Looking at RTW in September from MIA eastbound in business class and considering VS/SQ RTW partnership deal, only because unlimited flights/miles for $6,600 ($3600 economy)
South Africa, Singapore, Vietnam, Shanghai and New Zealand are the only places I definitely must visit, any other options are a bonus. The main problem is everything after S. Africa must route back through SIN, and final leg from NZ to USA makes for a long flight via SIN.
Any suggestions or alternatives from the expert much appreciated.
Routing appears to be between 33,000- 35,000 miles. Yes there are restrictions. You do have to keep traveling in the same direction.
However, I am told by VS RTW expert, that if you are traveling in an East to West direction, as long as your next destinion is east of your next departure city, you can route through SIN as many times as you want.
For example, you can travel from LHR to Moscow, but you have to travel through SIN. Then you can travel from Moscow to Rome, but again travel through SIN. Lot of long hauls for short distances, and you would obviously use one of the budget airlines for travel around Europe. But for multiple destination in the far east, it gives the option to visit all of Asia (or in fact all of VS or SQ destinations not on a code share) by keep routing through SIN/LON.
You are allowed only one stay in SIN and LON, however you are allowed unrestricted layovers less than 24 hours. So you could break up some long flights with unlimited overnights in SIN if you can schedule your flights to arrive and depart within that 24 hour layover.
Sounds like a great deal at $3600 economy and $6600 business, which of course is Upper Class on VS. Just wondered if there were better options to avoid all the backtracking through SIN/LON