So I finally got my One World Sapphire (OWS) status after completing the Trip.com x Japan Airlines Sapphire Fast Track. While I am happy to finally see my status reflected, there were issues with Japan Airlines telling me that my Sapphire status is only valid until 31 March 2025 versus the campaign’s official T&C of 31 Dec 2025 – a 9 months difference! Eventually it got sorted out (and hopefully stays that way!), I figured why not start planning to try out my newly minted status.
Perth was the final choice for this 3N+ trip as I was able to stack a couple of expiring benefits (the other choice was Hong Kong on Cathay but the choice of hotels were not so exciting as the nice ones were priced out of my Marriott Bonvoy FNA (35k / 85k):
- Qantas points accrued from my Accor linked times
- Expiring D$ from GHA
- Expiring Marriott Bonvoy Free Night Awards (FNA)
- Expiring Marriott Bonvoy Nightly Upgrade Award (NUA)
The short duration actually made it very hectic especially when attempting to stack the above benefits and other stuff where possible but as always, I think I will survive!
AIRLINE
Qantas was offering a sale of sorts from Singapore to Perth and I realized I had a stash of Qantas points accrued from my Accor linked times to offset the costs so I decided to go for it even though the flight timing is not ideal which was kind of odd for a home-airline. Here’s hoping the 5hrs on their A330-200 economy will be fine!
AIRPORT LOUNGES
The plan is to make use of the early check in facility at Jewel to spend time in the airside lounge hopping. This will be my first OneWorld Lounge Safari in Changi Airport so am super excited to try check off these spots accessible to OWS when flying in Y!
Qantas Business Lounge – Terminal 1
British Airways Lounge – Terminal 1
Then, there is of course the Cathay Pacific Lounge but located in Terminal 4 which requires a specific trek to visit so this will only be viable if I have enough time.
At Perth Interntional Airport Terminal 3, the only lounge that looks available is Perth International Lounge – looks decent enough. I hope.
Perth Internatinal Lounge – Terminal 3
HOTELS
Due to my awkward flight timing of landing after midnight, I needed to find a spot to rest my head before my Bonvoy hotels. After much research, I decided that grabbing a room at Pan Pacific Perth was the best solution as I had expiring D$ to use which made this a cheaper cash expense than an Ibis for the short stay. The property being newly renovated and a short walk away from my next property were bonuses!
I will then move on to The Westin Perth located 700m away and falls within my FNA allowance for 2nights. Besides, since it is room-only in Pan Pac, I can simply walk over to Westin for an early check in + take breakfast in the Club Lounge if I have to heh.
My last night in the city will be spent in The Ritz Carlton Perth which has been on my list for so long! A rare chance that my 85K FNA can cover a stay at a RC so its a no brainer.
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My final itenary:
OneWorld Sapphire Fun-venture
- Qantas Business Lounge, Singapore Changi Airport
British Airways Lounge, Singapore Changi Airport - Cathay Pacific Lounge, Singapore Changi Airport (tbc)
- Qantas QF72 Singapore to Perth – Economy
- Pan Pacific Perth
- The Westin Perth
- The Ritz Carlton Perth
- Perth International Lounge, Perth International Airport
- Qantas QF71 Perth to Singapore – Economy
Lets gooooo!