Flight booking help!!

[docjames]

Ok, having terrible time making this work. So appreciate the brains trust here giving me some help.

Trying the following:
Me: DRW-SIN-LHR-CDG-LHR with anything to come home LHR-BNE
mrsdoc: BNE-SIN-LHR-CDG-LHR with anything to come home LHR-BNE

I'm looking at JQ DRW-SIN, Y return for mrsdoc BNE-SIN-BNE, then booking Y+ SIN-LHR-SIN and working out

Now my issues are as follows:

1. If any of the flights are delayed etc, will QF look after me or deny carriage due to separate bookings (im aware I can link the pnrs but that it's nto a guarnatee).

2. Do i have to collect a ticket in SIN or can I just show up after my JQ flight and check in?

3. What about mrsdoc - will they book er through from BNE, or will she have to recheck in SIN?

4. Any thing else i havent thought of?

QF quoted a (telephone) fare of $5500 for QF ticketed all the way from BNE, but if i do it online in separate segments, then it works out closer to $3600pp + LHR-CDG-LHR (about STG250pp)

Another thing i looked at was VAust via LAX, but with my meetings sunday morning in DRW (earliest departure about 1300hrs), i cant make it to SYD or BNE in time to make the flight to LAX. MEL i could possibly make with about a 2hr connection, but i'm probably screwed if the flight out of DRW is late.

I dont really want to lose a day and leave Monday, i want to try and get out on the sunday night.


Are there other options. I've considered BA Y+ (but it's not as good as QF, plus if i book thru BA I cant list for an upgrade even if carried on QF), and SQ/CX etc dont have Y+ and i cant really justify the $$$ for J.

Travel is ex-DRW/BNE Sunday 30/5/10. Return need to arrive by Sunday 13/6.

I cant seem to find a QF code on the JQ flight (edit: seems some will quote QF271 but the OW booking tool doesnt list it), i could try an rtw ex-drw but it'll work out at $4500pp and we dont have the time to maximise value from this, and I get stuck having to get back to BNE and missing the connections (as above).

Help.

 

[serfty]

1. They may, but do not have to.
2. You would need to check-in in SIN - JQ would not do this in DRW.
3. If mrsdoc shows up in BNE with printed copies of all e-tickets, Qantas should be able to check her through.
4. not sure ... have you considered other carrier out of SIN?

 

[Dave Noble]

If you misconnect, you may well be required to pay any change fees / fare differences to rebook to another flight ; being on 2 separate bookings, there is no protection that they need to give you.

if planning separate tickets, I would recommend leaving an overnight stop in SIN to protect yourself

I would be looking at other options ; out of SIN, for example, Ay have a business class fare to Paris for $3461 and SK has a fare for $4120 for example ( both plus taxes - iirc SK has no fuel fines). These are likely comparable to Qantas discount PE prices but in a higher class

Both AY and SK have availability in the necessary classes ( I and Z resp. ) on 31/05 to Europe and on 11/6 coming back

Dave

 

[docjames]

Thanks guys, that's great (how did i know you'd be the first two to reply). I guess you reconfirmed my thoughts re: connections. I dont really want to waste a day in SIN.

I was investigating the AY split fares - they used to do good ones ex-HKG too.

I can return to BNE and get CX @ 0050 on 31/5 to HKG and then AY J to HEL connecting to CDG but the AY website is a disaster and their contact details are in Finland so havent called as yet.

Other carriers ex-SIN are problematic given either
- no Y+
- cost of J
- same connection issue with my JQ flight.

CX have a good fare BNE-HKG-CDG, LHR-HKG-BNE all in Y so may end up going with that and using the $$$ to buy lots of duty free grog so i cant feel my legs by the time i reach CDG/HKG!


If we end up booking a QF fare in Y+ ex-SIN, sure, i have to check in in SIN (and take the miss-connection / penalty price risk), but I dont have to go to a QF office in town and show id/credit card etc - they should just check me in at the airport right?

 

[Dave Noble]

Finnair has a reservations office in Sydney ph. 1300 798 188

I still wouldnt risk this connection unless you have a ticket ex-SIN where no-show allows changes still, otherwise there is a risk of large penalties

The cheap PE fare to London

Cancellations (including no show)
No refund

could leave you needing to buy a whole new ticket. For me , the risk vs benefit would have me not taking the risk

Dave

 

[markis10]

I would probably buy the Ex SIN flights and possibly put MRS on JQ BNE-DRW-SIN, its $283, you could then also nest a QF SIN-BNE-SIN flight for the return back home ex SIN.

 

[docjames]

Finnair has a reservations office in Sydney ph. 1300 798 188

I still wouldnt risk this connection unless you have a ticket ex-SIN where no-show allows changes still, otherwise there is a risk of large penalties

The cheap PE fare to London

Cancellations (including no show)
No refund

could leave you needing to buy a whole new ticket. For me , the risk vs benefit would have me not taking the risk

Dave

Thanks Dave , yes, could end up very expensive. I am considering booking mrsdoc all the way through on QF as we have friends and relatives in Paris at that time so if she ends up in CDG and I dont it's just me stuck (my own stupid luck). Plus that halves the cost of any screw-ups (although i dont doubt i'll be copping it if she ends up on AF or QF to GDG and i'm not on it also).

I'm currently trying to see what options ex-MEL and BNE at 0030hrs (Monday) approx as i can leave a 5hr connection window from QF DRW-MEL (arr 1915 via ADL) which should be ok. Note: should.

@ markis - I'm not sure if/when i'm heading to SIN next - i might burn the extra few hundred and just do SIN-BNE one way. Note also - when you use qantas.com to buy SIN-LHR-SIN you cant buy SIN-LHR-SIN-BNE as it cacks it when you dont have a return to SIN.

 

[dajop]

If you misconnect, you may well be required to pay any change fees / fare differences to rebook to another flight ; being on 2 separate bookings, there is no protection that they need to give you.

I agree. Whilst QF may show some charity to mrsdoc, as it is all the one airline and she will have checked in from BNE and get her luggage checked through and most likely get her BP's for the onwards SIN flight there, it's almost a given that no such charity will exist on a JQ->QF transfer.

 

[Andyzx]

"I was investigating the AY split fares - they used to do good ones ex-HKG too. I can return to BNE and get CX @ 0050 on 31/5 to HKG ":arrow:

An option if you are going via HKG

BRITISH AIRWAYS
BA0026, BA0304
Departs: Sun 30 May 10 23:15
Arrives: Mon 31 May 10 09:40

BRITISH AIRWAYS
BA0015, QF0504 via Sydney, but i am sure you could get a QF from SIN to BNE
Departs: Fri 11 Jun 10 21:35
Arrives: Sun 13 Jun 10 08:35

Bus HK$38,200 approx A$5800
PE HK$16,500 approx $2550

BA ex HKG is doing some good fares for J and Y+. Only problem is how to get to HKG. Given the departure time it allows you a reasonable amount of time to get to HK. Just a different set of options. From the Zuji HK site but there are others

 

[docjames]

Ok, Finnair mixed class should allow BNE-(Y)-HKG-(J)-CDG (?via HEL) and vv for $5500pp.

an 0050 departure ex-BNE allows a connection of 6+hrs.

Hmmmmmmmm.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Back to the Singapore connection.

You can purchase 1 ways out of Singapore on flights back to Australia.

About the only thing you may need to show in Singapore is the credit card that you made the booking with.

I have also brought a return fare out of Hong Kong to London. I was using a mix of flights on points to get into and out of Australia from Hong Kong, a whole other thread on that.

You may need to show a return ticket out of Singapore; so its best to have all your travel documents printed.

Unless you are Qantas Gold or above if flying Cathay you won't have lounge access.

 

[IainF]

Hi Doc,

I found this Qatar Airlines pricing from Bali....
From Bali Economy Class
fares starting from Economy Class Business Class

Frankfurt $ 1,032 $ 2,832
Istanbul $ 933 $ 2,783
Kuala Lumpu $ 137 $ 377
London $ 1,077 $ 2,967
Paris $ 1,018 $ 2,873
Rome $ 964 $ 2,626
Singapore $ 173 $ 483
Go to Qatar Airlines website and go o the specials page.

Looks ok, if not a long way round.... but a cheap flight from Perth to Bali might be in order...
Cheers
IainF

 

[markis10]

Hi Doc,

I found this Qatar Airlines pricing from Bali....


Looks ok, if not a long way round.... but a cheap flight from Perth to Bali might be in order...
Cheers
IainF

Or a cheap flight from Darwin, JQ to Bali operates on the required day for $156.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Hey Doc

Spoke to Skystar Ground Handling in DRW who do JQ checkin and asked when you have separate bookings eg DRW JQ SIN then SIN QF LHR BA CDG, if they can thru check bags and they said they would try as they have done this with other code share carriers like EK and LH when pax have had separate pnrs.

In their Navitaire checkin system when they check you in DRW/SIN on the JQ flight the system then prompts them to enter 3 letter IATA code of final destination so they should be able to enter your flights SIN/LHR/CDG in order for the luggage tags to print out to your final destination.

As for getting your QF boarding pass SIN/LHR they said you would need to get that from the transit counter in SIN as they have to enter your APP data (passport no etc in Altea), however don't know whether if QF were able to enter these details in advance JQ would thereby be able to issue your QF boarding pass because the system would already have all the info it needed for your onward flight.

Cheers

Oz

 

[docjames]

Thanks all.

I'm not so worried about the boarding pass, it's more that it's ok to actually buy the ticket.


I'm currently looking at Y+ ex-MEL via HKG which i can make by DRW-ADL-MEL arr ~1930 dep to HKG @ ~2230.

There's a million BNE-MEL flights for mrsdoc so no worries.

Will have a look at those Qatar flights (I priced some ex-BNE and they were stupidly expensive).

 

[docjames]

Ok, update. Currently holding AY mixed class fare BNE-HKG-HEL-CDG, LHR-HEL-HKG-BNE.

Will probably try eurostar if it's up and running by then to do PAR-LON.

That should work out fine. Note 18hr and 7hr layovers in HKG though - looks like a day of shopping and Yum Cha. :mrgreen:

 

[Dave Noble]

Ok, update. Currently holding AY mixed class fare BNE-HKG-HEL-CDG, LHR-HEL-HKG-BNE.

Will probably try eurostar if it's up and running by then to do PAR-LON.

I can't imagine that the snow will still be affecting Eurostar in late spring

Eurostar is the best way imo to get between the centre of paris and centre of London; 1st class on Eurostar can normally be obtained for a decent price and is a much more comfortable way to travel across than the plane

Dave

 

[docjames]

I forgot to add the to my "if eurostar is running" - yes, it was tongue firmly in cheek.

Agree - added time and $ connecting to/from airports would not be worth it unless fare bundled into intercon travel (in this case not).

Awaiting final quote, but looks like ~4500 incl taxes.

Thanks all for help so far - im going to put this on the back burner now (have 14 days to ticket) unless some killer dela comes along in the new year.

Dave Noble - thanks specifically for your input - I think you've talked me out of the JQ SIN / connection option - I just dont want to take the risk now of a missed connection, and the mixed fare going that way works out roughly equivalent to a Y+ fare combo with BNE end in Y so a much better option.

 

[Dave Noble]

Dave Noble - thanks specifically for your input - I think you've talked me out of the JQ SIN / connection option - I just dont want to take the risk now of a missed connection, and the mixed fare going that way works out roughly equivalent to a Y+ fare combo with BNE end in Y so a much better option.

Sounds like a reasonable choice you have gone for . Risking missed connections could have been nasty and there is pretty much zero chance that JQ would have assisted you with new onward bookings if there had been an issue

Dave

 

[IainF]

For interests sake I plugged in MEL-LHR vv for the dates you mentioned and got a price of $4791 inc taxes in J on Qatar.

Go have a look. might be a bit more comfortable than Y to HKG...