Am I doing this the best way? Honeymoon F Award flight from LHR

[Pushka]

And no, not my honeymoon

I am charged with organising an F experience for someone near and dear and as WP I might have a better chance. I’m lining this up for Sept 2018 so ready to pounce when EK comes online for award flights. It’s about 14 days off.

Having warned said younger folk who can only afford Y that this will kill them for future Y flights, these are my thoughts. I’ve also warned them they may need to be flexible re departure airport.

We can pool enough points to fly straight through LHR - DXB - MEL in F on A380. But they want a break in Dubai so this seems to increase points cost but does also seem to open up more flights out of LHR into DXB.

So, I’ve suggested J on EK 380 to DXB, 4 nights in DXB then F on EK through to MEL. This way points is around 380,000 from memory.

So any creative thoughts? Am I doing this the best way? Also, who should I speak too regarding extra special attention for their honeymoon flights?

 

[TomVexille]

Consider LGW as an alternative to LHR. Assuming they're already going to be in the UK so connecting from elsewhere to avoid APD isn't an option?

 

[Pushka]

Consider LGW as an alternative to LHR. Assuming they're already going to be in the UK so connecting from elsewhere to avoid APD isn't an option?

Sure is a possibility. They will be staying up near Manchester but availability more limited so they’ll be on the move anyway.

Ummm - APD?

 

[TomVexille]

EK fly from MAN and BHX so might not need to head back to London anyway

 

[Princess Fiona]

Sure is a possibility. They will be staying up near Manchester but availability more limited so they’ll be on the move anyway.

Ummm - APD?

Air Passenger Duty
Adds a lot of money into the copay Ex UK.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

And confirming they are in one of the eligible family redemption categories?

 

[Pushka]

And confirming they are in one of the eligible family redemption categories?

Indeedy. A MasterP in fact. Planning on being MOTG

 

[Flying mermaid]

Indeedy. A MasterP in fact. Planning on being MOTG

congratulations - there is a nice shop in Singapore if you need a motg dress.

 

[kelvedon]

Emirates also fly from Newcastle and Glasgow. NCL is closer to Manchester than LHR and GLA is closer than LGW, though I believe they are 777, not A380 so no shower or bar on the flight to Dubai.

 

[Pushka]

congratulations - there is a nice shop in Singapore if you need a motg dress.

I’ll need a hat apparently!

 

[love_the_life]

I’ll need a hat apparently!

And chiffon?

 

[Anna]

I'd go taffeta

 

[Pushka]

Indeedy. A MasterP in fact. Planning on being MOTG

congratulations - there is a nice shop in Singapore if you need a motg dress.

Ah. Of course.

And chiffon?

I’m a cotton girl Anything else makes me, um, perspire delicately.

I'd go taffeta

One word - rustle!

Well, please note I did say ‘planning’ on bring one. These young ‘uns do things differently these days. The only thing under my control - and even that is up to Qantas Award gods - are the flights. The timing of everything is well, random from my perspective. And secret.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Indeedy. A MasterP in fact. Planning on being MOTG

You know the MOTG shouldn't wear black

 

[Mattg]

Is a ~23 hour break in Dubai a possibility? If the stop is under 24 hours, EK F all the way from anywhere in Europe to Australia would cost 384,000 points for 2 passengers.

By the way, if they really want to maximise the time in F, they could fly LHR-DXB-AKL-MEL, with AKL-MEL in QF A330 J. The number of points will be the same if doing it on one ticket (i.e. stopping under 24 hours in Dubai).

 

[Pushka]

You know the MOTG shouldn't wear black

. Or white apparently. I’m thinking blue. Might have to chack out Melbourne Cup fascinators.

Is a ~23 hour break in Dubai a possibility? If the stop is under 24 hours, EK F all the way from anywhere in Europe to Australia would cost 384,000 points for 2 passengers.

By the way, if they really want to maximise the time in F, they could fly LHR-DXB-AKL-MEL, with AKL-MEL in QF A330 J. The number of points will be the same if doing it on one ticket (i.e. stopping under 24 hours in Dubai).

It will be their first time in Dubai so they are looking forward to the touristy bits. But will be returning to work soon after but otherwise that AKL extension would be fab!

I do remember last time I booked an award in J on EK I was able to upgrade to F online when I had more points. Think I’ll keep that in mind.

The English certainly do weddings differently.

 

[Flying mermaid]

The English certainly do weddings differently.

they sure do . My nephew married in England in July. We let them know when we received the save the date, that we wouldn’t be going (the dates clashed with Ms FM’s honeymoon and we were already committed to looking after the fur babies), so I never saw the invitation, but apparently it was Morning Suits for the guys

 

[Rourke]

I've done MAN-DXB-MEL in F on points, and I was able to book it only a few months out. I had to book it through the QF call centre for the right combination of flights (the search engine is hopeless). I included a 20-hour break in Dubai and it was pretty smooth. The only downside if they are looking for first class all the way is the little Business Class lounge in Manchester, although the food is good quality as always from EK.

 

[Pushka]

but apparently it was Morning Suits for the guys

Yup. Even in the morning. Toppers too.

 

[love_the_life]

Yup. Even in the morning. Toppers too.

MrP will look spiffy and MrsP regal