Four Continents and 37,000 Miles in Two Weeks: Conclusion

Four Continents and 37,000 Miles in Two Weeks: Conclusion

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Four Continents and 37,000 Miles in Two Weeks
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If you’ve read this far you’re a trooper. Suffice it to say I had an amazing trip. I loved visiting Melbourne, Vienna, and Kuala Lumpur. I definitely want to return to Melbourne and Vienna soon. I’m happy to have seen Kuala Lumpur, though it’s not a city on my short list of places to urgently return to.

As far as the flights go, Qantas exceeded my expectations massively. The Airbus 380 was amazing, and I finally get what the hype is all about. It just doesn’t feel like an airplane. Air New Zealand remains one of the most fun airlines to fly thanks to their quirkiness. Singapore Airlines was great in business class, as always, and hasn’t changed since the first time I flew them (other than their substantial hard product upgrade).

I had some great hotel stays as well. The InterContinental Kuala Lumpur and Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur were both great. The Holiday Inn Sydney Airport? Meh. The Park Hyatt Melbourne and Le Meridien Vienna were awesome as well.

A lot of you asked for a cost breakdown of the trip, so here it is as accurately as I can get it:

Flights from Tampa to Kuala Lumpur on Singapore Airlines (business class): 67,500 United miles plus $25.80 taxes
InterContinental Kuala Lumpur (two separate stays): $248.22
Le Meiridien Kuala Lumpur: $192.50
Flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore on Sri Lankan (business class): $151.80
Flights from Singapore to Sydney to Melbourne on Qantas (first class): 45,000 American miles plus $45.80 taxes
Holiday Inn Sydney Airport: $218.13
Park Hyatt Melbourne: 30,000 Hyatt Gold Passport Points
Flights from Melbourne to London to Vienna on Qantas/BA: 80,000 American miles plus $127.20 taxes
Le Meridien Vienna: 11,000 SPG points
Flights from Vienna to Los Angeles on bmi/Air New Zealand (business class): 33,750 British Midland miles plus $213.14 taxes

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned, because two more trip reports are on their way shortly!

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  1. TonyLu Guest

    Hi Lucky, just to let you know (if you don't already know) that Qantas rerouted QF9 . Now it is MEL-DXB-LHR instead of MEL-SIN-LHR. Plus, I was surprised that you didn't have the steak sandwich at least 2 times. When I flew Qantas first class to LA, my mouth was full of that sandwich for 3/4 of the flight. Next time I suggest you to go to Dubai; It is so much better. But that is only my opinion, so it is up to you.

  2. john Guest

    Thanks for the breakdown. Great use of miles. I forget how much more affordable it is for award tix when you don't pay fuel surcharges!

  3. lucky Guest

    @ rich -- It wasn't the comfort of the plane as much as it was how quiet and smooth it was.

    The business class bar is only open to business and first class passengers. They have a snack and drink area in coach, though it's not really a "bar."

  4. rich (arizona) Gold

    You mentioned that it didn't seem like an airplane. Do you think you would have made that statement if you were in coach rather than business/first class?

    Are the "bars" open to anyone from economy class to walk up and get drinks anytime they want?

  5. DanR Guest

    When I grow up, I want to be YOU!

  6. qbrain Guest

    Nice trip report as always, but you did manage to draw this one out a little longer than usual. Must be the conversion from hobby to work :)

  7. lucky Guest

    @ Carol -- There was no points component to that. Sri Lankan has very reasonable business class fares between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore!

  8. calvinoeh New Member

    Thanks for the trip report! Another epic.. Can't wait for the next one..

    Skip KL next time and come visit Penang!

  9. Carol Guest

    Flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore on Sri Lankan (business class): $151.80 - was there a points component to this, or all cash?

  10. Mike L Guest

    RE: QF A380 partner awards

    WELL I know what I'm saving my AA miles for! Must.... have........

  11. tivoboy Guest

    putting all this together for this cost makes me want to head out and spend some miles and travel around again. I haven't done enough RTW in the past decade. I have lots of miles, might as well spend them now

  12. gba Guest

    Great report lucky! I'm looking forward to the next one.

  13. Gary Gold

    @lucky Well, EK does too, they just don't have enough partners!

  14. lucky Guest

    @ Mike L -- They do not. It's the only airline I know of that readily makes A380 first class available to partner airlines.

  15. Ram C Guest

    I've been lurking around this website for a while but never commented now. I'd like to thank you for sharing your cost breakdown. I'm sure it will really help me decide whether I'm getting a good deal or not the next time I use miles.

  16. Mike L Guest

    Also, Qantas doesn't block off first class for partner redemption like SQ and LH?

  17. Mike L Guest

    Thanks for a great trip report, Lucky! And extra thanks for the price breakdown. Transparency is a great thing and it really helps us understand what we might expect for a trip like this.

  18. Lark Guest

    You're no matthandy, but you're OK! :)

    http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1230332-my-first-first-ba-first-class-sydney-uk-return-paris-ireland-bangkok.html

    Seriously, I appreciated your report and am looking forward to your upcoming reports.

    Thanks,

    Lark

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TonyLu Guest

Hi Lucky, just to let you know (if you don't already know) that Qantas rerouted QF9 . Now it is MEL-DXB-LHR instead of MEL-SIN-LHR. Plus, I was surprised that you didn't have the steak sandwich at least 2 times. When I flew Qantas first class to LA, my mouth was full of that sandwich for 3/4 of the flight. Next time I suggest you to go to Dubai; It is so much better. But that is only my opinion, so it is up to you.

0
john Guest

Thanks for the breakdown. Great use of miles. I forget how much more affordable it is for award tix when you don't pay fuel surcharges!

0
lucky Guest

@ rich -- It wasn't the comfort of the plane as much as it was how quiet and smooth it was. The business class bar is only open to business and first class passengers. They have a snack and drink area in coach, though it's not really a "bar."

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