Going Around The World Next Week — Unintentionally
S tarting next week, I will be embarking on a trip around the world — and I would like to know your thoughts on how you would like for me to report on it.
The reason why I say unintentionally was that I have a meeting in Dublin scheduled in early October — and what started as trying to find a reasonably low airfare turned into this journey around the world to countries such as South Korea, Hungary, China, Spain and the Philippines.
Here is my itinerary — and no, it is not a “mileage run”:
ATL-LAX-FCO-BUD-DUB-MAD-AMS-ICN-PVG-MNA-PVG-JFK-LGA-ATL
The airlines on which I will be traveling are Delta Air Lines, Alitalia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, China Eastern Airlines…
…and Ryanair — twice. It will be my first time as a passenger on an airplane operated by Ryanair.
When I mentioned this itinerary to Ben Schlappig of One Mile at a Time a couple of nights ago, he uttered two words in astonishment:
“In economy?!?”
Yes, Ben — the entire itinerary will be in the economy class cabin…
…and all for fewer than $1,600.00 — including all taxes and fees.
I do not want to bore you with a 374-part trip report; so I am thinking of simply doing a bunch of short trip reports similar to the ones I have posted here in the past couple of months — as their own trip reports rather than part of a massive trip report…
…and I want the trip reports to inspire you to embark on your own journey — not just simply highlight my travels. Please offer me suggestions about what you want to read.
Meanwhile, I am getting the final lodging arrangements in order — although I could use some advice for a hanok in Seoul for one night…
Sounds like a great way to experience skyteam economy! How many miles are you accumulating from this trip and are you planning to earn them on DL or another skyteam FF program?
I plan on earning them on Delta, Joey.
Unfortunately, I only earn 25 percent of the Medallion Qualification Miles on China Eastern Airlines — especially for a 15-hour flight plus three more segments — but I would not earn enough Medallion Qualification Dollars on this itinerary towards Medallion elite level status.
I should be earning full credit on the Alitalia and KLM segments, though.
I have not calculated the SkyMiles yet that I would earn; but I estimate to earn approximately 22,000 Medallion Qualification Miles in total. I can let you know the final tally once the trip has concluded…
Awesome! Not sure if you’re skyteam elite plus but if you are, I’ve heard China Southern gives you a glass of water. I wonder if China Eastern will as well.
Thinking of drinks, I wonder what’s the most *expensive* complimentary drink you can get in economy in each of those airlines.
Have a great trip!
Haha and Lucky says he’s a travel blogger….
You are smart to focus on the destinations and not what airline class you are flying to get there. Having done 4 RTW’s in economy I can say they are well worth it to see a variety of sites. Enjoy the trip.
Thank you so much, Tyler!
Getting there is supposed to be half the fun — not all of the fun…
I think it would be fun to read if you looked for interesting things that happened on your trip, rather than a blow-by-blow 40 segment trip report
I will, Points With a Crew — but I am trying to do a trip report that is a little bit different.
We shall see if it works…
New reader! Read lots of amazing posts- this one… Brian, I am wondering if you meant MNL Manila instead of MNA… How was the Philippines!