Family of 4 - FF to Europe

[simcat]

Hi all,

I'm planning a family trip to Europe for about 5 weeks in Sep/Oct 18 so I'm into the research phase to work out the best routes / use of points for a family of four (hoping to travel business class). Prefer to depart from BNE but SYD / MEL are ok, and prefer to arrive to pretty much any airport in Western Europe.

I've got both Qantas and Virgin FF points (1.5m+ each), with some status on both those airlines. As well I've a small amount of Krisflyer points (60K) but no status.

In initial searches I'm finding it quite difficult to find 4 x J class seats from BNE - Europe on any airline. So I guess my first question is, has anyone got recent experience getting 4 x J class out of BNE? If so, which airline / route? I have found a few possibilities out of SYD so that looks promising.

I'm particularly keen to get everyone's advice on what back-up approaches might work best if I can't nab 4 x J class. For example, my wife has volunteered to travel First , if we can only find 3 x J. One glitch in that idea is that most airlines don't offer first out of BNE (are there any that do - Emirates?), so that might push us to leave from SYD.

Here are a few things that have been rattling around my head that I would appreciate feedback on:
- for Singapore airlines at least it seems cheaper (in points) to book BNE - Europe in one booking rather than BNE - SIN, SIN - EUR. Is this something the booking staff on the phone will sort out (i.e. charge the lower amount) if I can find a BNE - SIN and a SIN - Europe online but can't find/ book the equivalent BNE - Europe seats?
- is Etihad viable or too expensive in terms of using VA points?
- One option is buying a BNE - SIN - BNE J seat and pickup a FF seat from SIN-Europe. Anyone got experience on what these can go for during a sale so I have a ball-park figure in mind?
- I presume kids FF redemptions are just at the full adult points cost for all programs?
- I have read to just book the outbound and don't wait for the return legs to become available so I am planning to do that unless there is another reason not to.
- For departure, if traveling Singapore airlines which ports have the best lounges? Emirates / Cathay lounges which are good?

Thanks in advance for any responses, and if I've left any obvious info out which may help people providing useful responses, pls let me know.

Cheers.

 

[Deleted member]

isn't it a bit early to try and book flights that are 16 months away?
That said, if you lack serious status, is it possible for one parent to travel with one child on different flights on different airlines on different days even?
i know that trying to get 4 award sets is difficult at the best of times, let alone 4 in J

 

[RooFlyer]

Important 'rule' here is - flexibility. Flying out of SYD or even MEL may get you better 4 x J availability and even F for the missus (this strategy will be rewarding in itself!). As GPH suggests, splitting travel between days or even airlines may be necessary, out of BNE, as undesirable as that may be.

There are those here who do regularly find 4 J seats to Europe, but I don't think its out of BNE.

EK lounges are nearly always very good; SQ in Sydney a solid business lounge product. Cathay lounges outside of HKG I find a bit under-whelming.

For SQ, don't forget about the option to convert your Velocity points over to Krisflyer, although that may negate your VA Plat status.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Using QF points on CX in HKG the taxes are fairly low eg AUD125.00 ish pp person for a one way HKG to Europe irrespective of fare class. Using QF point on CX ex AU to HKG can be cheaper than on QF also.

You may need to look at booking different flights so one parent and one child do BNE/HKG non-stop and the other pair could do BNE/xSYD/HKG for example. There's more chance of award seats on the 744 or 380 ex SYD or MEL to HKG than on 333 flights ex BNE to HKG or SIN.

I know it's a way off at the moment but there were recent special fares to Asia in Y, PE & J so you could always do a combo or Y or PE outbound and J back on a paid fare when there's a special on then just use points for the HKG/Europe/HKG portion. Mixed class fares aren't always easy to book on the QF site so you may need to go to a reputable travel agent to make those arrangements.

If you sign up to JAL Mileage Bank purely for the purpose of using the site to check award availablity on OW carriers they usually show actual numbers of award seats to you can then go to make the booking on the QF site knowing exactly how many J award seats are there to book.

 

[amaroo]

We've had plenty of success finding 4+ seats to Europe and USA with QFF.... the key is planning and booking early and you're doing that!

I posted about one of our trips here http://www.australianfrequentflyer....s/family-trip-split-bookings-worth-65358.html

With QFF CX or BA will be your best bet.