Dec 2012 to Europe and back - help me find a way

[MatF]

Hi guys,

I'm thinking about taking the Mrs back to Europe at the end of next year, but I'm unsure of the best approach. We went over at the end of last year, and I booked MEL-SIN-LHR in Y+ and then FCO-LHR-HKG in Y on points, then we bought some Y tickets HKG-SYD home.

This time I'd like to go J over and back - yes, I've decided my longhaul Y days are behind me. We'd be spending time in London, Paris and Italy again ... similar to the last trip, but the order isn't too important.

I won't have many points to burn - perhaps 350k by then (currently ~ 200k, and I seem to earn about 150k per year)

Requirements:

• Depart mid Dec 2012, back mid Jan 2013
• Preference to depart SYD or MEL and same return
• Preference for A380
• Into LHR I guess, but doesn't have to be
• Preference for a stopover for a couple of nights on the way back (either SIN or HKG), but probably not on the way over

I'm hoping I can draw on the collective wisdom here to find the most cost effective way of achieving this?
Any thoughts?



Cheers,
Mat.

 

[MatF]

Hi guys,

Well, I'm getting more serious about this after looking back over our photos again

Maybe I should rephrase my question:

What's the most cost effective way of getting to Europe and back in Business, preferably on Qantas?

I know I can just look on the QF website, but I was hoping someone with far more knowledge of finding the best deal might be able to help with any other options?


Cheers,
Mat.

 

[tuapekastar]

Speaking strictly in regard to QF, afraid I have no silver bullet (would use it if I did). I'm probably not telling you something you didn't already know, QF usually has discounted business fares available well out from the flight dates. As for using the points, there will be awards (classic and any seat) also available from ~330 days out.

You could look at purchasing PE fares and lodging upgrade requests (or a combination), but even as a WP, you are still in something of a lottery. QF has announced some aggressive sales (no details yet AFAIK) to claw back some business after the events of the last few days, but don't know when this will occur, and whether it will cover your travel dates.

You may be able to do separate tickets from MEL/SYD to SIN, then purchase separate return fares SIN-LHR, may be cheaper (and utilise your points somewhere into the deal).

It's really going to come down to your points and cash situation at the time award seats become available as to what is the best option for you. I would just consider all the point/cash options and combinations available to you and monitor things closely. QF may have special offers (2 for 1, that type of thing, but impossible to predict). Maybe TAs can do things cheaper but I wouldn't know about that.

And if anyone else does have the 'silver bullet' I'm all ears.

Good luck with your planning.

 

[futaris]

Cheapest way is an AAdvantage award...

 

[casanovawa]

Or a US Air Award if you can wait for another 100% bonus offer and if you don't mind flying *A...

Probably means you won't get an A380 as SQ seem to block award redemptions on those in J don't they...

There is a thread on some of the great itins that people have booked via US Air for some very reasonable costs in J and F...

 

[SFSC]

My approach would be to not get too technical about it. Just keep your eyes and ears open here, over at FT and on the airline sites and wait for something to come up similar to BA's special last August ( http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ational-airfares/ba-to-lhr-f-cheap-32013.html ) and pounce when you see it.

If you can stand getting closer and closer to your preferred dates without anything locked in, chances are something good will eventuate.

 

[ozmille]

I know it isn't QF but BA usually have an IXMAS fare close to Christmas

 

[grussellt]

Cheapest way is an AAdvantage award...

Even if you buy miles and select an AAdvantage award it can be cost-effective. If you time your purchase so that you receive bonus miles (often 25%) it can cost as little as $850 economy one -way for Europe-South Pacific (45000 miles) and $1200 for business (60000 miles). Of course you have to organise your purchases carefully as you can only buy 40000 miles per year (50000 including bonus) but you can also have 15000 miles transferred into your account ( per year). After all this you have to take a punt that the award flights will be there but if book well ahead there is generally reasonable choice (QF/BA/JL/AY).Acceptable routes are via HKG, SIN, BKK NRT/HND and KIX. Watch out for the BA fuel charges and enjoy the champagne!

 

[Kevin Scrimshaw]

Hi guys,

I'm thinking about taking the Mrs back to Europe at the end of next year

I tried to do the same last year but the warranty had already expired!

 

[straitman]

I tried to do the same last year but the warranty had already expired!

Gee some people like to live dangerously :!:

 

[Lawlass]

You can do J for around $4K by memory if you book through S7 (QF metal)

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....tional-airfares/syd-fra-mow-sub-1k-32073.html

 

[Bugalugz]

Booking via S7 comes up at around 4.5k but then you have the Visa and then flights to wherever. Nice except for the fact of going to Russia twice for a return trip!

I'm in the same predicament as the OP, want to go to Europe from Perth but there's no way I'm traveling in economy. Suffered that fate once to LAX and never again but it's finding an efficient and most importantly cost efficient way to get there. I'm 100% happy with Y+ but if I can get J I'd be even happier.

Silver with Qantas and want to stay with them so trying to find a cost efficient way from Perth to Europe in Y+ or J with OW. Been looking at ASA's but they are so variable and Classic rewards doesn't show a heap of availability. But problem is the PER-HKG or SIN sector as that will be in Economy so trying to get around that too.

Flight Centre seem to be able to offer about 1k lower than the QF website so might look into that now that i've stumbled upon that. Be interesting to see what suggestions people have of scoring cheap seats to Europe this time next year.

 

[MatF]

Hi guys,

A bit of a thread revival.

Toying with the idea of using points to go J to SIN return (2 people) from either MEL or SYD - seems to be around 240,000 points. Then buying J return SIN-LHR, which seems to be around A$10k on the Qantas SIN website.
I guess having 2 separate bookings would mean some potential issues with connection protection, but we would probably have at least a night stopover in SIN in each direction whihc might hopefully reduce that risk.

Any other pitfalls I should consider? Other thoughts?



Cheers,
Mat.

 

[fairbasa]

I have found the best value way (not necessarily the most luxurious but definitely adequate) is via Finnair to Helsinki. It's about 134,000 points return in Economy. They're not particularly thrilling, but if it's value you're after, they're it! They also have excellent connections in Singapore.

 

[travelling4fun]

Even if you buy miles and select an AAdvantage award it can be cost-effective. If you time your purchase so that you receive bonus miles (often 25%) it can cost as little as $850 economy one -way for Europe-South Pacific (45000 miles) and $1200 for business (60000 miles). Of course you have to organise your purchases carefully as you can only buy 40000 miles per year (50000 including bonus) but you can also have 15000 miles transferred into your account ( per year). After all this you have to take a punt that the award flights will be there but if book well ahead there is generally reasonable choice (QF/BA/JL/AY).Acceptable routes are via HKG, SIN, BKK NRT/HND and KIX. Watch out for the BA fuel charges and enjoy the champagne!

Interesting... Im also look to fly BNE-FRA and am trying to look for cheap ways to get decent seats there an back. This looks like a relatively cheap option, i'll have to look into this! Cheers.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Even if you buy miles and select an AAdvantage award it can be cost-effective. If you time your purchase so that you receive bonus miles (often 25%) it can cost as little as $850 economy one -way for Europe-South Pacific (45000 miles) and $1200 for business (60000 miles).

Of course you have to organise your purchases carefully as you can only buy 40000 miles per year (50000 including bonus) but you can also have 15000 miles transferred into your account (per year).

After all this you have to take a punt that the award flights will be there but if book well ahead there is generally reasonable choice (QF/BA/JL/AY).Acceptable routes are via HKG, SIN, BKK NRT/HND and KIX. Watch out for the BA fuel charges and enjoy the champagne!

How many AA points do you need for SIN/LHR or FRA/SIN in J? Although I guess not being booked through QF as a JASA it's treated as a Classic type award ie nil SC or points earn?

Toying with the idea of using points to go J to SIN return (2 people) from either MEL or SYD - seems to be around 240,000 points. Then buying J return SIN-LHR, which seems to be around A$10k on the Qantas SIN website.

I guess having 2 separate bookings would mean some potential issues with connection protection, but we would probably have at least a night stopover in SIN in each direction whihc might hopefully reduce that risk.

I'd do the opposite, ie use the points for the most expensive travel ie Asia/Europe/Asia on a JASA then buy a ticket in whY SYD/Asia/SYD or purchase the AY J class ticket ex Asia to Europe via HEL (approx AUD3,000.00 pp return) & use the points for a JASA SYD/Asia/SYD return.

As mentioned on another thread by travelling LHR/xHEL/SIN ie not flying in J ex LHR to Asia (directly) you avoid the GBP170.00 tax pp.

If it's all QF or One World your bags can be through checked so the outbound carrier is responsible for getting you to your destination in the event of a delay somewhere however I think it's more relaxing to overnight in Asia both ways.

I have found the best value way (not necessarily the most luxurious but definitely adequate) is via Finnair to Helsinki. It's about 134,000 points return in Economy. They're not particularly thrilling, but if it's value you're after, they're it! They also have excellent connections in Singapore.

Is that all the way from Oz to Europe or just ex Asia?

 

[V1213]

Don't forget about Royal Jordanian.

They fly BKK-AMM-Europe with fares from around $1500 each way in Business so they're an option.
Air Berlin are another BKK operator but it looks like they're pulling out in favour of chucking everyone on Etihad, which won't earn any QFF points.

All you need to do is get yourself to BKK, which can be Jetstar, Qantas, BA, Thai, Malaysia, Singapore, Air Asia or whatever you fancy, and can be a steal in Economy... if you're willing to sacrifice the Australia-Asia leg.

 

[nonpop]

We have just booked SYD > BKK via QF points in J.
Then BKK to CDG via HEL on Finnair in J.
Was a tight race between AY & RJ. Finnar was slightly cheaper and better connections. Only real 'issue' with Finnair is that their 'domestic' J (HEL to CDG) leg is not real J.
But that part of the flight is short. I believe the RJ flight (BKK > AMM > CDG) changes from a skybed to recliner from AMM to CDG.
Both were excellent value and earn J SCs. The moral here is ... SIN or BKK make great points of purchase.

Remember you will need to pay in a foreign currency so make sure you have the correct credit card that will not slug you with 3% conversion rates.
We used our 28 Deg Mastercard making it all too easy.

 

[ReLoad]

the other option is for QF's 2 for the price of one sale which they had at Valentines day, they will also have another one later this year

 

[grussellt]

"How many AA points do you need for SIN/LHR or FRA/SIN in J? Although I guess not being booked through QF as a JASA it's treated as a Classic type award ie nil SC or points earn?"

On the AA All Airline chart both flights are "Europe-Asia2" which is 52500 miles in J. South Pacific to Europe (60000) is clearly better value but no stopovers (except less than 24hr) allowed. Sorry no SC or points earn on award flights.