Any ideas, anyone? :)

If you tried to book those as single tickets I can't see either one getting through.

I'm almost embarrassed to ask this because I'm convinced the answer must be "no", but, nothing ventured ... does anyone know if MEL-AKL-LHR (via LAX -- no stopover -- hoping this might swing it) would be a valid Z9-Z1 route?

On the specific date I need, this route is available but nothing else MEL-LHR is, at least not without a lot more hassle and/or time. ITA reports just £28 taxes for NZ2! :cool:

I would have thought that that would be valid, but others may be able to tell you for sure.

The first one is just being silly...the second one is just being marginally less silly. :D
How about settling for IST-BKK-HKG?

Yeah, I might have to do that or I thought I might get away with

FRA-KUL-BKK-HKG

The only problem being that FRA-KUL comes up as a one-stop flight in BKK but I thought if I'm not getting off...I might just get away with it!

No problems

Never redeemed that way around but I've always assumed it was valid. Search engines often suggest it when booking revenue tickets for example. It's about 30+ hours even with good connections versus 23ish the other way, but if there is nothing else going.

Let us know how you get on.

My assumption was that it being an extra 3,000 miles / 30% would be a problem. Your and everyone's messages are encouraging - thanks! I'll report back, hopefully in the "successful redemptions" thread :)

BKK-SIN(so)-DPS
 

Anybody got any recent experience as to whether ICC is allowing BKK-SIN(stopover)-DPS as a valid routing or do they insist you take direct BKK-DPS flight? Assuming it's ok, are SQ flights from SIN-DPS usually bookable or do they suffer from same SQ availability issues as other places like MLE?

Thanks in advance.

Thinking of 8-8 redemption
ULN-PEK(stop)-IST-ASB

do you think there will be any objections, this is serious backtracking, but you can only get to ASB from IST?

They allowed BKK-SIN-DPS last year but we didnt ask for a stopover.

Expect it to be closely scrutinised but eventually allowed (as long as you don't stop in IST) since the only way to get to ASB on *A is via Europe.

Expect them too to contemplate deducting additional miles should you decide to abandon your trip in IST...

The problem is I need to go to KUL. Any ideas?

Yep. Buy a ticket (which will be very cheap) from BKK-KUL-BKK. As HIDDY says, you will have real trouble getting to and from KUL and then to Z8 as it isn't a natural routing. Not impossible I'm sure, but just paying for a side ticket will be easier.