Is this possible? [Business award MEL-SIN-LHR w 300K QFF & 200K VFF]

[ffhound]

HI all

I am planning a trip to Europe next year. I want to leverage though my business class trip so that I get free chauffeur transfers at both ends of my trip to London.

I would be starting with an estimated 300k Qantas points and 200k Velocity points. My question only concerns the trip to Europe. The return leg I will work out later, most likely via Japan.

My objective is MEL-SIN - LHR with a stopover of 2 days in Singapore. Can you have a stopover on a business class award?

First, ideally my chauffeur picks me up, takes me to Tullamarine where i check in and hang around the business class lounge for a while then fly to Singapore. I am not concerned about transfers at Singapore as the rail system is good. Mind you if they are available for free I'll take them.

After a oouple of days stay I board my plane to go to London and then get chauffeured to Ashford in Kent.

Is the above scenario doable using a minimum of frequent flyer points and if so which airlines/routes do I need to take? I am happy to fly via Sydney if necessary but not via Perth. The objective is to go via Singapore. I am also happy to mix and match airlines.

Thanks Peter

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think the situation might be this...

Emirates will provide chauffeur cars for all flights (except AU-NZ or in DPS). Qantas will provide them for flights to London.

You can get a stopover on a QF or EK award, but they will charge you the price of both individual sectors (not the through fare).

Singapore Airlines will allow you a stopover, but at a fee of $100 for a one way award. But no chauffeured cars.

Alternatively you could use Velocity/SQ points to get to SIN and back, and use EK from SIN to Europe and back. You'd then have cars to pick you up in SIN and drop you off in London and vv. (But no cars arriving from or going to SQ)

 

[BriarFlyer]

Given your preference for a stopover in SIN, I'd use the VA points to book SQ business. The savings in the cash component would all-but cover the cost of your stopover ($100) and chauffeur drives each end. You could then use your QF points for the trip home via Japan with OW.

 

[ffhound]

Given your preference for a stopover in SIN, I'd use the VA points to book SQ business. The savings in the cash component would all-but cover the cost of your stopover ($100) and chauffeur drives each end. You could then use your QF points for the trip home via Japan with OW.

Or maybe try out SQ First? I was just doing some projections and it is likely that I will have closer to 300k Velocity points.

The danger is though that having tried out First I may never be able to go back to J again. I had the same problem after trying out J international for the first time after previously always flying Y.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The danger is though that having tried out First I may never be able to go back to J again. I had the same problem after trying out J international for the first time after previously always flying Y.

No danger! The difference between F and J is much smaller than J and Y. (The flat bed is key. Once you have that the additional benefits of F over J are just those that give you a little more convenience.)

 

[ffhound]

No danger! The difference between F and J is much smaller than J and Y. (The flat bed is key. Once you have that the additional benefits of F over J are just those that give you a little more convenience.)

Is F really worth it then?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Is F really worth it then?

Absolutely! All the additions that come with F are great, and make for a superb flight. But if you have an aircraft with J only, or need to fly J for another reason, the focus shifts, and the flat bed, plus good service are perfectly adequate.