If you pay attention to this site on a semi-regular basis, you’ll notice things have been a little quiet around these parts in December. I took a 5 week trip to Europe with my family to visit loved ones in the UK and France.
I did manage to find time to put up a few posts mid-way through, but travelling with two kids and spending time with those who we had gone to see was, understandably, the more important thing to be doing.
I’ll be writing up reviews of the hotels and flights as my next order of business. The posts will look something like this…
- Qantas 747 Business Class to Hong Kong
- Hyatt Sha Tin Hong Kong – Executive Two Bedroom Suite
- Cathay Pacific 777-300ER Business Class – Hong Kong to London
- Holiday Inn Reims Centre – Two Bed Suite – and why you should stay in IHG group hotels at least once or twice a year
- Hilton Paris CDG – Executive 2 Bedroom Suite
- Malaysia Airlines A380 and A330 Business Class – Paris to Kuala Lumpur to Sydney, and the Golden Wing Satellite Lounge in KLIA
Playing in the Hyatt Sha Tin Pool
Reims Christmas Markets
Door to Hilton CDG Suite – this thing was massive inside!
Malaysia Airlines A380 Business Class seat
Malaysia Airlines A330 Business Class cabin
The most different thing for me about this trip, and therefore the reviews that come from it, was the new insights gained on how Business Class travel and kids interact – given that that was my experience on these flights and in these hotels. Hopefully you’ll find it to be an interesting angle compared to the usual write-ups.
Before we get into it, you should read the summary from earlier this year of how this was booked using a combination of Qantas Points, British Airways Avios and American Express Membership Rewards points. Rereading that post, I actually upgraded us from Premium Economy on the Cathay Pacific leg from Hong Kong to London to Business Class, just a day before departure. Cancelling and rebooking the day before getting on the plane gave me some heart palpitations, and in hindsight, I’m not sure it was worth the effort or cost.
By contrast, the Hyatt Sha Tin, Holiday Inn Reims and Hilton Charles de Gaulle were all paid stays and not booked using points.
So, onward. Qantas Business Class with 2 kids next, hopefully tomorrow. I also hope you all had an excellent Christmas and New Year break, and I’m excited to keep working on bringing my insights and learnings in the world of points and travel to you for 2014.
From This Trip
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Your family trip sure had some wow factor, loved the pics too, not sure I could do long haul with small kids.
I’m currently planning a big trip for two, using a combination of QFF points, AK Miles and small dosh, CNS, HKG, DXB, VIE, DXB, YVR, SEA, LAX, SYD, CNS June/July next in J, be away about a month.
Glad you got your AS Miles purchases in on time, looks epic! Travelling with small kids is hard… Jet lag still with adults 5 days after return. The travel bit is easy in comparison to the time zone changes.
Yes epic being the word, most long haul flights daylight. About 35 years ago took our little ones to Europe it was a tiresome train wreck.
Thanks to this site getting those AK miles with bonus was simply awesome, for two J seats SEA/LAX/SYD (one way) for AUD$3100 best flight bargain I’ve ever come across. Was told AK had three bonus offers last year.
Glad you could take advantage. Only problem with deals like the AS offer is the award seat availability – specifically across the pacific to the US. Just have to hope the seats are there when you have the points in hand.
Yes see that, in our case going to change it to SFO/HKG/CNS, stopover 1 night HKG, know these cities so well and have Aussie friends in HK.
Can get J all the way, miss LAX! and no stopover in BNE or SYD to CNS. All CX dates are available. On my calculation should be 120K AK miles for 2 x J.
Very interested to hear your experiences and tips for travelling long haul with small children. We’re doing something similar in Apr/May this year (3 weeks in UK / Italy, travelling MH J with Amex points, 2 parents, a 3 year old and an 18 month old).
Cool! Keep an eye out for the posts on MH then. I won’t spoil the conclusion! You flying there and back via London?