Best FF programmme for SYD-MAN annual Business Class trips

[gnmaddock]

Hi all - brand new to the forum, fantastic source of information. One basic question: I'm about to open new business accounts, and wondered which credit card/FF programme is best to look at for annual Business Class trips Sydney-Manchester? We have travelled Singapore Airlines for many years on these trips, but open to other options if anyone can suggest benefits elsewhere?

 

[markis10]

Welcome to AFF,

One annual trip is hardly a frequent flyer, but you may have other travel that will have a bearing on your answer, and are you looking at the best earning or best redemption FF program, I take it to read you have a requirement to do the trip once a year and want to use points as much as possible, while some programs have very good redemption options, they cannot always be used the way you would prefer them to be.

 

[NM]

For the most convenient flights and reasonable FF program, it may be worth considering Emirates. You can get to MAN with a single transit in Dubai. I think SQ is about the only other option for a single-stop service.

For credit card choice, you need to determine what type of spending you anticipate. Most non-Amex cards have points caps. Amex is generally good for real business travel expenses (air fares, accommodation, taxis, restaurants etc) but not for many smaller retail type businesses or utilities expenses. Amex can feed into SQ program. I am not sure about Australian credit card options for earning points/miles in Emirates program.

 

[futaris]

For the most convenient flights and reasonable FF program, it may be worth considering Emirates. You can get to MAN with a single transit in Dubai. I think SQ is about the only other option for a single-stop service.

I think SQ327 stops in MUC always, now...

SQ = SYD-SIN-MUC-MAN
EK = SYD-DXB-MAN

Etihad is another single stop option:
EY = SYD-AUH-MAN

 

[dajop]

. I think SQ is about the only other option for a single-stop service.

Not any more, the SQ flight has a stop in Munich enroute, and switched to 77W (new business class).

I think it's not too difficult to get cards that earn for QF, EK or SQ that earn 1.5 miles/$.

On this basis spend required for return J award to Manchester:
Emirates will take $120K (saver award) or $165K (flex)
SQ will take $170k (on SQ 77W) or $100K (using a star alliance partner)
QF till take $171K to get to LHR, or $186K if you want to get all the way to MAN.

Amex may also be another option with various partners.

 

[JetLagged]

Hi all - brand new to the forum, fantastic source of information.

Welcome to the forum - and yes, it never ceases to amaze me how much others know and which helps you along the way!

 

[futaris]

And the current prices for SYD-MAN in Business Class:

EY = 8890 AUD
EK = 8805 AUD
SQ = 11647 AUD
QF = 11723 AUD
Oneworld DONE4 = 11490 AUD + taxes

 

[NM]

I think SQ327 stops in MUC always, now...

Not any more, the SQ flight has a stop in Munich enroute, and switched to 77W (new business class).

Ahh yes, thanks for pointing it out. SQ328 is a one-stop service SIN-MUC-MAN.

 

[dajop]

On this basis spend required for return J award to Manchester:
Emirates will take $120K (saver award) or $165K (flex)
SQ will take $170k (on SQ 77W) or $100K (using a star alliance partner)
QF till take $171K to get to LHR, or $186K if you want to get all the way to MAN.

Further to my earlier post a little comment on the above credit cards that allow accrual to SQ or EK are probably be more attractive than QF - as the $170K it takes for SQ redemption is booked into a "Standard" award class - availability in this class is extremely generous, also - not 100% sure - but the "flex" class on EK should have better availablity. By contrast on QF, you are looking at "classic" awards and availability can be much more difficult to come by.

 

[futaris]

And for earn (Business Class) oneway:

Flying SQ crediting to Krisflyer: 13214 points, irrelevant of status
Flying QF crediting to QFF: 13542 points (NB), 16251 (PS), 18960 (SG), 24377 (WP) | 280 or 320 SCs
Flying EK (Saver) crediting to Skymiles: 11250 Skywards/tier miles, 13500 (Silver), 15750 (Gold)
Flying EK (Flex) crediting to Skymiles: 15750 Skywards/tier miles, 18000 (Silver), 20250 (Gold)
Flying EY crediting to Etihad Guest: 16542 points, 19299 (Silver), 22056 (Gold)

for burn (Business Class) return:

SQ (Saver on 744, eg FRA): 127.5k + taxes (booked online), 150k + taxes (otherwise)
SQ (Standard): 255k + taxes (booked online), 300k + taxes (otherwise)
QFF: 292k + taxes (return award)
QFF (oneworld RTW): 282.5k + taxes (booked via phone)
Skymiles (Saver): 162k + taxes (booked online), 180k + taxes (otherwise)
Skymiles (Flex): 222.75k (booked online), 247.5k + taxes (otherwise)
Etihad Guest: 200k + taxes

 

[dajop]

Flying SQ crediting to Krisflyer: 13214 points, irrelevant of status

Not quite correct, status does have a bearing. Any sort of status gets a flat 25% bonus - so 15,856 with status (silver, gold, PPS or Solitaire)