Originally Posted by RichardInSF

This is a topic much discussed on Flyertalk, just not in this luxury hotel forum. But I can't resist giving a few pointers that I have used.

In the miles and points forum go to the subforum "Mileage Run Deals" and then to the subforum of that called "Premium Fare Deals." You have to keep looking every day or two to find something you can use that originates in the USA but so far twice this year I have found two deals I am using.. One got me a round trip in business SFO-LHR-Munich and a second got me a round trip SFO-LHR-Rome, both in the range of $1900-2200. That's a good deal even if you have to add on an intra-European flight to where you really want to go.

You can further add to that by finding a credit card that gives a discount on at least one carrier or by other means. Amex has something called the "international airline program" (IAP) for Platinum and Centurion card holders (although their customer service can be weak). There's a Chase card with a 10% discount on BA, and if you join AARP -- which anyone can do and is cheap -- you can get a $200 discount on any BA TATL round trip in J or F. I'm sure there are plenty of others that I have missed discussed elsewhere on Flyertalk. Often the various discounts can be stacked.

TPAC is generally harder because the competition appears not to be as strong. But even there often deals can be found, particularly if you are willing to hub in one of the more competitive markets such as Bangkok.

I guess I am a travel planning nerd because I find the search to be enjoyable. I have even found a good airfare first and then used that as an excuse to plan a trip, even though in the end, what I spend on hotels really does end up being much more in total. But then the good hotels really do treat their customers way better than even the most allegedly customer-oriented airlines.