2026 travel plans.

drron

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2002
Posts
36,300
Our first trip for 2026 already has most things booked. All the major flights are booked with combination of Velocity and AA awards. the AA awards are all on QR even though most of them were also available on Velocity. both release awards 330 days out but AA is far less points and a big drop in the cash costs. the trip begins at the st art of the second week in January.

So the outline. BNE-SIN x DEL On J awards from Velocity,
Then Agra and Mumbai.
The up market hotels in Mumbai as it is high season for travel have eye watering rates so have a points stay at the IC - real value for points.

Then our first Crystal Cruise, Mumbai - Mombasa with stops in Colombo, Male, Seychelles, Madagascar, Zanzibar.
Fly to NBO. Connect to QR NBO-DOH-JNB through AA. J awards costing 35000 miles + $US87.20.

4 nights in Lolozi for the leopards. Before and after the IC JNB.

Then AA awards on QR. JNB-DOH in J and DOH-BKK in F.

Staying 11 nights in BKK as missing out on Christmas there. Then J awards from Velocity on SQ BKK-SIN-BNE.
Back home at the end of February.

Planning underway to be in Edinburgh for the Tattoo in August 2026.
 
Our first trip for 2026 already has most things booked. All the major flights are booked with combination of Velocity and AA awards. the AA awards are all on QR even though most of them were also available on Velocity. both release awards 330 days out but AA is far less points and a big drop in the cash costs. the trip begins at the st art of the second week in January.

So the outline. BNE-SIN x DEL On J awards from Velocity,
Then Agra and Mumbai.
The up market hotels in Mumbai as it is high season for travel have eye watering rates so have a points stay at the IC - real value for points.

Then our first Crystal Cruise, Mumbai - Mombasa with stops in Colombo, Male, Seychelles, Madagascar, Zanzibar.
Fly to NBO. Connect to QR NBO-DOH-JNB through AA. J awards costing 35000 miles + $US87.20.

4 nights in Lolozi for the leopards. Before and after the IC JNB.

Then AA awards on QR. JNB-DOH in J and DOH-BKK in F.

Staying 11 nights in BKK as missing out on Christmas there. Then J awards from Velocity on SQ BKK-SIN-BNE.
Back home at the end of February.

Planning underway to be in Edinburgh for the Tattoo in August 2026.
Sounds like an awesome trip.

We were in Edinburgh for the Tattoo in 2023 and it was one of the best things I have seen. The whole town was abuzz as the Fringe was on and we saw a heap of shows. The place gets packed (population almost doubles I was told) and accommodation can be expensive. We were lucky we stayed with our son for free and could walk to everything.

Look to book tickets early as I believe it sells out quickly.
 
Still working on my Oct UK trip, no solid plans yet.
But the idea is to go in mid-late April (avoiding the Sakura crowds) to Shikoku/Chugoku. I want to cycle Shimanami Kaido.
 
Locked in so far, in March/April, back-to back cruises on Ponant expedition vessels through the Canary Islands

1743662233029.png

Followed by a food and wine cruise around Sicily

1743662330398.png

Then in July, a cruise around the Greek islands, through to Sicily, Italy and ending in Nice also on a Ponant expedition vessel

1743662092502.png


Flights will be on QR J ex CGK or SIN, with SIN awards to those points.

Any other trip if I can afford it will be to Saudi Arabia, particularly the north-west where another (smaller scale) Petra exists, remnants of the Nabataean empire (ElAlua/Hegra), but also Medina, which is now open to non-Muslins and of course Jeddah (been there before, for work). Incredibly cheap J airfares on Saudia Airlines from Jakarta, and easy SQ award to get to there.
 
Last edited:
I have no travel plans for 2026. That's not to say that I'm not expecting to travel next year, but, for me, it's far too early to think about it. And this year also is pretty full on.

I'w waiting until the travel landscape become a little clearer, for example when QF unveils its next round of (promised) enhancements before deciding where, when and how to jump.
 
LHR meet up in June which will also include Spain and Greece. Very much debating whether I include my 5 day US shopping trip - will decide that later when I have to book my seats. This is contingent on FF seats being released via SQ/Aeroplan- touch wood!!
 
We have a Rhine river cruise booked on Avalon Waterways in April (Amsterdam to Basel). On the way we're planning stopovers in Istanbul and Paris, with a couple of days in Geneva at the end.
 
Australia's highest-earning Velocity Frequent Flyer credit card: Offer expires: 30 Apr 2025
- Earn 100,000 bonus Velocity Points
- Get unlimited Virgin Australia Lounge access
- Enjoy a complimentary return Virgin Australia domestic flight each year

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

Become an AFF member!

Join Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) for free and unlock insider tips, exclusive deals, and global meetups with 65,000+ frequent flyers.

AFF members can also access our Frequent Flyer Training courses, and upgrade to Fast-track your way to expert traveller status and unlock even more exclusive discounts!

AFF forum abbreviations

Wondering about Y, J or any of the other abbreviations used on our forum?

Check out our guide to common AFF acronyms & abbreviations.
Back
Top