December 2010/January 2011 Trip Planning Thread.

[momo]

I'm not sure if this helps but did you look into an atw and maybe come back via berlin or london it may save you some miles.

[Dan]

I'm not sure if this helps but did you look into an atw and maybe come back via berlin or london it may save you some miles.

Around the world like that would be 280K for my itin. instead of 205K.
Possibly worth it if I can get another cool destination in.
When AA starts allowing BA TATL travel in October I may be able to go earlier than 12/29 via LHR to SYD and then return via HKG.

[Dan]

I had too much time on my hands today and through this OneWorld monster together.  Hopefully BA will be bookable on 10/01 so I want to grab something when that opens up.  This itin is just a thought and has more than its share of problem connections, but it is all available for 2 people during peak travel time.

Here's the great circle rendition.
At 34,614 traveled miles that would just barely make it in the 25K-35K oneworld award which is 280K miles in First.

I'd love to hear anyone's critiques!!!
You can click on the great circle link above for translation of all the airport codes.
Su 12/19 AA 3457, CLE-DFW, 11:30am-1:30pm, First
Su 12/19 BA 192, DFW-LHR, 4:55pm-7:35am+1, First
1 night in London
Tu 12/21 BA 27, LHR-HKG, 8:55pm-4:40pm+1, First.
5 nights in Hong Kong
Mo 12/27 QF 30, HKG-MEL, 9:50am-8:45pm, First.
6 nights in Melbourne/Great Ocean Road
Su 01/02 QF 1011, MEL-HBA, 8:45am-10:00am, Coach
4 nights in Tasmania
Th 1/06 QF 2058, DPO-MEL, 5:10pm-6:25pm, Coach.
Th 1/06 QF 464, MEL-SYD, 7:30pm-8:30pm, Business.
4 nights in Sydney
Mo 01/10 QF 5842, SYD-HTI, 11:55am-1:25pm, Coach
2 nights in the Whitsunday Islands
We 01/12 QF 5843, HTI-SYD, 1:55pm-5:10pm, Coach
We 01/12 QF 487, SYD-MEL, 8:00pm-9:35pm, Business
We 01/12 CX 178, MEL-HKG, 11:45pm-6:00am+1, Business
Th 01/13 BA 26, HKG-LHR, 11:45pm-4:50am+1, First
Fr 01/14 BA 295, LHR-ORD, 11:40am-2:20pm, First
2 nights in Chicago
Su 01/16 AA 4064, ORD-CLE, 1:35pm-3:55pm, Coach

[aussiebochur]

What gave you the idea of spending time in Tasi?

[Dan]

What gave you the idea of spending time in Tasi?

Couple of tour books rave about it.  Ever been there?
Should I go to the Gold Coast or Cairns instead of it?

[aussiebochur]

Couple of tour books rave about it.  Ever been there?
Should I go to the Gold Coast or Cairns instead of it?

Yes, been there.
It is very nice. The question is whether you want lots of time at the beach or you want something different?
Whitsunday Islands are drop dead gorgeous, I'd spend more time there then the Gold Coast.

[Dan]

Yes, been there.
It is very nice. The question is whether you want lots of time at the beach or you want something different?
Whitsunday Islands are drop dead gorgeous, I'd spend more time there then the Gold Coast.

We don't need lots of time by the beach.  A couple days should be enough.
How much time do you recommend to best split up for Melbourne/Great Ocean Rd, Tasi, Sydney, and Whitsunday?

Is there any reason to do Cairns if I go to the Whitsundays?

[aussiebochur]

We don't need lots of time by the beach.  A couple days should be enough.
How much time do you recommend to best split up for Melbourne/Great Ocean Rd, Tasi, Sydney, and Whitsunday?

Is there any reason to do Cairns if I go to the Whitsundays?

If only a couple days on the beach is fine, you split it up pretty well.
The biggest attraction of Cairns is the Great Barrier Reef, scuba diving/snorkeling there is a must. But if you can get to the Reef from the Whitsundays, the beaches there are much nicer, probably don't need to go to Cairns.

[damaxer91]

Try Kangaroo Island for 2 nights if possible as well. Supposed to be amazing!

Also, do your absolute best to try and get CX F from LHR-HKG-LHR. It's light years ahead of BA. Only real benefit of BA F is the Concord Lounge in LHR.

[Dan]

Try Kangaroo Island for 2 nights if possible as well. Supposed to be amazing!

Also, do your absolute best to try and get CX F from LHR-HKG-LHR. It's light years ahead of BA. Only real benefit of BA F is the Concord Lounge in LHR.

What would you cut out for KI? 

Is it worth making a stop in AMS to go CX F?
Personally I don't need to spend 1 night in London.  But then again I don't need 6 in HKG....
Anyway, I could do it like this (changes in bold):

This method truly pushes the limits, it uses all 16 segments allowed under Oneworld rules and is 34,816 miles!

Su 12/19 AA 3457, CLE-DFW, 11:30am-1:30pm, First
Su 12/19 BA 192, DFW-LHR, 4:55pm-7:35am+1, First
Mo 12/20 BA 430, LHR-AMS, 8:40am-10:55am, Business
Mo 12/20 CX 270, AMS-HKG, 1:05pm-7:05am+1, First.
6 nights in Hong Kong
Mo 12/27 QF 30, HKG-MEL, 9:50am-8:45pm, First.
6 nights in Melbourne/Great Ocean Road
Su 01/02 QF 1011, MEL-HBA, 8:45am-10:00am, Coach
4 nights in Tasmania
Th 1/06 QF 2058, DPO-MEL, 5:10pm-6:25pm, Coach.
Th 1/06 QF 464, MEL-SYD, 7:30pm-8:30pm, Business.
4 nights in Sydney
Mo 01/10 QF 5842, SYD-HTI, 11:55am-1:25pm, Coach
2 nights in the Whitsunday Islands
We 01/12 QF 5843, HTI-SYD, 1:55pm-5:10pm, Coach
We 01/12 QF 487, SYD-MEL, 8:00pm-9:35pm, Business
We 01/12 CX 178, MEL-HKG, 11:45pm-6:00am+1, Business
Th 01/13 CX 261, HKG-CDG, 11:45pm-5:55am+1, First
Fr 01/14 BA 303, CDG-LHR, 7:50am-8:15am, Business
Fr 01/14 BA 295, LHR-ORD, 11:40am-2:20pm, First
2 nights in Chicago
Su 01/16 AA 4064, ORD-CLE, 1:35pm-3:55pm, Coach

[aussiebochur]

Although beautiful, i wouldn't replace KI with any of the places you're going so I don't see how you'd fit it in.
Shame you cant leave HKG earlier...
Besides, if you add a flight I think it'll take you over the 35k mile limit.

[Dan]

Shame you cant leave HKG earlier...

Agreed, I'll definitely keep looking into options to leave HKG earlier.
I put the revised itin (with CX F) on hold so that everything is held besides the 2 BA TATL segments that can't be booked yet until 10/03.

I am definitely excited to try out BA, CX, and QF in First class!

We'll call this Itinerary Option A:

This uses all 16 segments allowed under Oneworld rules and is 34,816 miles.

Su 12/19 AA 3457, CLE-DFW, 11:30am-1:30pm, First
Su 12/19 BA 192, DFW-LHR, 4:55pm-7:35am+1, First
Mo 12/20 BA 430, LHR-AMS, 8:40am-10:55am, Business
Mo 12/20 CX 270, AMS-HKG, 1:05pm-7:05am+1, First.
6 nights in Hong Kong
Mo 12/27 QF 30, HKG-MEL, 9:50am-8:45pm, First.
6 nights in Melbourne/Great Ocean Road
Su 01/02 QF 1011, MEL-HBA, 8:45am-10:00am, Coach
4 nights in Tasmania
Th 1/06 QF 2058, DPO-MEL, 5:10pm-6:25pm, Coach.
Th 1/06 QF 464, MEL-SYD, 7:30pm-8:30pm, Business.
4 nights in Sydney
Mo 01/10 QF 5842, SYD-HTI, 11:55am-1:25pm, Coach
2 nights in the Whitsunday Islands
We 01/12 QF 5843, HTI-SYD, 1:55pm-5:10pm, Coach
We 01/12 QF 487, SYD-MEL, 8:00pm-9:35pm, Business
We 01/12 CX 178, MEL-HKG, 11:45pm-6:00am+1, Business
Th 01/13 CX 261, HKG-CDG, 11:45pm-5:55am+1, First
Fr 01/14 BA 303, CDG-LHR, 7:50am-8:15am, Business
Fr 01/14 BA 295, LHR-ORD, 11:40am-2:20pm, First
2 nights in Chicago
Su 01/16 AA 4064, ORD-CLE, 1:35pm-3:55pm, Coach





Ever see so many flights on one itin 

[Dan]

Here's another itin option that I came up with.  33,689 miles in 15-16 segments.
Pros:
It lets me be in Singapore for Shabbos.
It gives me an extra day in SYD

Cons:
I don't get to try out Qantas First Class.
Too many days in MEL.
I would rather spend Shabbos in ORD than YYZ.

Any thoughts? Which itin would you do or what would you change?

Itinerary Option B:
Su 12/19 AA 3457, CLE-DFW, 11:30am-1:30pm, First
Su 12/19 BA 192, DFW-LHR, 4:55pm-7:35am+1, First
Mo 12/20 BA 430, LHR-AMS, 8:40am-10:55am, Business
Mo 12/20 CX 270, AMS-HKG, 1:05pm-7:05am+1, First.
3 nights in Hong Kong
Fr 12/24 CX 759, HKG-SIN, 9:10am-12:55pm, Business
2 nights in Singapore
Su 12/26 QF 292, SIN-MEL, 8:50pm-6:55am, Business.
7 nights in Melbourne/Great Ocean Road
Su 01/02 QF 1011, MEL-HBA, 8:45am-10:00am, Coach
4 nights in Tasmania
Th 1/06 QF 2058, DPO-MEL, 5:10pm-6:25pm, Coach.
Th 1/06 QF 464, MEL-SYD, 7:30pm-8:30pm, Business.
5 nights in Sydney
Tu 01/11 QF 5842, SYD-HTI, 11:55am-1:25pm, Coach
2 nights in the Whitsunday Islands
Th 01/13 QF 5863, HTI-MEL, 10:55am-2:50pm, Coach
or
Th 01/13 QF 5843, HTI-SYD, 1:55pm-5:10pm, Coach
Th 01/13 QF 465, SYD-MEL, 7:00pm-8:35pm, Business

Th 01/13 CX 178, MEL-HKG, 11:45pm-6:00am+1, Business
Fr 01/14 CX 828, HKG-YYZ, 10:45am-12:35pm, First
2 nights in Toronto
Su 01/16 AA 4646, YYZ-LGA, 1:10pm-2:45pm, First
Su 01/16 AA 4674, LGA-CLE, 5:55pm-7:40pm, First

[damaxer91]

Is there any reason to do Cairns if I go to the Whitsundays?

I've done both and the Whitsunday's is the more exotic one. Spring for Hayman Island if possible

[Deal Guy]

Agreed, I'll definitely keep looking into options to leave HKG earlier.
I put the revised itin (with CX F) on hold so that everything is held besides the 2 BA TATL segments that can't be booked yet until 10/03.

Just wondering, how long can you keep all these flights on hold for? On Elal for example, you have 3 weeks from when you make the reservation to ticket it. How does it work on these airlines?

[Dan]

I've done both and the Whitsunday's is the more exotic one. Spring for Hayman Island if possible

But is snorkeling as good in the Whitsunday's as by the reef off Cairns?
Seems like Hayman Island is $600AUD/night, well over my nightly budget.  Any other suggestions there?

Any other itin suggestions? Should I double back from SIN to HKG just to try out QF First instead of Business?

Just wondering, how long can you keep all these flights on hold for? On Elal for example, you have 3 weeks from when you make the reservation to ticket it. How does it work on these airlines?

5 days with AA.

[E]

have you ever done this many flights in such short time, I would go nuts spending so much time in the air. although the itin definitely does maximize the miles.

[damaxer91]

But is snorkeling as good in the Whitsunday's as by the reef off Cairns?
Seems like Hayman Island is $600AUD/night, well over my nightly budget.  Any other suggestions there?

Any other itin suggestions? Should I double back from SIN to HKG just to try out QF First instead of Business?
5 days with AA.

Snorkeling in the Whitsundays is fantastic and the beaches are by far the nicest I've ever seen.

I'd try and stick in SIN for 2 days if possible. 6 days in HKG is way too long

[aussiebochur]

Snorkeling in the Whitsundays is fantastic and the beaches are by far the nicest I've ever seen.

I'd try and stick in SIN for 2 days if possible. 6 days in HKG is way too long

Make sure you get over to Whitehaven Beach, absolutely spectacular.
Agree that 6 days HKG is too long.
Damaxer, is snorkeling off Whitsundays on the reef? Only ever went off Cairns..

[Dan]

Snorkeling in the Whitsundays is fantastic and the beaches are by far the nicest I've ever seen.

I'd try and stick in SIN for 2 days if possible. 6 days in HKG is way too long

Is it worth spending shabbos in SIN (no pun intended ) or HKG?
Or maybe PEK or PVG?

All of these books keep talking about Ayers Rock/Uluru smack in central OZ.  Anyone been there? Is it really worth seeing?