Post: #1

Been to England, Italy, Mexico, France, Greece, and all over the US, Hawaii several times. Late 30's. Can literally travel anywhere in the world now with all of these miles. All of these data sheets are great but a little daunting on where to pick given my limited traveling experience, I dont want to dive in too deep so quick. Can take up to 10 days. Always like beach destinations because I surf, but I love cities too because I live in one. Want to see something I have never seen. Not interested in India. Maybe Asia or South America, or even Africa but dont quite have the bank roll for a full on safari, but a hunting trip could work well. Good friend lives in Sao Paulo, but I know its unremarkable. Speak a little spanish, not great. This would be in July. Any recommendations on where I should go?

Post: #2

Not sure which airline you have those miles with, but I have often found the best use of miles is for upgrades.

Not for domestic flights unless you are on PS flights from LAX to JFK on United.

But it is quite a more enjoyable experience on a direct from LAX to LHR or SIN in business than coach.

Just a thought.

Post: #3

(03-08-2014 10:40 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  Not sure which airline you have those miles with, but I have often found the best use of miles is for upgrades.

Not for domestic flights unless you are on PS flights from LAX to JFK on United.

But it is quite a more enjoyable experience on a direct from LAX to LHR or SIN in business than coach.

Just a thought.

great advice, did JFK - Rome in first class once, that was incredible. Did LAX - Hawaii in first as well, and it was mai tais the whole way.

Post: #4

I could be wrong, but is sounds like you've narrowed it down to Oceania, SEA, Africa, South America and perhaps Central America.

Post: #5

(03-08-2014 11:14 PM)BDawg Wrote:  I could be wrong, but is sounds like you've narrowed it down to Oceania, SEA, Africa, South America and perhaps Central America.

your'e right, but a long extended stay in a Paris apartment is something I have always wanted to do. Dont think I am quite ready for EE or deeper Central AM, other stuff to see first.

Post: #6

Vaun,

If you do go to Paris, take the metro instead to the Louvre to save 30 minutes waiting in line outside.

You can have one of the best weeks of your life there.

Consider Morocco before or after due to its proximity:

http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Africa/Morocco/North/

Post: #7

Wherever you wanted to go.
You don't need my opinion the only one that matters is yours.

Post: #8

People can only say what they would do in the same situation.

If I had 10 days I'd probably check out Japan. Have you thought about Hong Kong or Taiwan?

Post: #9

(03-09-2014 08:05 PM)big poppa Wrote:  People can only say what they would do in the same situation.

If I had 10 days I'd probably check out Japan. Have you thought about Hong Kong or Taiwan?

I have a good friend that I grew up with I can stay with in Shibuya, almost forgot...

Post: #10

What kind of miles do you have? Important to know especially with all the recent devaluations. I just burned 600k united and 270k American miles before the award charts take hits. Sure hope they're not Delta skypesos or foreign carrier miles with huge fuel surcharges.

Depending on programs, might not be a bad idea to book a stopover and then a destination. Bangkok + Manila is a solid itinerary and close enough to each other to make sense.

Post: #11

(03-08-2014 11:19 PM)Vaun Wrote:  

(03-08-2014 11:14 PM)BDawg Wrote:  I could be wrong, but is sounds like you've narrowed it down to Oceania, SEA, Africa, South America and perhaps Central America.

your'e right, but a long extended stay in a Paris apartment is something I have always wanted to do. Dont think I am quite ready for EE or deeper Central AM, other stuff to see first.

What do you mean "not ready"?

Post: #12

100k isn't much. What Alliance?

Post: #13

Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia. Not many people have been there, and I hear the women are hot. Hopefully I'll make it to Ulaan Baatar in the summer.

Post: #14

http://milevalue.com/the-coolest-thing-y...-280k-now/

Post: #15

Japan and The Philippines.

Post: #16

(03-10-2014 03:16 AM)booshala Wrote:  What kind of miles do you have? Important to know especially with all the recent devaluations. I just burned 600k united and 270k American miles before the award charts take hits. Sure hope they're not Delta skypesos or foreign carrier miles with huge fuel surcharges.

Depending on programs, might not be a bad idea to book a stopover and then a destination. Bangkok + Manila is a solid itinerary and close enough to each other to make sense.

booshala, may I ask if you spent them on trips or items (TV, etc.)?

I have miles but no trip lined up yet. I wonder if you found a way to hack it and avoid the devaluation somehow.

Thanks.

Post: #17

(03-11-2014 05:50 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  

(03-10-2014 03:16 AM)booshala Wrote:  What kind of miles do you have? Important to know especially with all the recent devaluations. I just burned 600k united and 270k American miles before the award charts take hits. Sure hope they're not Delta skypesos or foreign carrier miles with huge fuel surcharges.

Depending on programs, might not be a bad idea to book a stopover and then a destination. Bangkok + Manila is a solid itinerary and close enough to each other to make sense.

booshala, may I ask if you spent them on trips or items (TV, etc.)?

I have miles but no trip lined up yet. I wonder if you found a way to hack it and avoid the devaluation somehow.

Thanks.

They haven't been devalued for the common traveller. The people I see complaining are those that have an extreme amount of miles (like booshala obviously haha) and use them for business class travel on partner airlines.

Post: #18

(03-11-2014 06:03 PM)ridiculous_nicholas Wrote:  

(03-11-2014 05:50 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  

(03-10-2014 03:16 AM)booshala Wrote:  What kind of miles do you have? Important to know especially with all the recent devaluations. I just burned 600k united and 270k American miles before the award charts take hits. Sure hope they're not Delta skypesos or foreign carrier miles with huge fuel surcharges.

Depending on programs, might not be a bad idea to book a stopover and then a destination. Bangkok + Manila is a solid itinerary and close enough to each other to make sense.

booshala, may I ask if you spent them on trips or items (TV, etc.)?

I have miles but no trip lined up yet. I wonder if you found a way to hack it and avoid the devaluation somehow.

Thanks.

They haven't been devalued for the common traveller. The people I see complaining are those that have an extreme amount of miles (like booshala obviously haha) and use them for business class travel on partner airlines.

Respectfully, you don't know how many miles I have. How do you feel comfortable making that statement?

Post: #19

My statement really has nothing to do with how many miles you have. I would guess the average person redeeming their frequent flyer miles are doing so domestically or to Europe or Asia in economy. In regards to United the economy prices aren't really changing with the exception of South Asia.Your average Joe isn't going to care that flying first class on a partner airline now costs 40-80% more miles.

Post: #20

(03-11-2014 06:49 PM)ridiculous_nicholas Wrote:  My statement really has nothing to do with how many miles you have. I would guess the average person redeeming their frequent flyer miles are doing so domestically or to Europe or Asia in economy. In regards to United the economy prices aren't really changing with the exception of South Asia.Your average Joe isn't going to care that flying first class on a partner airline now costs 40-80% more miles.

Thanks for the clarification, but my miles situation would put me in a different category. That is why I was asking booshala for some input as to how he handled his miles. Thanks.

Post: #21

Yah sorry, didn't mean to insinuate anything. I follow the miles world pretty closely though and if you are talking about United miles, I think the only way to avoid the devaluation would have been to book before the changes went into effect in February. It sounds like that's maybe what booshala did. As far as AA miles go, its all speculation. Sooner or later though it all devalues, thats the nature of it.

Post: #22

(03-11-2014 07:03 PM)ridiculous_nicholas Wrote:  Yah sorry, didn't mean to insinuate anything. I follow the miles world pretty closely though and if you are talking about United miles, I think the only way to avoid the devaluation would have been to book before the changes went into effect in February. It sounds like that's maybe what booshala did. As far as AA miles go, its all speculation. Sooner or later though it all devalues, thats the nature of it.

Thanks. i had heard some rumblings but just wasn't paying attention I guess.

They all seem to be constantly devaluing.

All I wanna do is hit a million miles lifetime on United before they change that again. One more Asia flight...Maybe an MR - land in SIN at midnight leave at 6AM sort of thing lol. Too old to do that now, but I remember the shit I pulled to keep 1K status at the end of the year.

Post: #23

Not UA but I saw this on flyertalk for British Airways: GIG-LHR-LAX-LHR-JNB-LHR-LAX-LHR-GIG 44,532 mi, $1800. Basically it took 5 straight days, no overnights on the ground and a 13 hour daylight layover in South Africa. haha I didn't follow it too closely but if I read it right I think someone paid someone $500 + the ticket just to see it done. Sounds absolutely brutal. And I think it might be very bad for your body.