Earning Velocity Points Flying from Sydney to Tokyo

[stockdot]

Hi,

I'm flying to Tokyo from Sydney for work in a couple of weeks. Would prefer to earn Velocity SCs on the flight, but it looks as if the only direct flights are operated by JAL and Qantas.

Anyone been in a similar boat before?

Cheers,

Michael

 

[TomVexille]

Considered going via SIN?

 

[stockdot]

I may have to in the end, but it's 15-16 hours via SIN compared with 9-10 hours direct.

If there's no direct flights that earn Velocity I guess it boils down to whether the SCs are worth the extra half a dozen hours in the air!

 

[Denali]

Ive done it and had to fly via Singapore.

You could fly via AirNZ (Auckland to Toyko) and get points (no status bonus) and sector credit but you wont get a sector recognition.

edit: I think NZ uses the 767/older seats. Comfortable but I would be miffed they aren't flatbeds/newer seats.

 

[dpeter]

Go full fare economy with Singapore Air, and you get 60 SC per leg So 240 return trip

 

[PlutekPlutek]

Go full fare economy with Singapore Air, and you get 60 SC per leg So 240 return trip

I did that recently but to Seoul. Return via SIN. Pain in the cough. Extra hours in airports and planes, boarding. I was over it by the time I was getting on the connecting flight in Singapore knowing that if I went direct I would have been arriving at my destination already. All in economy and their lines are nothing to rave about and you get no recognition on board. I was platinum and because I booked VA code shares basically had the pick out of the remaining seats at check in as you cannot pre select seats. Below average experience. Next time I would fly direct and get the QF points instead. VA code shares in Singapore are cough and I will not be doing it again.

 

[Katy]

edit: I think NZ uses the 767/older seats. Comfortable but I would be miffed they aren't flatbeds/newer seats.

They fly the 787 AKL-NRT. I'm looking forward to trying it out myself in September!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Another option is to go via AKL and HKG. ***Sorry, edit: no need to go via HKG now adays it seems with NZ.***
While PremY might not earn a lot, you bypass having to spend too much time on an aircraft, ie, fly SYD - SIN - upwards, might as well go SYD - AKL and up.
I have flown the NZ 777 in J and PremY, not bad.
PremY SYD - AKL - NRT going up, Aud$1408
PremY NRT - AKL - SYD coming down, Aud$1351.
On the longer distances, flying PremY does earn more SC than Y.
If not going to Narita, I guess it wouldnt be that hard using the bullet trains to get around.
PremY with SQ will eat you alive, financially.
Flying NZ, you get full earn Y earn in (subclass B) SYD - AKL, and PremY earn in (subclass A) AKL - NRT.
If I had to do it, I would go via AKL, its a smallish airport.
Going across, you have got a 9hr45mins stop over, so the Novotel or Sudima is your best friend, but coming back, its only 3hr45mins transit.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Indulge me for this once.
SYD - AKL is 1342 (30 SC) in Y. One way.
AKL - NRT is 5489 (120 SC) in PremY. One way.
Double that, its a SC rate of 300 SC!!!
Better than the 60 x 4 going via SIN, giving 240 SC!
No PS/SG bonus, but the SC earn is pretty good.

 

[bullerdude]

Also the new Air NZ lounge in Auckland will be opening towards the end of the year - which should be pretty nice given it will be modeled of the LAX and SYD lounges!

 

[drakcir]

Book direct with SIA and it's definitely worth the extra hours if you need the SC's. I just booked my husband (we're both VA Platinum) MEL/SIN/HND/SIN/MEL in economy and it was 5hr longer over and 7hr longer to get back, but only $400 more overall than his friends that are flying direct from OOL or BNE on JQ. We'll always take SC's, lounge access, priority boarding/seating, extra baggage and inc food & bev over the cheaper direct options. It's a personal choice though...