Have miles to use on Alaska MP, Star Alliance and One World. Trying to get HKG-MEL. Nothing in the entire month of July. This using United, Avianca Life Miles, BA, AA, Alaska Air searches. Is something going on Down Under in July, or in Asia, holiday season, winter school break in OZ? Nothing but nothing to Mel, Syd, Bne, only a few to Perth which is a pain to then get another ticket to MEL. So, I'm looking a getting a paid J ticket for the long haul HKG-MEL. My choices price wise: Garuda, Royal Brunei, China Airlines, Thai, Qantas (most expensive), and Singapore. Any recommendations. I would consider VA but they do not depart on the day I need to fly. I would do Vietnam airlines, but as an American I do not want to face visa problems during transit in Hanoi or Saigon, ditto Communist China. Finally, if I flew Garuda do you need a transit visa - even if the entire flight would be Garuda, same day connecting to MEL via either DPS or CGK? I don't need the hassle of bureaucracy. Non stops HKG-MEL are only on VA/QF/CX and all expensive, but it gets you there without the possible transit snafus. Thank you in advance.
Also you are looking at 2 months out. Usually between 1 to 6 months out is the hardest time to find award since airlines are more likely to wait and see if those seats are sold.
By about 3 weeks before departure, airlines may start to release seats again if there are a lot of empty unsold seats. CX, NH, BR have known to do it. Check the award availability in the next 2-3 weeks an you'll see which airlines are likely to release seats last minute.
Of course it's subject to demand. School holiday may mean those seats are actually sold out and there may not be any award seats.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on
Australia cut off in July for int'l awards?
loopflyer
loopflyer
Member since 13 Nov 2015
Total posts 12
Have miles to use on Alaska MP, Star Alliance and One World. Trying to get HKG-MEL. Nothing in the entire month of July. This using United, Avianca Life Miles, BA, AA, Alaska Air searches. Is something going on Down Under in July, or in Asia, holiday season, winter school break in OZ? Nothing but nothing to Mel, Syd, Bne, only a few to Perth which is a pain to then get another ticket to MEL. So, I'm looking a getting a paid J ticket for the long haul HKG-MEL. My choices price wise: Garuda, Royal Brunei, China Airlines, Thai, Qantas (most expensive), and Singapore. Any recommendations. I would consider VA but they do not depart on the day I need to fly. I would do Vietnam airlines, but as an American I do not want to face visa problems during transit in Hanoi or Saigon, ditto Communist China. Finally, if I flew Garuda do you need a transit visa - even if the entire flight would be Garuda, same day connecting to MEL via either DPS or CGK? I don't need the hassle of bureaucracy. Non stops HKG-MEL are only on VA/QF/CX and all expensive, but it gets you there without the possible transit snafus. Thank you in advance.
ecbailey
ecbailey
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 12 Jan 2016
Total posts 32
First half of July is school holidays, which would explain the prices and lack of points seats.
jayd0116
jayd0116
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 29 Jun 2015
Total posts 39
In July, there are winter school break in Australia and summer break in Hong Kong.
loopflyer
loopflyer
Member since 13 Nov 2015
Total posts 12
Ah ha, ergo the award space issue. Thanks for the replies
Michael Kao
Michael Kao
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 06 Nov 2014
Total posts 163
Also you are looking at 2 months out. Usually between 1 to 6 months out is the hardest time to find award since airlines are more likely to wait and see if those seats are sold.