Originally Posted by moondog
here are my thoughts:
OPTION 2
same as above, but fly to PEK via NRT (on NH or NW) instead of ICN and use miles to do SHA-ICN-SIN. i'm guessing this option would cost you about $200 more than the first (because NH is more expensive than KE/OZ) and maybe a few more miles for the intra-asia award, but i would probably do it anyway because NH's IAD-NRT flight is a great time saver.
Great ideas, Moondog. Last time I tried to fly PEK-SHA with Chinese airlines, it was a mess. I had to pick up the ticket at the airport the day before the flight, and then call to confirm my reservation. Has that gotten any easier?!
Also, ANA has direct flights from DC to Tokyo, so that could save A LOT of time. Looks like I could fly for ~$1000 in June, and then take a Qantas flight from NRT to MEL for ~$700.