Questions and Answers

Hi all,

First post here. I’m looking to fly from NY to ASIA. I don’t have an exact destination in mind yet, but looking to start saving the points. I’m looking for the best (top notch) experience, one which I can use points. I’d be looking to travel with my girlfriend, so trying to ask the question and plan now.

Which would you recommend me having a look at?

I looked at Etihad, but can you not use points on the residence or first class?

I figured I’d look at the experience I want first, then figure out how to get there in points..

Welcome ummjay.

Since all airlines don’t fly every where in Asia you might want to narrow you destinations down a bit more before deciding.

Etihad flies A380 with the First class apartments and The residence. You can redeem miles for the First class apartments, but not The residence.

Also EY only their A380 to New York, London, Mumbai in India and Sydney plus Melbourne in Australia. They have no other A380 destinations as of now, and have far fewer A380 compared to Emirates.

By the experience you want first do you mean the flights or the destination?

Wow, super fast reply, thanks.

By experience I was referring to the flight. Ideally I want to have the best first class experience possible. I have a year or so until I need to book so figure I’d start by choosing the airline(s) I want for Asia then figure out how to get the most miles based on that. As it gets closer we will figure out destination.

I’m thinking ahead of time for a honeymoon and I will be with 1 other person.

[USER=1544]@ummjay[/USER] the “best” first class is a very subjective determination. I think Ben probably has an post on his favorites somewhere but there are many factors that go into a great trip: ground experience (limo?), lounges, hard product in flight (e.g. seats) , soft product in flight (e.g. service, food), connections etc. If this is a once in a lifetime kind of trip, then I strongly suggest reading about the first class reviews that are published on the site (at the top under Trip Reports) and make up your own mind.

I’d also suggest reconsidering what [USER=268]@No Name[/USER] has suggested. I’m assuming you’re going someplace for a week or 10 days for your honeymoon. I would focus on figuring out the best experience for 5-8 days first and then figuring out the best way to get there as opposed to focusing on the best experience for the trip back and forth.

[QUOTE=”ummjay, post: 13069, member: 1544″]Wow, super fast reply, thanks.

By experience I was referring to the flight. Ideally I want to have the best first class experience possible. I have a year or so until I need to book so figure I’d start by choosing the airline(s) I want for Asia then figure out how to get the most miles based on that. As it gets closer we will figure out destination.

I’m thinking ahead of time for a honeymoon and I will be with 1 other person.[/QUOTE]

Keep in mind that getting to Asia on Etihad from the US, assuming you are using AA points, would be more expensive than going via Cathay Pacific or Japan Airlines as AA doesn’t allow you to route through the Middle East from the US to everywhere but South Asia on a single award.