Emirates to Europe...book through Qantas or Emirates?

[Jessdownunder]

hi there,
We are just about to book some economy flights to Europe for a family of 4 in April with Emirates.
I am just wondering if I should book through Qantas or Emirates, the pricing is very similar but was wondering if there were any benefits or perks of booking with one or the other (I guess in terms of points etc).
I am guessing I will need to set up frequent flyers with the relevant airline for the kids so family sharing option would be good too. We are more likely to fly with qantas again that Emirates I would think.
Newbie at this so any advice much appreciated.
thanks in advance
J

 

[JohnPhelan]

If wanting to credit points and status credits to Qantas Frequent Flyer, then book on the QF codeshare number for the EK flights.

 

[odysseus]

There's pros and cons to each. Qantas is obviously more accessible to Australians, but that means that many more people have points, so local redemptions are much harder (and costlier). That said, there are many ways to earn points here so it's not a difficult thing to join. Note they do charge a joining fee - but there are ways around that if you go that way (so save the money if you want to join them!)

Emirates though isn't so accessible in Australia, so probably only worthwhile if you think you'll be doing more international travel with them in future.

As such for a family Qantas is likely more practical/realistic.

Note I don't think either airline do family sharing of points. However, with QF you can transfer points between family members so again helps.

 

[AIRwin]

Note I don't think either airline do family sharing of points. However, with QF you can transfer points between family members so again helps.

You can pool your EK miles into one account:
My Family – Share Skywards Miles and earn rewards faster, together.

 

[kermatu]

Only choose Emirates if you are confident you will fly them regularly. Qantas is probably better as you'll get the same level of benefit (broadly speaking) on not just Qantas and Emirate, but other OneWorld carriers should you fly them - eg, British airways or Cathay.

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF.

I think kermatu is on the money. I earned some Skywards miles a few years back and even though I travel a lot, I never found a way to use them. Be aware that the cheapest fares may not earn any points etc.

Don't pay to join Qantas FF! There are ways to join for free - unfortunately I don't have the link, but someone will .

 

[Renato1]

Welcome to AFF.

I think kermatu is on the money. I earned some Skywards miles a few years back and even though I travel a lot, I never found a way to use them. Be aware that the cheapest fares may not earn any points etc.

Don't pay to join Qantas FF! There are ways to join for free - unfortunately I don't have the link, but someone will .

One just joins Qantas Money for free membership of Qantas Frequent Flyers.
https://www.qantascash.com/how-it-works/get-qantas-cash/

We had a bunch of Emirates Skyward miles due to expire which were totally useless for flight redemptions.
I just occasionally checked out their High Street store on-line, till there were lots of specials and bought my wife lots of jewelry with the miles - she was very happy.

Not sure what the point of flying Emirates is anymore. When I was booking flights to Europe in 2017 and then last year, Qatar was heaps cheaper on any of the routes I was looking at, the only down side being a 21 hour wait at Qatar airport to get home. But there are superb hotels there for around $100 a night, so it was still lots cheaper flying Qatar. Service was as good as Emirates.
Regards,
Renato

 

[Jessdownunder]

Thank you all for your replies, it is much appreciated. I think I will book through Qantas then. I am happy to fly with Qantas (any route) on the way over but on the way back I wish to stop in Dubai (to visit friends) so I think i may be with Emirates. The emirates flights were some of the lowest prices I could find (surprisingly). I do have Qantas Frequent Flyers from a while back (I think i got it free with my woolworths card from memory) so will need to work out my membership details as I appear to have lost them...convenient!!
I was actually hoping to fly with singapore airlines or etihad as I have around 360k Virgin points but honestly they seem to be worth nothing, I can get us all there one way but then it is almost as much for a one way flight home as it is for a return so I'll save those for something else... I am thinking of changing my velocity high flyer card for one with Qantas Points now as I have been saving those points for years :-(

 

[JohnPhelan]

If getting the QF points and status credits is important to you, see if there are QF codeshares on the EK flights you're looking at. (Note, they will probably cost more from QF than from EK). If you fly on EK flight numbers, you get points; you get points and QF status credits if you book on the QF codeshare number.

 

[Jessdownunder]

OK thank you. Unfortunately my preferred Emirates flight is not actually appearing on the Qantas website. I wonder if it is worth calling to book or if that means you simply cannot book that flight via Qantas? I was wanting to board in Brisbane around bed time for my kids so they can go straight to sleep but the options are only 5am or 11pm for Emirates flights booked via Qantas. An 8pm option exists on the Emirates website... Qantas connections are so much longer and i'd rather the shorter flight time...

 

[kermatu]

OK thank you. Unfortunately my preferred Emirates flight is not actually appearing on the Qantas website. I wonder if it is worth calling to book or if that means you simply cannot book that flight via Qantas? I was wanting to board in Brisbane around bed time for my kids so they can go straight to sleep but the options are only 5am or 11pm for Emirates flights booked via Qantas. An 8pm option exists on the Emirates website... Qantas connections are so much longer and i'd rather the shorter flight time...

You can try calling Qantas and ask them for the flights you want, including Qantas codeshares. No guarantee of success, but no harm asking, if you have the time to try calling.