DRW-YKA creative routing

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Captain Halliday

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Challenge my thinking: DRW-YKA creative routing

Thanks to the brains trust for the wisdom shared with me over the last two years. While I have learnt heaps, Is till consider myself an AFF beginner and would appreciate some advice on the following trip:

DRW to YKA (or just to YVR) during the ski season (Dec '16 to Mar '17) for 2 adults 1 child.

As it will be 3-4 sectors and 36+ hours with a child, an option with minimal hassle or breaking the journey would be an advantage.

My baseline is a QF cash fare in Y for ~$2,500pp depending on dates. Naturally, I'd prefer a premium cabin without massive increase in cost.

I'm QF SG and VA PS. As a party of three I think my chances in the QF upgrade lottery are nil. I have enough QFF points for OW 280K to be an option, but given travel dates I doubt there will be inventory. We also don't have a full 280K planned yet. Is this thinking to narrow?

As QF WP appears out of reach this year so I'm not locked into a specific airline or alliance. Are there other options I should consider, premium cabins with other airlines?

With DRW as a start point I'm assuming the need for a positioning flight to BNE/SYD/MEL. Is there a combination ex. SIN I should consider, positioning with JQ? Or MH to MNL?

I haven't considered a stopover? Best airlines for this?

I've never bought miles, is this worth considering? If so with which airline?

Should I just go to a TA and see what they can come up with?

Finally, I don't want anyone to go to any trouble. I'm very happy to read the relevant threads and then do the research myself on ITA/Google flights etc. if you can just give me the ideas. I'm really just hoping you can challenge my thinking beyond QF & VA - which is where I'm familiar.
 
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Re: Challenge my thinking: DRW-YKA creative routing

Possible no help at all but I always believe that to get to the USA (or Canada) from Australia you should always consider a combo of Jetstar business to HNL, then onwoards in "first" with American airlines. stopovers and connections may be too hard in your case, but have a look (for example I saw HNL-YVR in first on AA for $1500 USD return)
 
Re: Challenge my thinking: DRW-YKA creative routing

Not sure how useful this is as I haven't checked fares but one option I usually considered when I lived in YVR was CX. Benefits are OWS status benefits, HKG stopover and avoiding USA if you don't plan on stopping there anyway. Downsides 2 longish flights plus a positioning flight.
 
Re: Challenge my thinking: DRW-YKA creative routing

Had a look on matrix.ita.. Like you I thought the asian option might bear fruit...

Fares in Business to YVR from..say MNL... are all around 3300-3600 rtn per person during those months..
Pretty decent fares.. BUT there are a few of you!
 
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