Asia Destinations For First Timers
May 24, 2017, 10:38 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: SPG, Chase, Citi, Alaska, Southwest
Posts: 4
Asia Destinations For First Timers
I am a total newbie at this so I hope you will excuse any ignorance I may have.
My girlfriend and I (40 & 50 yrs) have been giving a lot of thought to visiting Bali. We picked Bali based on photos we've seen on websites and Instagram. The pricing seemed attractive to so we thought it would be a nice place to try. We've been to the Cook Islands and Bora Bora and are hoping to capture the same types of nice beaches, crystal blue waters, and resorts. We like the tropical coconut destinations with friendly locals.
Collectively we have some travel points we could use to supplement the journey. Alaska pts= 160,000, American Air pts= 70,000, IHG pts= 177,000, SPG pts 120,000, Chase pts 250,000, Barclay pts 200,000.
My question(s) are;
1. Is Bali a good choice or is there something better in the same region? We heard Bali has become the next Cancun and can be a bit overrun by Aussie partiers (nothing against my Aussie brothers). We're open to suggestions @:-)
2. What do you feel in the best option for points flights & routing from LAX? We certainly like Cathy Pacific but are open to other comfortable carriers provided we're not on a flight/layovers of 25+ hrs.
I would certainly appreciate anyone's assistance with tips or pointing me in the right direction. I periodically browse here for tips but just couldn't find enough about Bali.
My girlfriend and I (40 & 50 yrs) have been giving a lot of thought to visiting Bali. We picked Bali based on photos we've seen on websites and Instagram. The pricing seemed attractive to so we thought it would be a nice place to try. We've been to the Cook Islands and Bora Bora and are hoping to capture the same types of nice beaches, crystal blue waters, and resorts. We like the tropical coconut destinations with friendly locals.
Collectively we have some travel points we could use to supplement the journey. Alaska pts= 160,000, American Air pts= 70,000, IHG pts= 177,000, SPG pts 120,000, Chase pts 250,000, Barclay pts 200,000.
My question(s) are;
1. Is Bali a good choice or is there something better in the same region? We heard Bali has become the next Cancun and can be a bit overrun by Aussie partiers (nothing against my Aussie brothers). We're open to suggestions @:-)
2. What do you feel in the best option for points flights & routing from LAX? We certainly like Cathy Pacific but are open to other comfortable carriers provided we're not on a flight/layovers of 25+ hrs.
I would certainly appreciate anyone's assistance with tips or pointing me in the right direction. I periodically browse here for tips but just couldn't find enough about Bali.
May 25, 2017, 8:24 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: most of them
Posts: 3,283
my impression of the beaches was that they weren't especially clean. But some parts of the island are definitely quieter than others. Kuta is more popular with the partiers I believe.
Everyone I encountered was very nice - as is the case in most places. There are lots of historic and cultural sites around the island. But if you just want to lounge on the beach you can do that as well. I am not really a beach person though so I'm sure others here will have better answers to those questions. I preferred Ubud and the sights around there.
Korean Air should have decent connections via ICN. I believe they are still Alaska partners or you could transfer Chase or SPG points to KE's program. Or Star Alliance flights via NRT or SIN should be possible too. You'd need to look at the schedule.
Everyone I encountered was very nice - as is the case in most places. There are lots of historic and cultural sites around the island. But if you just want to lounge on the beach you can do that as well. I am not really a beach person though so I'm sure others here will have better answers to those questions. I preferred Ubud and the sights around there.
Korean Air should have decent connections via ICN. I believe they are still Alaska partners or you could transfer Chase or SPG points to KE's program. Or Star Alliance flights via NRT or SIN should be possible too. You'd need to look at the schedule.
May 29, 2017, 12:18 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: TK
Posts: 17
Been to Bali 7 or 8 times, my favourite location by far is Lovina Beach on the north coast. Black volcanic sand beach, much quieter than the resorts on south, west and east coasts. Good variety of accomodation, all of them will arrange for transfers from airport. Plenty to see and do nearby, e.g. I wanted a Balinese gong, so asked a taxi driver who took us to 2 or 3 local makers, found one that sounded well and at 2 ft. diameter would just fit in my hold luggage. Not expensive, enjoyable 1/2 day trip. Also countryside treks including "exciting" bamboo bridges, etc., etc.
May 29, 2017, 6:13 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NJ, USA
Posts: 2,837
May 31, 2017, 1:08 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Programs: Frontier Gold, DL estranged 1MMer, Spirit VIP, CO/NW/UA/AA once gold/plat/comped gold now dust.
Posts: 38,151
I've been to Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Tahiti and Moorea, and Bali isn't really something along those lines except for a few similarities to Rarotonga. It's more of a cultural destination than a beach destination IMO. The southern beaches do have the most hotels, but also the most-aggressive hawkers in the streets. Heck, there was even an Arby's when I went.
Much better was Ubud (in the center of the island) and all the daytours and nightly shows out of there. Lovina and Candi Dasa worked as less-visited beaches, but nothing so arresting like Aitutaki (or, I'd imagine, Bora-Bora). And rather than the grass skirts you get the kecak dance or the gamelan orchestra (amazing but in a different kind of way). I also came down with "Bali belly" once (not fun).
Nonetheless, I'm a big fan of Bali but it impressed in different ways than expected. Lombok and Gili were touted as having more natural beauty and fewer people (if you really want something unique, try the original spice islands in the Bandas in Maluku, though I dunno if it's safe there these days)
Hotels in Kuta/Sanur were so overbuilt when I went that low $20s got a nice midrange place with air-con, TV and private bath), and for Ubud I went further downscale for a cottage with mandi and breakfast on the porch (no climate control needed) at $10. Probably more today, but the point is that everything is so cheap that it seemed a waste to use hotel points. Nusa Dua was nice but cloistered and not very distinctive.
Much better was Ubud (in the center of the island) and all the daytours and nightly shows out of there. Lovina and Candi Dasa worked as less-visited beaches, but nothing so arresting like Aitutaki (or, I'd imagine, Bora-Bora). And rather than the grass skirts you get the kecak dance or the gamelan orchestra (amazing but in a different kind of way). I also came down with "Bali belly" once (not fun).
Nonetheless, I'm a big fan of Bali but it impressed in different ways than expected. Lombok and Gili were touted as having more natural beauty and fewer people (if you really want something unique, try the original spice islands in the Bandas in Maluku, though I dunno if it's safe there these days)
Hotels in Kuta/Sanur were so overbuilt when I went that low $20s got a nice midrange place with air-con, TV and private bath), and for Ubud I went further downscale for a cottage with mandi and breakfast on the porch (no climate control needed) at $10. Probably more today, but the point is that everything is so cheap that it seemed a waste to use hotel points. Nusa Dua was nice but cloistered and not very distinctive.