Help optimize my HK, NRT, AKL itinerary (AA + CX)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: alaska mvp gold
Posts: 23
Help optimize my HK, NRT, AKL itinerary (AA + CX)
Trying to send my parents on their dream trip to asia and new zealand, I've gone though several iterations and come up with what I think is the optimal itinerary but figured I would tap the flyertalk braintrust to see if there is anything I've missed. open to any comments/recommendations.
Question:
--Any creative routing ideas? I am open to re-arranging the trip if it will either reduce the total distance flown or fit the AKL->HKG leg into the itinerary with our existing miles
Requirements/constraints:
--3 days in Tokyo
--10+ days in New zealand
--3 days in Hong Kong
--Business Class
--No long layovers
Miles available:
--170k CX
--130k AA + 48k in another account
--50k UR
--30k AS + 20k in another account
Current planned itinerary (visual map attached):
RNO->LAX->NRT on AA for 120k AA miles
NRT->AKL on AZ for $1600 - cant use asiamiles on this leg as they only allow redemptions on AKL->HKG
AKL->HKG on CX stopover - see next flight
HKG->SFO on CX for 170k asiamiles
Question:
--Any creative routing ideas? I am open to re-arranging the trip if it will either reduce the total distance flown or fit the AKL->HKG leg into the itinerary with our existing miles
Requirements/constraints:
--3 days in Tokyo
--10+ days in New zealand
--3 days in Hong Kong
--Business Class
--No long layovers
Miles available:
--170k CX
--130k AA + 48k in another account
--50k UR
--30k AS + 20k in another account
Current planned itinerary (visual map attached):
RNO->LAX->NRT on AA for 120k AA miles
NRT->AKL on AZ for $1600 - cant use asiamiles on this leg as they only allow redemptions on AKL->HKG
AKL->HKG on CX stopover - see next flight
HKG->SFO on CX for 170k asiamiles
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,010
"Current planned itinerary" is one thing
But what is the real award availability some where close to the dates they want to fly?
(Air New Zealand = NZ. AZ = Alitalia Societa Aerea Italiana S.p.A {Alitalia})
Shorter (but getting awards/cash flights has not been considered)
http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=RNO-LAX...SU=kts&RS=best
AA
HELP DESK: MileSAAver / SAAver award questions, assistance
AA oneworld & Other Airline Partner Award information, rules (master thd)
JL---> AAdvantage Award using JL / JAL / Japan Airlines (master thd)
But what is the real award availability some where close to the dates they want to fly?
(Air New Zealand = NZ. AZ = Alitalia Societa Aerea Italiana S.p.A {Alitalia})
Shorter (but getting awards/cash flights has not been considered)
http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=RNO-LAX...SU=kts&RS=best
AA
HELP DESK: MileSAAver / SAAver award questions, assistance
AA oneworld & Other Airline Partner Award information, rules (master thd)
JL---> AAdvantage Award using JL / JAL / Japan Airlines (master thd)
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: alaska mvp gold
Posts: 23
"Current planned itinerary" is one thing
But what is the real award availability some where close to the dates they want to fly?
(Air New Zealand = NZ. AZ = Alitalia Societa Aerea Italiana S.p.A {Alitalia})
Shorter (but getting awards/cash flights has not been considered)
Great Circle Mapper
AA
HELP DESK: MileSAAver / SAAver award questions, assistance
AA oneworld & Other Airline Partner Award information, rules (master thd)
JL---> AAdvantage Award using JL / JAL / Japan Airlines (master thd)
But what is the real award availability some where close to the dates they want to fly?
(Air New Zealand = NZ. AZ = Alitalia Societa Aerea Italiana S.p.A {Alitalia})
Shorter (but getting awards/cash flights has not been considered)
Great Circle Mapper
AA
HELP DESK: MileSAAver / SAAver award questions, assistance
AA oneworld & Other Airline Partner Award information, rules (master thd)
JL---> AAdvantage Award using JL / JAL / Japan Airlines (master thd)
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
I that case I would just book it and possibly worry about improvements later. These things have a habit of disappearing.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,010
Especially with AA long haul business class awards x 2. My understanding is you can put AA awards on hold for x hrs.
30K AS not a lot of use due to the very prescriptive AS award chart
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: alaska mvp gold
Posts: 23
So book them now. Not in 15 minutes or tomorrow. If you do not, someone else will.
Especially with AA long haul business class awards x 2. My understanding is you can put AA awards on hold for x hrs.
30K AS not a lot of use due to the very prescriptive AS award chart
Especially with AA long haul business class awards x 2. My understanding is you can put AA awards on hold for x hrs.
30K AS not a lot of use due to the very prescriptive AS award chart
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
Since the OP is looking at using OW carriers, we'll relocate this query to the OW forum.
~beckoa, co-moderator Information Desk
~beckoa, co-moderator Information Desk
#10
Join Date: May 2017
Location: SIN
Programs: AS MVPG75k, AA Plat
Posts: 741
You should never have to do this. MH ICN-KUL-AKL r/t business is currently retailing at $1,825, and you'd earn AA miles for flying that.
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: alaska mvp gold
Posts: 23
Thanks, the $1500 is for 2 passengers OW on a direct flight (10hrs), for me I would take a less direct routing however for my elderly parents I am looking to optimize for less flying time and cash spend and all of the indirect flights I've found are 25hrs+
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: alaska mvp gold
Posts: 23
I would love to do this but have not been able to find any business class availability in March 2020 on the US-AKL leg aside from routing through asia. I could get economy on these but I would prefer routing through asia over sending my parents on a 16hr flight in economy. my understanding is that AA United and Qantas are the only airlines that dont route through asia and I've had no luck finding availability, open to any suggestions though!
#13
Join Date: May 2003
Programs: OW Emerald
Posts: 1,452
I would love to do this but have not been able to find any business class availability in March 2020 on the US-AKL leg aside from routing through asia. I could get economy on these but I would prefer routing through asia over sending my parents on a 16hr flight in economy. my understanding is that AA United and Qantas are the only airlines that dont route through asia and I've had no luck finding availability, open to any suggestions though!
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: alaska mvp gold
Posts: 23
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,010
Air NZ (who are stingy on partner awards) also fly LAX SYD
And DL to SYD then on DL ff partner VA. Or VA LAX-BNE/SYD/MEL onto AKL (DL ff partner)
Also look for WLG and CHC instead of AKL