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We are finally hoping to take the trip to Bali that was booked for my 40th in 2020 (and cancelled for obvious reasons) for my wife’s 40th next August. Except now we have 3 kids instead of 2 and the price of flights has risen somewhat!
Looking at paying cash for the flights as I don’t have miles or vouchers that would make it any better value. Currently the best value flights by far are singapore airlines at £820 return (which is not disastrous).
It feels like waiting would make sense…(?) what with Black Friday and Christmas coming up…Bound to be some offers right? Maybe some of the competitors will stop being so rubbish?
Also thinking about how best to maximise the benefits when we do splash out. 2% cashback via topcashback? Have Amex platinum and BAPP so will use one for the points. I don’t really have much use for krisflyer points if earned as usually collect and use avios.
Any thoughts to maximise the value welcomed. Thanks
Krisflyer has a hard expiry. So consider crediting to something like United where they don’t expire. Or Turkish, even if it expires, is good value on some routes.
While SQ is probably the best airline, you can also consider one of the ME3 as their bases sit nicely in the middle of the journey.
If your wife doesn’t have an Amex yet, consider getting the gold card as it gets bonus points for flights and is good value for first year.I agree that’s not the worst price (sadly!) bearing in mind it’s SIA and about
as direct as you can get.
Should include a free stopover in SIN, where there is more than enough for kids
for a few days (the ArtScience museum is fantastic).
On the way back, instead of one long continual flight (changing planes at Changi),
we’ve done the early morning DPS-SIN (with bags checked in, of course), then spent
the day in the centre of Singapore before getting the night flight back with collapsed kid!Not sure if it’s the style you’re looking for, but we just had a fantastic family stay
at Hard Rock Bali!Thanks
Yes I think it would make sense to the krisflyer to somewhere we are more likely to use short haul.
Qatar, emirates, etihad are very pricey at the moment – I’m hoping it’s so they can declare a sale soon!
I will look in to a stopover in Singapore, especially if it helps with travelling sanity.
Hard rock does look good – family suite not too pricey on hotels.com with breakfast included
Based on last couple of years you won’t get much better than that price wise in August unfortunately. I also prefer the ~2hr hop and then the long flight personally, especially on the way home but would just go with whoever is cheapest.
+1 for Hard Rock though I have to say I’d want to stay at least 1 other place in Bali + do a stop in Singapore for a couple of nights to make it worthwhile going all that way!
Sorry to Hijack. We are going to Bali next September using the 2-4-1. We plan on staying at crowne plaza on the day we arrive and then I have used some jet star credit I had from covid to book Singapore to bali the day after. We were thinking Sanur for 4 nights (possibly the Hyatt regency), and then Ubud for 4. I have then used some points and booked the Indigo at Seminyak for 5 nights. We then were thinking flying Singapore airlines back from Bali and having 2 nights in Sentosa.
Does this sound okay? Any recommendations on hotels in Ubud would be appreciated
It’s been a while but the Alum hotels are decent, Indah and Shanti are two, there may be more.
Sorry to Hijack. We are going to Bali next September using the 2-4-1. We plan on staying at crowne plaza on the day we arrive and then I have used some jet star credit I had from covid to book Singapore to bali the day after. We were thinking Sanur for 4 nights (possibly the Hyatt regency), and then Ubud for 4. I have then used some points and booked the Indigo at Seminyak for 5 nights. We then were thinking flying Singapore airlines back from Bali and having 2 nights in Sentosa.
Does this sound okay? Any recommendations on hotels in Ubud would be appreciated
Is that a total of 13 days in Bali? That’s a bit too much, imo.
Appreciate the reply BBbetter. My wife is already stating that she would prefer only 2
Hotel stays in Bali as she hates packing and we will have a 1 year old. What would you advise be?Many thanks
2 stays is perfect, one in Ubud and one on the beach. If you haven’t seen much of singapore, you can extend your stay there. Or choose from one of dozens of great destinations in SE Asia. Depending on your (& ur wife’s) interests, there’s a lot of options.
It’s been a while but the Alum hotels are decent, Indah and Shanti are two, there may be more.
We have also stayed at a couple of the Alum hotels a couple of times – again a while ago.
For the beach element of your trip I suggest Sanur for a family – the Hyatt there is very good with fabulous tropical gardens.
Sorry to Hijack. We are going to Bali next September using the 2-4-1. We plan on staying at crowne plaza on the day we arrive and then I have used some jet star credit I had from covid to book Singapore to bali the day after. We were thinking Sanur for 4 nights (possibly the Hyatt regency), and then Ubud for 4. I have then used some points and booked the Indigo at Seminyak for 5 nights. We then were thinking flying Singapore airlines back from Bali and having 2 nights in Sentosa.
Does this sound okay? Any recommendations on hotels in Ubud would be appreciated
I actually think this is OK for Bali assuming you like lots of relaxation time, different sets of things to do and long enough in each place
Don’t stay on Sentosa in Singapore though, you’ll waste time/money getting anywhere to do anything and you’ll just have been at the beach
Agree with wise words of @SamG re. Sentosa.
A nice option (if the price is ok) might be the Shangri-La, as it
has big splash-pads/lovely grounds to roam in for the little one, while still being
near Orchard Rd. for some bright lights.Just following on from my Hard Rock comment, you’ll have probably seen that
it’s RIGHT in the centre of Kuta, so that depends very much on what you all
fancy doing outside the hotel! But definitely look at the actual hotel website
for deals: the Premium Poolside rooms are in a VIP wing, much quieter, including
a separate pool and evening drinks, etc.Another option, albeit in Nusa Dua (which again, you may or may not fancy), might be
the Grand Hyatt. It’s a sort of “old dame”, but still gorgeous and with very reasonable
Club rooms, again with a separate pool and cocktails, etc. The grounds are fabulous, with
a lazy river and beach access for the little one (who will be universally adored!).Very happy to have the thread hijacked as it’s full of great information.
What I had booked in 2020 was 3 Airbnbs across 2 weeks. You can get fantastic value this way if you have more kids and want separate bedrooms. There are a lot of maid/nanny services that you can employ too so you can have the occasional childfree meal. In seminyak the potato head beach club is great fun if you are not staying at an expensive hotel.
I’ll probably do a mix this time with at least one nice hotel stay. Ayung resort in Ubud is very nice
Consider checking the price you can get with a tour operator, or better still an independent travel agent who works with the tour ops. We have access to ITX fares which are somewhat cheaper than the public fares, though you’ll need to book at least some of the accommodation through them. Black Friday deals are certainly possible, though Bali isn’t a hugely popular destination from the UK compared to others so it’s unlikely to be a headline discount.
I think once flights hit a level that you are happy paying, get it booked. We have five as well and it’s hugely frustrating when you hold on to find that there’s then only 3/4 seats available at the lower price.
So I’ve decided to mix it up a bit. I’m going to fly to Jakarta 8 days earlier with my 2 sons (economy) and then my wife will join us with our youngest (1 year old). I’ll do a little tour round Java with with the boys. We will all fly to Bali for a 2 week holiday
All the flights in and out of CGK with Etihad (with return business class flights at £2500 for my wife and £1000 each on the return leg for the males).Any tips for Java with 2 boys welcome!
Any tips for Java with 2 boys welcome!
Good choice for a family with kids as they can experience a new country and culture compared to staying in a sterile city like Singapore. Jakarta doesnt have much to offer, therefore I’d recommend taking a short flight to Jogja (Yogyakarta) the very next day if possible. Loads of monuments and other historical sites to visit and the boys (assuming not teenagers) will like exploring them. Borobudur has an early morning guided visit – try to go for it as it can get humid by noon. You also have the Ramayana evening show. There is Mount Merapi, an active volcano and trekking / mountain climbing possible that can keep the kids busy. Of course, loads of eating and shopping options.
Not aware of good beach resorts, am sure there must be, but if you are going to stay on the beach in Bali, i’d wouldnt bother in Java.I’d actually have a day and a half in Jakarta to “settle in”. Yes, it’s a bit dumpy,
but it’s still an extremely exciting Asian megacity for young boys, and you could be
in a fab hotel, of course.To go to Yogyakarta (which is def. the place to be, as mentioned above), I think it would be far more
entertaining with the kids to go by train: the fast express is now only 6.5 hours (unthinkable years
ago!) and is very frequent (and cheap).Another vote for ‘yogya’ here- went to the Borobudur as a callow 18 year old and was blown away! Even dining sitting on the floor will be a novely for your sons @Sandydoc . Also, I know you are perhaps doing a load of beach time in Bali but I remember the beaches on the north east coast with Krakatoa on the horizon to be quite an exciting experience – just the idea of being in the proximity of the site of the largest volcanic eruption in modern times was incredible to me. I understand that you can get day trips to the volcano now (not available in 1986 as far as I remember!). Enjoy exploring with your boys – I am sure you will make memories to last a lifetime 😀
I maybe going roughly the same time as you OP. 18 days ish and also trip was cancelled from April 2020. Will keep checking this thread as it looks to be real good.
Currently we are.
Outbound LHR-PVG Business Avios
Make our way down probably with LCC
inbound (still open) there is an interesting £275 economy KUL-LHR direct flight which might interest you. Beginning of Aug.
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