[FARE GONE] La/++ akl-scl-mad-hnd €570
#46
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: YVR/LAX/PVG/TPE
Posts: 738
I booked myself on the following itinerary: AKL - SCL - LIM (3 nights stopover) - GYE - MAD (3 months stopover) - NRT. All segments operated by LA except for the last one, which is operated by IB. Booked through Expedia for $685, ticketed on 045-stock (LA) within minutes, seats selected for all segments, booking visible on both latam.com and iberia.com. Booking classes: G, X, X, X, X for LA and S for IB. The IB segment will earn me only 50% of the miles flown, but I will be getting 100% for all LA segments. For this price, I can’t complain.
I could have booked a more creative routing (through PPT, IPC, SCL and EZE) for about $300 more but I have been to IPC before (in 2014, thanks to the MEX-IPC fare at the time), the AKL-PPT segment would have been on TN so no useful miles for me and the about 7h overnight layover in EZE would have been awful. Likewise, I could have booked MAD-HEL-NRT (on AY) instead of MAD-NRT nonstop on IB but I am not a huge fan of AY (I do not dislike them as badly as I dislike BA, but still...).
My only discontent is that I could not price the MAD-NRT part of the trip as MAD-FRA-NRT (on LA and JL) but I thought I spent already too much time playng with this itinerary. In the end, I am happy with what I booked.
I could have booked a more creative routing (through PPT, IPC, SCL and EZE) for about $300 more but I have been to IPC before (in 2014, thanks to the MEX-IPC fare at the time), the AKL-PPT segment would have been on TN so no useful miles for me and the about 7h overnight layover in EZE would have been awful. Likewise, I could have booked MAD-HEL-NRT (on AY) instead of MAD-NRT nonstop on IB but I am not a huge fan of AY (I do not dislike them as badly as I dislike BA, but still...).
My only discontent is that I could not price the MAD-NRT part of the trip as MAD-FRA-NRT (on LA and JL) but I thought I spent already too much time playng with this itinerary. In the end, I am happy with what I booked.
another strange discovery is that when I force the Europe-Asia sectors on CX on certain itineraries and dates, it triggers some weird other fare to pop in, and the SCL-MAD-FRA-HKG segments becomes J and price out at a reasonable 2.7k for the entire trip, which I think is a good deal for 27hr of J and 30+hr in Y for a trip around the world. LA J is not creme de la creme, but CX still has quite a lot of redeeming qualities. Strange fares indeed, so strange that I don't even want to question why... here is a link but it appears unbookable. https://goo.gl/flights/Cyqw
Last edited by beyounged; Nov 5, 2017 at 4:32 am
#47
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: KUL (MY), ICN (KR), ZRH (CH) or OTP (RO) - or somewhere in between
Programs: OZ, JL
Posts: 241
I am switching from QR to MH; I know the current redemption rates with MH are awful but to me it is mostly about keeping some form of status with oneworld rather than having the best way to redeem oneworld miles.
I don’t fly oneworld much (I am still mainly a *A flyer and will probably remain one) and MH seemed to me like the easiest way to maintain (mid-tier) status with oneworld, while having a meaningful place to park miles from random EK or EY flights. And I was lucky enough to be able to book some EK and EY flights as MH-codeshares (meaning EQM with Enrich/MH) so here I am, currently being oneworld Sapphire with two oneworld programs LOL. My QR Gold status will lapse in August 2018 anyway (having been downgraded in August this year from Platinum), while my MH Gold status is valid until March 2019. And this very fare we are talking about here gets me almost 1/3 of the EQMs needed to requalify for MH Gold/oneworld Sapphire for 2019, for a very good price. In addition, I had Lima on my bucket list for a while. I have been to Peru once (again, thanks to the MEX-IPC fare in 2014) but I only transited Lima as I went straight to CUZ for Macchu Picchu and then from CUZ to IPC via LIM and SCL). With this itinerary I get to spend three days in Lima (I booked that stopever on purpose) so another box ticked for me by this fare.
By the way, how will you position yourself to AKL to start the trip? I booked myself an openjaw on SQ (fare booking class W): IST-SIN-AKL (for the first part of the trip) and NRT-SIN-IST (to come back from NRT on the second part of the trip, three months later).
#48
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: YVR/LAX/PVG/TPE
Posts: 738
I am crediting to MH, so yes, it’s 100%.
I am switching from QR to MH; I know the current redemption rates with MH are awful but to me it is mostly about keeping some form of status with oneworld rather than having the best way to redeem oneworld miles.
I don’t fly oneworld much (I am still mainly a *A flyer and will probably remain one) and MH seemed to me like the easiest way to maintain (mid-tier) status with oneworld, while having a meaningful place to park miles from random EK or EY flights. And I was lucky enough to be able to book some EK and EY flights as MH-codeshares (meaning EQM with Enrich/MH) so here I am, currently being oneworld Sapphire with two oneworld programs LOL. My QR Gold status will lapse in August 2018 anyway (having been downgraded in August this year from Platinum), while my MH Gold status is valid until March 2019. And this very fare we are talking about here gets me almost 1/3 of the EQMs needed to requalify for MH Gold/oneworld Sapphire for 2019, for a very good price. In addition, I had Lima on my bucket list for a while. I have been to Peru once (again, thanks to the MEX-IPC fare in 2014) but I only transited Lima as I went straight to CUZ for Macchu Picchu and then from CUZ to IPC via LIM and SCL). With this itinerary I get to spend three days in Lima (I booked that stopever on purpose) so another box ticked for me by this fare.
By the way, how will you position yourself to AKL to start the trip? I booked myself an openjaw on SQ (fare booking class W): IST-SIN-AKL (for the first part of the trip) and NRT-SIN-IST (to come back from NRT on the second part of the trip, three months later).
I am switching from QR to MH; I know the current redemption rates with MH are awful but to me it is mostly about keeping some form of status with oneworld rather than having the best way to redeem oneworld miles.
I don’t fly oneworld much (I am still mainly a *A flyer and will probably remain one) and MH seemed to me like the easiest way to maintain (mid-tier) status with oneworld, while having a meaningful place to park miles from random EK or EY flights. And I was lucky enough to be able to book some EK and EY flights as MH-codeshares (meaning EQM with Enrich/MH) so here I am, currently being oneworld Sapphire with two oneworld programs LOL. My QR Gold status will lapse in August 2018 anyway (having been downgraded in August this year from Platinum), while my MH Gold status is valid until March 2019. And this very fare we are talking about here gets me almost 1/3 of the EQMs needed to requalify for MH Gold/oneworld Sapphire for 2019, for a very good price. In addition, I had Lima on my bucket list for a while. I have been to Peru once (again, thanks to the MEX-IPC fare in 2014) but I only transited Lima as I went straight to CUZ for Macchu Picchu and then from CUZ to IPC via LIM and SCL). With this itinerary I get to spend three days in Lima (I booked that stopever on purpose) so another box ticked for me by this fare.
By the way, how will you position yourself to AKL to start the trip? I booked myself an openjaw on SQ (fare booking class W): IST-SIN-AKL (for the first part of the trip) and NRT-SIN-IST (to come back from NRT on the second part of the trip, three months later).
I can get there easier than you do (if you are based in OTP) as from China one way flight to AKL costs 200USD from time to time. For you maybe wait for a QR J/Y sale? you can bank more miles into MH and OTP is known for cheap QR fares. But alas you have booked yours so I wish you a good trip. I am still on the fence about this one actually as I can leave from ICN for similar price but lower cpm and positioning cost, esp. I was on the MEX-IPC deal last month! welp, gotta check bank accounts and struggle some more!
#49
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Programs: BD AB CO
Posts: 102
I am crediting to MH, so yes, it’s 100%.
I am switching from QR to MH; I know the current redemption rates with MH are awful but to me it is mostly about keeping some form of status with oneworld rather than having the best way to redeem oneworld miles.
I don’t fly oneworld much (I am still mainly a *A flyer and will probably remain one) and MH seemed to me like the easiest way to maintain (mid-tier) status with oneworld, while having a meaningful place to park miles from random EK or EY flights. And I was lucky enough to be able to book some EK and EY flights as MH-codeshares (meaning EQM with Enrich/MH) so here I am, currently being oneworld Sapphire with two oneworld programs LOL. My QR Gold status will lapse in August 2018 anyway (having been downgraded in August this year from Platinum), while my MH Gold status is valid until March 2019. And this very fare we are talking about here gets me almost 1/3 of the EQMs needed to requalify for MH Gold/oneworld Sapphire for 2019, for a very good price. In addition, I had Lima on my bucket list for a while. I have been to Peru once (again, thanks to the MEX-IPC fare in 2014) but I only transited Lima as I went straight to CUZ for Macchu Picchu and then from CUZ to IPC via LIM and SCL). With this itinerary I get to spend three days in Lima (I booked that stopever on purpose) so another box ticked for me by this fare.
By the way, how will you position yourself to AKL to start the trip? I booked myself an openjaw on SQ (fare booking class W): IST-SIN-AKL (for the first part of the trip) and NRT-SIN-IST (to come back from NRT on the second part of the trip, three months later).
I am switching from QR to MH; I know the current redemption rates with MH are awful but to me it is mostly about keeping some form of status with oneworld rather than having the best way to redeem oneworld miles.
I don’t fly oneworld much (I am still mainly a *A flyer and will probably remain one) and MH seemed to me like the easiest way to maintain (mid-tier) status with oneworld, while having a meaningful place to park miles from random EK or EY flights. And I was lucky enough to be able to book some EK and EY flights as MH-codeshares (meaning EQM with Enrich/MH) so here I am, currently being oneworld Sapphire with two oneworld programs LOL. My QR Gold status will lapse in August 2018 anyway (having been downgraded in August this year from Platinum), while my MH Gold status is valid until March 2019. And this very fare we are talking about here gets me almost 1/3 of the EQMs needed to requalify for MH Gold/oneworld Sapphire for 2019, for a very good price. In addition, I had Lima on my bucket list for a while. I have been to Peru once (again, thanks to the MEX-IPC fare in 2014) but I only transited Lima as I went straight to CUZ for Macchu Picchu and then from CUZ to IPC via LIM and SCL). With this itinerary I get to spend three days in Lima (I booked that stopever on purpose) so another box ticked for me by this fare.
By the way, how will you position yourself to AKL to start the trip? I booked myself an openjaw on SQ (fare booking class W): IST-SIN-AKL (for the first part of the trip) and NRT-SIN-IST (to come back from NRT on the second part of the trip, three months later).
Last edited by andymac66; Nov 5, 2017 at 7:04 am
#50
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: KUL (MY), ICN (KR), ZRH (CH) or OTP (RO) - or somewhere in between
Programs: OZ, JL
Posts: 241
For positioning, I've booked SQ Business class to AKL (also from IST) using Krisflyer miles. I haven't booked the return portion from Tokyo yet but it's not until September. I'm thinking of using my stash of EY miles which are going to expire soon. They would get me from ICN to PRG in Czech Airlines Business class. When are you going to be in IST? I can guest you into the TK lounge if you're heading to Singapore on 22 April and don't have * status.
I will have about 14h in SIN before flying to AKL, so I will get to enjoy some Katong laksa again :-D
I will reach AKL on June 4 at 10:50 AM and will fly to SCL the next day at 6:00 PM. Have never been to AKL before so I will have to figure out how to best spend my about 30 hours there. Any pointers?
I will get to LIM on June 5 late in the evening and will have there three nights (two full days and one morning) before flying LIM-GYE-MAD on June 8.
My second part of the trip will be purely a MR: leaving MAD on IB on September 7, getting to NRT on September 8 at 9:35 AM and then taking SQ to SIN at 2:45 PM the same day and continuing from SIN to IST.
#51
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: KUL (MY), ICN (KR), ZRH (CH) or OTP (RO) - or somewhere in between
Programs: OZ, JL
Posts: 241
I no longer fly QR all that often (one of the reasons for my decision to switch to MH). In addition, QRPC is very good if one mostly flies in J/C, but so is about any OW FFP. If one flies less in C/J and more in Y, then QRPC is not the best FFP to bank one’s miles (unless the Y flying is mostly on QR metal, which in my case is not).
#52
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Programs: BD AB CO
Posts: 102
I will be flying out of IST to SIN on June 2. I hold *A status through UA.
I will have about 14h in SIN before flying to AKL, so I will get to enjoy some Katong laksa again :-D
I will reach AKL on June 4 at 10:50 AM and will fly to SCL the next day at 6:00 PM. Have never been to AKL before so I will have to figure out how to best spend my about 30 hours there. Any pointers?
I will get to LIM on June 5 late in the evening and will have there three nights (two full days and one morning) before flying LIM-GYE-MAD on June 8.
My second part of the trip will be purely a MR: leaving MAD on IB on September 7, getting to NRT on September 8 at 9:35 AM and then taking SQ to SIN at 2:45 PM the same day and continuing from SIN to IST.
I will have about 14h in SIN before flying to AKL, so I will get to enjoy some Katong laksa again :-D
I will reach AKL on June 4 at 10:50 AM and will fly to SCL the next day at 6:00 PM. Have never been to AKL before so I will have to figure out how to best spend my about 30 hours there. Any pointers?
I will get to LIM on June 5 late in the evening and will have there three nights (two full days and one morning) before flying LIM-GYE-MAD on June 8.
My second part of the trip will be purely a MR: leaving MAD on IB on September 7, getting to NRT on September 8 at 9:35 AM and then taking SQ to SIN at 2:45 PM the same day and continuing from SIN to IST.
#53
Join Date: May 2017
Location: KUL, LON
Programs: BA GGL, Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 56
By trying with various Momondo sites (different countries seemed to give me slightly different variations), managed to book ICN-LHR-MAD-LIM-SCL-AKL-SYD-TYO and SYD-AKL-SCL-GYE-UIO-LIM-MAD-LHR-SIN-TYO all on OW carriers. Had to play around with dates quite a bit though to get the pricing I wanted and to make sure the LIM-MAD sectors weren't on IB metal so it would credit to AS.
#54
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: YVR/LAX/PVG/TPE
Posts: 738
By trying with various Momondo sites (different countries seemed to give me slightly different variations), managed to book ICN-LHR-MAD-LIM-SCL-AKL-SYD-TYO and SYD-AKL-SCL-GYE-UIO-LIM-MAD-LHR-SIN-TYO all on OW carriers. Had to play around with dates quite a bit though to get the pricing I wanted and to make sure the LIM-MAD sectors weren't on IB metal so it would credit to AS.
#55
Join Date: May 2017
Location: KUL, LON
Programs: BA GGL, Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 56
All N up to SCL on the first itin, then V onwards. So 50% on ICN-LHR (BA), nothing on LHR-MAD (IB) and 100% on the rest of it (LA/QF). Stopping in SCL.
For the second, G for the first leg then V onwards. So 50% on the last leg (JL), nothing on MAD-LHR (IB) and 100% on the rest of it (LA/QF). Stopping in LIM, UIO and a 20+ hr stop in MAD.
#56
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Programs: BD AB CO
Posts: 102
By trying with various Momondo sites (different countries seemed to give me slightly different variations), managed to book ICN-LHR-MAD-LIM-SCL-AKL-SYD-TYO and SYD-AKL-SCL-GYE-UIO-LIM-MAD-LHR-SIN-TYO all on OW carriers. Had to play around with dates quite a bit though to get the pricing I wanted and to make sure the LIM-MAD sectors weren't on IB metal so it would credit to AS.
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,566
Waiheke Island is an interesting diversion from Auckland city, reachable by ferry (about 40 minutes ride) and riddled with good vineyards to visit. Be aware of the ferry schedules which IIRC are certainly not 24/7 or even close to it.
#58
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: AA PLT, AS MVPG, WN CP
Posts: 63
Much will depend on the weather on the day you are visiting, but if you decide to stay closer to the city center, there are some great parks around the city like Mount Eden as mentioned above, as well as Cornwall. Awesome city to have a long layover though, plenty of things to do without going far at all.
#59
Join Date: May 2017
Location: KUL, LON
Programs: BA GGL, Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 56
Should book into GVVVVVVV but YMMV. FlightNetwork offers a one day cancellation for $20 or so I think in case you want to be sure.
https://www.momondo.com.au/flightsea...e¤cy=USD