Flying from Melbourne to Mauritius return

[surpher]

We're planning on going to Mauritius in August 2017 (open dates), and I have started looking at the options of flying J. The fastest way would definitely be flying Virgin from Melb to Perth and then hop onto Air Mauritius, but we don't want to spend thousands of dollars for that. We have about 200k amex points, 120k VFF points, 70k ANZ points to work with between us two.

Any idea where I could turn to get a good deal flying J? We were even thinking of flying through Dubai with Emirates, although they do ask for a lot of points. We're also planning on flying to EU in 2017, preferrably in J, meaning the points above would be split between Mauritius and EU trips (and I suppose we'll need to purchase a few more when sale is on).

Tips and ideas greatly appreciated! Thanks.

 

[magnacartic]

SQ Krisflyer is probably your best bet.

MEL–SIN–JNB in SQ J Saver redemption looks approximately like this each way (MEL–MRU can't be redeemed online because the final leg JNB–MRU has to be on an SA codeshare):
72,500 KrisFlyer miles+ AUD 499.89++

The taxes will be more than that as there is a JNB–MRU return segment; A J saver redemption for both of you would cost 290,000 KrisFlyer + AUD 1,999.56++. Transferring 118.8k VFF would turn them into 88k SQ KF, then you will need 202k AMEX points to convert to SQ KF. Not sure about your chances, but you could try redeeming the MEL–SIN–JNB trip online to get the 15% discount to bring the miles requirement to 246.5k, then call SQ to add on the JNB–MRU for a change fee while honoring the redemption discount.

Here is an example trip itinerary (26h 5m):
https://matrix.itasoftware.com/#vie...3oXIeMGPNz1O8lqLp5I/Gx42It5yF4GToRZ1L3WAMO04g

Not sure if the flight time will be agonizing, but a good option would be to stop over in Singapore for US$100 to break up the flight time if you have the time. For 145k points/pax, that's quite a little bit of time in J and in the SQ/SA lounges. Retail prices for a round-trip ticket is around AU$16k, so after tax, it seems like 1 KrisFlyer mile is worth around AU$0.10 for this redemption (which seems pretty great to me). However, you probably don't have enough miles+points left for an EU trip for 2. Also, not entirely sure on how to make the best redemption out of NZ miles.

 

[surpher]

Thanks for that @magnacartic. That's quite a lot of flying around and way past our destination.

Standing in front of the conveyor belt yesterday at MEL we briefly discussing the option to fly EY&AZ in J on MEL - AUH - VCE route with a stopover of cca. 10 days in AUH flying back from VCE. This could maybe reduce the amount of points needed for EU 'and' MRU (at least half of the way)?
We would rent a car at AUH perhaps and drive to DBX to catch a flight from DBX to MRU with EK, perhaps even Y as the flight is 'only' about 6.5h long. We have discussed that if the flight is up to 6h we're 'almost fine' paying for and flying economy (with extra leg room).

Or even take advantage of the free chauffeur if possible to drive that far? If not, I've read that Etihad offers free coach service from Abu Dhabi to Dubai for passengers flying EY Economy.

 

[support]

As per the rules for threads in this forum, this thread is now closed.