Questions and Answers

Hi Everyone!

I just found this blog and I’m loving the tricks and advice from everyone.

Btw, I’m looking to travel from Indonesia (Jakarta, Bandung or Bali) to Australia in 2016. I was wondering what kind of effort that I can do to make my travel quality better and cheaper.

I am completely new to this earning mileage thing, so any advice or help from you guys will be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Welcome [USER=1289]@Vincent[/USER] – do you have access to US credit cards? Are you looking for paid tickets or for award travel?

Hi [USER=184]@MidSouth Skier[/USER]

Thank you for your reply!
I do have access to get a Citibank credit card. I read lots about ‘Citi Thank You points’ (the [URL]http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/types-miles-points/[/URL]). But I’m not sure whether this program is available in Indonesia.

I tried to apply for the citibank credit card in their local website ([URL]https://www.citibank.co.id/apply-online/credit-card/apply-get-cashback.htm?lid=IDBHCBLALMTLCreditCardsHMBH[/URL]), but I cant see the ‘Citi Thank You points’ program.
Any advice from you?

For the ticket to Aus from Indo, I dont mind paying the ticket, but if I can get an award travel, that would be better.

Btw, [USER=184]@MidSouth Skier[/USER]

I did find the Citi PremierMiles Card, is it the same with the ‘Citi Thank You points’ program mention in this website?

[USER=1289]@Vincent[/USER] what [USER=184]@MidSouth Skier[/USER] is asking is if you have a US social security number and are able to apply for US credit cards. Those things are very valuable. If not, have you read the post [USER=7]@Tiffany[/USER] put together for non US residents ([URL]http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/07/30/choose-credit-card-outside-us/)?[/URL] Being US residents we usually don’t have detailed knowledge of non-US credit card programs.

Hi [USER=79]@Gaurav[/USER]

Sorry for the misunderstanding!
Then, the answer to that question will be no, I dont have US social security number and hence are not able to apply for US credit cards.

And do you mind giving me the link to [USER=7]@Tiffany[/USER] ‘s post again? I clicked the link and it says ‘page not found’.

Again, thank you in advance, [USER=79]@Gaurav[/USER] !
And sorry for the misunderstanding, [USER=184]@MidSouth Skier[/USER] !

[QUOTE=”Vincent, post: 10816, member: 1289″]Hi [USER=79]@Gaurav[/USER]

Sorry for the misunderstanding!
Then, the answer to that question will be no, I dont have US social security number and hence are not able to apply for US credit cards.

And do you mind giving me the link to [USER=7]@Tiffany[/USER] ‘s post again? I clicked the link and it says ‘page not found’.

Again, thank you in advance, [USER=79]@Gaurav[/USER] !
And sorry for the misunderstanding, [USER=184]@MidSouth Skier[/USER] ![/QUOTE]

[USER=1289]@Vincent[/USER] on [USER=79]@Gaurav[/USER] ‘s link just remove the trailing ) in the link and it should take you to the post

[USER=184]@MidSouth Skier[/USER]
Thanks for the fix.

Okay, so according to that post, I should look on credit card that provides transferable point feature, and start accumulating the point.
Got it. Any other advice will be much appreciated!

[USER=1289]@Vincent[/USER]

Look into buying miles when programs have sales?

Perhaps Lifemiles and fly Thai true BKK? Sadly Singapore don’t release much space to their *A partners.
[URL]http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/09/08/lifemiles-bonus/[/URL]
[URL]http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/11/19/buy-lifemiles-1-5-cents-each/[/URL]

Maybe AA miles and fly Cathay? Can’t remember how the AA devaluation coming next year will affect SEA to AUS awards.
[URL]http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/11/16/sale-american-miles/[/URL]

Not sure if there are any good options for buying miles from a SKYTEAM carrier, sadly that would leave out Garuda and Vietnam. [USER=7]@Tiffany[/USER] [USER=79]@Gaurav[/USER] [USER=184]@MidSouth Skier[/USER] Any good ideas?

If you are not going for status with an hotel chain or prefer independent hotels look into sites like Pointshound and Rocketmiles that make it possible to earn air-miles on hotel stays.

Bali is a huge leisure destination from Australia, there are probably a dozen redeyes every evening from Bali to various Australian cities on various airlines. Economy (coach) tickets tend to be quite cheap if you can plan ahead and avoid busy times. Regrettably, this is probably your best bet. Air Asia X also has at least one non-redeye a day (to Melbourne – they may go to other cities too, I haven’t checked), though you will lose the best part of a day flying this way.

Business class seats are also usually available at not unreasonable prices, although except for Garuda, the hard product is roughly equivalent to US/Australian domestic first class, rather than a genuine flat bed. I once booked a bargain basement fare in Garuda economy and paid a few hundred dollars cash for an upgrade at the airport, which I regarded as good value.

Without points in any Australian program, you may struggle to get award seats. Jetstar awards are only available to Qantas and Emirates. Garuda theoretically has awards available, though I hear it can be a right PITA to book, either directly or via a partner. Air Asia does not have this type of loyalty program. You may find a Virgin Australia partner you can book awards through, their availability is usually reasonable.

Qantas has a few flights a week from Jakarta to Sydney, and award availability tends to be reasonable. Hard product is a decent angle flat seat. If you have some points in a oneworld program this would be a good option. Cash fares are usually reasonable for economy, but expensive for business.

You could fly via Singapore, KL, HK or Bangkok, either on cash or award, but I personally wouldn’t bother. It’s a big detour and likely will be more expensive.

[USER=659]@thelongroadau[/USER]
Awesome! Thats my original plan, flying from Bali and you just confirmed it.

Thanks a lot!

[QUOTE=”No Name, post: 10821, member: 268″][USER=1289]@Vincent[/USER]

Look into buying miles when programs have sales?

Perhaps Lifemiles and fly Thai true BKK? Sadly Singapore don’t release much space to their *A partners.
[URL]http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/09/08/lifemiles-bonus/[/URL]
[URL]http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/11/19/buy-lifemiles-1-5-cents-each/[/URL]

Maybe AA miles and fly Cathay? Can’t remember how the AA devaluation coming next year will affect SEA to AUS awards.
[URL]http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/11/16/sale-american-miles/[/URL]

Not sure if there are any good options for buying miles from a SKYTEAM carrier, sadly that would leave out Garuda and Vietnam. [USER=7]@Tiffany[/USER] [USER=79]@Gaurav[/USER] [USER=184]@MidSouth Skier[/USER] Any good ideas?

If you are not going for status with an hotel chain or prefer independent hotel look into sites like Pointshound and Rocketmiles that make it possible to earn air-miles on hotel stays.[/QUOTE]

Hi [USER=268]@No Name[/USER]
Thank you for your advice too!

Cheers!