Get me on a First Class long haul flight before I turn 25!!!

[Mattg]

Yep saw some of these already! Handy to know Will have more of a read of the LM related ones. Do you recommend subscribing to emails from UA/LM etc or better off keeping a close eye on AFF forum for deals on points?

Definitely keep an eye on AFF. Most of the deals are posted on here, and it's also a great resource for sharing tips, sweet spots, etc.

But if I were you I would also sign up to United Mileage Plus and Avianca LifeMiles, and opt-in to the promo emails. I have in the past received offers from United that were only available to me, for example.

 

[brown891]

I don't think there is any need to wait until you're 25 - I honestly think it would be realistic to set a goal of flying First class to Asia within the next 12 months!

As others have said, I would be seriously looking at buying United miles. Join the United Mileage Club program now, then wait for a 100% bonus miles promotion. These promos are actually pretty regular - every few months or so another one comes around.

At a 100% bonus, you could buy enough United miles for a return First class ticket from Australia to Asia on Thai Airways for just USD1400. Then you'd be looking at just a little extra to cover the taxes when redeeming the miles. Doing this, you could realistically fly to Bangkok or Hong Kong for $2,000 return, or just $1,000 one-way. IMHO that's a very achievable goal for the next 12 months.

Gosh next year would be the dream but I do have a substantial holiday lined up already for next July although no flights are booked yet. Excited about this 100% bonus miles promo once it rolls around. I have read up on making sure your flight is available before purchasing miles and then redeeming them straight away. Do you recommend this also or think with UA it is still safe enough to purchase them when the deal is out and simply hold onto them until another flight becomes available?
Haven't been back to BKK in 7 years or so but would be keen to do the SYD-BKK-NRT/HKG First Class return

 

[Mattg]

Gosh next year would be the dream but I do have a substantial holiday lined up already for next July although no flights are booked yet. Excited about this 100% bonus miles promo once it rolls around. I have read up on making sure your flight is available before purchasing miles and then redeeming them straight away. Do you recommend this also or think with UA it is still safe enough to purchase them when the deal is out and simply hold onto them until another flight becomes available?
Haven't been back to BKK in 7 years or so but would be keen to do the SYD-BKK-NRT/HKG First Class return

As long as you plan well in advance and aren't flying right in the middle of peak travel season (i.e. Christmas), award seats are generally available on most Thai flights. You may need to look for flights from Sydney though, as I don't think Thai offers First class out of Brisbane.

You can easily search for award availability on the United website without even creating an account. A search for seats on Thai from SYD-BKK on any random day should confirm this.

 

[brown891]

As long as you plan well in advance and aren't flying right in the middle of peak travel season (i.e. Christmas), award seats are generally available on most Thai flights. You may need to look for flights from Sydney though, as I don't think Thai offers First class out of Brisbane.

You can easily search for award availability on the United website without even creating an account. A search for seats on Thai from SYD-BKK on any random day should confirm this.

Yeah actually looking for a holiday next january/february as it's outside school holidays but within uni holidays. Have the money currently to purchase a flight/points so would just need to wait for it to become available.
Sydney is fine for me, I would even be able to use Qantas points to get down there on if it came to that. Otherwise I can drive as have family down there.
I'm going to get on UA now and have a gander, LM website is crashing by the looks of it, can't even get to it to create an account.

Also going to look up the possibility of AA/UA flights in First/Business for my planned America trip next July for Independence day. The AA point calculator was confusing for me when I checked last, Do you know how much it would cost in these classes from BNE-JFK? Not cheap I'm assuming haha

 

[Mattg]

Yeah actually looking for a holiday next january/february as it's outside school holidays but within uni holidays. Have the money currently to purchase a flight/points so would just need to wait for it to become available.
Sydney is fine for me, I would even be able to use Qantas points to get down there on if it came to that. Otherwise I can drive as have family down there.
I'm going to get on UA now and have a gander, LM website is crashing by the looks of it, can't even get to it to create an account.

Also going to look up the possibility of AA/UA flights in First/Business for my planned America trip next July for Independence day. The AA point calculator was confusing for me when I checked last, Do you know how much it would cost in these classes from BNE-JFK? Not cheap I'm assuming haha

Ah yes, as a uni student myself that's my favourite time to travel.

Flights to New York using AA miles are actually surprisingly affordable - 80,000 miles in business and 110,000 in first (one way). UA from memory is 5,000 miles more in both classes. The main problem though would be finding award availability. This is often much more difficult on direct flights between Australia and North America. Travelling via New Zealand could be an option though now that UA and AA both fly to AKL. But you'll generally get much better availability via Asia.

 

[brown891]

Ah yes, as a uni student myself that's my favourite time to travel.

Flights to New York using AA miles are actually surprisingly affordable - 80,000 miles in business and 110,000 in first (one way). UA from memory is 5,000 miles more in both classes. The main problem though would be finding award availability. This is often much more difficult on direct flights between Australia and North America. Travelling via New Zealand could be an option though now that UA and AA both fly to AKL. But you'll generally get much better availability via Asia.

This one for SYD-BKK-NRT appears not too bad? What's the go with Saver vs. Flex First class tickets? UA also doesn't have the 8hr rule like LM?

EDIT: "Tax Recovery Fee" is savage even at hypothetically purchasing 40000 points in the idea that its on a 100% bonus miles plan. USD$1400 for 40000 + $105USD Tax fee - Approx $2000AUD
Hoping the AUD climbs against the USD in the near future haha

 

[junbugging]

Nicest way I know of to get to JFK is SIN-NRT-JFK in NH F for 99,000 LMs. You'd obviously need to find a reasonable way to get to SIN, though. Currently availability for (say) July 1.

Or if you don't mind slumming it in Business for some of the way, you can do SYD-HND-JFK in NH J/F for 111,000 LMs + USD118.77.

Flying ANA in F is like visiting Japan, so you'd effectively get two trips.

 

[brown891]

Nicest way I know of to get to JFK is SIN-NRT-JFK in NH F for 99,000 LMs. You'd obviously need to find a reasonable way to get to SIN, though. Currently availability for (say) July 1.

Or if you don't mind slumming it in Business for some of the way, you can do SYD-HND-JFK in NH J/F for 111,000 LMs + USD118.77.

Flying ANA in F is like visiting Japan, so you'd effectively get two trips.

"Slumming it in Business" hahahah that made me laugh, I would cop business any day of the week! Yeah I've heard ANA are pretty good with their fleet of 789's
What does 111,000 LM's set one back?

 

[knasty]

The easiest way to fulfill the dream would be Emirates across the ditch....pretty easily done through credit card sign ups etc at almost no cost.

Not quite long haul admittedly but you can cram food wine and shower into a few hours...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

"Slumming it in Business" hahahah that made me laugh, I would cop business any day of the week! Yeah I've heard ANA are pretty good with their fleet of 789's
What does 111,000 LM's set one back?

Lifemiles work out to USD 1.5c per mile when they have a 100% bonus on.

Note that many airlines have different sweet-spots for travel to asia. For lifemiles tokyo is cheaper than Bangkok (50K vs 60K one way), United prices HKG (via bkk) for cheaper than Tokyo. Using UA miles for HKG rather than Tokyo can save a fair bit on the fare and you still get the four flights plus the ground handling in BKK.

 

[brown891]

Lifemiles work out to USD 1.5c per mile when they have a 100% bonus on.

Note that many airlines have different sweet-spots for travel to asia. For lifemiles tokyo is cheaper than Bangkok (50K vs 60K one way), United prices HKG (via bkk) for cheaper than Tokyo. Using UA miles for HKG rather than Tokyo can save a fair bit on the fare and you still get the four flights plus the ground handling in BKK.

Yeah is HKG classed as "South Asia" in their fares? Haven't been to HK so I'm thinking about that as well.
Can I ask - If it were you in my position, going from Sydney and there was a UA 100% bonus out, what would you do destination wise and points purchase wise?

Can be anywhere... Just keen to hear your opinion

 

[Mattg]

View attachment 77911
This one for SYD-BKK-NRT appears not too bad? What's the go with Saver vs. Flex First class tickets? UA also doesn't have the 8hr rule like LM?

As MEL_Traveller mentioned, Australia or NZ to "South Asia" will be cheaper than going to Japan using United miles. South Asia does indeed include Hong Kong - as well as Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines & Bangladesh.

Japan is very good value with Lifemiles though - 40,000 LifeMiles in business or 50,000 in first.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yeah is HKG classed as "South Asia" in their fares? Haven't been to HK so I'm thinking about that as well.
Can I ask - If it were you in my position, going from Sydney and there was a UA 100% bonus out, what would you do destination wise and points purchase wise?

Can be anywhere... Just keen to hear your opinion

As Mattg points out is six of one and half dozen of the other - either LM to Tokyo or UA to HKG. Both are roughly the same price.

However - the deciding factor for me would be the ease of booking with UA compared to Lifemiles. The screenshot method is 'just' ok - easy enough to send off the request but then you muck around waiting for them to call (or you having to call them). Muck around while your credit card may or may not go through (remember to call your bank first). Waiting around while the seats may actually go while LM is processing your booking (although I haven't yet seen an example of that happen, but it could very easily). The advantage of LM? You only need to buy 40% of the miles up front and can pay the rest in cash at the time you book. And the purchased miles are at the same rate as the 100% bonus (1.5 cents each).

UA gives you straight-forward easy booking. Plus easy and good customer service if you need it. If you get 'TG'ed' (equipment swap) - much easier to deal with UA than LM. The downside? You need to buy all your miles in a single go. No topping up for the cheap rate later.

I'd buy UA miles. AUD2000 all up SYD-BKK-HKG is a sweet deal. Plus you can use UA miles for some flights you can't get under lifemiles - like Air China. So if you change your mind you have more options.

 

[brown891]

As MEL_Traveller mentioned, Australia or NZ to "South Asia" will be cheaper than going to Japan using United miles. South Asia does indeed include Hong Kong - as well as Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines & Bangladesh.

Japan is very good value with Lifemiles though - 40,000 LifeMiles in business or 50,000 in first.

However - the deciding factor for me would be the ease of booking with UA compared to Lifemiles. The screenshot method is 'just' ok - easy enough to send off the request but then you muck around waiting for them to call (or you having to call them). Muck around while your credit card may or may not go through (remember to call your bank first). Waiting around while the seats may actually go while LM is processing your booking (although I haven't yet seen an example of that happen, but it could very easily). The advantage of LM? You only need to buy 40% of the miles up front and can pay the rest in cash at the time you book. And the purchased miles are at the same rate as the 100% bonus (1.5 cents each).

UA gives you straight-forward easy booking. Plus easy and good customer service if you need it. If you get 'TG'ed' (equipment swap) - much easier to deal with UA than LM. The downside? You need to buy all your miles in a single go. No topping up for the cheap rate later.

I'd buy UA miles. AUD2000 all up SYD-BKK-HKG is a sweet deal. Plus you can use UA miles for some flights you can't get under lifemiles - like Air China. So if you change your mind you have more options.

So to sum up
SYD-BKK-HKG First Class most likely Thai Airways w/UA for AUD2000 (approx) when there is a 100% promo out for miles
Pros:
- Better customer service
- Ease of purchasing & Booking
Cons:
- Must buy all points straight up

SYD-BKK-NRT First Class Thai Airways w/LM for 50000miles @ USD33/1000. This would be USD825 (AUD1200 once bank fees etc) for 25000miles when there is a 100% promo? Excl. Taxes
Pros:
- Cheaper than UA for this specific route
- 40% payment for miles upfront
- Relatively simple way of finding flights (screenshot method)
Cons:
- Time taken to actually purchase and secure flights
- 8hr rule
- Poor customer service

Have said Thai airways just as example because they offer a very good First Class experience from what I have read.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Your goal is very achievable within the time period specified. Credit card sign on bonuses are the way to go. Try for at least 5 cards a year. That will net your north of 250,000 point. Do that for 4 years and you'll have 1 million points +.

5 per year: I think that is poor advice to a 21 year old as they would run too great a risk of creating a poor credit record. And at 21 they are just starting out in independent life. The OP needs to appreciate that life is a balancing act and that they need to look after all aspects of their life, and that some long-termthinking is just as necessary as short-term benefits.. Investing in memories through travel is highly recommended but not at the price of risking financial handicaps. They may be seeking home or investment loans in not that long a time and so do not want a poor credit rating.

By all means they can take some credit card sign on bonii (though at 21 their income may limit them from getting the best deals). I would suggest that they focus on the ones that for them are best value, but not to overdo things. Churning many many cards is best done later once you have a number of financial aspects in place.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

To the Op: You can do it. My eldest daughter is 25 now and has about 100K of Krisfkyer miles, 250K of QFF points and 50K of Amex MR points. And that is after having already redeemed for some flights.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So to sum up
SYD-BKK-HKG First Class most likely Thai Airways w/UA for AUD2000 (approx) when there is a 100% promo out for miles


SYD-BKK-NRT First Class Thai Airways w/LM for 50000miles @ USD33/1000. This would be USD825 (AUD1200 once bank fees etc) for 25000miles when there is a 100% promo? Excl. Taxes

Yes - except the UA is the return price, and the LM is one way. Plus with the cheaper top up option for lifemiles you can get a large portion of them for 1.5 cents each. So on a return basis UA or LM it works out both pretty much the same.

 

[flying_double]

Only advice I have is to make sure you enjoy the four year journey (or however long it takes) getting there, because the actual flight will be over way too quickly to devote years of planning, spending, earning etc just for one day of your life in First Class.

 

[brown891]

To the Op: You can do it. My eldest daughter is 25 now and has about 100K of Krisfkyer miles, 250K of QFF points and 50K of Amex MR points. And that is after having already redeemed for some flights.

WOW! She's done a great job. How did she manage that?!

 

[brown891]

Yes - except the UA is the return price, and the LM is one way. Plus with the cheaper top up option for lifemiles you can get a large portion of them for 1.5 cents each. So on a return basis UA or LM it works out both pretty much the same.

Ooo Okay! I didn't realise the UA is return price that's unreal.
What's the top up option with LM? Is that referring to the pay for only 40% of the miles straight up thing??
Sorry, I'm a rookie haha