Author Topic: Flying to Israel, Chucksterace Style, Reporting Live  (Read 37077 times)

Offline chucksterace

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Flying to Israel, Chucksterace Style, Reporting Live
« on: December 10, 2015, 08:18:44 PM »
After being on hiatus for a few months and getting some things in order, I decided there is only one way to come back. And that is with a BANG.

Throughout the past few months I earned quite a decent amount of points and with the upcoming AA devaluation I decided now is better than ever to take those precious routes before the awesome value going goes away.

With that in mind, here is my routing so far. My whole trip is not complete yet, and my return is still being determined.

12/13 - Chicago to Hong Kong - Cathay Pacific First (Value $11,275)
Spending 2 nights in Hong Kong.

12/16 - Hong Kong to Sydney via Singapore - Singapore Airlines Suites A380 (Value $6,200)
Spend 4 nights in Sydney, 2 nights @ the Park Hyatt

12/21 - Sydney to Abu Dhabi - Etihad A380 First Apartment (Value $7,300)
One day in Abu Dhabi, then to AMM with no route *yet* to Israel.

Time in Israel is still to be determined.

I plan on making this a live trip report, or as live as I can get. If you have any advice please share.

But for now, whoever has the most creative route from Tel Aviv to Los Angeles first week of January might win a price. (PS, I need Europe, Africa, South America to visit every continent in this trip)

The Map, as of now.
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Offline EJB

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Re: Flying to Israel, Chucksterace Style, Reporting Live
« Reply #1 on: December 10, 2015, 08:29:38 PM »
After being on hiatus for a few months and getting some things in order, I decided there is only one way to come back. And that is with a BANG.

Throughout the past few months I earned quite a decent amount of points and with the upcoming AA devaluation I decided now is better than ever to take those precious routes before the awesome value going goes away.

With that in mind, here is my routing so far. My whole trip is not complete yet, and my return is still being determined.

12/13 - Chicago to Hong Kong - Cathay Pacific First (Value $11,275)
Spending 2 nights in Hong Kong.

12/16 - Hong Kong to Sydney via Singapore - Singapore Airlines Suites A380 (Value $6,200)
Spend 4 nights in Sydney, 2 nights @ the Park Hyatt

12/21 - Sydney to Abu Dhabi - Etihad A380 First Apartment (Value $7,300)
One day in Abu Dhabi, then to AMM with no route *yet* to Israel.

Time in Israel is still to be determined.

I plan on making this a live trip report, or as live as I can get. If you have any advice please share.

But for now, whoever has the most creative route from Tel Aviv to Los Angeles first week of January might win a price. (PS, I need Europe, Africa, South America to visit every continent in this trip)

The Map, as of now.


Add JNB, because what the hell

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Flying to Israel, Chucksterace Style, Reporting Live
« Reply #2 on: December 10, 2015, 08:37:32 PM »
Add JNB, because what the hell
Going to Cairo would be a lot easier if the goal is just to be Yotzai.

Enjoy!

Offline benjie1305

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Re: Flying to Israel, Chucksterace Style, Reporting Live
« Reply #3 on: December 10, 2015, 08:44:44 PM »
Agreed with a day trip to Africa while in Israel and then:

TLV-FRA-GRU in LH F

GRU-LAX in AA F or KE F
Work hard, Play harder!

Offline MosheD

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Re: Flying to Israel, Chucksterace Style, Reporting Live
« Reply #4 on: December 10, 2015, 08:48:40 PM »
LOL
Great routing  ;D
And welcome back! Its these kinda things that make me want to step up my game.

Offline chucksterace

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Re: Flying to Israel, Chucksterace Style, Reporting Live
« Reply #5 on: December 10, 2015, 08:50:20 PM »
Well Europe I can knock off with Emirates DXB-MXP-JFK.

Just need Africa and S.A.

ETA: Can add South America, JFK-South America-LAX?
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Offline benjie1305

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Re: Flying to Israel, Chucksterace Style, Reporting Live
« Reply #6 on: December 10, 2015, 08:51:36 PM »
Well Europe I can knock off with Emirates DXB-MXP-JFK.

Just need Africa and S.A.

I am confused. So you have your EK F flight already into JFK? When do you plan to cover Africa and SA then? JFK > Africa > SA > Lax?  :o
Work hard, Play harder!

Offline MosheD

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Re: Flying to Israel, Chucksterace Style, Reporting Live
« Reply #7 on: December 10, 2015, 09:01:11 PM »
IDK about the best cabins but the obvious routing to me would be TLV-FRA-JNB-GRU-US
I know at least the FRA-JNB is A380 and FCT

Offline benjie1305

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Re: Flying to Israel, Chucksterace Style, Reporting Live
« Reply #8 on: December 10, 2015, 09:07:34 PM »
IDK about the best cabins but the obvious routing to me would be TLV-FRA-JNB-GRU-US
I know at least the FRA-JNB is A380 and FCT

No need for the A380 on LH. Same F across the board and flies direct into GRU.
Work hard, Play harder!

Offline MosheD

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Re: Flying to Israel, Chucksterace Style, Reporting Live
« Reply #9 on: December 10, 2015, 09:11:11 PM »
No need for the A380 on LH. Same F across the board and flies direct into GRU.
But then he misses Africa

Offline MosheD

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Re: Flying to Israel, Chucksterace Style, Reporting Live
« Reply #10 on: December 10, 2015, 09:13:06 PM »
Well Europe I can knock off with Emirates DXB-MXP-JFK.

Just need Africa and S.A.

ETA: Can add South America, JFK-South America-LAX?

IMHO once you come back to America you're done. Unless by you its as long as you dont arrive back in ORD

Offline benjie1305

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Re: Flying to Israel, Chucksterace Style, Reporting Live
« Reply #11 on: December 10, 2015, 09:16:22 PM »
Well Europe I can knock off with Emirates DXB-MXP-JFK.

Just need Africa and S.A.

ETA: Can add South America, JFK-South America-LAX?

On one AA award? No.

If EK F is happening there ain't no Africa happening on this trip.
Work hard, Play harder!

Offline Emkay

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Re: Flying to Israel, Chucksterace Style, Reporting Live
« Reply #12 on: December 11, 2015, 03:02:31 AM »


(PS, I need Europe, Africa, South America to visit every continent in this trip)
And to think that all along I was brought up to think there are 7 continents

Offline MosheD

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Re: Flying to Israel, Chucksterace Style, Reporting Live
« Reply #13 on: December 11, 2015, 09:54:24 AM »
And to think that all along I was brought up to think there are 7 continents
Never played risk?

Online Dawie

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Re: Flying to Israel, Chucksterace Style, Reporting Live
« Reply #14 on: December 11, 2015, 12:56:37 PM »

Offline AJK

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Re: Flying to Israel, Chucksterace Style, Reporting Live
« Reply #15 on: December 13, 2015, 10:57:51 AM »
Sigh. The ability to book F redemptions for 1 pax instead of 2 (not to mention 3+).

Looks like a great trip. Enjoy!

2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline MosheD

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Re: Flying to Israel, Chucksterace Style, Reporting Live
« Reply #16 on: December 13, 2015, 11:09:37 AM »
Sigh. The ability to book F redemptions for 1 pax instead of 2 (not to mention 3+).

Looks like a great trip. Enjoy!
What? Who is the 3?
But yes, point made. Stick DW in J

Offline chucksterace

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Re: Flying to Israel, Chucksterace Style, Reporting Live
« Reply #17 on: December 13, 2015, 02:01:40 PM »
Ok.. Time to do this.

The fun has started and time to start the long week and a half journey to Israel.

As I sit in the boring BA First Class Lounge in ORD I decided to talk some numbers about my costs so far vs. the cost of revenue for the other folks on the flight.

Flights
ORD-HKG - Cathay Pacific First Class - 67,500 AA + $5.60 (vs. $11,275)
HKG-SYD - Singapore A380 Suites - 63,750 SQ + $180 (vs. $6,200)
SYD-AUH-AMM - Etihad A380 First Class Apartment - 60,000 AA + $65  (vs. $7,300)
AMM-TLV – Revenue - $210 (vs. $380)
Total Mileage: 127,500 AA + 63,750 SQ + $450.60
Total Revenue: $25,015

Hotels
2 nights @ Hyatt Regency TST - 2 x Anniversary Nights (vs. $236 per night)
3 nights @ Park Hyatt Sydney – 1 x 30,000 points, 2 x free nights (vs. $800 per night)
1 night @ Intercontinental Sydney (50,000 IHG) (vs. $300)
Total Points: 2 x Hyatt Anniversary, 2 x Hyatt Signup, 30,000 Hyatt, 50,000 IHG
Total Revenue: $3,172 + Taxes

All-in-all I think I got a hell of a deal and about to embark on a journey I WOULD NEVER be able to do if it wasn't for this game, this site, and people from this site. So I say to you, THANK YOU.

But for now, time to hop on a plane, put on some pajamas, and get a good night sleep. See you on the other side.

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Offline yochiek93

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Re: Flying to Israel, Chucksterace Style, Reporting Live
« Reply #18 on: December 13, 2015, 02:04:27 PM »
Enjoy can't wait for the rest

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Flying to Israel, Chucksterace Style, Reporting Live
« Reply #19 on: December 13, 2015, 02:07:29 PM »
Wow, can't wait to see the EY apt review. Great job so far!