Originally Posted by
guv1976
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
Very important for the OP to let us know what his desired class of service is. If Coach is acceptable, one can get some amazing values by redeeming BA miles for travel on AA because of BA's free, en-route stopover policy. For example, 17,500 BA miles will yield the following one-way award on AA in Coach: Hawaii-LAX (stopover for weeks or months) -MIA (stopover) -Caribbean. Or 20,000 BA miles will get you an award on LAN for LAX-LIM (stop) -SCL (stop) -IPC (Easter Island).
Redeeming AA miles can be very good, too, for some itineraries, as AA permits a stopover at the North American "gateway" on international awards. In off season, you can get Hawaii-LAX (stop) -Europe (but only if you can find award space on nonstop flights from LAX to Europe operated by AA or its partners).
We are flexible on class of service. In general, I'd say if flight is 8hr or less coach is fine. Over 8 hours, we'd have to weigh comfort vs. miles needed when deciding between first/business class and coach.
I find the stopover ideas intriguing. If we decided on a Caribbean trip, for example, a second week in Miami might work. I wonder if we could do LAX-Lima-Quito for the Galapagos and Machu Picchu, can we elegantly get back from Quito-LAX on LAN? Is either BA or AA better for booking flights on LAN? Could we somehow fly LAX to Thailand with Hawaii as a stopover? If we decided on Ireland and UK. are we better off flying LAX to London to Dublin on BA or should we fly through Dublin on a partner to avoid BA taxes? Spain is best on Iberia, I assume?
In general, we'd be looking at no more than 2 locales/trip, max trip length 14 +/- a few days.
H