Trying to get from MEL-ROR

[calgarychris]

Hi,

I'm looking at a potential trip for myself and Mrs. Calgarychris from Melbourne to Koror and it seems like options are limited and prices are high. I therefore have a question I'd like to run past you experts. It would appear that United is one of the carriers that flies to Koror and while browsing pointshack.com.au I came across a promo that United is running to purchase their points. Now, I'm not a member of United's Mileageplus program, but as I understand it, I can join and buy points. If I buy 85,000 points (the max) I end up with 148,750 which is not quite the 160,000 for us to travel business class. If I buy 12,000 points in her name, for a couple of hundred I can transfer them into my account. The flights are:

MEL - BKK (Thai Airways business) - 2hrs connection (??)
BKK - MNL (Thai Airways business)
MNL - ROR (United economy)
Total travel time 27hrs

return is the reverse but 37 hrs due to 14hrs in MNL

All up I think the cost of points plus fees plus transfers etc was ~$5,500. I guess I have a couple of questions:

1. I've never used (let alone bought!) points - I'm new - is this a safe thing to do? I would obviously book the travel asap after buying the points. My concern is that I'm not a United member, never have been, don't live in the US…Do folks sign up for overseas points programs normally?
2. How is Thai (or United) business class? I chose Thai over United as the reviews on pointshack suggested the latter is not that special
3. Can anyone suggest a better/cheaper/easier route?
4. Is 2hrs connection enough time?
5. I've only flown business class once, and it adds considerably to the cost (about $3K), but I'm thinking with the connection times being 8-14hrs we might like lounge access, from what I read here, most would think that's worth it?

Any feedback or help would be much appreciated as I discover the wonderful world of points and travel hacking

Thanks and sorry for the stupid questions

Cheers
Chris

 

[Boca68]

Yep, it is a convaluted journey to get there. Just some quick searching on Google.

The only thought that immediately came to mind when reading your post, is the United Miles sounds as if it is a promotion for bonus miles, correct? Like buy 10,000 and get 15,000. If it is a promotion, usually you are required to be a member for at least 30 days before you can buy miles on promos. I don't know Uniteds policy, so I could be wrong. But you might want to check that.

Just searching Google, there J fares for around the $4500 to 5500 around anyway. But, the cheaper end seems to more often than not go via PVG or ICN. Although I did see a couple Thai/United there too. But I just picked a few dates in July/ August.

Good luck

 

[calgarychris]

Thanks Boca,

I will have to check - thanks for the pickup on the promo (it is indeed a promo). With regards to cost, the cost for the points was $2,700 pp or $5,500 total, so I think that's quite a bit cheaper than buying J.