A cost effective DONEx

[simongr]

Hi all

I am just starting to plan a trip to the UK next year and am wondering if I can convert this to a DONE4 for a reasonable price.

Currently we pay around A$9-$10K for our return flights to the UK. Given that I have business needs to be in HKG and DEL I can probably swing this to maybe $11,500.

I am restricted that is I bought an Oz DONE4 I would probablyhave to book through QF through our local corporate TA thus jacking up the price.

What are the current innovative routing options to get a DONE4 under $12K?

I am happy to take a positioning flight and to forget to take the last flight on the DONE4 if necessary...

Any thoughts?

S

 

[serfty]

For a start, look here to calculate the best place to start.

oneworld - oneworld Explorer

I think AKL should suit you nicely @NZD12,499 base fare (≈AUD10,300).

It costs AUD240 to fly there in economy :shock:.

You could route:

AKL-SYD <stop>
SYD-HKG <stop>
HKG-DEL <stop>
DEL-HKG-<up to 2 more D Asian Segments>
<asia>-LHR <stop>
LHR-CDG/MAD-<USA>
<up to 6 USA F Segments>
<USA>-SYD
SYD-AKL (discard?)

Avoid departing after a stopover from the UK to other than EU as the APD is getting up - will be £110 for extra long haul soon enough.

 

[tuapekastar]

I am taking a DONE4 mid next year but have not yet worked out the detail. I've had a preliminary look at pricing and South Africa seems to be amongst the cheapest at ZAR48000 (before taxes/surcharges) = ~AUD7150

Ex-Oz is AUD11199

Indonesia or Sri Lanka should give you some savings on a DONE4 (USD8135 - AUD9880, LKR 845,500 - AUD8900 respectively), and if you commence from these places you may be able to settle for a DONE3 (USD7114 - AUD8600 and LKR741,600 - AUD7800 respectively)

Of course there are the logistics and charges for booking in these countries to consider, along with positioning (et both beginning and end of trip if DONE3-ing), but I'm reasonably sure they've all been successfully utilised by Oz-based people in the past (which is why I checked them out).

I'm too early in the planning stages to have gone beyond checking the base prices, and playing with some itineraries...I'm sure I'm going to have some fun in the next few months figuring it out.

NZ is also a little cheaper than Oz (cant recall exactly how much).

 

[simongr]

Thank Serfty for the option of NZ - simple and effective - I like it.

I could also use the AKL element for a job we are doing there in 2010. Not keen on whY though (and we have a SYD-AKL in whY policy) due to wanting to travel purely with hand luggage (but we can work on that).

On question, if booking through corporate TA, is the likelihood that I will have go back to them for changes (i.e. if I want to slip in a side F trip or five )?

I could actually use the chance to go to LCA as a way of saving the APD...

 

[Dave Noble]

I am restricted that is I bought an Oz DONE4 I would probablyhave to book through QF through our local corporate TA thus jacking up the price.

If you make the 1st sector an AA sector, then there should be no issue getting the Travel Agent to issue on AA. head out from SYD to the USA on AA codeshare to US and onto UK and return via Asia

As far as changes go, once underway, you should be able to do directly with the airline

Dave

 

[Keith009]

On question, if booking through corporate TA, is the likelihood that I will have go back to them for changes (i.e. if I want to slip in a side F trip or five )?

Do the changes after departure - you can get the airline to takeover then.

 

[simongr]

Hmm - changes post departure might not work as flights may not be available(esp. LHR-LCA).

I guess I could just speculate on some flights from NYC...

 

[ejb_nz]

OT I know.......but.......

Congrats simongr on your upcoming 7000th post. You have added a lot to the forums.

ejb

 

[Bundy Bear]

OT I know.......but.......part 2.

Congrats to tuapekastar for clocking up 1000 posts, a DONE3 or 4 should get you Platinum status, another person who could guest me into either the domestic business lounge or either of the first class lounges.

 

[russianrob]

Has anyone purchased a DONE 3 out of Kul or Bali this year (from Australia)?

Given prices out of Per to either spot, I'm guessing you could still get Plat points at a much lower cost per point than my ex Aus Done 4 plans.