Whirlwind space-themed USA visit -- help please!

[Dr Ralph]

I know I'm taking a risk that other reward flights will become available, but I'm inclined not to book the Singapore Airlines MEL-SIN-MAN-IAH itinerary to Houston that is now available for January 2025. It's 145,500 KrisFlyer points plus A$151 ... the problem is that if something better becomes available it's USD 75 to cancel.

I'm hoping that at some point this year a one-stop reward itinerary in Business class will become available -- preferably either MEL-SYD-IAH on Virgin/United or MEL-DFW-IAH on Qantas/American.

I'd be booking the available flight option now. Paying $75 US to cancel is chicken feed in the world of chasing award flights. A bird in the hand is always best in this situtation. Post COVID, absolutely no one can accurately predict award flight releases.

 

[dajop]

. Paying $75 US to cancel is chicken feed in the world of chasing award flights.

I was going to say similar, it's chicken feed in context of an overall trip to the US for 10 or so days. where in a lot of places accommodation could well be $300 USD++ /night.

 

[newmarket]

The Air Force museum in Dayton Ohio is a must see.

 

[Human]

OK @Dr Ralph and @dajop you've convinced me!

One SQ Saver Award from Melbourne to Houston via Singapore and Manchester booked. All 36 hours of it.

As an avid AFF reader I knew about the Fifth Freedom Singapore Airlines flight from MAN to IAH -- never imagined I'd be taking it!

 

[I love to travel]

I know I'm taking a risk that other reward flights will become available, but I'm inclined not to book the Singapore Airlines MEL-SIN-MAN-IAH itinerary to Houston that is now available for January 2025. It's 145,500 KrisFlyer points plus A$151 ... the problem is that if something better becomes available it's USD 75 to cancel.

I'm hoping that at some point this year a one-stop reward itinerary in Business class will become available -- preferably either MEL-SYD-IAH on Virgin/United or MEL-DFW-IAH on Qantas/American.

QF and UA will be hard to get flights on. Mel sin jfk/ewr could also be an option!

 

[Dr Ralph]

OK @Dr Ralph and @dajop you've convinced me!

One SQ Saver Award from Melbourne to Houston via Singapore and Manchester booked. All 36 hours of it.

As an avid AFF reader I knew about the Fifth Freedom Singapore Airlines flight from MAN to IAH -- never imagined I'd be taking it!

Smart move I think. I've been burnt before by waiting and hoping.

 

[jb747]

Cape Canaveral a half day is more than enough.

Guess you aren’t a space nerd. I was just getting started at two days when visited.

I had a trip planned, with the flights booked, back in 2020. I was going to see all of the shuttles, plus the USAF museum. Covid happened, and now it’s gone from the agenda.

 

[Human]

Guess you aren’t a space nerd. I was just getting started at two days when visited.

I had a trip planned, with the flights booked, back in 2020. I was going to see all of the shuttles, plus the USAF museum. Covid happened, and now it’s gone from the agenda.

From looking at the things to do and the possible itineraries, a two-day visit to Kennedy Space Center looks about right for me.

Plan Your Trip to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

www.kennedyspacecenter.com

 

[Human]

I now have a return flight booked: JFK-DOH-MEL on Qatar for 120,000 Avios and USD 211 carrier charges. Quite happy with that — the exact origin/destination and dates I wanted, and only USD 25 to cancel if something better comes along.

I’m still hoping that at some stage this year Qantas will do another mass release and I’ll be able to pick up MEL-DFW-IAH there and JFK-AKL-MEL back using some of the Qantas points I haven’t been able to use — or that United will have availability via Velocity. But at least I have definite flights booked in the meantime, so I can get into the nitty-gritty of booking the domestic flights and accommodation.