Biggest carrier surcharge per mile using QFF points?

[dajop]

I was looking at QFF redemption on EK from DXB to MCT and back. This is a colossal distance of 217 miles, slightly shorter than Sydney to Wagga or Melbourne to Burnie. No economy awards available on this route, so I looked at business class, surcharges on a return fare are an impressive $839 AUD return, which includes $105 in airport surcharges/taxes. So about $734 return in "carrier surcharges".

I know this is an EK issue, not a QF one, but on a per mile basis quite amazing, it would work pro-rata for a SYD-LHR return about $35,000.

 

[eminere]

QR has some really exorbitant carrier charges for awards ex-SIN too.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Think of "carrier charges" as "the premium we can charge you for no other reason other than because you will pay it".

Probably cheaper to buy the ticket with cash!

 

[dajop]

Probably cheaper to buy the ticket with cash!

In this instance, not so much. EK are either milking their uber-rich clientele in the middle east, or want to keep this sector for connections or both. It's almost $2000 AUD return in the cheapest business fare on surrounding days, or $2700 on the specific days I was looking at.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Think of "carrier charges" as "the premium we can charge you for no other reason other than because you will pay it".

Probably cheaper to buy the ticket with cash!

Definitely.
$172 one way in economy on Swissair.
$292 return.
$657 one way in business on Swissair.
$1025 return.
Nice little 5th freedom route!

 

[dajop]

Definitely.
$172 one way in economy on Swissair.
$292 return.
$657 one way in business on Swissair.
$1025 return.
Nice little 5th freedom route!

Yes that's the plan although to be pedantic it's Swiss, not Swissair !! Unless you're using a time machine. And yes we looked at that although due to flight timing (circa midnight on LX) I just thought I'd look at the EK options. Eeek Salam Air have similar pricing to Swiss, and better timing. They are an Oman based LCC.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Salam Air have similar pricing to Swiss, and better timing. They are an Oman based LCC.

Oh no you said the L word.

 

[Daver6]

I reckon RJ AMM <-> TLV in J would probably give that a run for money given the distance is 68 miles and $497 AUD in taxes return. So that's $3.65/mile in taxes

 

[Mattg]

That carrier charge is absolutely outrageous!

FWIW, I flew with LX from DXB to MCT earlier this year, and it was absolutely fine (other than a tech delay to the A330 that day). Most of the pax left the flight in DXB, and there were about 15 of us that boarded in DXB to MCT (joining about 40 pax ex-ZRH that remained on board). There was a drinks run and we were served a bag of crackers for the 40-minute flight.