Best option for Madrid, Milan trip May/June 2017

[Colin D]

So you have 350,000 altitude points = one return to europe in economy (is this including taxes?) if booked through Westpac Altitude

If you convert to Singapore Airlines (for example) you end up with 175000 Krisflyer points

A return to Europe in BUSINESS class is 161,500 Krisflyer points + taxes - assuming you can find seats.

You actually have enough points for 2 economy return flights to Europe - as an example, to Milan on the dates you mention, you will need 161500 points and $1684 taxes (ouch!)

Just a query, the flights you mention above, is that through Oneworld or direct through Singapore airlines?

 

[greenfish]

Just a query, the flights you mention above, is that through Oneworld or direct through Singapore airlines?

Through Krisflyer, Singapore Airlines frequent flyer arm. You can create an account for free and then search to redeem awards. The ones I quoted were available in and out of Milan. Singapore Airlines doesn't fly to Madrid.

With Krisflyer, 2 one ways costs the same as 1 return, so you could book one way to Barcelona (but watch out for the stopover in Milan) and then one way back from Milan.

Note that Singapore Airlines is part of Star Alliance, not Oneworld. You have access to both - Star alliance via Singapore Airlines/Kris Flyer, One World via Cathay Pacific/Asia Miles

 

[Colin D]

Just had a look at the flights on Qatar - if you go a day earlier or later (23rd or 25th of May) you can get there without the long layover.

One way from Melbourne is $1088 each layover is 1 hour 50 minutes.

Then fly home on Qatar in business class all the way from Milan to Adelaide (no space into Melbourne) - For 85000 asia miles+ AUD350 taxes each. You will then have to fly from Adelaide to Melbourne, but as you know, it isn't a long flight.

There's loads of other options too, but this is one that is definitely available.

Qatar look to have the best option for the quickest one stop flights when I looked at lunch time. Can I transfer my Altitude points to Oneworld? That would seem to be the obvious thing to do if it is possible. Singapore don't seem to have one stop flights for my destinations.

 

[greenfish]

Qatar look to have the best option for the quickest one stop flights when I looked at lunch time. Can I transfer my Altitude points to Oneworld? That would seem to be the obvious thing to do if it is possible. Singapore don't seem to have one stop flights for my destinations.

I outlined earlier that you need to convert to Asia Miles to redeem on Qatar. Asia Miles is Cathay's frequent flyer scheme, both Cathay and Qatar are oneworld members.

You'll need to:
1. Open an Asia Miles account
2. Check availability through Asia Miles for the flights you want (it will show how many miles you'll need)
3. Transfer miles from Altitude to Asia Miles
4. Redeem your miles for the flight through Asia Miles

I haven't used Asia Miles so I don't know if there are any other requirements.

Although you are right, Singapore Airlines doesn't fly one stop to Madrid, they definitely fly one stop from Milan to Melbourne as I've flown this route, so there is always the option of two one way flights - one with Qatar, one with Singapore, all depending on availability of course.

 

[Colin D]

I outlined earlier that you need to convert to Asia Miles to redeem on Qatar. Asia Miles is Cathay's frequent flyer scheme, both Cathay and Qatar are oneworld members.

You'll need to:
1. Open an Asia Miles account
2. Check availability through Asia Miles for the flights you want (it will show how many miles you'll need)
3. Transfer miles from Altitude to Asia Miles
4. Redeem your miles for the flight through Asia Miles

I haven't used Asia Miles so I don't know if there are any other requirements.

Although you are right, Singapore Airlines doesn't fly one stop to Madrid, they definitely fly one stop from Milan to Melbourne as I've flown this route, so there is always the option of two one way flights - one with Qatar, one with Singapore, all depending on availability of course.

That's my fault for not paying enough attention, I'm finding it hard to keep track of these different booking systems. I opened a Krisflyer account the other day but I couldn't find much there that suited me. Tomorrow I'll have a go at what you suggested with Asia Miles.

Thanks

 

[greenfish]

That's my fault for not paying enough attention, I'm finding it hard to keep track of these different booking systems. I opened a Krisflyer account the other day but I couldn't find much there that suited me. Tomorrow I'll have a go at what you suggested with Asia Miles.

Thanks

Yes, when I looked earlier, there wasn't much business class about on Krisflyer, though there were some economy seats here and there.

Qatar had good business availability for award but unfortunately into Adelaide rather than Melbourne. You'd have to make the call whether the benefit of flying back to Oz in business class outweighs the inconvenience of an extra hop to Melbourne.

 

[Colin D]

I outlined earlier that you need to convert to Asia Miles to redeem on Qatar. Asia Miles is Cathay's frequent flyer scheme, both Cathay and Qatar are oneworld members.

You'll need to:
1. Open an Asia Miles account
2. Check availability through Asia Miles for the flights you want (it will show how many miles you'll need)
3. Transfer miles from Altitude to Asia Miles
4. Redeem your miles for the flight through Asia Miles

I haven't used Asia Miles so I don't know if there are any other requirements.

Although you are right, Singapore Airlines doesn't fly one stop to Madrid, they definitely fly one stop from Milan to Melbourne as I've flown this route, so there is always the option of two one way flights - one with Qatar, one with Singapore, all depending on availability of course.

Hi David,

I've joined up with Asia Miles, no big deal. But their web site is not so intuitive and uses unfamiliar terminology.

This following point I'm not clear on, I think, on looking at redeeming the miles function it seems I have to already have a valid ticket as it asks for the booking reference number. Have I lost something in translation here? Given you have never used Asia miles you may not know I guess.

So I'm not sure where I book my ticket, through Asia miles, or somewhere else. It looks like I have enough points to get the return flights, or upgrades/awards, I'm not sure which one it is now.

Thanks for your help, this is probably straight forward to you, but I've only ever redeemed points once for an international flight and that was 10 years ago.

Colin

 

[greenfish]

I'd imagine if they want an existing booking reference, you are looking at the upgrades section of Asia Miles.

I was able to get it to price up a booking that wasn't an upgrade - I followed the prompts but I also agree it isn't very intuitive at all.

I'm not sure what else I can suggest - you may be able to ring Asia Miles and have them look for you - perhaps holding some flights until you can transfer the points?

 

[Colin D]

You've done more than enough thanks again David for your help. It did cross my mind that I was in the award/upgrade field, but at a quick glance I couldn't see the flight booking field, tonight I'll look more thoroughly.

Colin

 

[Colin D]

Yes, when I looked earlier, there wasn't much business class about on Krisflyer, though there were some economy seats here and there.

Qatar had good business availability for award but unfortunately into Adelaide rather than Melbourne. You'd have to make the call whether the benefit of flying back to Oz in business class outweighs the inconvenience of an extra hop to Melbourne.

Hi David,

My wife found out the other day she doesn't have enough hours to book her holiday at the moment so I haven't progressed any further. Will probably start the process of looking for flights again around January.

The Asia Miles site is not easy to follow, but the other day I went into it and worked out you click on the link to one of their partner airlines to book the tickets and quote your Asia Miles membership number to register your affiliation. I didn't get past there.

 

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