The journey of "First Times": here's my next crazy thing
As I have recounted several times, 9 out of 10 trips that I tell about on TFC are done for review purposes only, [...]
As I have recounted several times, 9 out of 10 trips I tell about on TFC are done for review purposes only, strange itineraries constructed solely and exclusively to review companies and/or cabins, and what revolves around flying: lounges and hotels. And of course. show what the points can do and how you can save thousands with the right strategy.
In this article:
As of this year, I decided to tell about this aspect of my travels as well: viz. How I build the itinerary and how I put the puzzle pieces together. driving me back and forth trying, as always, to spend as little as possible.
The journey of "First Times"
I chose this title for the itinerary because I put together a series of tickets that will take me through so many firsts.
- This will be my first time in Kuwait, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka (I will spend a minimum of one night in each country)
- This will be my first time on ITA's A321neo on a medium-haul destination and my first time in economy
- It will be my first time on Kuwait Airlines and SriLankan Airlines.
- This will be my first time aboard Kuwait Airlines First Class and Oman Air.
- I used Flying Blue points for the first time to book Oman Air.
The Itinerary and how much I spent on all the tickets
Unlike February's world tour, this is an itinerary almost completely paid cash, as I have explained in other articles Normally everything starts with a ticket And then I try to build everything else around it.
The first ticket I booked was with ITA Airways on the A321neo. KWI will be the last summer destination to leave and when a round-trip ticket in business came up in the past few days at 1100 euros, I didn't think twice. In fact, I spent even less because I booked round trip in business and return in economy, for An expenditure of just over 860€.
At this point I took advantage of my positioning on Kuwait City to Book one of the most exotic and never-before-experienced First Classes, that aboard the 777/300 Of the local national airline.
Kuwait Airlines does not participate in any alliance and has no relationship other companies, so I had to pay cash for the ticket to Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Ticket cost just under 690 euros, ticket bought on the America Express travel portal so I discounted 150€ of the annual credit included in the Platinum card fee.
In recent days Flying Blue and Oman Air news came out. and since one of the few routes served with Muscat carrier's First Class is right towards Bangkok, I decided to invest 62k points to redeem a prize ticket to fly between the capital of Thailand and the capital of Oman.
At this point I was only missing the flights to Bangkok from Bangladesh and the flight back to Kuwait City from Muscat.
For the first leg I was spoiled for choice, and in the end. I opted for the most absurd but at the same time convenient one. Fly business class with Srilankan Airlines from Dhaka to Colombo and from the island capital in the Indian Ocean to Bangkok. Ticket always bought on Amex travel portal, this way I accumulate more points and also secure assistance in case of problems.
A ticket that will allow me to review the flagship A330/300 and Aa320ceo that the carrier onewrorld uses on these routes as well as CMB's lounge, but most importantly I will put in my pocket 80 qualifying tier points, just enough to renew my Gold card In the Executive Club of British Airways.
I only need one more ticket
In Muscat I am going to visit a friend who recently moved from Dubai to Oman, and then I will take the last flight to KWI where my flight home awaits: my first time in economy on ITA Airways' A321neo.
Now I'm looking to see if something nice pops up., for example, last year with Marika we flew between Muscat and Dubai in first class, the shortest route operated by Emirates and where we did everything in 45minutes.