where to go with miles from SEA
Mar 20, 2019, 7:37 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: delta diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 361
where to go with miles from SEA
Greetings...looking for suggestions. I am currently sitting on about 2 million Delta miles....I know....please no lectures. Looking for suggestions on where my wife and I should go visit. I really enjoy flying and still think it is amazing one can get around the world so fast. Looking for a mix of good business/first experience on the flight and neat destination. We really enjoy outdoors activities...running/cycling/hiking/diving etc. Big cities are OK for a day or so but not really our thing. Starting in SEA and can really go anytime. Anyone have cool experiences they want to share? Thanks.
Mar 20, 2019, 8:03 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond 1.7MM, Starlux Insighter, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,947
The best J experiences out of Seattle for the foreseeable future are going to be TPAC flights to asia. The new A330NEO is rumored to have suites when it launches mid year, and will be covering SEA-ICN/PVG/NRT at first.
Have you ever done Japan? It’s a lovely place to explore, and given what you’ve described I think the Kansai region (including especially Kyoto) would be right up your alley.
New Zealand is another great outdoorsy destination. Not the easiest to get there on miles, but if you can find Virgin Austealia award availability and are flexible it might be possible. Try searching LAX-BNE-AKL/CHC/ZQN for the best chance at finding something; you may need to pay for SEA-LAX yourself on a separate ticket to get the lowest rates.
Dont forget YVR is close by. Lots of DL partners fly out of there (China Airlines, China Eastern, Air France, KLM, Korean Air) giving you lots of chances to find decent award redemption values.
Have you ever done Japan? It’s a lovely place to explore, and given what you’ve described I think the Kansai region (including especially Kyoto) would be right up your alley.
New Zealand is another great outdoorsy destination. Not the easiest to get there on miles, but if you can find Virgin Austealia award availability and are flexible it might be possible. Try searching LAX-BNE-AKL/CHC/ZQN for the best chance at finding something; you may need to pay for SEA-LAX yourself on a separate ticket to get the lowest rates.
Dont forget YVR is close by. Lots of DL partners fly out of there (China Airlines, China Eastern, Air France, KLM, Korean Air) giving you lots of chances to find decent award redemption values.
Mar 20, 2019, 9:35 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Atlanta Metro
Programs: DL , AC, BA, Hhonors Diamond, IH Platinum, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,356
Let's see, 2 million Skymiles . . . at current redemption values that might get one of you to Des Moines and back in J.
Seriously, you'll be able to have a nice trip, but J redemptions on DL are just ridiculous. Somebody recently reported a 1 million Skymiles ticket.
But I agree, what about New Zealand/Australia? Maybe a side trip to Bali, or if you want something off the beaten path, Borobudur (on my bucket list). (Have no idea if you can get to Java with Skymiles.)
Seriously, you'll be able to have a nice trip, but J redemptions on DL are just ridiculous. Somebody recently reported a 1 million Skymiles ticket.
But I agree, what about New Zealand/Australia? Maybe a side trip to Bali, or if you want something off the beaten path, Borobudur (on my bucket list). (Have no idea if you can get to Java with Skymiles.)
Mar 20, 2019, 9:38 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, 1MM
Posts: 3,784
Think about a walking trip in Europe, what is called a “self-guided walking tour” in which you walk from inn to inn with your luggage moved each day. Europe is full of marked trails through woods, farmland, coastline, mountains, villages, castles, manor houses, ruins, etc. England is a good place to start because there are a number of companies there (US companies tend to be more expensive than European ones) that can set it all up and provide the maps and walking guides you need. PM me if you want more details; I’ve done five such walks in England, three in the Netherlands, and leave for a walk in France next week. It’s a great way to visit a country, a kind of micro-travel.
I haven’t yet done the above kind of walking trip in Norway but can strongly recommend that country to those who love the outdoors. It is spectacular!
I haven’t yet done the above kind of walking trip in Norway but can strongly recommend that country to those who love the outdoors. It is spectacular!
Last edited by CarmenOM; Mar 20, 2019 at 9:53 pm
Mar 20, 2019, 9:49 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, 1MM
Posts: 3,784
Let's see, 2 million Skymiles . . . at current redemption values that might get one of you to Des Moines and back in J.
Seriously, you'll be able to have a nice trip, but J redemptions on DL are just ridiculous. Somebody recently reported a 1 million Skymiles ticket.
But I agree, what about New Zealand/Australia? Maybe a side trip to Bali, or if you want something off the beaten path, Borobudur (on my bucket list). (Have no idea if you can get to Java with Skymiles.)
Seriously, you'll be able to have a nice trip, but J redemptions on DL are just ridiculous. Somebody recently reported a 1 million Skymiles ticket.
But I agree, what about New Zealand/Australia? Maybe a side trip to Bali, or if you want something off the beaten path, Borobudur (on my bucket list). (Have no idea if you can get to Java with Skymiles.)
Mar 20, 2019, 10:37 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: Delta 2M DM, Southwest A List and CP
Posts: 1,102
If I had miles and flexibilty, I would wait for the next award sale and see where I could go for a reasonable number of miles. Award sales often save a factor of two or more in terms of the number of miles required.
Mar 21, 2019, 2:40 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Kobe/Osaka
Programs: Delta
Posts: 1,587
SEA-KIX (Kansai airport, Osaka) flight is starting up in April. Kansai area is rich with history and great things to see. It seems to be the true Japan that people think about when wanting to visit the country.
https://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1105.html
https://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1105.html
Mar 21, 2019, 4:49 am
#8
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Delta Diamond; Marriott Gold Elite
Posts: 170
I've been saving up my PTO time for this
https://www.newzealand.com/au/campai..._all_Banner_na
https://www.newzealand.com/au/campai..._all_Banner_na
Mar 21, 2019, 5:37 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,057
Let's see, 2 million Skymiles . . . at current redemption values that might get one of you to Des Moines and back in J.
Seriously, you'll be able to have a nice trip, but J redemptions on DL are just ridiculous. Somebody recently reported a 1 million Skymiles ticket.
But I agree, what about New Zealand/Australia? Maybe a side trip to Bali, or if you want something off the beaten path, Borobudur (on my bucket list). (Have no idea if you can get to Java with Skymiles.)
Seriously, you'll be able to have a nice trip, but J redemptions on DL are just ridiculous. Somebody recently reported a 1 million Skymiles ticket.
But I agree, what about New Zealand/Australia? Maybe a side trip to Bali, or if you want something off the beaten path, Borobudur (on my bucket list). (Have no idea if you can get to Java with Skymiles.)
Mar 21, 2019, 8:22 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: AS 75K, DL Platinum
Posts: 631
New Zealand (hiking paradise everywhere)
Sabah (top-tier scuba at Sipidan, climb Mt Kinabalu)
Australia (hike Tansmania, bike Sydney, scuba GBR)
Germany/Austria/Switzerland (beautiful hiking and cycling)
I’d skip Japan. More city-focused. Also be careful of many SE Asian destinations. Many are catered towards relaxation and urban partying, not outdoor activities.
All destinations reachable with DL or a partner. Suggest you add LAX as a departure airport in your search.
Sabah (top-tier scuba at Sipidan, climb Mt Kinabalu)
Australia (hike Tansmania, bike Sydney, scuba GBR)
Germany/Austria/Switzerland (beautiful hiking and cycling)
I’d skip Japan. More city-focused. Also be careful of many SE Asian destinations. Many are catered towards relaxation and urban partying, not outdoor activities.
All destinations reachable with DL or a partner. Suggest you add LAX as a departure airport in your search.
Mar 21, 2019, 2:24 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA, BOS, SFO, DFW, ATL, DCA
Programs: DL DM 1MM, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, UA PS, VX, Natl EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 117
I would begin by checking award charts for the full 11 months out- to the end of the schedule. The people who complain about J awards being insanely overpriced are just too lazy to plan ahead. I'm SEA based and heading out on a trip for 4 to Japan in J....booked as one ways, 70-80k each. That's 8 one way tickets, all in D1 suites.
There are plenty of good deals out there if you can spend 3 minutes checking award charts every 2-3 days. I've booked trips in J to South Africa, Southeast Asia, Japan, China/Hong Kong, Europe....all for less than 200k RT, so you have plenty of options.
The other thing that helps is knowing the route map. For example, there are flights to CDG from just about every single DL hub and a few focus cities. If SEA-CDG is outrageous, I know that I can find a better deal by searching out of each other hub individually (sometimes for half the price).
I realize the question was more about destinations than how-to, but my point is that you can go just about anywhere five times over with that balance and you should make the most of it, instead of settling on the first fare you find.
There are plenty of good deals out there if you can spend 3 minutes checking award charts every 2-3 days. I've booked trips in J to South Africa, Southeast Asia, Japan, China/Hong Kong, Europe....all for less than 200k RT, so you have plenty of options.
The other thing that helps is knowing the route map. For example, there are flights to CDG from just about every single DL hub and a few focus cities. If SEA-CDG is outrageous, I know that I can find a better deal by searching out of each other hub individually (sometimes for half the price).
I realize the question was more about destinations than how-to, but my point is that you can go just about anywhere five times over with that balance and you should make the most of it, instead of settling on the first fare you find.
Mar 21, 2019, 2:49 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 104
The center of Taiwan has some beautiful mountains and an epic bike race (News - THE Taiwan KOM Challenge) - how about a trip to Taipei?
Mar 21, 2019, 2:51 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,057
I would begin by checking award charts for the full 11 months out- to the end of the schedule. The people who complain about J awards being insanely overpriced are just too lazy to plan ahead. I'm SEA based and heading out on a trip for 4 to Japan in J....booked as one ways, 70-80k each. That's 8 one way tickets, all in D1 suites.
There are plenty of good deals out there if you can spend 3 minutes checking award charts every 2-3 days. I've booked trips in J to South Africa, Southeast Asia, Japan, China/Hong Kong, Europe....all for less than 200k RT, so you have plenty of options.
The other thing that helps is knowing the route map. For example, there are flights to CDG from just about every single DL hub and a few focus cities. If SEA-CDG is outrageous, I know that I can find a better deal by searching out of each other hub individually (sometimes for half the price).
I realize the question was more about destinations than how-to, but my point is that you can go just about anywhere five times over with that balance and you should make the most of it, instead of settling on the first fare you find.
There are plenty of good deals out there if you can spend 3 minutes checking award charts every 2-3 days. I've booked trips in J to South Africa, Southeast Asia, Japan, China/Hong Kong, Europe....all for less than 200k RT, so you have plenty of options.
The other thing that helps is knowing the route map. For example, there are flights to CDG from just about every single DL hub and a few focus cities. If SEA-CDG is outrageous, I know that I can find a better deal by searching out of each other hub individually (sometimes for half the price).
I realize the question was more about destinations than how-to, but my point is that you can go just about anywhere five times over with that balance and you should make the most of it, instead of settling on the first fare you find.
Mar 21, 2019, 3:15 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
So I think you're really asking "where should I go in the world" because you can, of course, get to almost any commercial airport from SEA on DL and partners.
With that many miles I would go for some of the harder to book destinations, even if you end up spending more. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa all come to mind. South America also, perhaps doing a guided hike in Patagonia.
There are some high end tour companies that lead groups on rigorous day hikes in places like Patagonia, etc, and during the day they truck your stuff from one luxury hotel to another.
With that many miles I would go for some of the harder to book destinations, even if you end up spending more. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa all come to mind. South America also, perhaps doing a guided hike in Patagonia.
There are some high end tour companies that lead groups on rigorous day hikes in places like Patagonia, etc, and during the day they truck your stuff from one luxury hotel to another.