Exterous is (probably) going to be traveling internationally again

[Exterous]

We're now booked to go to the Faroe Islands later this summer. We've wanted to go for some time but its not the easiest to get to from Detroit (and pretty expensive too). If we were going to travel anywhere we wanted it to be somewhere that we could spend a lot of time outdoors and away from crowds. I also didn't want to be jammed into an economy seat for hours on end wearing a mask especially in the summer when some planes can get a tad toasty on the ground. Normally I wouldn't burn a lot of miles for a trip to Europe or burn even more for more spacious seating but its a 2 connection, 18 hour journey minimum to the islands from Detroit so this will give us a little elbow room. It gives us a much more flexible cancellation policy without the need for travel insurance should we need it as award cancellation fees have been greatly reduced. I've also had a year and a half of stockpiling miles with nothing to spend them on.

As an added bonus we are, as currently booked, going to be on a 747 in the upper deck for one of the legs which is something I've wanted to do for some time. I've tried 3 times previously to fly on the upper deck of a 747. Lufthansa has equipment swapped on me twice and COVID trashed my Thai airlines plans so maybe the 4th time is the charm?

 

[Jeeebus]

Good stuff. We're going to Dubai/Maldives in December, currently on a 777-200 in biz. Debating whether to re-route through New York or DC and burning even more miles for 1st class on the a380. I've done it before, but the wife and kids have not (and I doubt they'll get the chance anytime in the near future). Holding onto miles long term is not a great investment, so use em when you got em.

 

[Captante]

Dibs on your stuff?


Seriously I'm jealous ... have fun and be careful!

 

[pete6032]

Have a flight booked to Tokyo later this year but it's not looking so good right now.

 

[Exterous]

Good stuff. We're going to Dubai/Maldives in December, currently on a 777-200 in biz. Debating whether to re-route through New York or DC and burning even more miles for 1st class on the a380. I've done it before, but the wife and kids have not (and I doubt they'll get the chance anytime in the near future). Holding onto miles long term is not a great investment, so use em when you got em.

I mean if you have a ton of miles why not? My mantra with miles was: Use for really nice products (Middle east or Asian carriers), on hard or expensive to get routes, or on stupidly complex routings (DTW-FRA-ADD-SEZ-ADD-NBO-TAZ-ZRH-YYZ-DTW). Asia travel doesn't seem likely, Oceania is basically closed and complex routings don't seem like a great idea at the moment with the myriad of transiting rules. And, to your point, it wouldn't surprise me if there were some more mile devaluations in the future so I had to let that go and move to: might as well try and use a chunk now

Dibs on your stuff?


Seriously I'm jealous ... have fun and be careful!

Thanks - we'll see if it actually happens. I'm hopeful but its less of a likelihood than in say 2019.

Have a flight booked to Tokyo later this year but it's not looking so good right now.

Hopefully they can turn things around but...yeah

 

[K1052]

And, to your point, it wouldn't surprise me if there were some more mile devaluations in the future so I had to let that go and move to: might as well try and use a chunk now

Yep, I'm whittling down our balances anticipating a wave of devaluations.

 

[ponyo]

That's interesting and cool destination! Never heard of the islands so I googled and the images are beautiful. Great choice.

I flew international for the first time since covid last week. I went to Cancun to relax so it was only 2 hours short direct flight. Seemed like business as usual other than the masks. Got a trip to Punta Cana booked for June and another trip to Cancun in July. All the flights were booked on points. I refuse to travel to any country that requires negative covid test to visit. The way I look at it, they need my tourist dollars more than I need them.

Hopefully by fall or winter, countries in Asia will reopen to tourists. There's talk South Korea might remove the mandatory 14 days quarantine for vaccinated US travelers so if that happens, I'm booking another trip. I'm also thinking about applying for Malaysia My Second Home visa program once they open back up.

http://www.mm2h.gov.my

Malaysia is currently blowing up with covid cases so they probably won't reopen this year but maybe next year I can visit and apply for the program and get the 10 years residency card.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Looks pretty nice and probably cool up there. Likely a good retreat if you're going in the heat of the Summer. I was trying to check airfare there out of curiosity and couldn't even see what flights run because of COVID restrictions.

 

[Exterous]

Looks pretty nice and probably cool up there. Likely a good retreat if you're going in the heat of the Summer. I was trying to check airfare there out of curiosity and couldn't even see what flights run because of COVID restrictions.

How are you checking? Google flights can pull up flights from pretty much anywhere. As a side note Google Flights is usually a great starting place for flight options as there are only a very tiny number of airlines that won't show up on there. Southwest is the biggest one that doesn't show up for US travelers but Google often gets even small regional airlines like Atlantic Airways for the Faroe Islands which has like 4 planes.

From Detroit its ~$1400 pp in economy, $4,000 in business. It was $160 in fees + 140,000 united miles pp for business* and we'll get to spend a couple of days in Denmark as well

*I picked a route that, in addition to using a 747, transits through Frankfurt with enough time that, COVID restrictions depending, I'll head to Lufthansa's lounge for their showers and omelet station so when we arrive at our destination in the morning we'll be fueled, refreshed and ready to go

 

[purbeast0]

I flew for the first time a couple weeks ago. We flew direct from VA to St. Thomas and it wasn't that bad at all.

Once there, it was nice to not really worry about masks. And don't get me wrong, they are taking it very serious there and have super low numbers, with masks required in door and temp checks at some stores, but outside they were non existent. And we were outside like 95% of the time.

It felt so nice to kind of forget about it for most of the time and just check out. I literally had no clue wtf was going on in the world for a week and then when I was in the airport to fly back on my phone, that's when I had heard about the gas pipeline hack that happened a few days prior lol.

Definitely get away if you can.

 

[K1052]

I think I'd rather die than connect in Frankfurt again.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I flew for the first time a couple weeks ago. We flew direct from VA to St. Thomas and it wasn't that bad at all.

Once there, it was nice to not really worry about masks. And don't get me wrong, they are taking it very serious there and have super low numbers, with masks required in door and temp checks at some stores, but outside they were non existent. And we were outside like 95% of the time.

It felt so nice to kind of forget about it for most of the time and just check out. I literally had no clue wtf was going on in the world for a week and then when I was in the airport to fly back on my phone, that's when I had heard about the gas pipeline hack that happened a few days prior lol.

Definitely get away if you can.

I'd like to find an island destination so I can burn all the Hilton Honors points I accumulated this past year and use some free nights I've got/airilne credits/etc... I just realized, it doesn't look like any of the USVI have Hilton properties on them (yet).

Airfare for me to St. Thomas when I'm looking is $630/ticket already for this September. But it's risky booking nonrefundable airfare that time of year in the Caribbean too without looking at the storm lineup.

I know Aruba has a Hilton, but of course food there is outrageous....any other islands I should check?

 

[purbeast0]

I'd like to find an island destination so I can burn all the Hilton Honors points I accumulated this past year and use some free nights I've got/airilne credits/etc... I just realized, it doesn't look like any of the USVI have Hilton properties on them (yet).

Airfare for me to St. Thomas when I'm looking is $630/ticket already for this September. But it's risky booking nonrefundable airfare that time of year in the Caribbean too without looking at the storm lineup.

I know Aruba has a Hilton, but of course food there is outrageous....any other islands I should check?

Food isn't outrageous in Aruba. I've been there 5x. It's the same as going to any restaurants in the USA. Aruba and St. Thomas are pretty much the same price wise.

Grand Cayman is where it's more expensive for sure though, but man that island is incredible.

Try Turks and Caicos. Prices there are very similar to Aruba/St. Thomas though so not sure if that is out of your range. Providenciales is the main island in that country. It's awesome there too.

Only one I'd steer clear of is Bahamas, if we're even allowed there yet. Not sure if we can even go there as US citizens yet. I've only been to Nassau though, twice, both at the Atlantis. The second time I went was the last time I will go. Overpriced for the sake of being overpriced and it's just a huge tourist trap. It's amazing how much can change in the 6 years between our visits there. I do want to go to Exuma though at some point but getting there is a bit trickier than Nassau.

I'd also assume there is a Hilton in Hawaii somewhere. Only been to Maui but it was long ago in 2008 and loved it.

Oh, perhaps the Keys. I know there are some Hilton properties down there. We love going to Marathon and just chillin and slowing down for a bit.

 

[Svnla]

How much will the ticket(s) be? I did check around a few days ago and the cheapest flight ticket from US to Asia for me would be about 50% higher than pre-covid.

Hopefully I will be able to make the trip because right now Asian countries are not doing well with all the new virus cases so most of them do not accept any visitors/shut down borders.

 

[ponyo]

I'd like to find an island destination so I can burn all the Hilton Honors points I accumulated this past year and use some free nights I've got/airilne credits/etc... I just realized, it doesn't look like any of the USVI have Hilton properties on them (yet).

Airfare for me to St. Thomas when I'm looking is $630/ticket already for this September. But it's risky booking nonrefundable airfare that time of year in the Caribbean too without looking at the storm lineup.

I know Aruba has a Hilton, but of course food there is outrageous....any other islands I should check?

Airfare to the Caribbean is not cheap. You would think with us being in the Southeast US and so close geographically to the region, there would be tons of cheap airfares to the Caribbean. But unless you want to fly discount airline like Spirit on non direct flights and spend all day at airports, prices are typically like $600-900 per person. I think I paid like $750 per person for my direct economy Delta flight to Punta Cana in June. Now that same flight is like $1,000 per person.

Food in Aruba is not that expensive. I would say Aruba is one of the cheaper Caribbean islands. There are plenty of cheap Airbnb rentals for lodging and food outside of resorts are reasonably priced. If you stay and eat only inside the resorts, you'll pay similar prices as you would in the US. But that's pretty much true anywhere you go in the world.

I found Turks and Caicos much more expensive than Aruba but that's mainly due to lack of cheap hotels and Airbnb rentals. You'll easily pay $1k a night at beachfront resort in Turks and Caicos. I also found food prices higher in Turks than Aruba but that's insignificant compared to higher lodging prices. Turks and Caicos is definitely more for wealthier traveler similar to Grand Cayman.

 

[Exterous]

I think I'd rather die than connect in Frankfurt again.

Well it was my only option for a 747 flight and I think the Welcome Lounge is one of the best Star Alliance lounges in Europe. Even if its not open there are a fair number of shower options at Frankfurt compared to a lot of other airports. I know that isn't a big deal for everyone but it makes a huge difference in how I feel after a red-eye. I've also had good luck on Lufthansa-Lufthansa connections compared to my other experiences there

 

[soulcougher73]

I just booked a Kauai week long vacation in late august. Wife's never been before and i was there when i was about 14 which i dont remember much of now haha

 

[Scarpozzi]

Airfare to the Caribbean is not cheap. You would think with us being in the Southeast US and so close geographically to the region, there would be tons of cheap airfares to the Caribbean. But unless you want to fly discount airline like Spirit on non direct flights and spend all day at airports, prices are typically like $600-900 per person. I think I paid like $750 per person for my direct economy Delta flight to Punta Cana in June. Now that same flight is like $1,000 per person.

Food in Aruba is not that expensive. I would say Aruba is one of the cheaper Caribbean islands. There are plenty of cheap Airbnb rentals for lodging and food outside of resorts are reasonably priced. If you stay and eat only inside the resorts, you'll pay similar prices as you would in the US. But that's pretty much true anywhere you go in the world.

I found Turks and Caicos much more expensive than Aruba but that's mainly due to lack of cheap hotels and Airbnb rentals. You'll easily pay $1k a night at beachfront resort in Turks and Caicos. I also found food prices higher in Turks than Aruba but that's insignificant compared to higher lodging prices. Turks and Caicos is definitely more for wealthier traveler similar to Grand Cayman.

That's what I noticed 15 years ago when I was looking. I understand the logistical challenges. No joke...you think we're close to those islands until you actually see how many miles flights typically travel to stay over or near land. Dominican Republic flights always messed with the hotel/all-inclusive deals. The only place I've ever been down there is Cancun.

I'd like to do Roatan, Barbados, Aruba, and all of the US Virgin Islands. We'll see how things go in the next few years and what travel deals I can catch. =P

 

[dullard]

I'm jealous. The Faroe Islands have long been near the top of my list. Beautiful scenery, exotic (to me) animals, lots of outdoor time. But, my wife just doesn't seem interested. She is especially not interested in international travel until Covid is more under control.

I always figured the best way to go to the Faroe Islands is to do a layover for a couple days in Iceland (both ends of the trip). That way, it is a two-for one vacation with cheap flights and no awkward long travel days. Same thing works when going to Australia or New Zealand: flights are half the price if you happen to have a layover day or two in Hawaii or Fiji.

I hope you enjoy the food. Faroe Island food never seemed that appealing.

 

[ponyo]

I'm jealous. The Faroe Islands have long been near the top of my list. Beautiful scenery, exotic (to me) animals, lots of outdoor time. But, my wife just doesn't seem interested. She is especially not interested in international travel until Covid is more under control.

I always figured the best way to go to the Faroe Islands is to do a layover for a couple days in Iceland (both ends of the trip). That way, it is a two-for one vacation with cheap flights and no awkward long travel days. Same thing works when going to Australia or New Zealand: flights are half the price if you happen to have a layover day or two in Hawaii or Fiji.

I hope you enjoy the food. Faroe Island food never seemed that appealing.

Interesting tip about layover in Iceland and Hawaii for Faroe and Australia. You're probably right about airfare being much cheaper if I do layover or open jaw flights. It's the same way with Seoul and Korean Air. It's much cheaper to add extra open jaw trip to any of the Southeast Asia cities when traveling to Seoul than just doing Seoul by itself. Flights can be 30-50% cheaper even though you're adding another city/country.

Iceland is a country I really want to visit. Looks super beautiful. I also want to visit Australia and New Zealand but my wife doesn't want to go to Australia because she's concerned about racism towards asians there. I've read Australians are super racist towards asians. I'm sure reality is not bad as what I've read but racism is definitely something I consider when I look at potential travel destinations.

 

[K1052]

Well it was my only option for a 747 flight and I think the Welcome Lounge is one of the best Star Alliance lounges in Europe. Even if its not open there are a fair number of shower options at Frankfurt compared to a lot of other airports. I know that isn't a big deal for everyone but it makes a huge difference in how I feel after a red-eye. I've also had good luck on Lufthansa-Lufthansa connections compared to my other experiences there

Never been in a lounge there since I've had to literally run for every connection even flying business. Last time was the final straw when I was sick as a dog connecting hours late from CDG and I had to do it again to make the AUS bound flight which was entirely at the other end of the concourse (of course after clearing the interminably backed up passport check for exiting Schengen). They closed the door 3 minutes after we boarded and we sat for an hour and a half waiting to deice. The checked luggage also did not make it.

No Frankfurt. I'll go through Heathrow and let the Brits bark at me instead.

 

[Exterous]

I'm jealous. The Faroe Islands have long been near the top of my list. Beautiful scenery, exotic (to me) animals, lots of outdoor time. But, my wife just doesn't seem interested. She is especially not interested in international travel until Covid is more under control.

I always figured the best way to go to the Faroe Islands is to do a layover for a couple days in Iceland (both ends of the trip). That way, it is a two-for one vacation with cheap flights and no awkward long travel days. Same thing works when going to Australia or New Zealand: flights are half the price if you happen to have a layover day or two in Hawaii or Fiji.

I hope you enjoy the food. Faroe Island food never seemed that appealing.

It's been up there for a while for us as well so we're excited but trying not to get too excited in case it falls through. I did see about maybe making it a Norway - Faroe Islands - Iceland trip as there used to be direct flights between Oslo and Reykjavik to the Faroe Islands but those don't appear to be running at the moment. Even if they were we've got some other commitments that constrain our trip duration. As an aside the United seatmaps for their ORD and EWR direct flights to KEF were surprisingly full in August so my guess is a lot of people are taking advantage of them being open to vaccinated Americans. We only had a few days in Iceland when we were there so we've wanted to go back. Although I want to go to and go back to most places so that doesn't really say much

I will note I see some parallels between the Faroe Islands in 2019 and where Iceland was back in 2015 or so. Mainly that airline routes were opening up more and more and by 2018 you started seeing "Iceland overrun with tourists" mentions. Atlantic Airways got a couple A320neos with the express intention of starting non-stop flights between the Faroe Islands and New York and they started seeing some of the negative effects of the arrival of "Influencers" resulting in new rules and charges. I think COVID reset that quite a bit but basically I mention this because you might want to go there sooner rather than later if you can convince the wife.

 

[Exterous]

Never been in a lounge there since I've had to literally run for every connection even flying business. Last time was the final straw when I was sick as a dog connecting hours late from CDG and I had to do it again to make the AUS bound flight which was entirely at the other end of the concourse (of course after clearing the interminably backed up passport check for exiting Schengen). They closed the door 3 minutes after we boarded and we sat for an hour and a half waiting to deice. The checked luggage also did not make it.

No Frankfurt. I'll go through Heathrow and let the Brits bark at me instead.

Yeah that doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun

 

[Scarpozzi]

I just asked my wife if she'd want to do anything for our anniversary...like Aruba or Barbados (never been). 10 minutes later, we booked 10 days at the Waldorf Astoria in Maui for September.

Should we take our kids? (7/9 years old)

 

[Exterous]

As an added bonus we are, as currently booked, going to be on a 747 in the upper deck for one of the legs which is something I've wanted to do for some time. I've tried 3 times previously to fly on the upper deck of a 747. Lufthansa has equipment swapped on me twice and COVID trashed my Thai airlines plans so maybe the 4th time is the charm?

Sigh. Not looking good - Lufthansa just updated their schedules and it looks like they aren't flying the 747 on this route or any of the routes I can switch to around my travel dates anymore. 0 for 4