Comments on: 3 ways you can save 60% on luxury international flights

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 06:06:00 +0000

This article truly explained that how and from where you can get 60% discounts on your luxury intentional flights. I will keep all these tips in my mind next time while booking my international flights. I am very thankful to the author for sharing this useful information.

By: Brent

Brent — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:36:50 +0000

Exactly. I’ve just booked a First Class ticket on Cathay Pacific from the UK to New Zealand, return, for the equivalent of $4000! It’s certainly possible to take that approach and pick up some fantastic deals. I do remember someone once saying to me (a number of years ago now) that hardly anyone who flies business or first pay the full fare……

Regards.

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:33:39 +0000

Google the names Simon drops.

By: D

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:16:50 +0000

Hi All

The website below has some useful info on airlines and how to best use your points, upgrades, etc..

The blurb on the main page states “It’s the hub that brings everyone together — from leisure travelers to mileage junkies — to converse about programs, get the latest program buzz or discuss how to maximize points or miles. You’ll even get some good general travel information! ”

http://www.flyertalk.com/

I personally don’t use it as my wife works for a major airline so we have some benefits there but from what i’ve seen it appears worth the effort to look at. And it’s free [not that mind paying for good advice!]

Regards
D.

By: Bob

Bob — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:54:01 +0000

Amex Platinum card will allow you to buy one business class ticket and your companion flies free.

By: Brian

Brian — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:12:36 +0000

How about free tickets? I recently booked free tickets to Bali (from Bangkok) on AirAsia in June of next year. That deal was quickly snapped up but perhaps there are others. AirAsia is trying to be the Ryan air of Asia. I suspect I may end up in the back working a large set of pedals throughout the flight – we’ll see.

Sunsets here in Thailand are indeed truly magnificent – at my house it sets over the Burmese mountains and I look forward to it every evening. I try to tell myself that it has nothing to do with pollution but I suspect that at least some of the fantastic color results from the common burning of the fields by my neighboring farmers. In Pattaya, Simon, you are directly 75 miles due East across the Gulf from me and the ocean sunsets there can also be breathtaking looking across the water.

more good PR for Thailand! But don’t all come here!

By: BFT

BFT — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:07:59 +0000

When you’re already in Asia you should take a look at airasia.com. You can go from for example Singapore to Phuket daily, and it’s so cheap that it’s almost free. You can also go Phuket to Indonesia, Taipei and a lot of other places. I live in Thailand, and I travel a lot around asia because it’s so cheap that you’ll literally not even notice that money leaves your pocket. The planes are fine, and the service is good. Of course it’s not first class, but for travelling between countries in asia which is rarely more than 1-2.5 hours it’s no problem.

By: Jess Peery

Jess Peery — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:11:38 +0000

I disagree with Kelly about Philippine Airlines, I just flew them to Bangkok and they were great, comfortable seats, and a truly great staff…maybe Kelly was on an older plane, it makes a big difference. The 747 I flew was great, and the food even better than usual. Check out farebuzz.com for cheap business class flights 40% off!

By: David

David — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:06:00 +0000

Simon,

I enjoy your blog and international advice. A small tip from me you may find amusing or helpful considering your letter is called notes from the field.

There is a high quality notepad I use called “Field Notes.” Perfect to keep in your pocket or bag when you need to jot something down and are far from civilization. Check it them out at fieldnotesbrand.com

Dave

By: Christine

Christine — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:28:19 +0000

Hi Simon,

Very true; and I have used miles for Intl. flights before, but I must say Philippine Airlines just sucks, the seats are so uncomfortable. Their business class lounge needs help.

I personally like buying a coach ticket and using miles to upgrade, this makes sense for me since I am a last minute traveler.

I also use Amex points to transfer to partner airlines to book business class flights.

By: Jake

Jake — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:13:40 +0000

SkyEurope went out of business a few months ago!

By: Qualified

Qualified — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:17:50 +0000

I’m curious what the BA/Iberia merger will do to the European business tr avel market. Is anyone aware of an all business class airline from N.America to Asia?

By: Kelly

Kelly — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:51:34 +0000

Hi Simon. I just want to add my 2 centavos about flights to Asia. The only reason I’d fly Philippine Airlines would be if I were on the west coast and had to be in MNL in the shortest time possible. Their biz class seats are uncomfortable and their flight attendants are adequate at best. This is baffling for a country that’s overflowing with young attractive workers who fall all over themselves to give good service.

I think a better option for most travelers is EVA Air. EVA’s website is confusing, but once you get the hang of it you can find some great deals. Biz class from the west coast (of the USA) to most of Asia runs about $3000 with some advanced planning. They also have “Evergreen Deluxe Class” which is basically “Coach Plus” which is about $1000 on the same routes. You’ll spend 2 to 4 hours of quality time connecting through TPE and then you’re on your way. Find the “Hot E Fare” link on EVA’s website (good luck) for these deals. You can probably get the same prices by calling their reservations number, but I’m not sure. By the way, EVA flight attendants are “old school” by which I mean they’re young, trim, and tailored, and they provide excellent service.

I don’t want to ramble on and on, but I’ve crossed the Pacific a few times so novices might find something valuable here. In the past I’ve found surprisingly good deals on NWA biz class seats, and the service was surprisingly good also. I don’t know what it would be like today with their recent changes. Cathay is very good but quite pricey. Someday I hope to make the trip on Singapore Airlines but it’s not in the budget anytime soon.

I hope this helps someone. Thanks for the great blog.

v/r
Kelly

By: Keith Rushing

Keith Rushing — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:32:28 +0000

Simon,
I am very new to ‘notes from the field’, which I am enjoying very much. In your last note you mentioned the Atlas 400 club. I googled without success to find out anything about Atlas 400 except a login which is only for members. Can you enlighten me?