KrisFlyer Miles Need suggestions for planning a trip to Australia in Oct 2023

[explorer_972]

My parents are planning on visiting a relative in Brisbane in Oct 2023 and coming back in Dec 2023. Our dates are flexible, so planning to book award flights. I have ~1.25L in Axis ER, ~1.85L in Club Vistara, 20k in Marriot Bonvoy points, and ~60k in Amex Points. Will also receive ~1L more edge rewards in the coming couple of months.
I am looking to book business flights, though okay with economy if can't find a good deals on miles.

So far I have found that a Singapore Airline business flight from Delhi to Brisbane costs ~1.85L KF miles round trip per pax. But Delhi to Perth is ~1.39L, we can do another round trip flight from Perth to Brisbane for ~20K saving ~25K per person. Is there something I am missing here?
For economy round trip cost is 85K miles for Brisbane and 65k for Perth, which seems more in the budget considering my edge rewards at the moment.

Qatar Airways seem to have similar rates and are running 30% bonus offer as well but their flights are much longer due to a stop in Doha.

I also checked other programs but I am new to international flight booking through miles so unable to find a better deal. Please let me know if there is a better way for us to book these flights using some other program or through some bonus offers.

 

[nikhilesh71]

I am planning trip to New Zealand or new Zealand in early next year. Following this thread for tips.

I have booked new Zealand trip for next year all through points, Flights-> United, Hotels- Accor. United best feature is free stopovers & free cancellation.

 

[bigbrain]

I have booked new Zealand trip for next year all through points, Flights-> United, Hotels- Accor. United best feature is free stopovers & free cancellation.

I finished my trip
Flights booked via Singapore airlines. Hotels via Accor.

 

[Harry1]

I finished my trip
Flights booked via Singapore airlines. Hotels via Accor.

Any reason for opting Singapore airlines (86K miles) over Quantas (50K JAL) ?

 

[nikhilesh71]

I finished my trip
Flights booked via Singapore airlines. Hotels via Accor.

Yes, I have also booked SIA only, but through united. Only they seems to offer free cancellation

 

[bigbrain]

Any reason for opting Singapore airlines (86K miles) over Quantas (50K JAL) ?

I did not find reward flights when I looked for seats.
I also recollect reading that the taxes are higher on JAL. However, I am not sure about that.

 

[bigbrain]

Yes, I have also booked SIA only, but through united. Only they seems to offer free cancellation

SQ flight timings were perfect for me.
How many miles were required for United when you booked via SQ?

 

[sahilgulati5]

thinking of NZ next year in d month of June 1st week mostly.. Should i book flights now or Wait for any Reward promotion.

 

[nikhilesh71]

thinking of NZ next year in d month of June 1st week mostly.. Should i book flights now or Wait for any Reward promotion.

Award flights are becoming harder to find, please book if you find & don’t wait. I had to cancel my itinerary was not confirmed by SIA & then Air india 2 times, finally succeeded on 3rd occasion, but still lost fcc conversion charges. Just because it shows on redemption site, does not mean they can be booked, when you actually book, then only you will come to know

 

[nikhilesh71]

SQ flight timings were perfect for me.
How many miles were required for United when you booked via SQ?

2 lakh points for 2 people round trip, including free stopover flight within new zealand

 

[sahilgulati5]

Award flights are becoming harder to find, please book if you find & don’t wait. I had to cancel my itinerary was not confirmed by SIA & then Air india 2 times, finally succeeded on 3rd occasion, but still lost fcc conversion charges. Just because it shows on redemption site, does not mean they can be booked, when you actually book, then only you will come to know

yes .. Can see in SA the roundtrip cost 86000+ 8600rs.. in United its 100000+ 8600rs. any other cheaper awards or this is the best

 

[bigbrain]

thinking of NZ next year in d month of June 1st week mostly.. Should i book flights now or Wait for any Reward promotion.

Finding reward flights would be a challenge. I booked for Feb 2024 travel in August 2023, so that I get the required flights. Something came up and was forced to change the plan in october. Revised plan was to travel in October. During this time I did not get return flights from Chrischurch and book from Auckland. Ended taking one extra internal flight.

 

[nikhilesh71]

Finding reward flights would be a challenge. I booked for Feb 2024 travel in August 2023, so that I get the required flights. Something came up and was forced to change the plan in october. Revised plan was to travel in October. During this time I did not get return flights from Chrischurch and book from Auckland. Ended taking one extra internal flight.

Between, How was your NZ visa experience? How much time they take to process, Is process very strict?

 

[nikhilesh71]

yes .. Can see in SA the roundtrip cost 86000+ 8600rs.. in United its 100000+ 8600rs. any other cheaper awards or this is the best

SIA even though cheaper, miles are harder to obtain, while accumulating united is easier with Amex MR, 90k MR would get you 78k united miles when transferring in bonus period. Also free cancellation & stopover facility makes it no brainer, it is best way to use Amex MR

 

[bigbrain]

Between, How was your NZ visa experience? How much time they take to process, Is process very strict?

Did online and they took 2 weeks to approve. The tracker is pretty good and shows what stage of process it is currently in.

Yes. They are strict. Documents they has asked were many. I had to get no objection letter my father in law. Show that me and wife have Co-ordial relationship.

The immigration there is even more strict

 

[nikhilesh71]

Did online and they took 2 weeks to approve. The tracker is pretty good and shows what stage of process it is currently in.

Yes. They are strict. Documents they has asked were many. I had to get no objection letter my father in law. Show that me and wife have Co-ordial relationship.

The immigration there is even more strict

I was wondering, How can we prove cordial relationship, It is weird

 

[bigbrain]

I was wondering, How can we prove cordial relationship, It is weird

Yes. It is weird.
I collected 1 or 2 photos from each year since the time we have been married and prepared a document. I think it makes sense if it is for immigrant visa. Not sure why they needed for visitor visa.