Success Stories. Dad of the year: how I took my son to Hong Kong and Bangkok by flying biz with Emirates and Air France for less than €800 (each)
Bum, at the height of his powers, names Michael, author of this success story, TFC Community Dad of the Year
New success story, The one that Michael just recounted in our FB group., a "virtual room" where nearly 9,000 people help each other get the most out of points and credit cards. Here is his story.
All the fault of a whatsapp notification
In this article:
It all started with a message on the WhatsApp group of The Flight Club. It was June 18, and our Barbone had just published a error do On Miles&More to fly to Hong Kong. In five minutes' time, I had already made up my mind: my son (age 9) and I were going on our second adventure of the year.
(ed. at the time it seemed like a bad rate, Instead, it is the beauty of dynamic pricing in the German loyalty program)
I could have been absent from Italy for 7 or 8 days at most, but that is certainly not what stops a traveler with a passion for the miles&points.
The flight plan: Swiss on the outbound, Emirates in the middle, Air France for the grand finale
I immediately blocked a one-way Venice-Hong Kong with Swiss in Economy for 2,700 miles M&M + 230€ each. And from there I started to build the journey piece by piece, following TFC's advice and making the most of offers and vouchers. Basically with the welcome bonus for new holders. of Mastercard Gold Miles&More we get a round-trip ticket out of it.
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For the return I aimed for a classic Flying Blue: Bangkok-Venice via Paris with Air France in Business Class on the A350, paid 63,250 miles + 170€ each. But between HKG and BKK? Well, that needed some style.
Then off we go, HKG-BKK on Emirates' A380. Price? Only 90€ each in Economy. But the twist comes the day before the flight ...
Emirates tempts us-and conquers us
I get an email: upgrade to Business on the A380 at 120€ each. I had already given up on the idea, since the standard price was over 400€ for 3 hours of flight time. But at 120€? I clicked "accept" without a second thought.
And so my son and I found ourselves at the A380 bar, pampered by Emirates with complimentary instant photography and impeccable service. It was worth every single euro.
Hotels? Unbridled luxury... in voucher strikes
Hong Kong
- First two nights: Best Western Plus, booked on Amex Travel at €158, deducted €50 Gold voucher → 108€ total
- Third night: The Langham (Fine Hotels & Resorts), paid €174, but with 150€ Platinum voucher → 24€ net
Upgrade, free breakfast, strawberries and chocolates in the room, 100$ credit spent on a top dinner e late check-out perfect for the evening Emirates flight.
Bangkok
- First night: Divalux Resort near the airport, for free thanks to Amex Gold voucher (value 50€)
- Last two nights: Millennium Hilton Bangkok, 130€/night. With Gold status:
- Dedicated check-in
- Executive Room Upgrade
- Free breakfast
- Lounge access
- 25% discount on scenic dinner
In two nights we also accumulated 13,000 Hilton Honors Points, thanks to booking with "Hilton for Business" and active promo. All discovered thanks to TFC.
The grand finale: Business Class on the Air France A350
Return to Business Class on the Air France A350. First time for both on a long-haul in J. Lounge access in both Bangkok and CDG, impeccable service And cuddling until the last minute.
The final tally: €800 each for a memorable trip
| Item | Total cost |
|---|---|
| Swiss Flights in Economy (VCE-HKG) | 460€ + 5,400 Miles&More |
| Best Western Plus Hotel (2 nights) | 108€ |
| Hotel The Langham (1 night) | 24€ |
| Emirates A380 in Business | 420€ |
| Hotel Hilton Bangkok (2 nights) | 260€ |
| Air France Flight in Business (BKK-VCE) | 340€ + 126,500 Flying Blue |
| Total | 1.600€ (800€ each) |
A journey we will never forget
We returned home with our hearts full and our eyes still full of wonder. Hong Kong and Bangkok have given us strong emotions, new flavors, dreamy places and priceless cultural richness.
And this was only possible because of the teachings of The Flight Club. If today I know how to frame miles, vouchers, upgrades and promos ... it is thanks to this community.
Thank you very much. This was not just a trip, it was a dream come true. ❤️
PS for those who think this is pure invention, in the FB group where he shared the story Micheal also attached 40 pictures and they do not look like they were made with AI.
