Advice regarding multi-city International flights - Qantas and/or Emirates

[kermatu]

Hello all - I would greatly appreciate any advice on the following.

I am planning an international trip in October next year, with several (preferably J class) flights. Broad plan is to travel from Sydney or Melbourne to either Singapore for a few days, then to Dubai for a few days and then on to mainland Europe (likely Germany). After some internal travel 2-3 weeks, depart London through Dubai (2 days) and finally back to Syd/Mel. All up should be within the month of October 2014.

I am currently WP1 but will most likely revert back to WP by then. Flights would be mix of Qantas and Emirates metal for variety and choice of aircraft (a preference to mix, though could do all Emirates).

I have done a few general searches on both Qantas and Emirates multi-city engines. The basic structure above comes back OK. However, the Emirates engine seems to offer different class flights for different sectors, whereas Qantas has to be all business or economy. For example, I could do the return in first class (for extra cost) which seems quite attractive (just to try it out!) or possibly undertake a shorter sector in Y.

My main query is whether it would be better for me to book via Qantas in terms of benefits as a WP (status credits, status recognition, chauffeur drive, seat selection etc), or does the better flexibility of Emirates offering different class travel make more sense? But I've got some specific questions below, and any answers / ideas welcome. Apologies for the length of the queries, but figured I'd get em all(?) out now.

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1 - Has anyone experienced multi-city bookings on Emirates in different classes - is it cost-effective or are there cheaper ways to book?
2 - Can Qantas match any booking in terms of variable classes of travel if I do it over the phone once I've settled on particular flights?
3 - The current business early bird sale goes through to 15 November 2013 but will I be able to book flights in October 2014 before that expires? (Currently Emirates flights only extend to mid-Sept 2014).
4 - Will I get exact same status points and FF points (including status bonus) irrespective of who I book with if on same flights? (I assume yes based on searches here and Qantas terms).
5 - Is seat selection with WP1 status options available across both Emirates and QF aircraft, irrespective of who I book with? (I assume better to book QF and get QF flight numbers on the Emirates metal sectors, but would be good to know if booking via Emirates would still allow me my WP1 seat selection perks). Not such a big deal if J or F class I guess.
6 - Is chauffeur drive better under either a QF or EK booking, for the following cities: Singapore, Dubai, London and say Frankfurt? (My reading of conditions suggests that I'd have to fly on Emirates to get the service in Frankfurt (only option anyway) and Singapore - but if I booked EK even if on a Qantas plane would I get the service in Singapore?)

And of less importance...
7 - I know upgrades are highly variable and I can see no pattern from all the advice on this site (I haven't been upgraded once despite being WP and WP1 for a little while myself!) - but would there be any greater likelihood if booked through Qantas?
8 - What prospect of getting any MASAs for the above? (Whole journey or individual legs). I assume zero. Can the Platinum One team be asked to check out MASA availability or does it have to be a call to the number as advised in other threads?

Thanks again for any help.

Kermatu.

 

[Mattg]

Sounds like a good trip! If you are Germany in October, you would be able to go to Oktoberfest in Munich

i personally haven't booked on the Emirates engine yet but I'll answer what I can.

3. I believe that Emirates allows you to book 330 days out while Qantas is close to a year out, so depending on when in October you wanted to fly back to Australia, this may rule emirates out if you want to use the current sale.

4. If you book with Qantas you will get points and status credits (SCs) but with emirates you will ONLY get points and no SCs (this is the case for any flight with an EK number. EK metal flights with a QF number get points and SCs)

5. Seat selection availability depends on the airline you are flying with (metal) rather than the airline you book with as far as I know. If flying on a Qantas operated flight (QF or EK number), you will get the usual preferential seat selection which you normally would as a WP/WP1. If the flight is operated by emirates, seat selection is on a first come first served basis - which does not necessarily mean you would get a bad seat if you get in early, just as long as you remember to allocate one. Anyway, not affected by who you book with.

Hopefully someone else can help with the rest of your questions

 

[kermatu]

Thanks for the answers / info. Yes, it does steer me towards booking with Qantas. I must say I'm surprised by 4 though (no SC points on EK metal if booked with EK)- is that a reflection of not being a OneWorld member? (After all the time I have spent reading this forum and the expertise on it that fact has escaped me until this exchange!).

So I guess the next best thing would be to book via Qantas, but see if I could have a relevant leg or legs upgraded to First? And pay or use points to guarantee it if I wished.

Given current WP1 status I guess it is the better approach all up - to make any such changes but also in case anything goes wrong.

Cheers.

 

[opusman]

2. I believe QF can make multi-class bookings over the phone (for a fee) - the other option is a travel agent.
4. No SCs if travelling on an EK flight number, otherwise yes
5. Yes
6. I believe in Melbourne they use the same company, not sure about other locations
7. As far as I know you can't upgrade using points on EK metal (even if travelling on a QF flight number)
8. You can use the classic award tool to get an idea of availability, and then call up to book - they'll even waive the booking fee!


And don't listen to Mattg, Oktoberfest is actually in September

 

[Mattg]

Thanks for the answers / info. Yes, it does steer me towards booking with Qantas. I must say I'm surprised by 4 though (no SC points on EK metal if booked with EK)- is that a reflection of not being a OneWorld member? (After all the time I have spent reading this forum and the expertise on it that fact has escaped me until this exchange!).

So I guess the next best thing would be to book via Qantas, but see if I could have a relevant leg or legs upgraded to First? And pay or use points to guarantee it if I wished.

Given current WP1 status I guess it is the better approach all up - to make any such changes but also in case anything goes wrong.

Cheers.

I think this sounds like the way to go. Disclaimer, +1 for not being able to upgrade with points when flying on EK metal. You will only be able to upgrade the legs operated by Qantas.

 

[Mattg]

And don't listen to Mattg, Oktoberfest is actually in September

Really? Oh dear, I was actually planning to go next year, I think I might need to do a little more research! :shock:

 

[kermatu]

Thank you both for the info. It's been helpful. I'll settle some dates and then use classic awards / expertflyer to try and gauge MASA chances - then make calls and get some bookings done. Have become so used to online booking that it feels odd to have to call someone.

Oktoberfest not my thing - have been to Munich before, not a huge beer fan and the hotel prices in Sept/Oct look steep, so will be checking out some new areas I hope!

 

[kermatu]

Sorry - more questions - lounge access. I take it that booking via QF would allow access to One World lounges when flying QF metal, and any Emirates or QF lounges when on EK metal; but it would be EK / QF lounges only if booked on Emirates?

Finally, are there pros or cons to booking on expedia, for example?

 

[Mattg]

Sorry - more questions - lounge access. I take it that booking via QF would allow access to One World lounges when flying QF metal, and any Emirates or QF lounges when on EK metal; but it would be EK / QF lounges only if booked on Emirates?

Finally, are there pros or cons to booking on expedia, for example?

I think you are correct re lounge access. I personally would not use expedia or other sites like it as they charge fees etc. and you lose a degree of control over your booking (not that much different to a travel agent I suppose). If you can find what you want with them for a lower price, then by all means use them, but I would book directly with QF. Don't use webjet.

 

[kermatu]

Thanks again.

Yes, saw lots of posts re Webjet just the other day. I only asked because the Qantas booking engine has thrown up some wildly different cost estimates (from $7000 to $12,000) for the selected legs at different times over the past few days. I haven't tracked it that closely (because I'm still a few weeks away from determining the plan and booking) so it may be flight availability related so far out, but I also have seen and experienced concerns / problems with the booking engine and website generally, so thought an external site may be a better way to at least get a stable price.

 

[Mattg]

Thanks again.

Yes, saw lots of posts re Webjet just the other day. I only asked because the Qantas booking engine has thrown up some wildly different cost estimates (from $7000 to $12,000) for the selected legs at different times over the past few days. I haven't tracked it that closely (because I'm still a few weeks away from determining the plan and booking) so it may be flight availability related so far out, but I also have seen and experienced concerns / problems with the booking engine and website generally, so thought an external site may be a better way to at least get a stable price.

I have found with the QF site that you just need to play around a bit until you find the lowest priced combination. Yes, it can vary, in fact I've seen differences of around $1000 for a flight to Europe based on stopping over in DXB vs not stopping over. This was fixed eventually. Also, if using the multi-city booking tool, make sure you select "best price" over "most flexible".