Originally Posted by
DDResq
Longtime reader, but this is my first time posting. My girlfriend and I have been talking about a RTW trip for a while now and are tentatively thinking about planning one in 1.5-2 years. I currently have the following points (hers in parenthesis):
American Express: ~300k
Chase UR: ~65k (~50k)
Delta: ~145k (~50k)
AA: ~180k (~50k)
We want to do something along the lines of NYC > CPT > BKK > NAN > SYD > AKL > LAX/SFO. We are hoping to use miles to book the entire trip, and are trying to figure out if it's best to save up and book a RTW ticket on points or book individual flights with points on different airlines.
We are obviously in the embryonic stages of planning, but any help and guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Consider nesting a couple of different trips. For instance, Aeroplan allows you to fly from YYZ-SYD with 21,000mi MPM each way over the Atlantic (position NYC-YYZ) and they allow you 2 stopovers in addition to your point of turnaround (which is SYD).
So try ~something~ like this:
NYC-YYZ (4,500 BA Avios + $5).
YYZ-CPT (stopover)
CPT-BKK (stopover)
BKK-SYD (point of turnaround) as the outbound portion of your Aeroplan award.
SYD-AKL for 10,000 BA Avios + a few dollars on Qantas.
AKL-NAN on Fiji for American miles for 20/30/45K AA, or Money on Fiji or Air New Zealand.
NAN-SYD on Fiji for American miles for 20/30/45K AA, or Money on Fiji or Virgin Australia or Jetstar.
SYD-YYZ as the return portion of your Aeroplan award.
YYZ-SFO/LAX as a domestic award or for money.
Seems pretty doable given what you have. Head over to the Aeroplan forum to learn how to avoid fuel surcharges.