*A RTW Redemption in F(/R) using KF

[MathNerd]

Hey guys,

Trying to plan a RTW Redemption in F (and/or R), using a *A award and KF points. Been collecting AmEx Ascent points for the past 2 years religiously, using whatever methods available to accelerate the earning of this valuabkv "currency", using the bulletproof Platinum Edge/Explorer duo. So far have just shy of 650,000 sparkly goodies, missus currently has ~140,000 Gateway points.

This is for the missus' and my honeymoon, we're getting married in Jan 2019 but of course have long missed the opportunity to snag award seats for Jan/Feb.

We'd like to visit Europe, then North America (and maybe a detour to the Carribbean) and then back to Melbourne.

Would love to get this trip as a RTW Redemption in F, but knowing that a lot of the flights will max out at J, means that the F cost (in points) will largely be wasted.

Has anyone done something like this before? Trying to figure out if doing a bunch of one way redemptions as seats open up would be a good idea as opposed to an all-out RTW redemption.

For example, it would be great to do something like MEL - SIN - LHR/CDG/FRA/ZRH - JFK/SFO/LAX - SIN - MEL.

Looking to the brains trust here at AFF to give suggestions/feedback for such an itinerary.

Thanks!

 

[Chicken]

Have you checked the availability first? I mean you said it yourself that it is maybe a little late now for Jan.

Having said that, SQ has very good availability. I have just booked PEK SIN SYD in J for 07/11/18 2 days ago!

Also, those intra Europe tickets? Maybe just fly EZY cheap and easy, to save yourself the headache of trying to build a RTW in January. Focus on flying J redemptions for trans whatever ocean.

I mean yeah, it's honeymoon, but you either have the next 50 years to book, or, well, you may have another honeymoon down the track

 

[Mattg]

It's almost pointless trying to do this in F - most flights don't have F cabins, and those that do rarely have availability (especially booking this late out for Jan/Feb 2019). Best to just book J, you'll still have a good experience.

I suggest that you try to book a round-trip Star Alliance award in J from Australia to North America. You can route in either direction to get to/from North America, and you are allowed a free stopover and open-jaw at the destination (or origin). You can also add up to 3 additional stopovers for USD100 each.

In your case, you could do this by booking (for example) the following itinerary for 234,000 KrisFlyer miles each:
MEL-SIN on SQ (stopover in SIN)
SIN-ZRH on SQ (stopover in ZRH)
ZRH-JFK on LX (JFK is the destination - open jaw to LAX)
SFO-SIN-MEL on SQ


It should still be possible to book something like the above for Jan/Feb next year if you go J.

As Chicken says, just book the intra-Europe flights separately (or catch the train).

 

[MathNerd]

Thanks Chicken and Mattg for the suggestions. Looks like booking individual flights is the way to go!

Have you checked the availability first? I mean you said it yourself that it is maybe a little late now for Jan.

We've decided to leave Jan 2019 redemptions for now, we'll try for redemptions towards the end of the 2019 year, I gave up on looking for anything in Jan 2019 when there's only 6 seats in F on the SQ A380 as well as the 355 day clock that has tick-tocked a long time ago!

Having said that, SQ has very good availability. I have just booked PEK SIN SYD in J for 07/11/18 2 days ago!

Yes, I've heard that SQ J availability is really good. If the F search yields nothing, then J will definitely be on the radar. We really want to check out the suites, which would be an amazing way to kick off a honeymoon (even if we're honeymooning many many months after the wedding, haha.

Also, those intra Europe tickets? Maybe just fly EZY cheap and easy, to save yourself the headache of trying to build a RTW in January. Focus on flying J redemptions for trans whatever ocean.

Excellent advice, best take cheap point-to-point flights for intra-Europe flights.

It's almost pointless trying to do this in F - most flights don't have F cabins, and those that do rarely have availability (especially booking this late out for Jan/Feb 2019).

That's what I was thinking too, the F cabins (especially suites) only run between major major cities (and also just found out that they don't even run the A380 to the Americas, which is a shame!).

Best to just book J, you'll still have a good experience.

Sounds like RTW redemptions in F are almost a waste of points then, as it's pretty much guaranteed there'll be at least one sector that'll be in J (or goodness forbid, whY).

In your case, you could do this by booking (for example) the following itinerary for 234,000 KrisFlyer miles each:
MEL-SIN on SQ (stopover in SIN)
SIN-ZRH on SQ (stopover in ZRH)
ZRH-JFK on LX (JFK is the destination - open jaw to LAX)
SFO-SIN-MEL on SQ


It should still be possible to book something like the above for Jan/Feb next year if you go J.

Sounds great, MEL-SIN-ZRH could be done in F (R), ZRH-JFK on LX looks like it's an A330 so that'll be on J, SFO-SIN on SQ would be J on the A350 and finally SIN-MEL could be done in F (R), finishing off the trip in style.

Thanks guys for the recommendations, we'll forget about the *A RTW F redemption then, it doesn't seem worth it. Have you heard of anyone successfully booking one of these redemptions? Played right, it's absolutely insane value.

 

[Mattg]

Have you heard of anyone successfully booking one of these redemptions? Played right, it's absolutely insane value.

Yes, several... but in J. F availability is likely to be a challenge.

 

[MathNerd]

Yes, several... but in J. F availability is likely to be a challenge.

You're right. One-way redemptions in F as availability opens up seems like the way to go for trying to snag one of these. Especially when 2 seats are required!

 

[tharaka]

Have you thought about SQ return on MEL-SIN-FRA-JFK for 304K points on F, if you're desperate to try the F.

Or you could do MEL-MAN(manchester)-HOU then return on JFK-FRA-SIN-MEL on two one ways. This way you can do the onward flight which is only available on J and return on F. This will cost you 110K+152K if my memory is right.

 

[MathNerd]

Have you thought about SQ return on MEL-SIN-FRA-JFK for 304K points on F, if you're desperate to try the F.

Thanks, I think this will be the way to go.
The FRA-JFK leg is a 5th freedom one, isn't it? Or does it exist purely as a refuelling stop on the way from SIN-JFK?

 

[tharaka]

Thanks, I think this will be the way to go.
The FRA-JFK leg is a 5th freedom one, isn't it? Or does it exist purely as a tefuelire stop on the way from SIN-JFK?

It’s just a one way or return mel-jfk ticket. 2 SQ flights. Mel-sin and sin-jfk. Not RTW. Latter flight stops at FRA.

If you book this as a one way ticket you can pay usd100 per person and ask them to add a stopover in FRA. Then do your own Europe itinerary here. Trains is usually the best way to get around Europe imho.

You’ll have to be patient and very flexible to get two seats on Sin-jfk flight. Usually only way to do this is by adding a stopover because then you can workout two different days for the two segments and work with availability. I’ve found fra-jfk availability to be the worst.

Very likely you won’t be able to do a full return on this flight due to limited availability so my suggestion is to be flexible for the Europe leg either onward or return from USA. Because you have multiple ways to get to the USA but most of these flights are J only. Except the Boeings on Narita-lax route.

Mel-sin-Narita-lax
Mel-sin-lax
Mel-sin-san Fran
Mel-sin-man-hou
Mel-sin-ewr

Good luck!

 

[MathNerd]

It’s just a one way or return mel-jfk ticket. 2 SQ flights. Mel-sin and sin-jfk. Not RTW. Latter flight stops at FRA.

Thanks so much. Yes, I think I can safely give up the dream of going RTW in F, there's just no practical way to stay in F for the whole way. Really wanting to treat the soon-to-be Mrs. MathNerd to as many F flights as possible and the only way seems to be to piece together multiple legs such as MEL-SIN-FRA-JFK(then a mini USA trip)-FRA(then a mini Euro trip)-SIN-MEL. All the long-haul flights should then be F (rather R!) and trips within EU/US would be trains/road.
Looks like this is the best way to go.

Thanks everyone for all the help towards a real newbie (who's been reading up for a while and waiting in anticipation of hitting that "Book" button when the time is right.

Gotta love AFF.

 

[daft009]

sorta related, what the best way to plan a RTW in J, however sticking to SQ metal only.

Thinking similar flights to MathNerd, So:
SYD > SIN, stop for a few days
SIN > FRA, stop for a couple of weeks
FRA > JFK, stop for a couple of weeks
JFK > LAX, stop a few days
LAX > SIN
SIN > SYD

not travelling anytime soon, but would like to get my head around it

 

[tharaka]

sorta related, what the best way to plan a RTW in J, however sticking to SQ metal only.

Thinking similar flights to MathNerd, So:
SYD > SIN, stop for a few days
SIN > FRA, stop for a couple of weeks
FRA > JFK, stop for a couple of weeks
JFK > LAX, stop a few days
LAX > SIN
SIN > SYD

not travelling anytime soon, but would like to get my head around it

You’ve got it. Couple of things

JFK - LAX will have to be united or do your own
From LAX you can do via Narita Tokyo and SIN.

 

[daft009]

thanks, via Narita sounds even better.

and only bookable over the phone even if its all SQ metal?

 

[MathNerd]

For the folks following along, a success (and not-so-success?) story:

I was wanting to book a surprise mini-honeymoon for 3 days, a week after our wedding. Fiance has no idea what's in store, all she knows is that something is happening as I asked her if she's free on the required days (23-26 Jan).

Booked Angsara Velavaru in the Maldives through Accor, on that insane deal they had yesterday. Of course, wanting to go there in style, I start looking for some redemption options MEL-MLE. I transfer ~170,000 AmEx Gateway points from my fiance's Explorer over to her SQ KF account, to get her account topped up from ~27,000 KF to exactly 160,000 KF (exactly 2 x 80,000 for 2 x F Savers). I eventually stumbled upon this and here's the story:

• SQ218 MEL-SIN (A380) on 23 Jan had 1 F Saver available for immediate redemption (no Waitlist or anything) for a solid 80,000 KF, however only if the search had 1 adult.
• Tried changing the search to 2 adults but that came up as Waitlist (cue the tears).
• Ended up going for the Waitlist for 2, with a follow up call directly to the SQ office in SIN (thanks Cruiser Elite for the info regarding getting in contact with the SIN office directly rather than through their India or Philippines offices). Agent graciously mentioned she'd put in a chaser for that Waitlist redemption.
• Got a bit restless so went ahead and booked the 1 F Saver for immediate redemption, that's my fiance's ticket done. Confirmed, downloaded eTicket etc. Booked 3C. First time ever laying my eyes on a PNR and eTicket that's not Y. All I have to do now is get mine done, book 3D and we've got a double suite to ourselves. What a way to kick off a honeymoon.
• Called up the SQ office in SIN again, to be surprised to be greeted by the same lady that assisted me earlier in the day.
• Explained everything to her, so she changed the Waitlist that I had on 2 seats, to a single seat, for myself, and that she'd put in a chaser for that Waitlist redemption too.
• Right now, waiting with bated breath for that chaser to do his/her thing and get my Waitlist confirmed. Partner and I are both SQ KF Elite Silver but not sure if that helps at all. We've done a fair few SQ flights paid with cash so hopefully that helps them make a decision.

So, to all the expert AFF'ers reading this (sorry it's such an essay!), anything I could do to help calm my nerves? Also, still need to figure out the SIN-MLE-SIN-MEL leg (with all this happening for the first leg, I haven't though about the subsequent legs at all)! I know that the SIN-MLE leg will have to be on MI metal for timing purposes, can't help it.

Thanks heaps, one and all

 

[Gianni S]

For the folks following along, a success (and not-so-success?) story:

I was wanting to book a surprise mini-honeymoon for 3 days, a week after our wedding. Fiance has no idea what's in store, all she knows is that something is happening as I asked her if she's free on the required days (23-26 Jan).

Booked Angsara Velavaru in the Maldives through Accor, on that insane deal they had yesterday. Of course, wanting to go there in style, I start looking for some redemption options MEL-MLE. I transfer ~170,000 AmEx Gateway points from my fiance's Explorer over to her SQ KF account, to get her account topped up from ~27,000 KF to exactly 160,000 KF (exactly 2 x 80,000 for 2 x F Savers). I eventually stumbled upon this and here's the story:

• SQ218 MEL-SIN (A380) on 23 Jan had 1 F Saver available for immediate redemption (no Waitlist or anything) for a solid 80,000 KF, however only if the search had 1 adult.
• Tried changing the search to 2 adults but that came up as Waitlist (cue the tears).
• Ended up going for the Waitlist for 2, with a follow up call directly to the SQ office in SIN (thanks Cruiser Elite for the info regarding getting in contact with the SIN office directly rather than through their India or Philippines offices). Agent graciously mentioned she'd put in a chaser for that Waitlist redemption.
• Got a bit restless so went ahead and booked the 1 F Saver for immediate redemption, that's my fiance's ticket done. Confirmed, downloaded eTicket etc. Booked 3C. First time ever laying my eyes on a PNR and eTicket that's not Y. All I have to do now is get mine done, book 3D and we've got a double suite to ourselves. What a way to kick off a honeymoon.
• Called up the SQ office in SIN again, to be surprised to be greeted by the same lady that assisted me earlier in the day.
• Explained everything to her, so she changed the Waitlist that I had on 2 seats, to a single seat, for myself, and that she'd put in a chaser for that Waitlist redemption too.
• Right now, waiting with bated breath for that chaser to do his/her thing and get my Waitlist confirmed. Partner and I are both SQ KF Elite Silver but not sure if that helps at all. We've done a fair few SQ flights paid with cash so hopefully that helps them make a decision.

So, to all the expert AFF'ers reading this (sorry it's such an essay!), anything I could do to help calm my nerves? Also, still need to figure out the SIN-MLE-SIN-MEL leg (with all this happening for the first leg, I haven't though about the subsequent legs at all)! I know that the SIN-MLE leg will have to be on MI metal for timing purposes, can't help it.

Thanks heaps, one and all

Sounds fantastic if you manage to get this one to go through, but i hope you have a backup plan if your tickets doesn't go through? and you are left back in Y ?

 

[daft009]

I don't do F/R too much but not sure of your chances getting 2x F savers in Jan which is quite soon

 

[MathNerd]

Sounds fantastic if you manage to get this one to go through, but i hope you have a backup plan if your tickets doesn't go through? and you are left back in Y ?

Thanks Gianni, I really do hope it goes through. I'm hoping the fact that soon-to-be Mrs. MathNerd has a confirmed F Saver ticketed with seat selected etc will help my case, as I'll plead with them to let me go and sit (and/or lie down) next to her.
I keep checking every day, running a redeem search but Waitlist keeps appearing. I've heard that sometimes they release award inventory but Waitlisted pax don't get notified, so I'm running searches every now and then.
I also keep looking at the seatmap from the confirmed ticket, and only 4 seats are booked (plus the one we have that's confirmed). It might stay at this load all the way until the flight, it is a Wednesday morning red-eye after all.
Crossing my fingers that they can somehow link this waitlisted PNR to the confirmed PNR and the seat controller sees what's going on...

I don't do F/R too much but not sure of your chances getting 2x F savers in Jan which is quite soon

We've got one F Saver confirmed and ticketed, that redemption must've been the last seat they left "open" to redeem, so once we redeemed it then the next attempt was a Waitlist. Any way I could give them a "nudge" at all?

 

[daft009]

Is an advantage redemption available for the second seat? Though it's a lot more points

Fingers crossed you get it. Tried calling them and told them that's it's your honeymoon etc?

Have you got a backup strategy? Are your dates fixed? Can you fly ex Sydney?

 

[MathNerd]

Is an advantage redemption available for the second seat? Though it's a lot more points

Yup, there's an advantage ready to be booked @ 150,000 points, can't fathom stomaching up that many points. Though if it's the last resort I'll do it, much better than paying cash for it

Fingers crossed you get it. Tried calling them and told them that's it's your honeymoon etc?

Thank you mate. I've mentioned it on my first call to them, but the CSR seemed a bit rushed and probably didn't take note of the occasion. When I next call to send a chaser, I'll mention the occasion as well as the fact we've got a confirmed seat and would like to be together. I've got the PNR etc so it should be easy to see in the system. I don't really like begging/pleading for anything but I might have to let that slide this time and get down on my knees! It's a Wednesday flight during shoulder/off-peak season so I'm hoping they'll see that there's probably not going to be any revenue bookings for the remaining seats in that F cabin!

Have you got a backup strategy? Are your dates fixed? Can you fly ex Sydney?

My only backup strategy is to book it at the Advantage level, I can't imagine Mrs. MathNerd and I starting off our married life together separated on the first flight after the wedding! That's not going to go down well! Yes, dates are fixed, as we've already got the accommodation booked and her ticket issued. We could fly ex SYD but would prefer to maximise our time by leaving ex MEL if at all possible.

Thanks again for the wishes, this scenario is quite nerve-wracking! First time using points to outright redeem a flight so it's a rollercoaster ride!

 

[KitKat]

Yup, there's an advantage ready to be booked @ 150,000 points, can't fathom stomaching up that many points. Though if it's the last resort I'll do it, much better than paying cash for it


Thank you mate. I've mentioned it on my first call to them, but the CSR seemed a bit rushed and probably didn't take note of the occasion. When I next call to send a chaser, I'll mention the occasion as well as the fact we've got a confirmed seat and would like to be together. I've got the PNR etc so it should be easy to see in the system. I don't really like begging/pleading for anything but I might have to let that slide this time and get down on my knees! It's a Wednesday flight during shoulder/off-peak season so I'm hoping they'll see that there's probably not going to be any revenue bookings for the remaining seats in that F cabin!


My only backup strategy is to book it at the Advantage level, I can't imagine Mrs. MathNerd and I starting off our married life together separated on the first flight after the wedding! That's not going to go down well! Yes, dates are fixed, as we've already got the accommodation booked and her ticket issued. We could fly ex SYD but would prefer to maximise our time by leaving ex MEL if at all possible.

Thanks again for the wishes, this scenario is quite nerve-wracking! First time using points to outright redeem a flight so it's a rollercoaster ride!

The advantage fare at 150,000 might not always be available..... as it's a special occasion I suggest to take it now.... as you say you don't want to be separated....
Look at it this way...... 150k+80k divided by two to average the points required per person... I've had to do this - get one saver and one advantage to be on the same flight...
It's only points.... and you get peace of mind for this sector! and special occasion

All the best!