Originally Posted by
Silver Fox
OK, so the plot has changed a little. I am almost sold on the LHR-SIN-CHC route for sure but have not done any digging yet - and the reason for that is that my plans now call for some business in the USA on the way back. So, my preferred way of doing this would be:
LHR-SIN-CHC, then 3-4 weeks later:
CHC-SYD-SFO, then 2-3 weeks later:
SFO-LHR
I would like us to go business on each leg if poss, and wonder if it is a likely candidate for a round the world ticket in business? Does this make sense? Any other suggestions? Thanks.
Good luck getting business award using UA miles on SQ LHR-SIN. You might want to check out the UA or SQ forums for the possibilities; I wouldn't bet on being able to get multiple (or even 1) business award(s) on that route.
CHC-SYD-SFO: Kiwiflyer will correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't business class going away on tasman routes? CHC-AKL-SFO (all NZ) , or even CHC-AKL-LAX-(UA)-SFO may be shorter options. (CHC-SYD is nearly 3 hours, I think).
If you value business class over total travel time (and I'm right about SQ business award availability), I think your only options may be:
via ASIA:
LHR-BKK-AKL-CHC (TG+NZ)
LHR-HKG-AKL-CHC (NZ)
via N. America:
LHR-[YYZ-]YVR-AKL-CHC (AC+NZ)
LHR-LAX/SFO-AKL-CHC (UA+NZ) - UA will not let you have a NZ award LHR-LAX
LHR-LAX-SYD-CHC (UA+NZ)
Plus LH options via FRA/MUC...! (LHR-FRA/MUC-SIN-CHC may be possible in business?)
A final option, considering that you're not travelling at peak time for UK-NZ trips, is to think about paying $$ (or ££
) for the tickets, e.g. on NZ premium economy, and collecting the miles.
I think those are all the options, now you just need a few days in a dark/locked room with nothing but a PC,internet connection, and searching through the ANA tool for award availability
Good luck! (I might do a trip report on the LHR-SIN-CHC route in the next few weeks..)