Melbourne’s skyline and the Yarra River, with the Southbank pedestrian bridge in the foreground.
Our South Pacific trip was divided between two destinations: a week in Fiji followed by a week in Melbourne. After the beaches of Fiji, we spent our time exploring Melbourne and the surrounding countryside, testing hotel and dining benefits, and eventually flying home to London in business class using points.
This Collection brings together ten articles covering the decisions we made before traveling, what happened on the ground and how the journey worked out.
Getting to Melbourne
For the relatively short flight from Fiji to Melbourne, the economics favored economy rather than business class. Here’s how we compared the cash and award options, and why we settled on 15,000 AAdvantage miles plus $125.10.
Two Fiji Airways flights, two cabins and very different expectations. Our experience flying business class into Fiji and economy onward to Melbourne.
Staying in Melbourne
After a week at a resort in Fiji, we exchanged the beach for a centrally located apartment in Melbourne.
Exploring the City and Beyond
An afternoon exploring Hosier Lane, AC/DC Lane and the surrounding streets. What began as a practical errand became an opportunity to see some of Melbourne’s street art.
A full-day tour with Red Carpet Wine Tours, visiting Soumah, Hubert Estate, the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Balgownie Estate. Excellent wines at one stop, an outstanding lunch at another, and an unexpected encounter with some very good Australian meat pies.
Travel Rewards Along the Way
We put the Citi Strata Elite card’s dining benefits to work during our travels, including spending in Melbourne. A practical look at where the credits and rewards applied.
Getting Home
The original booking decision: why we used Aeroplan points for business class from Melbourne to London, and how the economics compared with buying a ticket.
The original Air India itinerary fell apart after schedule changes. Aeroplan eventually rebooked us on Singapore Airlines, producing a rather different journey home from the one we’d originally purchased.
16 Hours in Singapore · AN EXPATVISTA COLLECTION
Amsterdam in August · AN EXPATVISTA COLLECTION
East, Central & West Berlin · AN EXPATVISTA COLLECTION