How far will you go?
What's your max flight time?
I am constantly researching new travel destinations, with flight times being a significant factor in my planning. Long flights are often part of my bucket list trip ideas, but affordability is a challenge unless one can leverage points for high-demand redemptions. I keep thinking about a journey from Boston to Doha and Dubai, which involves a 12-hour flight. The only feasible way for me to undertake this trip is by flying in a QSuite on Qatar Airways, but the round-trip cash price of $16,000 is unaffordable for most people. However, it is possible to secure this trip with massive luck using points, provided one books as soon as award availability opens. The points redemption offers exceptional value, and I cannot imagine flying economy for 12 hours. Instead, I would prefer to watch 4K videos of these destinations on YouTube.
The time of year is also crucial, as I would only travel to this area during the "cold season" to avoid temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. If traveling such a long distance, an additional stop would be necessary, and I wouldn't spend an extended period of time in Doha and Dubai. While many travelers visit the otherworldly Maldives from this region, that is not for me. You really have to be a water person and I am not.