BMI Award Redemptions

[JohnK]

I have only recently joined BMI and will credit some SQ flights and car hire there in the next few months.

I will be looking at redeeming 2 business class awards TPE-SYD return (only for myself at different times) using miles + cash so will need to purchase some miles as well to make up the short fall.

Now what interests me the most is do I have a choice of carrier when booking the award? I am guessing the options for TPE-SYD would either be TG or SQ.

I have also read at different times on AFF and Flyertalk some really complex itineraries for very simple returns. This interests me greatly. I wouldn't mind flying for ~2 days or so to get from TPE-SYD and vv. How is this done? Limited award availability on certain routes forcing a longer routing to be used? Any tips or tricks or examples of routes where this would be possible?

Would it be possible to do something like TPE-BKK-LHR-LAX-SYD for the same miles cost as TPE-BKK/SIN-SYD?

 

[auriga]

Would it be possible to do something like TPE-BKK-LHR-LAX-SYD for the same miles cost as TPE-BKK/SIN-SYD?

Are you serious?!

Maybe you can go for TPE-SIN-BKK-SYD. That would be about it.

 

[JohnK]

Are you serious?!

Sometimes I am serious.

Perhaps BMI have clamped down on the outrageous routings I have been reading about.

Wasn't there a post on AFF or Flyertalk about someone going from SYD-OGG via Asia, Europe, South America and then North America. I think it was around Christmas-New Year and most of the time was spent in the air.

 

[sr81]

I did SYD-ICN-LAX-OGG for 18,750 + cash in J. This was because this was the most direct routing.

The problem is that TG and SQ fly direct from major Aus cities to hubs then onto TPE. There aren't any really whacky routes. The only thing would be look if LH or LX have cities in Asia they fly to but TG, SQ, OZ, NH et al do not.

EG. One I am about to try. MEL-BKK-FRA-PNQ. PNQ is Pune, India. Only LH flys there. Thus the most direct route is via FRA.

BMI have cracked down on the really crazy routings but to TPE I think you are flat out of luck.

 

[JohnK]

EG. One I am about to try. MEL-BKK-FRA-PNQ. PNQ is Pune, India. Only LH flys there. Thus the most direct route is via FRA.

That sounds like a good trip although India is a little out of the way.

Realistically TPE is out of the way as well but with KLM it is cheap to get back to BKK.

BMI have cracked down on the really crazy routings but to TPE I think you are flat out of luck.

I thought that may have been the case.

Do I still get the choice of TG, SQ or OZ for TPE-SYD assuming they all have availability?

 

[sr81]

That sounds like a good trip although India is a little out of the way.

Realistically TPE is out of the way as well but with KLM it is cheap to get back to BKK.


I thought that may have been the case.

Do I still get the choice of TG, SQ or OZ for TPE-SYD assuming they all have availability?

Not sure why you would go to TPE if you actually want BKK.

Yes, OZ, SQ or TG would be the obvious choices. Do you know about the ANA search tool? Thinking about this you could also try NZ with SYD-AKL-PEK-TPE but this seems a lot of work for a route that is not very direct and would involve trying to get from mainland China to TPE.

I like OZ as you can't redeem on the SQ77W or A380. OZ has slope beds like TG and ICN is a great place to spend a few days.

 

[kamchatsky]

I would say you can get away with something like:

TPE-ICN-BKK-SYD
TPE-BKK-SIN-SYD
TPE-PEK/PVG-BKK-SYD

My previous redemption was as follows:
SYD-BKK-HKG (s/o)-PEK
PEK-CAN(s/o)-BKK-SYD

The only issue is the you can only have 1 stopover per one-way trip so other stops must be transits only.

You just need to know exact route using ANA tool and call up BMI to ask for exact flights.

 

[kamchatsky]

Sometimes I am serious.

Perhaps BMI have clamped down on the outrageous routings I have been reading about.

Wasn't there a post on AFF or Flyertalk about someone going from SYD-OGG via Asia, Europe, South America and then North America. I think it was around Christmas-New Year and most of the time was spent in the air.

Maybe you should go to KHV or UUS and do a BD Europe-Europe trip redemption via asia .....

 

[dajop]

Wonder if they'd allow TPE-NRT-AKL-SYD?? That might be worth considering. NZ ain't at all bad to travel on.

 

[JohnK]

Not sure why you would go to TPE if you actually want BKK.

For various reasons of which one is I do not like going direct to BKK. I would prefer to transit somewhere. It used to be SIN and now it will either be TPE or MNL.

The only issue is the you can only have 1 stopover per one-way trip so other stops must be transits only.

That is interesting. I thought it was 1 stopover per return booking but it makes sense to have 1 stopover for a one-way.

Opens up plenty of possibilities.

Wonder if they'd allow TPE-NRT-AKL-SYD?? That might be worth considering. NZ ain't at all bad to travel on.

Now that is a good idea if it is possible to book.

 

[sr81]

If you want to get really creative and something different then how about CO with CNS-GUM-NRT-TPE?

Sure you have to get to CNS but the route is pretty damn random and (just checked for August) availability is there! Oddly enough it is also a very efficent trip time wise.

4 Aug CO903 CNS-GUM 00:20 - 04:45 737NG
4 Aug CO906 GUM-NRT 07:10 - 09:45 767
4 Aug NH1187 NRT-TPE 13:20 - 15:45 767

Only a cheap fare with QF to CNS from SYD........ Guam would be a great stopover one way then have Tokyo on the way home.

 

[Keith009]

The ICC seems to have clamped down on a lot of loopholes with complex routings. People on FT have had additional miles deducted from their accounts, to reflect the actual routing flown, if they'd skipped the last segment for instance (such as redeeming MEL-AKL-LAX-OGG and then not flying LAX-OGG). Routings are also now double checked prior to ticketing, cf in the past where routings were ticketed without question if approved and queued through by the call centre agents.

Regardless, it's still one of the most generous FFPs even without said loopholes.

On the flipside, the ICC agents seem to be more switched on these days. I haven't had to hang up the phone to "answer the door" for a long time.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

EG. One I am about to try. MEL-BKK-FRA-PNQ. PNQ is Pune, India. Only LH flys there. Thus the most direct route is via FRA.

wow... you'd actually fly the extra 14 hours or so each rather than go to the nearest port to Pune? hardcore!

 

[sr81]

wow... you'd actually fly the extra 14 hours or so each rather than go to the nearest port to Pune? hardcore!

Not quite - I want the stop in Europe but only want to pay India cash + miles.

 

[JohnK]

I am trying to help out a friend, and myself, and was wondering what sort of luck people have had redeeming awards SYD-BKK in business class from travel on 23 December or 26 December.

I know these are popular times to travel but just trying to work out if it is worth for my friend to purchase miles or not. Dates are not flexible as he owns a business that closes down at Christmas for ~4 weeks and needs to get away from it all.

 

[sr81]

A quick check of the ANA site and Thai have availability (2 pax in J) on 23 and 26 Dec on both flights to BKK.

TG476 Dep 11:00
TG478 Dep 16:30

I would look to lock these in pretty quickly but wouldn't be worried as I have booked the flights and as the agent was working out the taxes I bought the points.

I don't think BMI will hold flights for you but just but miles and you will be fine.

 

[kamchatsky]

I am trying to help out a friend, and myself, and was wondering what sort of luck people have had redeeming awards SYD-BKK in business class from travel on 23 December or 26 December.

I know these are popular times to travel but just trying to work out if it is worth for my friend to purchase miles or not. Dates are not flexible as he owns a business that closes down at Christmas for ~4 weeks and needs to get away from it all.

TG always seem to have have J/F availabilities (not Y though!), even in Christmas. In fact, for last Xmas trip we only booked it using BMI points in October last year.

But of course if your friend knows they will be travelling at that time then just book it! Alternatively he can also book using US Dividend Miles (return trip only).

Another tip, he can also throw side trip to Northern Asia for the same amount of points (just pay taxes) on top of SYD-BKK route. I did it for SYD-BKK-HKG (stopover)-PEK.

 

[JohnK]

Thanks for the replies.

My friends dates around Christmas are very much locked in so look to buy some BMI miles ASAP and try to book. He still has not sent in his boarding passes to BMI for TG flight in April. Not sure whether it is too late now but we shall wait and see.

Just as an idea I believe the BMI miles + cash component + taxes will work out to be ~AUD1,500 which will be enough for a SYD-BKK return in business class and miles left over. The best economy airfare SYD-BKK return for the same period is well over $AUD1,600 and the last time I looked the direct TG flights were ~AUD1,800. :shock:

I cannot lock in my dates just yet or where I want to go first.

 

[sr81]

Don't forget that you can only buy 24,000 miles per account per year so if you need a round trip SYD-BKK-SYD you will need some family members to donate their miles to you as part of a household account.

Also, if USAir are selling with 100% bonus sometime again soon then it will prob be a little cheaper with the good AUD and no fuel fines.

 

[JohnK]

Don't forget that you can only buy 24,000 miles per account per year so if you need a round trip SYD-BKK-SYD you will need some family members to donate their miles to you as part of a household account.

Good point. My friend has another family member to purchase miles and redeem award for him and I have 3 family members who hardly ever travel so there is 2 returns a year for me.

Also, if USAir are selling with 100% bonus sometime again soon then it will prob be a little cheaper with the good AUD and no fuel fines.

I was looking at that last month but the 12 day waiting period put an end to my plans. Need to sign up to US Dividend miles soon but it is not easy trying to keep in touch with the rules for all the FF programs. Luckily I only need redemptions to Asia 3-4 times a year so BMI with 2 returns, AA one way and VS one way is almost enough.