Emirates multi-city flights

[poindexter]

Hi all,

I'm planning to fly from Melbourne to Rome (via Dubai) in Feb 2020, then return from Budapest (via Dubai) a month later. On the Emirates booking page, however, I'm getting the following error when I try and search that combination of flights:

Warning:
Sorry, we have a technical problem at the moment. Please get in touch with us for help. We apologise for the inconvenience.

Surely this itinerary is possible and it's just the website not being able to process it? Also, I'm new to the FF point earning game and starting with Qantas points – would it be possible to fly Qantas from Melbourne to Dubai, then Emirates from Dubai to Rome (and vice versa for the return trip) with the one booking?

 

[mannej]

QF don’t fly to DXB any longer. If you want QF flight numbers have you had a look at booking the trip via the QF website?

 

[AIRwin]

Also, I'm new to the FF point earning game and starting with Qantas points – would it be possible to fly Qantas from Melbourne to Dubai, then Emirates from Dubai to Rome (and vice versa for the return trip) with the one booking?

Yes but you'll have to book the QF codeshare flights through the QF or other booking sites...

 

[poindexter]

The Qantas website seems to let me search these flights (whoops)! I'll book via them - thanks.

 

[dajop]

QF don’t fly to DXB any longer. If you want QF flight numbers have you had a look at booking the trip via the QF website?

And just a note with this, on the Qantas site it will put the Qantas operated flights (via Perth or Singapore to London, connecting to/from British Airways) at the top of the list, you will have to scroll down to find the flights via Dubai (DXB).

The other option to consider is Qatar Airways (QR) - although a partner of Qantas, you probably won't be able to earn Qantas points on the cheapest fares. Assuming you are aiming for cheapest economy fare, if the savings are >$150 flying QR, it may not be worth chasing the Qantas points anyway - noting you will earn 12,400 QFF points for the trip, booked in discount economy, using Qantas (QF) coded flights - operated by Emirates(EK) - via Dubai. This number of points will get you a domestic flight from Melbourne to Brisbane.

 

[poindexter]

Comparing Qatar, Emirates and Qantas flights, I’ve summarised the following (for cheapest economy return flights):

• Qatar: $1368, 4950 QFF points, 49 hrs transit time
• Emirates: $1523, 6850 QFF points, 45 hrs transit time
• Qantas: $1633, 16325 QFF points, 50 hrs transit time

I’m probably best off getting a Qatar flight by the looks of things?

 

[mannej]

If you are looking at QR, you will need to check that the fare bucket that you have quoted above is eligible to earn on QFF

 

[dajop]

If you are looking at QR, you will need to check that the fare bucket that you have quoted above is eligible to earn on QFF

At that fare level, it seems to be W class, therefore no earn of QFF points. Could earn 25% (just under 5000 miles) in several other oneworld programs - AA, QR, BA, not that they would be of much use.

 

[poindexter]

I see.

So the question I would now have to consider is: Is 16325 points worth $265? Which I imagine it probably isn’t.