Best flights to UK in August/Sept

[gottago]

I'm planning to move to the UK for a few years. For a flight there at the end of August/early Sept 2010 I'll need plenty of baggage allowance (so Business Class at least), a reasonable fare, at least six months validity for the return flight, and avoiding Bangkok & BA, those hotbeds of trouble at present!

Any suggestions? I have tons of points with QF, but no luck in finding any availability for rewards flights. Try to use them to upgrade possibly? But no confirmed international upgrades with QF.

 

[samh004]

Have you considered redeeming a RTW award in J, then you can choose a few airlines, probably QF from Australia, as the ticket and your status will help you carry as much baggage as you can. I think they’re 280,000 points.

 

[Mal]

While BA may seem like coughs (I hope that term is allowed on this forum!), I think you will find they have much better rates for excess baggage than Qantas do.

You really need to consider the bigger picture, and ensure you choose a carrier with the most baggage allowance.

Excess baggage on Qantas is shocking in price, Even flying domestically, you're up for a huge sum if you are over your limit.

BTW - and I think you probably know this already - Qantas Club/Silver/Gold/Platinum members do get additional allowance.

 

[Dave Noble]

In business class, BA will permit 3 pieces of 32Kg each , giving a max base allowance of 96Kg vs QF's allowance of 30Kg ( 40Kg for Silver/Gold members and 45Kg for Platinum members)

BA's cost for 1 additional piece pre-booked is also very reasonable and so can quite reasonably get to 128Kg allowance

QF's excess fees to UK are $50/Kg so would cost over $4000 as a platinum member to get to 128Kg and $4900 as a non status member

BA does also have a route via Singapore and can avoid Bangkok

If desperate to avoid BA, then for a better allowance than QF offers to non status members, Ek offers 30Kg in economy and 40Kg in business class

 

[JetLagged]

What is your status with Qantas - as that determines quite a bit of luggage.

Also, if settling in the UK for quite some time - why not have some of your gear sent over prior to arrival (if you have somewhere to send it to). Might be able to have a lot of kilos routing by BA etc, but do you want to struyggling around an airport with so much? And if sent ahead by a courier company or the like, can send bulky items as well.

 

[markis10]

QF's excess fees to UK are $50/Kg so would cost over $4000 as a platinum member to get to 128Kg and $4900 as a non status member

QF's pre-purchased excess fee to Europe is $35/Kg.

Would it be simpler to route by the Americas perhaps?