914 replies to this topic

[Capn Jack]

interesting looking trip and im looking up airfare right now using the same dates this year and its about 1600, and i was looking on AA site to find out how many miles it would be for a FF ticket, i think its 75K but im not sure could someone double check that figure for me?

Tooth

I have the miles, but for 1.6k, three US tickets might be a more cost effective alternative. BVI (30k) was an $800 ticket, so that's the trade-off I'm looking at.

Maybe Scott will just dig deep and fly all of us there!!! Hooya.

[Scubatooth]

Mark

As for tickets i was looking at what it would cost based off that timeframe this year and came up with it.

Realistically if im going to fly that far im going to travel either business or first as flights beyond 4 hours i cant stand to be in a coach seat as i cant sleep or even really be comfortable for me (even if it is a 747) and the flight i was looking at total tranist time is 35 hours. plus looking up the airfare it would be about 16K(12K for business) to do a first class ticket but i can buy most of the miles for that ticket from american so the total cost would be about 2500 for the airfare as i can cover the rest with FF miles and CC miles.

For a trip like this i dont mind going all out for it as its most likely going to be many years before i could go back to austrilia so i like it to be a little more cofortable for the trip and to have some more allowances for extra gear i will be bringing.

Kamala i know that there are some extra days but would it be possible to extend this 2 weeks or more so that more of aussie could be seen (sydney harbor, and a few others i would have to thing of a list), due to i probably wont be back for a while)

FWIW

Tooth

[Travelnsj]

Tooth...you think like I do...I have done that trip 4 times and F/C is the only way to go especially Cathay Pacific...but I have a problem...I cannot even do 4 hours in coach ..LOL....Thank God for millions FF miles

[Mermaid Lady]

Add me to the list. I'll make a deposit. How much do you need?

[Scubatooth]

Scott

by chance do you have any AA FF miles you could send the way of a college student?

[WreckWench]

Tooth yes you'll be able to extend the trip beyond the group trip. Just keep us posted in your travel arrangements if we aren't helping you directly.

Travel Update:

We are working with a special air consolidator to help us with group flight arrangements. If you do not opt for the group flight arrrangments I know that we can use them for special tickets such as ScubaTooths' as well.


Deposit Update:

We will start taking deposits on this trip once we have an airfare package put together for the group. That should hopefully be soon.

Preference will be given to our premier members and of course those who also book the group airfare as we'll need a minimum number to make a contract. Since most of us including myself will not be able to fly on miles nor Business nor First Class...I'll be part of the group air pkg. Hopefully I won't need a large number of group air participants to secure a good price.

[Scubatooth]

Kamala

I would travel and keep with the group , but i would prefer for my air travel to be as comfortable as possible as dont do to well in standard seats. Reason i would prefer this is when i travelled to england (DFW to heathrow) several years ago i was in a coach and i wasnt able to sleep at all on the 12 hour flight and arrived jet lagged beyond belief in that by the time i fell asleep i had been up for over 40 hours at that point.

as for side trips, any of them are going to be good but if i can get lots of good shots out of it, fine by me as i will pay to bring the complete gear bag with me on this trip (UW, plus the two land bags). Photo clinic?

The biggest one im probably going to need help with is booking the ticket as im running into road blocks on AA site on setting up the details because appearently AA doesnt fly to Austrailia direct but multi stop and multi carrier itenerary.

Tooth

[ScubaDawg]

Ok Kamala, add me to the interested list too! By then I will have more dives under my belt!! This will give me the motivation to keep practicing in new places!! and to start saving money!!! Alas, I don't have millions of FF miles!!!

[bluedolphin]

The biggest one im probably going to need help with is booking the ticket as im running into road blocks on AA site on setting up the details because appearently AA doesnt fly to Austrailia direct but multi stop and multi carrier itenerary.

It has been some time since I flew to Australia but when I did go I flew American direct to Sydney out of Los Angeles, if that is still the case it should only be one plane change in Los Angeles.

[Cynthia]

I go to Australia usually once a year and I don't think American goes to Sydney anymore...I always take American to LAX where they partner with Qantas to go on over.
I did think, too, that seats are very limited on miles so if we're going to go on miles, we'd better keep in mind to be a little loose with dates (ie stay in Sydney a couple of days before going to Cairns, or whatever)...just a thought...
Cynthia

[bluedolphin]

I go to Australia usually once a year and I don't think American goes to Sydney anymore...I always take American to LAX where they partner with Qantas to go on over.
I did think, too, that seats are very limited on miles so if we're going to go on miles, we'd better keep in mind to be a little loose with dates (ie stay in Sydney a couple of days before going to Cairns, or whatever)...just a thought...
Cynthia

Anything is possible, I was there in 1999. I know for a fact my ticket was on American, it is very possible it was a code share ticket and I was actually on a Quantas Jet.

[MikeSpokane]

I go to Australia usually once a year and I don't think American goes to Sydney anymore...I always take American to LAX where they partner with Qantas to go on over.
I did think, too, that seats are very limited on miles so if we're going to go on miles, we'd better keep in mind to be a little loose with dates (ie stay in Sydney a couple of days before going to Cairns, or whatever)...just a thought...
Cynthia

Anything is possible, I was there in 1999. I know for a fact my ticket was on American, it is very possible it was a code share ticket and I was actually on a Quantas Jet.

Please add me to the very interested list.

Mike

[CaptainMorgan]

Add me to the interested list as well. I would probably spend 2-3 additional weeks there doing landbased activities. Unlike some of you not all of my interests lie underwater. Also I'd be interested in a quad room to keep costs down. Hopefully I'll see you all down-under.

Kelly

[Critterwatcher]

Ooh, it's a little hard for me to plan quite this far out, but I'm interested in this trip, too. I'd also be interested in the group (coach) airfare -- although if I go, I'll probably end up arriving at least a week in advance of the group, so perhaps that puts me on my own. But will look forward with interest to more details and the deposit schedule.

[grayfins]

I am going to plan on this trip. I have been on Mike Ball's boat out of Townsville once. I am looking forward to going.
grayfins