After spending much time playing with the EK booking engine and some looking into other options I have decided to do a return redemption SIN-MEL-SIN in J on EK... so the trip is SIN-MEL in J the day after the day I wanted... And then MEL-SIN in J on a Friday towards the middle of next year.

I needed to top-up miles a bit, so all up the cost will be around $350-400 AUD, which is okay, but not great... But it does get rid of all my pesky EK miles which would have gone to waste otherwise.

I’m not sure if I will use the MEL-SIN leg next year. But given that it’s such a long way out, I have flexibility to look at sales and other options as they come to hand over the coming months.

In the first instance SIN-MEL one-way in J for $350 (plus miles which would have otherwise been lost) is still a reasonable deal and if I can work out how to use the other sector as part of a future itinerary then it’s a bonus.

More discussion of other options on AFF.