anat0l
Enthusiast
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2006
- Posts
- 11,567
Need some clear up about how points are calculated when you have to "stopover" (probably the wrong generic word) at a certain place.
For the following discussion, "stopover" means anywhere in between your first and final destination. It is not intended as a place you will stay at for more than 24 hours (you might leave the airport and stay at a hotel while you wait for next flight, but otherwise nothing significant). Then again, please clean up this definition if it helps in the next few questions.
Let's take an elementary example: the Kangaroo route QF1 (which IIRC is SYD-BKK-LHR or SYD-SIN-LHR). In either case, there is a stop in between (either Bangkok or Singapore). On itineraries, this is usually said as "Sydney to London via Bangkok/Singapore".
According to QF rules (again IIRC) for flights that involve a stopover the Great Circle distance is used to find the points earned, not the actual flight distance flown. As you can see, in the above case, the Great Circle from SYD-LHR will easily be < the actual distance of SYD-BKK-LHR.
1) Is this the correct way that the points are figured out?
2) When booking on qantas.com.au, sometimes travelling to a destination will involve a stop of some sort. How can I tell if the Great Circle rules apply? (Does it only apply if both sectors are the same flight number? Are there exceptions?)
3) What are the pros and cons of, say in this example, booking separate flights of SYD-BKK (or SYD-SIN) then BKK-LHR (or SIN-LHR)? Would it work out better for your points vs. extra $$$ (if it does cost extra $$$)?
4) Any other advice/tips/quirks?
Thanks everyone.
For the following discussion, "stopover" means anywhere in between your first and final destination. It is not intended as a place you will stay at for more than 24 hours (you might leave the airport and stay at a hotel while you wait for next flight, but otherwise nothing significant). Then again, please clean up this definition if it helps in the next few questions.
Let's take an elementary example: the Kangaroo route QF1 (which IIRC is SYD-BKK-LHR or SYD-SIN-LHR). In either case, there is a stop in between (either Bangkok or Singapore). On itineraries, this is usually said as "Sydney to London via Bangkok/Singapore".
According to QF rules (again IIRC) for flights that involve a stopover the Great Circle distance is used to find the points earned, not the actual flight distance flown. As you can see, in the above case, the Great Circle from SYD-LHR will easily be < the actual distance of SYD-BKK-LHR.
1) Is this the correct way that the points are figured out?
2) When booking on qantas.com.au, sometimes travelling to a destination will involve a stop of some sort. How can I tell if the Great Circle rules apply? (Does it only apply if both sectors are the same flight number? Are there exceptions?)
3) What are the pros and cons of, say in this example, booking separate flights of SYD-BKK (or SYD-SIN) then BKK-LHR (or SIN-LHR)? Would it work out better for your points vs. extra $$$ (if it does cost extra $$$)?
4) Any other advice/tips/quirks?
Thanks everyone.