SYD to EUR Nov 18

[Wozza]

Planning to make a short trip back for my brother's wedding in the UK. Regular AFF contributor, mostly in the wine forums, with a definite need to travel. Time poor and travel knowledge poor - happy to pay the smart AFFer who suggests the flights I book.

Travelling:

Just me, an adult PAX, with no special needs.

Travel dates:

Ideally, 20 Nov 2018 to 27 November 2018. But, I'm flexible, provided I'm in the UK on 23 and 24 November.

Network:

VA (gold, having just lost platinum). I currently have 130,000 VA points after spending 500,000 (badly) in 2017

Preferences:

- Business class (or above, but not that fussed).

- VA partner airline that earns me VA status credits (the more, the merrier as I try to get back to VA Plat).

- Or, as a left of field, a crazy cheap business or first class fare with a non-VA partner that's too good to pass up.

- Ideally, SYD to LHR. But, I'm flexible and happy to do a domestic trip in Aus or Europe, or a status run, if I get a better deal (cheaper price, higher class, award seat availability, more status credits, etc.).

- the more direct (less stop overs) the better. But again I'm flexible as I have good lounge access and time on my hands (without the family this time) if the right class and fare warrant more hours travelling.

- Best value for money / points. Happy to use my points. And I may be tempted to sign up to some other quick deals like new credit cards if I need more points.

The brief is pretty wide and flexible. And I'd be grateful for your help and suggestions.

Cheers, Wozza

 

[TomVexille]

I'll give you the straightforward answer.
CI in J SYD-LGW on their A350 for $4483

 

[Wozza]

I'll give you the straightforward answer.
CI in J SYD-LGW on their A350 for $4483

Thanks TV, greatly appreciated. I thought I would get a few Chinese airline suggestions. And I'm not averse to trying them out.

Great suggestion, my friend, that's on the shortlist ...

 

[odysseus]

Thanks TV, greatly appreciated. I thought I would get a few Chinese airline suggestions. And I'm not averse to trying them out.

Great suggestion, my friend, that's on the shortlist ...

That'd be my simple recommendation too. Even better, it's not actually a Chinese airline, so you don't go via China. It's the only one I'd fly (having already experienced the main Chinese ones).

Unfortunately it doesn't credit anything to Virgin; the closest partner is Delta and it's not a huge earner even then.

If you want to use it to get status with VA, this seems to be the cheapest to achieve that (against the $6072 of Etihad) - but doesn't meet the direct options as well and cost is more.

This involves two tickets, you need to position to Gold Coast/Coolangatta to begin, and is overnight/long layover in HKG. All is in business. Total is $5452.

1. OOL-HKG; HKG-SYD - $2309, from VA

Result 1, Trip 1, OOL - HKG
Tue., 20 Nov.
9:40 am - 7:10 pm , stopover in CNS. Hong Kong Air.

Result 1, Trip 2, HKG - SYD
Tue., 27 Nov.
9:10 pm - 12:35 pm +1 Flight spans 1 day. Stopover in OOL. Intl Hong Kong Air; Domestic sector VA.

2. HKG - LHR rtn - $3143 (19,429 HKD) from Etihad

Result 2, Trip 1, HKG - LHR
Tue., 20 Nov.
6:30 pm - 6:40 am, stopover in AUH. Etihad A330, A380.

Result 2, Trip 2, LHR - HKG
Tue., 27 Nov.
9:00 am - 9:10 am +1 Flight spans 1 day. Stopover in AUH. Etihad A330, A380.

All flights accruing points/status on VA. Looks like 760 points (6 x 120 points for 3000-5000, HKA and EY, plus 40 points for 0-750 VA).

There are also more options if you just want connecting flights for SCs, at a similar cost. They route further away so didn't mention them but if you still need extra SCs and don't mind the time, they're also possible.

For the first ticket, you could also wait for the VA SYD-HKG flights to be launched instead. These will be available soon and flights operating in NOV. It's likely they'll have return econ bargains (which you have a fair chance of being able to upgrade, if you're happy to stay in eco worst case), although business return probably won't be as cheap as the option above. But will be more convenient as direct, though still have similar dep/arr times.​

 

[jase05]

I’d personally go Etihad. Just over $6k in J return and would be my pick especially if you are after SC’s for VA. Could also try to get a reward seat, 1 way in J would cost approx 160,000 points but the taxes are a little hefty

 

[Wozza]

That'd be my simple recommendation too. Even better, it's not actually a Chinese airline, so you don't go via China. It's the only one I'd fly (having already experienced the main Chinese ones).

Unfortunately it doesn't credit anything to Virgin; the closest partner is Delta and it's not a huge earner even then.

If you want to use it to get status with VA, this seems to be the cheapest to achieve that (against the $6072 of Etihad) - but doesn't meet the direct options as well and cost is more.

This involves two tickets, you need to position to Gold Coast/Coolangatta to begin, and is overnight/long layover in HKG. All is in business. Total is $5452.

1. OOL-HKG; HKG-SYD - $2309, from VA

Result 1, Trip 1, OOL - HKG
Tue., 20 Nov.
9:40 am - 7:10 pm , stopover in CNS. Hong Kong Air.

Result 1, Trip 2, HKG - SYD
Tue., 27 Nov.
9:10 pm - 12:35 pm +1 Flight spans 1 day. Stopover in OOL. Intl Hong Kong Air; Domestic sector VA.

2. HKG - LHR rtn - $3143 (19,429 HKD) from Etihad

Result 2, Trip 1, HKG - LHR
Tue., 20 Nov.
6:30 pm - 6:40 am, stopover in AUH. Etihad A330, A380.

Result 2, Trip 2, LHR - HKG
Tue., 27 Nov.
9:00 am - 9:10 am +1 Flight spans 1 day. Stopover in AUH. Etihad A330, A380.

All flights accruing points/status on VA. Looks like 760 points (6 x 120 points for 3000-5000, HKA and EY, plus 40 points for 0-750 VA).

There are also more options if you just want connecting flights for SCs, at a similar cost. They route further away so didn't mention them but if you still need extra SCs and don't mind the time, they're also possible.

For the first ticket, you could also wait for the VA SYD-HKG flights to be launched instead. These will be available soon and flights operating in NOV. It's likely they'll have return econ bargains (which you have a fair chance of being able to upgrade, if you're happy to stay in eco worst case), although business return probably won't be as cheap as the option above. But will be more convenient as direct, though still have similar dep/arr times.​

LOVE this option, Odysseus and I don't mind Etihad too.

I flew with in Y the Christmas just gone as VA Plat and they seemed to look after us better than other PAX, with better seating allocation at the front below J and a personal greeting specifically mentioning my FF status. And that First Class Lounge at Abu Dhabi was ridiculously good (especially the nanny that whisked our two young boys excitedly off to the land of toys, computer games, chicken nuggets and ice cream, whilst our concierge whisked us to the spa, pedicure for my wife, shave for me, and the excellent dining room that was full of vintage champagne and excellent food).

760 SC will get me back to Plat too.

I see the direct HKG flights are imminent. I wonder if that is worth waiting for ...

Umm

 

[TomVexille]

As @odysseus points out, CI are Taiwanese, which takes out the hassle of transiting China.

 

[Wozza]

I’d personally go Etihad. Just over $6k in J return and would be my pick especially if you are after SC’s for VA. Could also try to get a reward seat, 1 way in J would cost approx 160,000 points but the taxes are a little hefty

Thanks Jase05. This is helpful.

The recent changes to Etihad on the reward seat extras does make it more expensive, doesn't it? I flew my famiky all back in Y on Etihad just before Christmas on points (mostly accumulated through the Amex Plat sign up bonus and then maxing out on the referrals, thanks to the AFF referral thread). But it was an expensive way to use points (although I guess I didn't really directly pay for those points).

 

[Wozza]

As @odysseus points out, CI are Taiwanese, which takes out the hassle of transiting China.

I had no idea, TV (one of the reasons for running this thread!). You can see why I stick to the wine forums on AFF! Thank you to you and Odysseus for pointing this out ☺

 

[trooper]

$3960 on PR or $4233 on VN?? Cheap but no crediting....

 

[Wozza]

Thanks Trooper. Super helpful. ☺