Low Aussie dollar and finding value from xONEx fares

[Platy]

I was just wondering if anyone has done a detailed comparison in the last week or so on comparative xONEx pricing (mainly interested in D class).

I am assuming neither Japan with the relatively strong Yen (>AUS$11,500 for a DONE4) and Philippines (>AUS$10,000 for a DONE4) with the strong Greenback offer any significant cost advantage any longer (with the Aussie hovering around 70 cents US and 65,000 Yen).

The Aussie is buying about 6.6 Rand meaning a DONE5 sits around AUS$7,800 for an ex-South African itinerary.

Starting a DONE4 from Indonesia (also quoted in US $) seems to be around AUS$10,000.

Looks like South Africa is the obvious choice (assuming one can get there on FF pts)?

Has anyone any better ideas/insights???

 

[NM]

Australia is probably an attractive starting point for people paying in US$, GBP or Euros

 

[Platy]

Australia is probably an attractive starting point for people paying in US$, GBP or Euros

Yessir! At least I am sitting on a credit with AA of US$700 bought when the Aussie was 98c, which is now worth over AUS$1,000! Just can't afford to get to the US in style and comfort any more to make use of the credit!!!

 

[Evan]

Right now when you look at the cost of prositioning the AU price may not seem so bad...

What about South Korea, the Won also lost a lot of value recently, similar to AUD.
6.8 mil KRW = 7,900 AUD (DONE4)

E

 

[dajop]

Right now when you look at the cost of prositioning the AU price may not seem so bad...

What about South Korea, the Won also lost a lot of value recently, similar to AUD.
6.8 mil KRW = 7,900 AUD (DONE4)

E

If the OP (who is listed as a WP) wants to make use of FF points for positioning, South Africa is probably easier (and less points) to access than South Korea (which necessitates a CX or JL/QF award). Timewise not that much longer either.

 

[stryker]

If the OP (who is listed as a WP) wants to make use of FF points for positioning, South Africa is probably easier (and less points) to access than South Korea (which necessitates a CX or JL/QF award). Timewise not that much longer either.

Surely it would be more cost effective (and much safer) to get a QF award to HKG and then a cheapie fare to ICN/SEL than to go all the way to JNB.

Just my 2 bob's worth.

 

[Alanslegal]

How does one get a xONEx ex-Korea ticket ticketed?

I read AAkorea want you to present to their office for payment - which I can't do but able to fax,email etc my CC details, so any other airline alternatives/suggestions?

and how about an ex-South Africa ticket then?

 

[serfty]

Qantas codeshare on Asiana SYD/ICN ...

 

[Danger]

I just had the following prepared for ticketing by AA in South Africa:

Johannesburg to Durban to Cape Town to London Heathrow (transit only) to Dubai to Amman to Istanbul to Helsinki to New York Kennedy to Chicago to San Francisco to Las Vegas to Dallas/Fort Worth to Vancouver to New York Kennedy to Sydney (via LAX, QF108) to Johannesburg.

My concern is they've come back with what seems to be an extraordinary amount of taxes. The base fare is 45000 rand and taxes have been quoted as 7526, well over 10%.

 

[KateMayo]

I've just booked my first DONE4. Decided to start ex-South Africa with an awards positioning flight. Essentially impossible to get a J award so settled for a W one.

Final cost: Base ZAR 45000; Taxes ZAR 4457 (includes a stopover in LON); Mindpearl ticketing ZAR 321; Total ZAR 49778 (Approx AUD 7398 as at 30.10.08)

Both the AA ATW desk and Mindpearl in CPT have made it a simple and relatively painless experience.

 

[serfty]

... My concern is they've come back with what seems to be an extraordinary amount of taxes. The base fare is 45000 rand and taxes have been quoted as 7526, well over 10%.

As I replied to your other post ratio of

to Base fare is not a good guide.

 

[medhead]

Both the AA ATW desk and Mindpearl in CPT have made it a simple and relatively painless experience.

Forgive my ignorance. Who is Mindpearl?

Google only seems to bring up a call center company that also maybe setup or runs an AA call center in Cape Town. Does this mean I call the AA capetown number I'll get mindpearl or is there a different way to contact them.

 

[KateMayo]

Mindpearl are AA's ticketing office in South Africa.

The AA website lists their contact details as:

Cape Town

Mindpearl
Mindpearl House
West Quay Road
V&A Waterfront
Cape Town 8001
South Africa
Phone 002721-440 6440 Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
(Except Public Holidays)

 

[Alanslegal]

I've just booked my first DONE4. Decided to start ex-South Africa with an awards positioning flight. Essentially impossible to get a J award so settled for a W one.

Final cost: Base ZAR 45000; Taxes ZAR 4457 (includes a stopover in LON); Mindpearl ticketing ZAR 321; Total ZAR 49778 (Approx AUD 7398 as at 30.10.08)

Both the AA ATW desk and Mindpearl in CPT have made it a simple and relatively painless experience.

How did you pay Mindpearl? Is it a simple send your CC authorisation over to them?

 

[KateMayo]

The international version of that phone number is:

+27 21 440 6440

 

[KateMayo]

Along with the final costings, Mindpearl sent me a CC authorisation form to complete. This gets faxed off with photocopies of the front and back of the applicable credit card and some form of ID (eg passport, driver's licence).

 

[Evan]

As KateMayo has indicated, dealing with them is amazing easy ! Can even all be done by email if you dont want to ever call.
Just fax your form with copies of passport and CC details and they process it.

As for the +++ mentioned thats about what i would generally expect for such a trip these days.

E

 

[Evan]

How does one get a xONEx ex-Korea ticket ticketed?

I read AAkorea want you to present to their office for payment - which I can't do but able to fax,email etc my CC details, so any other airline alternatives/suggestions?

and how about an ex-South Africa ticket then?

Good question about South Korea ... i am in SIN so would just arrange to grab the tickets on one of my work trips there (A few planned in next 6 months), but South Africa is really easy to deal with, see my last post. If you need any more specific details like a good contact person just drop me a PM.

E

 

[Alanslegal]

Thank Q for the replies, bookings seems too easy with Mindpearl

Might hurry myself and book something soon

 

[dajop]

Surely it would be more cost effective (and much safer) to get a QF award to HKG and then a cheapie fare to ICN/SEL than to go all the way to JNB.

Just my 2 bob's worth.

I don't know about that - can you get cheapie fares from HKG to North Asia? Zuji indicates pricing of over $600AUD. From BNE this probably has merit (BNE-HKG-ICN). If it were from SYD, JNB direct would be probably just simpler with direct flights.

Qantas codeshare on Asiana SYD/ICN ...

I'm sure I've read somewhere that the codeshare on Asiana SYD-ICN is not an option it is only valid for earning FFP's not redeeming.