The great LCC Challenge BKK-SYD!

[JohnK]

OK, not so great but still a challenge! I cannot believe I am contemplating this itinerary for end of March. Can someone please talk me out of it?

• Saturday BKK-KUL FD3573 total cost 2,414 baht, including 200 baht for Xpress boarding.
• Saturday night Holiday Inn Shah Alam
• Sunday KUL-OOL D72702 total cost 748 MYR, including 50 MYR for checked baggage, 20 MYR for international meal and 20 MYR for selecting my seat as I definitely do want to leave this to chance. I am happy to pay 100 MYR for exit row but these have already been allocated.
• Sunday night Holiday Inn Surfers Paradise, including 4,000 PC points for second stay bonus and 10,000 PC points for Q1 stay 4 bonus
• Monday morning OOL-SYD, hopefully DJ will come out with a $49 special soon, total cost $55 with credit card fee

Total cost for one-way BKK-SYD ~A$410 and a lot of heartache! What about alcoholic beverages on the KUL-OOL leg? May have to bring my own 50cl miniature bottles of scotch and purchase coke on board.

Or should I just swallow my pride and book a one-way BKK-SYD in JQ *Class?

 

[Petch]

Just do it - what ever way you like, I for 1 can't wait to read the trip report(s).

P.S. Domestic one way on Virgin Blue is only a $3 CC fee, not like the $6.60 fee on Qantas. (And $2 fee on Jetstar.)

ALSO for your flight OOL-SYD (if you decide not to become a Star Class jetsetter from Bangkok), the magic number on Virgin Blue is $44 (even though getting $49 out of them in '07 was a rare event anyway. I wouldn't expect anything good from anyone over Easter, and Monday morning flights are sometimes priced a bit high).

P.P.S. Don't forget only Jetstar (/Qantas) has a lounge on the Gold Coast, so moving back through security again to fly Virgin Blue is a bit of a hassle, unless their price is right.

 

[littl_flier]

Or should I just swallow my pride and book a one-way BKK-SYD in JQ *Class?

Wow JohnK, I didn't quite expect a LCC dash back to Oz.

What's wrong with going for a BKK-SYD via MEL in JQ whY class. Sure, it's no points but would be a less painful and you get the FLounge in BKK and QP in MEL. Nine hours is quite short when you've souped up with free scotch from the lounge in BKK.

Personally, I'd be swallowing my pride attempting the challenge if my other choice was Jetstar. Yes, it's a step down from QF but probably better than Air Asia. And don't forget the possibility of the $300 upgrade in BKK which will earn you QF Business Class SC's anyway.

Surely with the cost of Accom in KL and OOL, it comes close to even?

 

[FL360]

OK, not so great but still a challenge! I cannot believe I am contemplating this itinerary for end of March. Can someone please talk me out of it?

• Saturday BKK-KUL FD3573 total cost 2,414 baht, including 200 baht for Xpress boarding.
• Saturday night Holiday Inn Shah Alam
• Sunday KUL-OOL D72702 total cost 748 MYR, including 50 MYR for checked baggage, 20 MYR for international meal and 20 MYR for selecting my seat as I definitely do want to leave this to chance. I am happy to pay 100 MYR for exit row but these have laready been taken.
• Sunday night Holiday Inn Surfers Paradise, including 4,000 PC points for second stay bonus and 10,000 PC points for Q1 stay 4 bonus
• Monday morning OOL-SYD, hopefully DJ will come out with a $49 special soon, total cost $55 with credit card fee

Total cost for one-way BKK-SYD ~A$410 and a lot of heartache! What about alcoholic beverages on the KUL-OOL leg? May have to bring my own 50cl miniature bottles of scotch and purchase coke on board.

Or should I just swallow my pride and book a one-way BKK-SYD in JQ *Class?

Hi there,

Yon can also try the below, it might be cheaper...

BKK=>SIN via tiger airways, I think Jetstar Asia also flies this route,
so compare price.

Once in SIN=>MEL via DRW, tiger flies this route and currently is cheapest.

MEL=>SYD JS/VB get the cheapest flights...

 

[pauly7]

John...

This one is allllll yours

I'll read the trip report though!

 

[Evan]

JohnK, When somebody comes up with an insane idea like that you have just asked the wrong people to talk you out of it

Me, i would just go *class , more comfortable and direct. More SC earn if thats important.

But can't wait to read of your adventures either way you do it.

E

 

[Shano]

Yes, go for it. should be an interesting experience.

We have just picked up a large project in Malaysia, half way between KLIA and Port Klang, so I will be makng frequent trips up there over the next 24 months.

I can safely say though that I will not try and repeat your experince should you decide to take on this challenge.

 

[simongr]

Given you are considering LCCs why not just fly JQ direct. I know you dont like them but for all that hassle at a cost of A$400, JQ has flights for - $499+++ of A$659 all inclusive. Is three days of uncomfortable travel worth $240?

 

[serfty]

... Or should I just swallow my pride and book a one-way BKK-SYD in JQ *Class?

If you want to loook at the

Class option; fares to SYD can only be had via MEL.

If you book with a QF codeshare MEL-SYD (e.g. JQ30, JQ6430) you will travel in Business MEL-SYD. This costs THB32732 (~AUD1380) and would earn 180 SC's (140+40).

Interestingly, on Thursdays, JQ30 goes BKK-MEL-SYD; avoid this as you'd lose 40 SC's and pay more (~THB500).

 

[JohnK]

OK. No one to talk me out of it so far. I am having serious second thoughts. What am I thinking? LCC trip back to Australia.

Due to my work situation I do not know if I will/can return to Thailand in the middle of the year. I will definitely return in December before Christmas but do not want to commit to that return date just yet. I do not need anymore SCs as I would have already qualified QF Platinum until May 2009. A one-way airfare sounds like the best option.

Not sure I want to risk travelling Tiger especially the red-eye SIN-DRW-MEL. As for JQ.... well.... lets leave that one alone for now. Yes *class SCs look fantastic but as I do not need SCs this membership year and the uncertainty surrounding the future of the QFF program it does not look as attractive.

I may just book a WHY one-way award SIN-SYD on QF for only 24,000 FF points + ~$210 in taxes and surcharges with a cheap Tiger or Air Asia flight BKK-SIN....

 

[Yada Yada]

Saturday night Holiday Inn Shah Alam

John,

I've stayed at the Holiday Inn Shah Alam a number of times. It used to be the Pan Pacific Hotel but changed about 2 years ago.

You might have stayed there before, but if not the following may be useful:

• It sits on a very nice golf course, championship grade I believe. All rooms look out onto the course.
• Try to get a room on the mid or upper level as they have the best view.
• Golf can be played at night under floodlight.
• A siren goes off to warn golfers when a thunderstorm is approaching. It you're on the top floor and the siren is outside your window it is very loud!
• Beware of snakes hanging from trees in the rough.
• Glenmarie is a fair distance from the city and there is nothing much close by that you can get to by foot.

The main lobby and bar areas are old colonial style with high ceilings and mostly open to the outside with some timber shutters for protection from storms. There is a fountain and large old-style fans flapping slowly on the ceiling. Very nice place to sit and have a beer. Staff are great, rooms are old but well air conditioned and quite nice.

Nice place to stay!

 

[kpc]

Beware of snakes hanging from trees in the rough

If I hit the ball into the rough, I think I will be declaring a lost ball:shock:

 

[JohnK]

I've stayed at the Holiday Inn Shah Alam a number of times. It used to be the Pan Pacific Hotel but changed about 2 years ago.

I had 2 work trips to Malaysia in 2004 and stayed at the Concorde Hotel in Shah Alam. Not sure where the Holiday Inn is loacted but I could see a nice golf course across the road from my room at the Concorde. Always wanted to play golf in Malaysia but never got around to it. Thailand will have to do for now.

Beware of snakes hanging from trees in the rough.

I have seen a few in my life, some of the 2 legged variety as well, and have been lucky so far. Must remember to practice to hit the ball straight....

 

[QF WP]

JohnK, I'm with the majority of posters here - why would we want to talk you out of that itinerary - I'd also be interested in the TR.

Great description from Yada Yada about the HI. That's community spirit for you.

 

[JohnK]

JohnK, I'm with the majority of posters here - why would we want to talk you out of that itinerary - I'd also be interested in the TR.

How about for my well being and sanity?

 

[Evan]

Your not insane already ?? you dont want to become sane again do you ?

Really i am sure the flights are not that bad with breaks in between, if you can enjoy some things along the way at all then its interesting.

May i point out most people take indirect routings to maximise FF points or status

Sounds like you need some convincing, just book the *class option ! (Never thought i would say that, actually is *class is the right price then its a good product)

But really we want to hear your trip report !

E

 

[serfty]

Actually John, There's more to FFing than status; many on FT are simply after the cheapest fare on any carrier to anywhere; if status / points|miles come into it, so much the better.

It's well constructed discount travel; I see it as a challenge for you - Go for it, succeed, then create a web site and publish your tips. (or simply post a trip report here!)

 

[straitman]

JohnK,

I'll say what everyone else has been beating around.

We are all sadists and believe you to be a masochis_ :!:

 

[gibspmuh]

Another option is to take AirAsia from Bangkok to Macau and then Viva Macau from Macau to Sydney - checking the prices it's possible to do this for under AU$500 all up one way, including all taxes.

If you really wanted to get a PriorityClub stay in then the HI Macau is usually pretty reasonably priced mid-week and the transfers to and from the HI Macau would be lower than the HI Shah Alam too.

 

[JohnK]

Thanks for the Macau suggestion although if I was to stay there it would have to be weekend and not mid-week.

Now if I am to go ahead with this challenge I would need to book today as I understand the Air Asia special KUL-OOL ends today.

As it turns out I have a job interview next week, possibly a second, so may wait to see how these work out before committing to a return date....