Mileage to Bali?
Jan 1st, 2009, 05:00 PM
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Mileage to Bali?
We're considering a trip to Bali, Lombok and possibly Langkawi in the spring/early summer of 2010. (As if I was going to let 2009 go without any sort of planning and/or obsession.)
We want to fly in biz and have about 200k miles on both Continental and Delta each.
Continental doesn't fly to Denpasar anymore (they canceled service via Guam, unfortunately) so it sounds like we'll need to route through Hong Kong, Bangkok or Singapore...or some other connecting city.
As most of you know, we definitely cashed out our United points to fly in Royal Silk on Thai a couple of weeks ago. So even though they'd probably be the best option for us to either get to Asia, that ain't gonna happen this time as we have virtually no points left with them.
Both Continental and Delta don't seem to have many wonderful options for biz class to Asia--even through partners...and even less to fly to Bali at all. Just looking for some sage advice for the experts, as the advice I got here this time last year was what helped us nail those seats to Bangkok on Thai.
Is the best we can hope for to get to BKK or Singapore on some random partner airline and maybe Air Asia-it to Denpasar?
And, yes, I know I owe a full trip report here soon for our latest jaunt...but was just speaking with the DH about travel planning and want to get a good grip on the mileage redemption plan-of-action ahead of time once availability opens up.
Happy New Year to my favorite Fodorites...and same to Bob and Andy too.
We want to fly in biz and have about 200k miles on both Continental and Delta each.
Continental doesn't fly to Denpasar anymore (they canceled service via Guam, unfortunately) so it sounds like we'll need to route through Hong Kong, Bangkok or Singapore...or some other connecting city.
As most of you know, we definitely cashed out our United points to fly in Royal Silk on Thai a couple of weeks ago. So even though they'd probably be the best option for us to either get to Asia, that ain't gonna happen this time as we have virtually no points left with them.
Both Continental and Delta don't seem to have many wonderful options for biz class to Asia--even through partners...and even less to fly to Bali at all. Just looking for some sage advice for the experts, as the advice I got here this time last year was what helped us nail those seats to Bangkok on Thai.
Is the best we can hope for to get to BKK or Singapore on some random partner airline and maybe Air Asia-it to Denpasar?
And, yes, I know I owe a full trip report here soon for our latest jaunt...but was just speaking with the DH about travel planning and want to get a good grip on the mileage redemption plan-of-action ahead of time once availability opens up.
Happy New Year to my favorite Fodorites...and same to Bob and Andy too.
Jan 1st, 2009, 05:26 PM
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I think getting to Singapore would be your best bet, then Jet Star Asia to Bali.
How did Langkawi get into that list? It's a nice enough place, but not worth going that far out of your way to see, IMO. Have you thought about Toraja, or maybe Flores / Komodo? I'd suggest a cruise (see http://www.kararu.com/the-liveaboard...-ho/index.html) but I think you mentioned David gets seasick.
Keep us posted on your dates. Maybe we can do a GTG when you're in Bali.
How did Langkawi get into that list? It's a nice enough place, but not worth going that far out of your way to see, IMO. Have you thought about Toraja, or maybe Flores / Komodo? I'd suggest a cruise (see http://www.kararu.com/the-liveaboard...-ho/index.html) but I think you mentioned David gets seasick.
Keep us posted on your dates. Maybe we can do a GTG when you're in Bali.
Jan 1st, 2009, 05:34 PM
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Hi Michael!...sawadee pee mai! Hope things are well in BKK.
Langkawi...hmmm. Mostly since I figured we might fly in and out of Singapore--and we need our 'beach' fill for the trip. We haven't planned anything specific yet, but I'm sure we'll spend most of our time in Bali in Ubud and I doubt the requisite snorkeling craving will be filled in Bali.
A Thai friend we met in Racha mentioned that Langkawi and Lipe had the best snorkeling in the area--and Lipe is definitely a no-go.
Any suggestions that might fit the bill?
Langkawi...hmmm. Mostly since I figured we might fly in and out of Singapore--and we need our 'beach' fill for the trip. We haven't planned anything specific yet, but I'm sure we'll spend most of our time in Bali in Ubud and I doubt the requisite snorkeling craving will be filled in Bali.
A Thai friend we met in Racha mentioned that Langkawi and Lipe had the best snorkeling in the area--and Lipe is definitely a no-go.
Any suggestions that might fit the bill?
Jan 1st, 2009, 05:41 PM
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michael, BTW, those liveaboards look amazing. But most of the cruises look like they last about 10-14 days, which we wouldn't have the time for.
Also, saw a lot about diving, but not much about snorkeling, but oh my--those pictures sure make one want to take up diving. Unfortunately, I think David is sticking to natural air for the time being.
rkkwan--thanks for the tip. how is biz on KE? never heard much about it, to tell you the truth. hope you're feeling better.
Also, saw a lot about diving, but not much about snorkeling, but oh my--those pictures sure make one want to take up diving.
Unfortunately, I think David is sticking to natural air for the time being.rkkwan--thanks for the tip. how is biz on KE? never heard much about it, to tell you the truth. hope you're feeling better.
Jan 1st, 2009, 06:37 PM
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I'm not sure why you'd need to go to Langkawi for beach... you're going to Lombok and Bali. Lombok has lovely beaches. If it were me (and it isn't) I'd fly in through Singapore and stay two places in Bali (beach and Ubud area) and one on Lombok (Qunci Villas).
Jan 1st, 2009, 06:42 PM
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well langkawi sure isn't going over well here
sorry--i should clarify: it's not just beaches, it's beaches with the option of snorkeling that we're interested in. as far as i know, that's not de rigeur in either bali or lombok--or maybe it is? i'm trying to figure that part out.
sorry--i should clarify: it's not just beaches, it's beaches with the option of snorkeling that we're interested in. as far as i know, that's not de rigeur in either bali or lombok--or maybe it is? i'm trying to figure that part out.
Jan 1st, 2009, 07:08 PM
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YOU WILL LOVE IT.... lombok is good for 3-5 days....maybe a couple of days on their north islands the gili islands...
look at qunci villas for sure!!
on bali in ubud you have to stay at alam shanti, but res have to be made a year in advance....no deposit as i remember....get the gangga room...
good places in sanur to stay too...
look at malaysian air....not sure who their partners are....if you get to K/L you can fly air asia easily to bali...
andy asked me last nite how you were coming with the LA GTG planning....?? he's afraid he will be stuck with me all weekend....and in that closet...
look at qunci villas for sure!!
on bali in ubud you have to stay at alam shanti, but res have to be made a year in advance....no deposit as i remember....get the gangga room...
good places in sanur to stay too...
look at malaysian air....not sure who their partners are....if you get to K/L you can fly air asia easily to bali...
andy asked me last nite how you were coming with the LA GTG planning....?? he's afraid he will be stuck with me all weekend....and in that closet...
Jan 1st, 2009, 07:14 PM
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filmwill,
What are your choices for partner airlines? There are quite a few airlines that fly into Denpasar from all over Asia. You should check Taipei, Seoul and Tokyo as well as Bangkok and Singapore.
Bali has some very good scuba/snorkling sites in the northwest part of the island, around Menjangan Island. You can either stay nearby or "commute" from other parts of Bali. It's an area of great natural beauty but the beaches are black, volcanic sand. Some new resort developments in Pemuteran that look nice as well (though I haven't been there personally). Puri Ganesha is one that gets consistently good comments.
I wasn't enamored of the reefs around Lombok, although the beaches are quite nice.
What are your choices for partner airlines? There are quite a few airlines that fly into Denpasar from all over Asia. You should check Taipei, Seoul and Tokyo as well as Bangkok and Singapore.
Bali has some very good scuba/snorkling sites in the northwest part of the island, around Menjangan Island. You can either stay nearby or "commute" from other parts of Bali. It's an area of great natural beauty but the beaches are black, volcanic sand. Some new resort developments in Pemuteran that look nice as well (though I haven't been there personally). Puri Ganesha is one that gets consistently good comments.
I wasn't enamored of the reefs around Lombok, although the beaches are quite nice.
Jan 2nd, 2009, 12:40 AM
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The Northeast of Bali also has some decent snorkeling. Have a look at the Tulamben area when doing your research. The Mimpi resort there looks quite nice, and they also have a very posh property on the northwest of Bali.
There is also a huge snorkeling platform out off Lembongan Island, but it's one of those mass tourist sites that just doesn't appeal to me.
The snorkeling around Komodo is supposed to be among the best there is. Most of these cruises have a mix of divers and snorkelers. I have the same issue with the Cheng Ho schedule, so I'm personally considering trying the Moana (http://www.moanacruising.com/?siid=10&dad=3&Lid=en) with their 5/6 day itineraries. I have three more restaurants opening on Bali this year, so I can hopefully tack this on to one of my trips.
As for Langkawi, the snorkeling is okay, but it has the same high level of development as Lembongan near Bali. If none of the other Indonesian options offered here works out, you might want to have a look at Tioman Island. It's much closer to Singapore. Beryjaya has some great fly/stay deals.
You can do a basic scuba course in just two days. I did it to challenge myself, and wasn't sure I would really take to it, but I was hooked. Get David to give it a try.
There is also a huge snorkeling platform out off Lembongan Island, but it's one of those mass tourist sites that just doesn't appeal to me.
The snorkeling around Komodo is supposed to be among the best there is. Most of these cruises have a mix of divers and snorkelers. I have the same issue with the Cheng Ho schedule, so I'm personally considering trying the Moana (http://www.moanacruising.com/?siid=10&dad=3&Lid=en) with their 5/6 day itineraries. I have three more restaurants opening on Bali this year, so I can hopefully tack this on to one of my trips.
As for Langkawi, the snorkeling is okay, but it has the same high level of development as Lembongan near Bali. If none of the other Indonesian options offered here works out, you might want to have a look at Tioman Island. It's much closer to Singapore. Beryjaya has some great fly/stay deals.
You can do a basic scuba course in just two days. I did it to challenge myself, and wasn't sure I would really take to it, but I was hooked. Get David to give it a try.
Jan 2nd, 2009, 01:38 AM
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I also don’t see the need for a “beach” vacation after a trip to Bali and Lombok, as you can get in plenty of opportunities there, and IMO there is good snorkeling in Bali and Lombok, actually off the coast between the two (i.e. east coast Bali and west coast Lombok). Live-aboards are only necessary for diving, IMO, you can do fine for snorkeling from beaches or on day boats.
In any event if you really want a beach from S’pore I certainly would not bother with Langkawi, in those months I would go to the marvelous east coast of Malaysia (Redang/Perhatians) or Rawa and that area (avoid Tioman). Superb snorkeling.
As for flights, well if you are spending miles (or money) on biz class to Asia there is really nothing else to say but SQ. Their business class seats do not have a rival anywhere, IMO. (These are the only airplanes I am reluctant to leave at the end of a flight). Cathay is quite good but would not be an option for you for miles as far as I know. If you consider another Asian airline, look very carefully at the seats for biz class, to the best of my knowledge none of them would come close to SQ (although as I said Cathay is pretty good, much narrower, but quite comfortable and if I could fit the duvet in my carry-on would bring one home with me…). No sense in wasting miles on a less than primo seat. To think about spending miles on biz class for Delta or CO (sliding off those leather seats that don’t fully recline) when you could be sitting in SQ just makes me want to laugh…and then having to put up with the US crews just makes me want to cry…..
Also if flying to Korea, look carefully at arrival and departure times. Flights to Bali from there are quite a bit longer from there than from Spore (or Hong Kong or Bangkok), and on the return you may have to overnight at Inchon. Korea is OK as a tourist destination, but IMO if you are going to go that far north in Asia I would go to Japan and spend some time in Japan; you will probably also have better flight connections to Bali, as Bali is a popular destination for Japanese.
If you want to get certified for diving, IMO you really should do it BEFORE the trip; don’t’ try to spend valuable vacation time learning to dive. Enjoy the trip and do actual diving. Even if you just do pool dives and one open water at home to get certified, you will at least have all the classroom time out of the way, will understand the basics, and will feel more prepared to actually dive when you get there and enjoy it.
In any event if you really want a beach from S’pore I certainly would not bother with Langkawi, in those months I would go to the marvelous east coast of Malaysia (Redang/Perhatians) or Rawa and that area (avoid Tioman). Superb snorkeling.
As for flights, well if you are spending miles (or money) on biz class to Asia there is really nothing else to say but SQ. Their business class seats do not have a rival anywhere, IMO. (These are the only airplanes I am reluctant to leave at the end of a flight). Cathay is quite good but would not be an option for you for miles as far as I know. If you consider another Asian airline, look very carefully at the seats for biz class, to the best of my knowledge none of them would come close to SQ (although as I said Cathay is pretty good, much narrower, but quite comfortable and if I could fit the duvet in my carry-on would bring one home with me…). No sense in wasting miles on a less than primo seat. To think about spending miles on biz class for Delta or CO (sliding off those leather seats that don’t fully recline) when you could be sitting in SQ just makes me want to laugh…and then having to put up with the US crews just makes me want to cry…..
Also if flying to Korea, look carefully at arrival and departure times. Flights to Bali from there are quite a bit longer from there than from Spore (or Hong Kong or Bangkok), and on the return you may have to overnight at Inchon. Korea is OK as a tourist destination, but IMO if you are going to go that far north in Asia I would go to Japan and spend some time in Japan; you will probably also have better flight connections to Bali, as Bali is a popular destination for Japanese.
If you want to get certified for diving, IMO you really should do it BEFORE the trip; don’t’ try to spend valuable vacation time learning to dive. Enjoy the trip and do actual diving. Even if you just do pool dives and one open water at home to get certified, you will at least have all the classroom time out of the way, will understand the basics, and will feel more prepared to actually dive when you get there and enjoy it.
Jan 2nd, 2009, 01:58 AM
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Will, we've snorkeled at Menjangan Island off of northeast Bali. It was well worth spending a day for this. We were based in Lovina, about an hour away. Our hotel, the Damai (www.Damai.com) arranged everything. It was just us and one other couple on the boat. The cost was minimal.
Like the others, I suggest doing Ubud and a beach area. There are snorkeling day tours from southern Bali to Menjangan but I think you'd be better off staying somewhere closer for 2-3 nights. Unless you have 2-1/2 weeks or more for this trip, I'd skip Lombok and save it for another time.
Like the others, I suggest doing Ubud and a beach area. There are snorkeling day tours from southern Bali to Menjangan but I think you'd be better off staying somewhere closer for 2-3 nights. Unless you have 2-1/2 weeks or more for this trip, I'd skip Lombok and save it for another time.
Jan 2nd, 2009, 02:23 AM
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We went to Bali the last week of May and the first of June, perfect weather.
To use your miles, just plug in LAX-Denpassar on Kayak.com and see which carriers fly that route. Then see which are partners with Continental or Delta.
Bali and Lombok have all the beach you need. You might think about a short layover in Singapore.
Pandas do not stay in closets. We are as out as we can be.
Do NOT let daydreaming about a 2010 trip delay the start of your trip report.
To use your miles, just plug in LAX-Denpassar on Kayak.com and see which carriers fly that route. Then see which are partners with Continental or Delta.
Bali and Lombok have all the beach you need. You might think about a short layover in Singapore.
Pandas do not stay in closets. We are as out as we can be.
Do NOT let daydreaming about a 2010 trip delay the start of your trip report.
Jan 2nd, 2009, 04:25 PM
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Thanks for all the advice, guys.
This gives me lots of useful tidbits to start gathering broad ideas about the trip.
I was mostly concerned with starting to think about how to redeem mileage--and I think I have a bit of a handle on that now. Sounds like Continental/Delta is the best way to go. As much as I'd love to fly Singapore (who wouldn't?!) I don't think we can redeem with them. Even when we had United miles, they had 0 availability for 2 pax in biz class award seats.
Interesting note: a rep I spoke with at Continental said they were starting service from Newark to Singapore in the spring. I haven't heard or read anything about that anywhere...was wondering if she may have been mistaken or if they are actually planning on flying there. That would be great if they are!
This gives me lots of useful tidbits to start gathering broad ideas about the trip.
I was mostly concerned with starting to think about how to redeem mileage--and I think I have a bit of a handle on that now. Sounds like Continental/Delta is the best way to go. As much as I'd love to fly Singapore (who wouldn't?!) I don't think we can redeem with them. Even when we had United miles, they had 0 availability for 2 pax in biz class award seats.
Interesting note: a rep I spoke with at Continental said they were starting service from Newark to Singapore in the spring. I haven't heard or read anything about that anywhere...was wondering if she may have been mistaken or if they are actually planning on flying there. That would be great if they are!
Feb 11th, 2009, 01:43 PM
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When we went to Thailand/Bali a friend gave me 150,000 Delta miles & we got 1 buz seat on Singapore airlines. Thenwe paid for the 2nd one. Planning this far in advance you shuldn't have a problem-they only have so many seats & all we had to do was go one day early for the free flight-enjoy-great trip. Chris
