interests.
4. Some of the cities you mention are very far apart - so you'll want to fly some sectors (e.g. to/from/London). Trains in Europe are great but can be expensive - once you have your itinerary locked down - book in advance - like 60 days in advance - book online before you leave on each country's respective web site. You can weight up the advantages of a Eurorail pass but again (personally) I find just booking point-to-point in advance is best - they have lot's of specials but only if you book online in advance - often by being flexible you can save at least 50% or more. Some trip will take most of a day - e.g. Munich - Zurich is probably 6 hours with one change.
5. Dress standards - just be sensible - smart casual works everywhere - not so sure about bare feet. You'll find Europeans, particularly in cities, are very style conscious.

Thanks for the thoughts.

Whole trip will be 3 weeks including 2 nights SIN stopover on the way there.

I'm leaning towards VA too, so might have to put the VA number in. Future travel patterns would probably be 1 international and 2 or 3 domestic a year.

Have Amex Reserve so no ALL tier.

Must see places, probably historical and scenic ones but no art.

Re dress, I just feel more relaxed dressing down. But shorts is probably a must if I can't do thongs or bare feet.

 

[kyle]

Re 1 - yes you can or at least I have done so in the past. I have split a Sydney to Manila in J on SQ between Air NZ and VA. In 2019 my wife split a Sydney to Manchester in J on SQ between SQ and VA.

Handy to know. Thanks.

 

[SydneySwan]

As you are stopping over in SIN you won't have a problem. In my examples, we were just connecting in SIN so you had to get the service / transit desk in SIN to change the FF numbers after the first leg.

 

[offshore171]

3. Any must visit places or restaurants (probably somewhere much more relaxed and casual and less expensive than Salt Bae)? I've been to London 20 years ago but haven't been to the other cities and my partner hasn't been to Europe at all.

In Zurich, Baerengasse is recommended for an upmarket dining experience.

Willkommen | Restaurant Bärengasse | Zürich

Dieter Meiers Brasserie im Herzen der Stadt Zürich. Rindfleisch und hauseigene Weine aus Argentinien treffen auf Gastfreundschaft. Willkommen in der Bärengasse.

www.restaurant-baerengasse.ch

Also a good experience to have a casual meal at a beerhall too. This one is good Rheinfelder Bierhalle

4. Haven't worked out how to go to the different cities yet. Probably train or air. Any pros and cons?

Train is very easy around switzerland and germany. Get the SBB Mobile app and buy digital tickets as you go.

London of course, there's the tube. Getting to spain, a flight would be the way to go.

5. Can I be my inner bogan self in Europe on dress? Tees, shorts and thongs/ bare feet are my usual attire outside of work.

Yeah, no, probably go with something better than thongs. In Europe, thongs are generally considered beachwear only, and would be considered slovenly in a restaurant etc.

Also some attractions won't admit you wearing thongs.