Help me take advantage of a gap in employment
Apr 4, 2015, 5:15 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ORD T3
Programs: AA PLT, HH Diamond
Posts: 38
Help me take advantage of a gap in employment
Hello Flyertalk!!
Here's the nutshell ask: I'm going to be unemployed for the next ~45 days. I would like to visit Shanghai and BKK during this time. Not the entire time, mind you....the last two weeks of April in PVG and the first week of May in BKK (coinciding with some friends that live over there's vacation schedules). The only thing that is set in stone, timing wise is the week in BKK, the rest is totally flexible.
Background: Long time Flyertalk member, went to the Chicago seminars a few years back and met a ton of awesome people. In the past when I've been out of work, one thing or another has prevented me from capitalizing on that time to travel. Coming off of an extremely challenging six months work and personally, I really need to decompress.
I'm working hard on my end to clear personal and professional obstacles for the cited three weeks...biggest of which is getting my elderly dog appropriate accommodations for that stint (I won't let her stay with just anyone).
I am, however, on a budget and further, am decidedly NOT an IATA ninja.
This is where hopefully some kind soul on this boar can lend me a hand. I need to book a flight that gets me over and back, for as little as possible - $2000 max budget for flights. AA or Oneworld, because I'm closing in on 2 million miles with them.
I have a vague recollection of people offering this sort of thing as a paid service, which I'm not averse to, but I need to be pointed in the right direction.
I'd be eternally grateful for whatever assistance the FT community might be able to offer.
PS. I've already acquired the ten year, multi entry China visa.
Here's the nutshell ask: I'm going to be unemployed for the next ~45 days. I would like to visit Shanghai and BKK during this time. Not the entire time, mind you....the last two weeks of April in PVG and the first week of May in BKK (coinciding with some friends that live over there's vacation schedules). The only thing that is set in stone, timing wise is the week in BKK, the rest is totally flexible.
Background: Long time Flyertalk member, went to the Chicago seminars a few years back and met a ton of awesome people. In the past when I've been out of work, one thing or another has prevented me from capitalizing on that time to travel. Coming off of an extremely challenging six months work and personally, I really need to decompress.
I'm working hard on my end to clear personal and professional obstacles for the cited three weeks...biggest of which is getting my elderly dog appropriate accommodations for that stint (I won't let her stay with just anyone).
I am, however, on a budget and further, am decidedly NOT an IATA ninja.
This is where hopefully some kind soul on this boar can lend me a hand. I need to book a flight that gets me over and back, for as little as possible - $2000 max budget for flights. AA or Oneworld, because I'm closing in on 2 million miles with them.
I have a vague recollection of people offering this sort of thing as a paid service, which I'm not averse to, but I need to be pointed in the right direction.
I'd be eternally grateful for whatever assistance the FT community might be able to offer.
PS. I've already acquired the ten year, multi entry China visa.
Apr 4, 2015, 6:09 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Tumi
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 473
If there's anything I can contribute its that you should just jump and find out what happens. Europe is a better option though, just because of the strong dollar and weak Euro. I just got back and it's super cheap.
Apr 4, 2015, 6:38 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ORD T3
Programs: AA PLT, HH Diamond
Posts: 38
However, the idea of a guest room in two locations in Asia makes it potentially more affordable.
Apr 4, 2015, 8:11 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA EXP (2.5MM), Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,859
Sorry, but FT is not the place for fare requests. There are plenty of resources and online services for finding tickets.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/infor...faqs-more.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onlin...ggregators.htm
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/infor...faqs-more.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onlin...ggregators.htm
Apr 7, 2015, 8:44 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 178
Basically anyone who is naturally long dollars, should take an opportunity to sell some here (i.e. by visiting other countries).
Apr 8, 2015, 1:08 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: Hilton credit card Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,653
google.com/flights is easy to use. Pick multi-city, and under Airline pick Oneworld. Here is a sample, spend some time experimenting with it, try different dates, and see what you can find. No need to be an IATA expert.
https://www.google.com/flights/#sear...L10;a=ONEWORLD
https://www.google.com/flights/#sear...L10;a=ONEWORLD
Apr 8, 2015, 11:21 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Tumi
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 473
It's not a strong dollar and weak euro, it's just a strong dollar. They are two sides of the same coin, so to speak. QECB definitely "weakened" the euro but most flows have been to USD. So look at anything in dollar denominated terms...it's most likely cheaper over the past 6 months. Crude, EM currencies, etc.
Basically anyone who is naturally long dollars, should take an opportunity to sell some here (i.e. by visiting other countries).
Basically anyone who is naturally long dollars, should take an opportunity to sell some here (i.e. by visiting other countries).
Apr 11, 2015, 1:31 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 44