Can I get a discount for multiple flights over a year

[saint2088]

Hi Guys

My first post on AFF. Long time domestic traveller out of Melbourne. LTG after five years of platinum. I really miss the business lounge!!

New project in Shanghai. I will need to make min 10 round trips this year. I loved to fly business.

Has anyone had any luck getting a discount from Singapore Airlines or Qantas for multiple flights in a year?

 

[markis10]

What class of travel, and who is paying for it? While I doubt you will get any discounts there are ways you can make the journey cheaper, be it by using the rebate program QF has if your paying as a company or by looking at using points bought and flying J cheaply.

 

[boylero]

I wouldnt class 10 return trips as significant really, however if you went to a travel agent and booked them all at once I'd imagine there would be a considerable discount offered.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Has anyone had any luck getting a discount from Singapore Airlines or Qantas for multiple flights in a year?

You have no chance of getting disc from SQ - but you could be able to reduce price of 10 x J class return to PVG by 20% - or rather pay for 8 get 2 on FF redmptions with SQ if you position yourself correctly.

Provided you are member KF and if you can get Westpac SQ Amex and pay for ret J flts with that AMEX you will earn 3 x pts/$1 to purchase plus your FF miles earned for flying roughly equates to 4 x paid flts gets you 1 x J Saver = approx 20% disc - does that help?

 

[opusman]

If flights are cheaper the other way (e.g. PVG-MEL-PVG instead of the other way around) you could potentially save money by booking two one ways (maybe on points) for the start and end flights and then the rest as returns out of Shanghai.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

If flights are cheaper the other way (e.g. PVG-MEL-PVG instead of the other way around) you could potentially save money by booking two one ways (maybe on points) for the start and end flights and then the rest as returns out of Shanghai.

YES possibility - but then you cannot earn 3pts/$1 on WSQ Amex assuming OP can get his hands on one.

If you use MEL as base MEL-PVG will earn you 6,229FF pts e/w = 12,458 ret flt - paying with WSQ will earn about approx. 15,000 ea pd J flt or which will prolly equate to higher redemption value than savings on flts ex PVG - of course OP needs to do all these calculations specific to his reqs.

 

[saint2088]

What class of travel, and who is paying for it? While I doubt you will get any discounts there are ways you can make the journey cheaper, be it by using the rebate program QF has if your paying as a company or by looking at using points bought and flying J cheaply.

Thanks for the reply. I own my company and therefore I will be paying. I would like to fly business or premium economy. I am Qantas LTG and Singapore Elite Gold.

I have tried to get domestic discounts from Qantas previously for 40 return trips to M-S-M per year but just got laughed at.

 

[saint2088]

Thanks Cruiser thats a good idea.

 

[saint2088]

If flights are cheaper the other way (e.g. PVG-MEL-PVG instead of the other way around) you could potentially save money by booking two one ways (maybe on points) for the start and end flights and then the rest as returns out of Shanghai.

Sounds like a way to save. Is there any problem flying into China without a return ticket?

 

[markis10]

Thanks for the reply. I own my company and therefore I will be paying. I would like to fly business or premium economy. I am Qantas LTG and Singapore Elite Gold.

I have tried to get domestic discounts from Qantas previously for 40 return trips to M-S-M per year but just got laughed at.

In that case I would look at buying points and using them via US DM , Lifemiles , Alaskan and similar, you will get J for under $2000 return in a lot of cases.

 

[opusman]

Sounds like a way to save. Is there any problem flying into China without a return ticket?

I don't know but you would have a return ticket anyway (as long as you had the next flight booked) - it would just be a different booking.

 

[saint2088]

In that case I would look at buying points and using them via US DM , Lifemiles , Alaskan and similar, you will get J for under $2000 return in a lot of cases.

For a bloke who flies a lot I am very naive about all this. How do I buy and book US DM , Lifemiles , Alaskan and similar - is there a broker who do you buy direct from airlines?

 

[markis10]

For a bloke who flies a lot I am very naive about all this. How do I buy and book US DM , Lifemiles , Alaskan and similar - is there a broker who do you buy direct from airlines?

There are a few brokers around but frankly they sit in a grey land as far as the law goes and I would not bother. Spend a little bit of time looking at these threads:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....antastic-alaska-airline-miles-deal-57584.html

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....programs/avianca-life-miles-new-ff-40866.html


I just took a look at booking MEL PVG For a random week in March in J, it's 105000 Lifemile, when they have the promo of buy one get one free that equates to USD$1575 plus taxes. Things to be aware of are the limits on what you can buy in a promo and/or membership year (to a certain extent "family" accounts can help) and the need to wait for promos.

 

[saint2088]

Thanks for your time. I appreciate your help.

 

[harvyk]

Sounds like a way to save. Is there any problem flying into China without a return ticket?

Provided you had a multi-entry visa (which I'd imagine you'd have), and it would probably be a good idea to carry proof of you're flight out of China, then I doubt it would be a problem. When I've done one ways, I've always printed out a copy of the second ticket showing my confirmed booking on a flight which will leave the country.

Depending over what time frame you are talking, you could even book the first and last flight as a return (so MEL-PVG-MEL). They will accept booking for flights 363 days out, so if you're last flight is 300 days away that's not a problem.

 

[opusman]

Depending over what time frame you are talking, you could even book the first and last flight as a return (so MEL-PVG-MEL). They will accept booking for flights 363 days out, so if you're last flight is 300 days away that's not a problem.

Assuming visa allows 300 days stay in China.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I have been doing up to 10 x one way F and J Saver redemptions into / out of China for last 5 years - NEVER asked to see outbound ticket in that time but I do hold APEC Card.

saint if you are going to be doing this many trips ongoing you need to investigate APEC Card - google that.

 

[saint2088]

Thanks cruiser Ill get onto to the APEC card.

 

[saint2088]

Thanks Harvyk yes I do have a multi entry visa and I will be seeking an APEC card to help as Cruiser suggests. Looks like the idea of booking one ways will be a way to save.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

saint keep me informed as to your dates of intended China visits - we might catch up there.

Also keep an eye out for Melbourne AFF get-togethers and try to come along to the next one - you are based in MEL aren't you?