This week’s trip report again features a popular use of Qantas points, in the form of the OneWorld Award that allows for 5 stopovers and 35,000 miles of travel. With Business Class requiring just 280,000 points, it can be a very effective use of points. And as with most awards, there are no limitations on nesting flights between stopovers, making it possible to stretch the ticket into two journeys. This is exactly what our member has done for this redemption, effectively getting two journeys to Europe thanks to a long stopover in Singapore.
This is the final itinerary: Coffs Harbour-Sydney-Hong Kong-Milan (STOP 1 – by car and train through northern Italy to Rome, with a small detour to the Cote d’Azur); Rome-Doha-Singapore (STOP 2). We then return home on a purchased discount economy return ticket. Then starting again in May 15, we take the return flight to Singapore and resume the Award trip: Singapore to Prague via Amsterdam, Vienna, and Helsinki returning to Coffs via Helsinki, Bangkok and Sydney.
It would be pretty hard to get better value out of an award redemption. Not only has our traveller managed to get a lot of flights into the 5 stopover limit. They are also grabbing a cheap ex Singapore fare to split the trips. The routing certainly left our members impressed.
I like the way you planned this round the world, very clever! Enjoy your trip
With the booking done, it was not long before the first night of the journey arrived. Like most country and interstate travellers, a stay in Sydney was a necessity in order to connect with the outbound international flight. Once again the Rydges at the airport was the chosen venue. Staying at what is effectively the front door of the terminal can be handy. It can also throw off the odd red herring, especially if you like the view!
One problem with having a room with a room of the airport is when you look out the window to see your flight take off without you!
Well yes it was a Cathay flight and it was 8-00am but that was check-in time not take off time! Or was it? I have to admit I did check our ticket and was able to confirm it wasn’t our flight, but rather the earlier flight. Phew.
So walk across the road to check-in, handed a priority pass for immigration and off to the QF Business lounge for breakfast. Actually breakfast was quite good and washed down with a glass of champagne. We boarded on time and set off a little after 10-00.
With quite a few flights still to come, lets hope our traveller does not miss any flights. This trip report is going to take some time to complete, and no doubt will be worth checking in on from time to time. Who knows, you might even pick up some tips, including how to store luggage for free in Hong Kong. Enjoy the journey HERE.
