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!
Loading ...
August 6th, 2011 at 11:31 am
Lark said,
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
August 6th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
Mike L said,
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.
August 6th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
Mike L said,
Also, Qantas doesn’t block off first class for partner redemption like SQ and LH?
August 6th, 2011 at 1:09 pm
Ram C said,
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.
August 6th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
lucky said,
@ Mike L — They do not. It’s the only airline I know of that readily makes A380 first class available to partner airlines.
August 6th, 2011 at 3:50 pm
Gary said,
@lucky Well, EK does too, they just don’t have enough partners!
August 6th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
gba said,
Great report lucky! I’m looking forward to the next one.
August 6th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
tivoboy said,
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
August 6th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
Mike L said,
RE: QF A380 partner awards
WELL I know what I’m saving my AA miles for! Must…. have……..
August 6th, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Carol said,
Flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore on Sri Lankan (business class): $151.80 – was there a points component to this, or all cash?
August 6th, 2011 at 9:14 pm
calvinoeh said,
Thanks for the trip report! Another epic.. Can’t wait for the next one..
Skip KL next time and come visit Penang!
August 7th, 2011 at 12:40 am
lucky said,
@ Carol — There was no points component to that. Sri Lankan has very reasonable business class fares between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore!
August 7th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
qbrain said,
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
August 8th, 2011 at 10:16 am
DanR said,
When I grow up, I want to be YOU!
August 10th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
rich (arizona) said,
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?
August 10th, 2011 at 5:30 pm
lucky said,
@ 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.”
August 13th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
john said,
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!
Add A Comment