Originally Posted by
eponymous_coward
There is that, and that is pretty much how I operate. I've known when I am going to be able to travel twice a year for some time now (and it's during periods when EVERYONE travels- summer and US Christmas). Been able to go to a lot of places with the assistance of AS miles.
Between a balance in *A (AV) and one in OW-ish + others (AS) I can usually get things done somehow.
With 13 Premium Cabin awards booked on EK J, CX F&J, QF F & JL F in the last 10 months I certainly agree with you on that. The two month long stopover between MEL-HKG & HKG-LAX adds value too. With status, I added the HKG-LAX F segment to an existing award for 50K more. I too have found availability in prior years for annual summertime European Vacations and Mediterranean Cruises in 2013-2017. As of late I am more focused on Australia, SE Asia and South Africa where we have friends.
I will admit that it has been a while since I have been under 5 digits without a crooked starting digit in my Mileage Plan account. RDM is easy to accumulate.
I don't redeem for AS awards either domestically or for their international destinations. Eligible fares and companion certificates assist in maintaining status.
I am not aware of another FF Program that provides enough RDM as a top tier elite on a discounted one-way transcon to redeem a one-way "hop" award like SEA-SFO.
As long as the RDM keep flowing and the redemptions are good I will be out Flying for Fun.
