Manila to Hong Kong flight suggestions?

[Stuser]

I'm travelling from Canberra to Manila at the end of the year with my family. I'll be returning alone in mid-January, and thought it might be nice to have a stop in Hong Kong or Singapore for a couple of days. I'll then fly back to Sydney.

Can anyone suggest a decent airline to get from Manila to either place? I would prefer something that gives me QF points and lounge access.

Am also considering business class flights for this trip. Any suggestions?

 

[docjames]

Cathay looks to have approx 4 flights per day MNL-HKG.

You will earn Qantas points and SCs with most fares on Cathay.

 

[markis10]

Cathay Pacific is the obvious answer, a return J ticket booked to go MNL-HKG-SYD is $3000 AUD, you get the points and SC's and a return ticket.

 

[Stuser]

Thanks, markis10. Where do you find this price? When I look at Cathay Pacific site, for my travel dates of January 11, I get $4300 US!

$3000 AU return sounds very cheap...?

Cathay Pacific is the obvious answer, a return J ticket booked to go MNL-HKG-SYD is $3000 AUD, you get the points and SC's and a return ticket.

 

[kamchatsky]

Definitely Cathay Pacific. Excellent IFEs and food. Also transiting at HKIA is a breeze, and maybe you should stay a couple of nights in HK!

 

[markis10]

Thanks, markis10. Where do you find this price? When I look at Cathay Pacific site, for my travel dates of January 11, I get $4300 US!

$3000 AU return sounds very cheap...?

I was using early DEC, January is a lot higher but wait and see how it goes, J traffic is hardly busy, also keep an eye on J specials ex SIN at that time of the year.

 

[Stuser]

Booking problems - different classes on return journey

I'm travelling Syd - Manila - Hong Kong - Sydney at year end, and wish to travel in economy class Syd - Manila, and business class Manila - Hong Kong (where I want to stop for 2-3 days) and then Hong Kong to Sydney. All with Qantas, except Manila to HK with Cathay (booked via qantas site).

BUT can I book this online!? So far all I seem to be able to do is book separate tickets one way, BUT problems arise:

1. Booking one way Sydney to Manila gives me a flight costs more than $1300 one way, when the same flight is priced at $900 ish when part of a return.

2. Booking a flight from Manila gives costing, BUT then get a message saying that I'll need to go to Manila qantas office within 2 days of making booking to verify credit card. I'm not going for 4 months so this is clearly impossible.

Is it possible to book this online or will I need to call qantas or a travel agent?

Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[markis10]

Re: Booking problems - different classes on return journey

I would recommend a TA for something like this, the online booking engine has basic functionality that is often found lacking when it comes to mixed class or even mixed fare bucket bookings.

 

[Stuser]

Re: Booking problems - different classes on return journey

thanks, yeah a shame as web booking should be easy.

Am I allowed to ask her for any recommendations on good travel agents for this kinda trip?

If not, does anyone have some "general principles" on what to look for in ta?

I mean, surely some offer better value / experience / can get you a better deal than others?

I would recommend a TA for something like this, the online booking engine has basic functionality that is often found lacking when it comes to mixed class or even mixed fare bucket bookings.

 

[Stuser]

Cathay vs Qantas business class

Hi all

can't see anything on this here (maybe I need new glasses)...

Any opinions on whether qantas or cathay pacific offer better business class from hong kong back to sydney?

 

[Dave Noble]

Re: Booking problems - different classes on return journey

If you really want to do business class on the MNL-HKG flight then you will need an openjaw SYD-MNL plus HKG-SYD and then purchase the MNL-HKG separately.

Given that the QF r/t return fare from SYD-MNL allows travel via HKG with CX on the MNL-HKG leg and allows a stopover in HKG, you are going to be paying unnecessarily for a flight which could have been included.

Dave

 

[Stuser]

Re: Booking problems - different classes on return journey

Thanks, Dave, your point is well taken, but just in case of confusion I want to fly J all the way from Manila to Sydney via HK, not just Manila to HK....

What I'm looking for is best value way of booking economy one way, and business the other... (yes, I buy my own seats....)

If you really want to do business class on the MNL-HKG flight then you will need an openjaw SYD-MNL plus HKG-SYD and then purchase the MNL-HKG separately.

Given that the QF r/t return fare from SYD-MNL allows travel via HKG with CX on the MNL-HKG leg and allows a stopover in HKG, you are going to be paying unnecessarily for a flight which could have been included.

Dave

 

[Dave Noble]

Re: Booking problems - different classes on return journey

Thanks, Dave, your point is well taken, but just in case of confusion I want to fly J all the way from Manila to Sydney via HK, not just Manila to HK....

You will be looking for 2 separate one way fares then ;the easiest approach will be to just phone the airline you wish to use and book it over the phone

 

[Stuser]

Re: Booking problems - different classes on return journey

I tried this yesterday with Qantas. Booking economy one way and business the other was quoted at $8900! Outrageous given that I can book business both ways same airline online for $6900...

They are not trying very hard to get that single business fare over an economy return.

Any more ideas from anyone?

You will be looking for 2 separate one way fares then ;the easiest approach will be to just phone the airline you wish to use and book it over the phone

 

[kamchatsky]

Re: Booking problems - different classes on return journey

I tried this yesterday with Qantas. Booking economy one way and business the other was quoted at $8900! Outrageous given that I can book business both ways same airline online for $6900...

They are not trying very hard to get that single business fare over an economy return.

Any more ideas from anyone?

Do you have points in QF or CX Asia Miles to burn? You may be able to redeem one-way J Award on CX.

 

[Stuser]

Re: Booking problems - different classes on return journey

I'll have QF points. May be a dumb question, but how do I redeem CX flights using QF points?

Do you have points in QF or CX Asia Miles to burn? You may be able to redeem one-way J Award on CX.

 

[kamchatsky]

Re: Booking problems - different classes on return journey

I'll have QF points. May be a dumb question, but how do I redeem CX flights using QF points?

How many do you have?

You can just book online in qantas.com, now that CX inventory is available online.

The points table is below:

Frequent Flyer - Using Points - Qantas & Partner Classic Awards - Points Tables

By the way, you can even book CX J MNL-HKG and then QF J HKG-SYD if you like, and even going all the way back to CBR if necessary. I suggest you play around the online booking engine.

 

[Stuser]

Re: Booking problems - different classes on return journey

I've looked at QF site, but the only CX flights that come up are ones that go from Hong Kong to Singapore and then connect onto a QF flight back to Aus.

Is there something that I'm missing?

How many do you have?

You can just book online in qantas.com, now that CX inventory is available online.

The points table is below:

Frequent Flyer - Using Points - Qantas & Partner Classic Awards - Points Tables

By the way, you can even book CX J MNL-HKG and then QF J HKG-SYD if you like, and even going all the way back to CBR if necessary. I suggest you play around the online booking engine.

 

[kamchatsky]

Re: Booking problems - different classes on return journey

I've looked at QF site, but the only CX flights that come up are ones that go from Hong Kong to Singapore and then connect onto a QF flight back to Aus.

Is there something that I'm missing?

What dates do you need? CX has 4 flights per day between HKG-SYD. Of course not all of them have seats and some may booked out due to high demand.

 

[Stuser]

Re: Booking problems - different classes on return journey

Looking at returning to Aus around 16th January...

What dates do you need? CX has 4 flights per day between HKG-SYD. Of course not all of them have seats and some may booked out due to high demand.