Finnair return to Europe

[VPS]

Hi - I want to go to Europe for Christmas this year and looking at Finnair - a few threads have suggested getting to Bangkok or HK and then flying Finnair in J from there.

I've been quoted $3390 in J return from BKK to LHR - is that a good deal?

Also - as I'm planning on going to the UK next year and have plenty of points is it likely to be cheaper to use points to go over and get a LHR to Australia return?

TIA

 

[Danger]

For Christmas I suspect that is a pretty decent price. My parents booked BKK-xHEL-FCO return for mid this year for about AUD3000. You may also like to look at SriLankan Airlines from Singapore via Colombo.

If you're loaded with QF FF points I suspect you may find it difficult to get a frequent flyer seat with oneworld at that time of year. Getting a fare ex-UK to Australia will most likely result in a saving, but it may not be large.

Finally, you will save a reasonable chunk of cash if you originate outside of the UK, thereby avoiding the hefty UK APD (tax).

 

[TomVexille]

I think I saw CDG under @2800 for June/July, so $3390 probably is pretty decent for LHR & Christmas.

 

[VPS]

I'm travelling alone and very flexible with dates so there's quite a few Classic awards - at the moment I can see the date I want to go with CX direct from Adelaide for 139000 in business and $90 in taxes which I think I might do

Has anyone priced return from UK with Finnair?

 

[Anna]

Suggest that you look at this thread for the potential misconnect pitfalls before booking flights - http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/your-questions/finnair-fiasco-74911.html

 

[Mattg]

That price is probably a little high, but given it's around Christmas seems reasonable. Do you have an option to depart Europe from outside the UK (e.g. Dublin/Amsterdam/Paris)? That will bring the price down by about $300 due to the UK APD not being payable.

If you are able to get to Europe on an award, a number of airlines (e.g. BA) have J fares from Europe to Australia for about $5K return. This would be departing from somewhere like OSL or CPH.

 

[VPS]

That price is probably a little high, but given it's around Christmas seems reasonable. Do you have an option to depart Europe from outside the UK (e.g. Dublin/Amsterdam/Paris)? That will bring the price down by about $300 due to the UK APD not being payable.

If you are able to get to Europe on an award, a number of airlines (e.g. BA) have J fares from Europe to Australia for about $5K return. This would be departing from somewhere like OSL or CPH.

Thanks for the info

I can depart from anywhere really but I have friends in London close to Heathrow so it's where I make my base

My next step is to look at a nested return as I'll be back in Europe next year or a RTW leaving from the UK - think I might contact Roundabout travel and see what they have to offer