I'm organising a First Class flight, Sydney - Singapore - Zurich - Hawai - Sydney.

Can anyone provide some ideas on the following:-

1. Cheaper flight options, tried using Amex Plat Companion, but unavailable for Hawai sector.

2. Best hotels in Singapore, Zurich, and Hawai (By best, I mean service, position, and comfort)

3. Tips on which FF program to put the flights through. I am star gold in Ansett, but want to try and get status with a one world carrier. Any first class bonuses, etc would also be helpfull (will leave sydney in early July 01).

4. the Australian dollars buys nothing in any of the places I am going...ARGHHHH (not really a question, just a winge...)

That would cover it.

All tips/assistance is/are appreciated.

Can't help you with question (1), but am more than happy to recommend the Ritz Carlton Millenia in Singapore. The rooms are HUGE and the bathrooms are to die for. The pool, spa and overall service was incredible (my travelling companion had a button on his jacket pop off while we were checking out. It was whisked off him while we directed to the lounge for tea. Within 5 minutes it was returned completely repaired!). Additionally, I am a BA member and was able to credit miles to my OneWorld account for this stay. As for Zurich, I stayed at the Dolder Grand, but to be honest, I arrived after midnight and left before 7 a.m. Not in the center of town, furnished sparsely but very comfortable. Actually just checked with a friend who lives there. The hotel of choice is apparently the Widder Hotel: http://www.widderhotel.ch


As for the miles, as mentioned I am part of oneworld. That would qualify Qantas to get you to Singapore, but for the Zurich portion you would need to go SIN, LHR, ZRH to get the miles. No idea about Hawaii. Actually thinking of going there myself and am in the process of figuring out the flights and best mileage route.

Hope this helped.

[This message has been edited by MOC (edited 04-18-2001).]

Thanks for that. Will stay at the widder Hotel.

BUT, can anyone assist with the 1st class round the world fares, best quote is $11,700 AUD.....there has to be a slightly cheaper ooption ????? (other than going business)

Shame you do not want to go Star * First. tvl4free just posted in * Forum a paid F RTW ticket costing only in the $US3000s something starting Fiji as the best deal existing for F.

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~ Glen ~

The Widder hotel is really a great place to stay (if money doesn't matter). Outside historic old (the hotel is 'behind' a couple of old facades (sp?) from the 13th/14th century), inside modern but still very individual.

Situated in the middle of Zurich Old-town, just steps from the famous shopping-street 'Bahnhofstrasse' (our '5th avenue').

Enjoy!

As far as cheap round the world fares go, try starting in New Zealand instead of OZ. In my experience, fares from NZ are about 20 - 30% cheaper than OZ. Just buy a cheap return to Auckland and start there.

Am now considering ditching the Hawaii option, as then I can use a Amex Plat Emirates fairat $5,300 per person (thats 1st class Sydney-Singapore-Zurich).

Seems like a better option. anyone had any experience flying Emirates ??? I have heard its a pretty good airline.

Best hotel in Singapore: Raffles Hotel. More info at www.raffleshotel.com [Warning: Site is extremely slow and its navigation and production value sucks!]

I agree 100% with Ozzie. Fares out of NZ are a lot cheaper BA/QF/AA fare is approximately US$4000 and it allows you Hawaii stopover too.

They are nice, but friends told us they are rather unfriendly, so I would go for an Premier Room in the Shangri-La's at Orange Grove (best with Horizon Club).

I would however like to second the recommendation of the Shangri-La on Orange Grove Road.

In Hawaii, there are "bests" on each island, so it depends where you will stay. My suggestions:

Oahu - Halekulani
Maui - Four Seasons
Big Island - Four Seasons Hualalai

I flew Emirates in C (2 class aircraft) from Dubai to Male in Feb, and the quality of service was terrific. I would not hesitate to fly them again, I'm sure that F is superb.