300K Miles to burn - where to go
Oct 8, 2012, 7:19 am
#16
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,120
Japan in June would be good - July-August to hot, muggy. If it were me though I'd opt for Spain - Mallorca is great and reachable by IB.
Oct 8, 2012, 8:07 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,387
DPS is indeed in good clime in June- it's dry season.
Phuket, OTOH, is in rainy season in Northern Hemisphere summer compared to Northern Hemisphere winter.
Phuket, OTOH, is in rainy season in Northern Hemisphere summer compared to Northern Hemisphere winter.
Oct 8, 2012, 10:05 am
#18
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,120
For SE Asia 10 days is very short - you'll spend 2 or more just getting to your destination.
Oct 8, 2012, 12:50 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: STL
Programs: AA 2MM, AS MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,966
I think you're being a little harsh here, but I think you and I interpreted the OP a little differently. I interpreted his post to be that he wants to do a special vacation with his wife and wants a more ideal climate for it, to make it even more special, not that he refuses to go see her family when it's cold (were he that averse to cold he probably wouldn't have ORD as a home base).
And I totally get it; the "go see the in-laws" trip can be one where you book ORD-NRT on AA (to upgrade), connecting to JL or QF in Y+ because it's all about survival; this isn't a trip where "getting there is half the fun" (though depending on his relationship with the in-laws getting home may be
).
As to the OP's very high-class problem, if the fuel surcharges aren't too much to swallow then perhaps BA to Europe and then either the south of France or Greek Islands? BA isn't CX from what I've heard (though I've only flown the former) but still better than AA. And while I know there was a desire to try a true int'l F product, don't forget that by next summer AA will have a number of 77Ws in service to LHR and South America.
And I totally get it; the "go see the in-laws" trip can be one where you book ORD-NRT on AA (to upgrade), connecting to JL or QF in Y+ because it's all about survival; this isn't a trip where "getting there is half the fun" (though depending on his relationship with the in-laws getting home may be
).As to the OP's very high-class problem, if the fuel surcharges aren't too much to swallow then perhaps BA to Europe and then either the south of France or Greek Islands? BA isn't CX from what I've heard (though I've only flown the former) but still better than AA. And while I know there was a desire to try a true int'l F product, don't forget that by next summer AA will have a number of 77Ws in service to LHR and South America.
If, instead of responding to the plain, clear meaning of someone's post, we dream up something else entirely and respond to that, because we would not agree with what the poster clearly says, that will take our forum more in the direction of the Penthouse forum.
Oct 8, 2012, 1:05 pm
#20
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: AA SPG Amex
Posts: 4,644
You're right - we interpreted it differently. When the OP said that he "really wanted to go to SYD so she can visit family but it's cold there then", and proceded to rule out a trip to SYD, I thought he wasn't willing to go to SYD because it was cold there then, not because "he wants to do a special vacation with his wife and wants a more ideal climate for it, to make it even more special" (which he didn't say). If he really meant what you thought he meant, it would have been helpful if he just said so, instead of saying something totally different which he didn't mean. On the other hand, maybe he really did mean what he said.
If, instead of responding to the plain, clear meaning of someone's post, we dream up something else entirely and respond to that, because we would not agree with what the poster clearly says, that will take our forum more in the direction of the Penthouse forum.
If, instead of responding to the plain, clear meaning of someone's post, we dream up something else entirely and respond to that, because we would not agree with what the poster clearly says, that will take our forum more in the direction of the Penthouse forum.
Oct 10, 2012, 5:33 am
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA, SPG
Posts: 202
What I meant about SYD was......my wife would LOVE to go in JUNE-AUG but she would like to make the most out of it and not go when its cold. They come to ORD a good amount so it's not like we NEVER see them.
I totally forgot about the 77W. But quite honestly after all these TR's, I really want to stick with CX and QF F.
I was looking at Nha Trang and it looks unreal. Trying to figure out that itinerary. The whole goal of the trip is to try a true F and go out of our element and adventure out. I might possibly be going to Venice for business so she would come with me on that trip (so im cancelling that out).
So currently these are the options im weighing out.
1. SYD (over her december break and sublet to a points booking company)
2. Nha Trang
3. HKG
4. Maldives
I totally forgot about the 77W. But quite honestly after all these TR's, I really want to stick with CX and QF F.
I've been to the HKT beaches, and while they look great, the entire area is pretty scummy. You have 50 year old Caucasian men hanging out at bars and beaches with teenage women (girls). On the beach, it is a non-stop parade of locals selling fruit / sunglasses / shirts / temporary tattoos etc.
An alternative you might want to consider is Vietnam. Great place to visit with gorgeous beaches, as well as a great deal of history. Since the country stretches so far (travelling from the North end to the South is the same distance as Maine to Florida), even in the middle of summer you should be able to find some great destinations without stifling heat.
An alternative you might want to consider is Vietnam. Great place to visit with gorgeous beaches, as well as a great deal of history. Since the country stretches so far (travelling from the North end to the South is the same distance as Maine to Florida), even in the middle of summer you should be able to find some great destinations without stifling heat.
So currently these are the options im weighing out.
1. SYD (over her december break and sublet to a points booking company)
2. Nha Trang
3. HKG
4. Maldives
Oct 10, 2012, 9:07 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,387
What I meant about SYD was......my wife would LOVE to go in JUNE-AUG but she would like to make the most out of it and not go when its cold. They come to ORD a good amount so it's not like we NEVER see them.
I totally forgot about the 77W. But quite honestly after all these TR's, I really want to stick with CX and QF F.
I was looking at Nha Trang and it looks unreal. Trying to figure out that itinerary. The whole goal of the trip is to try a true F and go out of our element and adventure out. I might possibly be going to Venice for business so she would come with me on that trip (so im cancelling that out).
So currently these are the options im weighing out.
1. SYD (over her december break and sublet to a points booking company)
2. Nha Trang
3. HKG
4. Maldives
I totally forgot about the 77W. But quite honestly after all these TR's, I really want to stick with CX and QF F.
I was looking at Nha Trang and it looks unreal. Trying to figure out that itinerary. The whole goal of the trip is to try a true F and go out of our element and adventure out. I might possibly be going to Venice for business so she would come with me on that trip (so im cancelling that out).
So currently these are the options im weighing out.
1. SYD (over her december break and sublet to a points booking company)
2. Nha Trang
3. HKG
4. Maldives
That being said, if you really have to do it, do it...
Oct 10, 2012, 10:24 am
#23
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Bali, IMO, would be great - some n.e. beaches, some highlands out of Ubud... memorable, friendly people, I think you'd love it (even not knowing your predilections in travel).
Oct 10, 2012, 11:00 am
#24
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 715
Why not plan a RTW explorer ticket for 130k miles each.