Advice Sought

[M_Wilson]

I will be travelling to Dubai from Brisbane RTN about once a month for 6 months and would like to know the best way to maximise the FF points that are sure to accumulate.
Initial thoughts are along the line of AAdvantage Platinum Challenge using either QANTAS or CX.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Welcome to AFF M_Wilson

What class of travel? What is important to you - easy flight connections or maximising points?

QF doesn't fly to DXB, but may have a codeshare with Gulf Air through SYD? Otherwise you would be stuck with CX via HKG (quite a detour) and regional product on the long flight between DXB and HKG (IIRC also has a stopover rather than being nonstop?).

Otherwise EK flies direct (same plane but with a stop in SIN) and so most convenient. SQ also flies via SIN but not same plane/flight number service - not sure how well it connects.

 

[NM]

Otherwise you would be stuck with CX via HKG (quite a detour) and regional product on the long flight between DXB and HKG (IIRC also has a stopover rather than being nonstop?).

And CX use their regional A330 on the BNE-HKG leg as well, so regional all the way (no flat sleeper seats in business class). If buying economy tickets, also note that CX rarely have cheap fare available on the HKG-DXB route. Its nearly always only Y or B fare basis only.

Otherwise EK flies direct (same plane but with a stop in SIN) and so most convenient. SQ also flies via SIN but not same plane/flight number service - not sure how well it connects.

Note that EK uses 777-300 aircraft BNE-SIN-DXB (same plane, one-stop service) which has 10-across seating in the economy cabin. However, the do have 34 inch pitch. So if you are tall and slim, the EK seating may be more comfortable. But if you are proportioned with latitudinal generosity, the seat width and closeness of neighbours may not be so endearing for the long flight.

EK business class on that route is regional product with 46 inch pitch and 2x3x2 config.

 

[M_Wilson]

Thanks Kiwi Flyer. I will be looking to max points initally to benefit my non-work flying in Aust later. All trips will be on flexible economy fares. Would prefer any QANTAS code share flights.

 

[Dave Noble]

Thanks Kiwi Flyer. I will be looking to max points initally to benefit my non-work flying in Aust later. All trips will be on flexible economy fares. Would prefer any QANTAS code share flights.

For getting to DXB, there are no code share flights. The sane routing on OW is CX via HKG . As long as you are booked in H class or higher, then the Platinum Challenge will easily get you Platinum status on your 1st trip and the subsequent trips should help you renew next year

Crediting to AA, you would earn 23970 miles on the first trip and, as a platinum member, approx 31960 points per trip on subsequent ones, so over 6 trips, you would earn about 183,770 miles. Having flown over 70,000 miles as a Platinum member, you will have earned 28 Upgrade credits which coule be exchanged for 14,000 miles giving a total of about 198,000 miles

This is a lot more than you would earn crediting to Qantas which would be 15,980 per trip giving a total of 95,880 miles earned

If you are travelling in Full Economy (Y or B) classes, then you should be able to attain Executive Platinum status ( OW Emerald ) giving you EXP through to end Feb 2009 and then have Platinum through to Feb 2010

Dave

 

[NM]

If you are travelling in Full Economy (Y or B) classes, then you should be able to attain Executive Platinum status ( OW Emerald ) giving you EXP through to end Feb 2009 and then have Platinum through to Feb 2010

Dave

Given that the only economy fare I can find published through Expertflyer for BNE-DXB on CX is B booking class, there should be no problems with the 1.5 EQP/mile flown. The fare is BLEE6M for A$2949+++. The High Season version (BHEE6M) is A$3444.

EK fares start at A$2786, so not a lot cheaper. Of course the really interesting point is that you can purchase an EK fare to London (via DXB) for $1926. But if you only want to go as far as DXB they will charge you $860 more!

 

[superchris]

But if you are proportioned with latitudinal generosity, the seat width and closeness of neighbours may not be so endearing for the long flight.

Absolutely gotta love this comment!!

 

[M_Wilson]

thanks so much for the quick replies. looks like plenty of cherry picking for me in the next few months.

 

[kpc]

I will be travelling to Dubai from Brisbane RTN about once a month for 6 months

Do you have a Diners Club card?
If so, check out this thread...:mrgreen:
FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - SQ490 - Nonstop or not???

 

[Yada Yada]

Another option to consider is flying Malaysia Airlines (MH) out of BNE via KUL (Kuala Lumpur). Cost is under $2,300.

You can also depart from SYD and the fare drops to as low as $1,935 but adding a SYD-BNE return would level it up to about the same cost although it's worth checking with Virgin Blue as it might work out cheaper.

You can credit all points to a (free) Virgin Blue Velocity account. Points will be easier to use for redeeming flights on Virgin/Pacific/Poly Blue.

 

[Tiki]

Depending on your priorites and where you want to redeem your awards, EK miles can be credited to Velocity, UA's MP (cheap awards to Pacific islands) or EK's own program.

The plan Dave Noble outlined will get you the most miles overall though if you are happy to use connecting flights.

 

[Dave Noble]

Depending on your priorites and where you want to redeem your awards, EK miles can be credited to Velocity, UA's MP (cheap awards to Pacific islands) or EK's own program.

The plan Dave Noble outlined will get you the most miles overall though if you are happy to use connecting flights.

From Brisbane there is going to be a connection of sorts anyway en-route to DXB, though on the EK flight it is the same plane. By doing CX with candy stealing, at least after the 1st trip he will have lounge access for the trips

Dave

 

[M_Wilson]

I don't have a dinners at the moment but looks like it's worth getting . 20 odd hours is a long time so business class may be the way to go.
thanks for all the replies.

 

[maninblack]

Don't know exactly what you are after but SQ will give you a mighty fast trip and good service too. Join Kris flyer, fly J on SQ and build up plenty of miles with them perhaps.

 

[Dave Noble]

I don't have a dinners at the moment but looks like it's worth getting . 20 odd hours is a long time so business class may be the way to go.
thanks for all the replies.

Gulf Air is s fairly decent airline and they offer DXB-SYD r/t in business class for $3548 plus taxes. Just get a single to DXB initially and then you can fly in business class for a reasonable fare

Dave

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

From Brisbane there is going to be a connection of sorts anyway en-route to DXB, though on the EK flight it is the same plane. By doing CX with candy stealing, at least after the 1st trip he will have lounge access for the trips

Dave

I haven't checked the mileage, but after first trip on EK would be close to Skywards Silver (if not already there) and thus get lounge access.

 

[M_Wilson]

I used the EK miles calc and it would take 2 trips to qual for Silver. i am thinking that enrolling in the CT program with AA is the way to go. most of my travel at home is with QANTAS and so the lounge access here would benefit me greatly.
Will absolutely look into the Diners Club card and the lounge in Dubai and will post my thoughts later.
thanks again.

 

[Dave Noble]

I haven't checked the mileage, but after first trip on EK would be close to Skywards Silver (if not already there) and thus get lounge access.

Skywards Silver only gives lounge access at DXB and CMB and would not allow for access at SIN or BNE, Gold status would be needed for that

At 16,000 miles per trip it would take 2 trips to attain Silver status and 3 trips to reach gold. ( 25k needed for Silver and 50k for Gold) .

Dave

 

[browski]

For getting to DXB, there are no code share flights.

Dave

This is not correct. There are code share flights to Dubai.

BNE-SIN QF51 Qantas Metal
SIN-BAH QF3867 Codeshare with Gulf Air
BAH-DXB QF3871 Codeshare with Gulf Air

Bit of a wait in Singapore however. Bahrain connection good.

As an alternative, I've done this one before - if you don't mind a few stops you might try
Brisbane-Darwin QF824 9.05AM-12.40PM
Darwin-Mumbai QF123 3.00PM-19.50PM
Mumbai-DXB CX751 9.15PM-10.45PM

Good connections, you get to travel in daytime and then get a good night's sleep upon arrival.