My annual trip to Melbourne in January has been booked with the majority of flights (all one way) booked between May of this year and this month. I have only one segment to book and it is the first flight to position myself to begin my trip from LIS.

UK ‐ Vietnam
Positioning flight LHR-LIS is yet to be booked. In May I booked a one way through ticket on BA from LIS-LHR Economy connecting same day LHR-HKG on Cathay Pacific in Premium Economy. Fare was £390 one way, E Class. Arrive following day connecting on Cathay Pacific to HAN same day. This was an Avios Economy redemption booked via Qatar for 6000 Avios + £48 tax. Overnight in Hanoi.

Vietnam - Australia
In September I booked a Lifemiles redemption from SGN to BNE (via TPE) in Business on Eva Air. Cost was 40,000 Lifemiles and US$90 taxes and redemption fee. Flights were booked to arrive on the final weekend of the Australian Open. Positioning flight from HAN-SGN was booked earlier this month, Economy one way on Vietnam Airlines for around £59, connecting to Eva Air to TPE. Overnight in Brisbane. Following morning Virgin Australia BNE-MEL one way for AU$190 in Economy. One week in Melbourne.

Australia - Korea
Originally I booked Qatar Airways Q-Suite MEL‐DOH-LHR for beginning of February for 90,000 Avios + £186 taxes and fees. This was cancelled as I needed the 90,000 for a potential BA 2‐4‐1 companion redemption. Instead I booked Jetstar Business SYD-ICN one way for AU$749. As I had a AU$400 voucher for a delayed flight I only paid $349, equivalent to the £186 taxes and fees I paid for my Qatar Q-Suite redemption. Also redeemed 12,500 Avios for MEL-SYD on Qantas in Business. Overnight in Sydney and overnight in Seoul. Edited to add: Qantas flight now cancelled, rebooked Virgin Australia Sale fare in Y for AU$119 including checked bag. Cost £23.50 loss of taxes for Avios cancellation. 12,500 Avios richer for a total cost of Au$119 + £23.50.

Korea - Japan
I used Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points to book a one way flight in Business on Korean Air from ICN-KIX. Again, just one night in Osaka. Cost was 15,500 points plus US$21 taxes.

Japan ‐ UK
Earlier this month I booked Singapore Airlines NRT-SIN-LHR one way in Business for 228,200 JPY (approx £1179). Plan is to take Japan Railways Kodama Shinkansen (Platt Kodama green car) from Shin-Osaka to Narita Airport in the morning for my evening departure with overnight layover in SIN. Arrival in SIN is at 01:20am and departure for LHR is at 09:00am. Distance NRT-SIN-LHR is just under 500 miles less than MEL-SIN-LHR, providing great mileage earning opportunity 👍