Flying OneWorld around Europe [credit to QF]

[MG1]

I've got a potential European trip occurring later this year (although the current conflict in the Middle East has made it a little bit more complicated and could even postpone it) and I'd like to know how others travel around Europe.

I'm a QF Platinum member, so, will have reciprocal benefits with BA, IB, and AY. These are on the edges of Europe with *A and ST airlines (such as LH, LX, AF, KL) dominating the centre.

[I'd love to build up lifetime status with another airline as well but this seems unlikely being Australian-based.]

In order to build up lifetime status with QF (and to use my benefits, such as extra luggage), would it be worth booking multiple flights through a OW hub, such as London, which will mean travelling all day with a layover, as opposed to say a 1-2 hour direct flight?

With the UK not being part of the EU, would I be questioned/disallowed/penalised if they see me doing this multiple times over the course of a couple of weeks?

What are your preferences?

 

[Mwenenzi]

Where in EU do you want to go?
Commuting via LHR/LGW/LCY MAD HEL may be expensive. Your money or someone else's money?
In EU trains may be better depending on destination. Point to point can be similar to aircraft on short routes.
EU is small

No issues with multiple EU entries. 100's to 1000's of Aussies in UK go to EU for a weekend or even a day trip to France

 

[MG1]

Where in EU do you want to go?
Commuting via LHR/LGW/LCY MAD HEL may be expensive. Your money or someone else's money?
In EU trains may be better depending on destination. Point to point can be similar to aircraft on short routes.
EU is small

No issues with multiple EU entries. 100's to 1000's of Aussies in UK go to EU for a weekend or even a day trip to France

Thanks for your response @Mwenenzi.

It'll be my money.

I was potentially looking at going to Switzerland, Luxembourg, Germany, and maybe elsewhere depending on what time and money allow.

So, once I'm in Europe, a sample itinerary could be something like ZUR-LHR-LUX-LHR-BER in J on BA (withy WP benefits) instead of direct flights ZUR-LUX on LX and LUX-BER on LH where I have no status.

I can look at the train options as well.

I still need to compare timings and pricings. If the pricing is similar, then it'll basically come down to are the extra SCs worth the amount of hours that it'll take to obtain them.

 

[SYD]

As above, what sort of itinerary are you considering?

Short hops within continental Europe and the UK are usually better on trains and/or driving. You can book most trains online these days - so handy to compare cost/timing.

The downside to trains is schlepping your luggage on and off. The locals are usually travelling for a short period and can put small bags overhead. Foreign tourist with larger bags have to fight over sometimes limited luggage racks.

Driving, just be mindful of one way rental fees and potential cost of crossing borders (even within the Schengen zone).

Flying is still useful for larger hops or where it could mean multiple trains to get from A to B. There can be some good value (and decent SC earners) if you research and plan ahead. Many Euro legacy carriers still price as return tickets and therefore one way fares can be very high but they’re getting better. Be careful with “Lite” fares as you may not get all OWE benefits eg BA “Lite” doesn’t provide checked luggage - even as OWE (AFAIK).

Don’t be afraid to forgo SCs and consider some of the LCCs if that’s the most efficient way to get from A to B. We resorted to Ryan Air last year - it wasn’t awful.

 

[MG1]

As above, what sort of itinerary are you considering?

Short hops within continental Europe and the UK are usually better on trains and/or driving. You can book most trains online these days - so handy to compare cost/timing.

The downside to trains is schlepping your luggage on and off. The locals are usually travelling for a short period and can put small bags overhead. Foreign tourist with larger bags have to fight over sometimes limited luggage racks.

Driving, just be mindful of one way rental fees and potential cost of crossing borders (even within the Schengen zone).

Flying is still useful for larger hops or where it could mean multiple trains to get from A to B. There can be some good value (and decent SC earners) if you research and plan ahead. Many Euro legacy carriers still price as return tickets and therefore one way fares can be very high but they’re getting better. Be careful with “Lite” fares as you may not get all OWE benefits eg BA “Lite” doesn’t provide checked luggage - even as OWE (AFAIK).

Don’t be afraid to forgo SCs and consider some of the LCCs if that’s the most efficient way to get from A to B. We resorted to Ryan Air last year - it wasn’t awful.

Thanks @SYD.
At this stage, I was considering something like ZUR-LHR-LUX-LHR-BER in J on BA (withy WP benefits) but the exact itinerary is still a WIP.

I can consider taking trains as well - the biggest issue there would be lifting the luggage on and off.

I'll keep in mind what you said about the lite fares.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Save your money. Intra-EU business class is....economy at the front of the plane.

Use trains - far more convenient, and if you want to build up Status Credits, do status runs between AUS<>NZ.

 

[vbroucek]

IMHO, biggest issue with doing it is being slapped by high LHR departure taxes twice.

 

[SYD]

Thanks @SYD.
At this stage, I was considering something like ZUR-LHR-LUX-LHR-BER in J on BA (withy WP benefits) but the exact itinerary is still a WIP.

So the actually trip is ZUR-LUX-BER (as mentioned in you’re earlier post)?

I can consider taking trains as well - the biggest issue there would be lifting the luggage on and off.

Yes, that’s what I mentioned. Not so bad if able bodied but a pain in the… if not. Paying for First on a train can be getting you into airfare pricing.

I'll keep in mind what you said about the lite fares.

Maybe also look for city pairs nearby. There can be radically different pricing.

IMHO, biggest issue with doing it is being slapped by high LHR departure taxes twice.

No, not if transiting.

Even with a stop over, the fee to go to Europe is a fraction of lonhghaul fees.

 

[vbroucek]

No, not if transiting.

Even with a stop over, the fee to go to Europe is a fraction of lonhghaul fees.

Sorry, somehow missed you just want to transit through LHR...

 

[SYD]

Sorry, somehow missed you just want to transit through LHR...

Well, that’s what the OP is pondering.

 

[offshore171]

For that part of Europe, trains are the hands down choice

Town centre to town centre, and avoid time wasted at airports and X-ray machines, waiting at luggage belts etc.

Find schedules, book and get your digital tickets all in the app.

Download DB Navigator app (German)

DB Navigator App - App Store

Download DB Navigator by Deutsche Bahn on the App Store. See screenshots, ratings and reviews, user tips and more apps like DB Navigator.

apps.apple.com

And SBB Navigator (Swiss)

SBB Mobile App - App Store

Download SBB Mobile by SBB AG on the App Store. See screenshots, ratings and reviews, user tips and more apps like SBB Mobile.

apps.apple.com

Doing multiple transits at LHR is my idea of hell!

 

[dajop]

Trains are certainly a viable alternative for Zurich to Luxembourg, and might even be worth stopping off half way at Strasbourg, really interesting place (about 2.5 hrs or so from both.)

On the other hand LUX-Berlin looks like a more arduous trek ( and TBH the German rail system has been a bit of a hot mess for a couple of years now) and flying would probably be advantageous
.
Whether you want to do a journey via LHR - not so sure. You may not have status but if flying in business class you get many of the benefits (lounge access, priority security). And if a LCC offfered a better schedule personally I’m more than happy with them for short hops.

 

[MG1]

Thank you @SeatBackForward, @vbroucek, @SYD, @offshore171, @dajop for your responses.

It looks like considering rail travel, for a shorter leg, might be the way to go. I'll compare the pricing and see how close it is to air travel. There will definitely be nice scenery to view and travelling between city centres without the airport security process, would be more relaxing.

I've used LCY and LGW previously but not yet at LHR.

I haven't been to Strasbourg but could add that to the list for consideration.