MEL-MNL-MXP J return A$6675 PR/WY

[Melburnian1]

This J fare extracted from ITA Matrix of A$6675 return Melbourne to Milan will only suit leisure travellers who like a few days' rest and recuperation in between flights, as I selected a stay in Philippines each way.

Milan pretty much consistently seems the cheapest major airport in Europe, although sometimes I fly into London Heathrow and out of Milan on an 'open jaw' ticket, but never back to Oz ex London given the UK's extremely high Air Passenger Duty for what it terms long distance flights.

It's excellent value when considered QFi's "sale" announced today quotes Melbourne to Paris J return "from A$8699', which doesn't include the cost of travelling from Paris airport, France to Milan, Italy (I'd recommend rail on either a Global Eurailpass 1st class or a Paris to Milan single rail ticket, with the transfer from CDG airport into central Paris by RER on a separate (cheap) local rail ticket).

The fare features two good carriers: Philippine Airlines MEL-MNL return and Oman Air MNL-MCT-MXP-MCT-MNL. I have used this route twice: the PR lounge in MNL T1 is quite recent, but nothing special, the food being mediocre, but the Oman Air lounge in Muscat is terrific despite some online critics who may (in my view) inform us incorrectly that it's only middling. PR normally uses the Marhaba lounge in MEL that I've only ever been in for breakfast where the offering was fine, and pleasingly included hot dishes as well as yoghurts and cereals. The MXP lounge was also OK, again nothing out of the ordinary.

To date, I have always booked the Australia-Manila and Manila-Europe/UK tickets on separate PNRs, but perhaps given ITA Matrix has spat out the below, that's no longer necessary. A good travel agent can advise.

If you fiddle with ITA Matrix you may find a similar fare with shorter stays in MNL, but at least two nights there each way is prudent, as July-December is typhoon season. While the latter do not occur every day, far from it, they are always a risk at the relevant time of year in nations like Philippines, Japan, Taiwan and mainland China's Hong Kong.

There is a growing number of hotels in MNL close to T1, especially if your Grab or taxi driver uses the Skyway at the extra cost each way of 45 pesos (about A$1.15).

Milan has a very large number of hotels close to Milano Centrale railway station and more close to its Duomo (Cathedral) with its famous arcade and luxury shopping and dining, and is a fabulous city with a great tram network plus a Metro. In past years it's been regarded as 'unsafe' but I've not found it so. Easy to get to Rome on TrenItalia's Frecciarossa high speed trains.

Nothing to stop separately booking a Filipino island adventure to Boracay, Bohol, Palawan or Cebu to name a few, but best in this case to book online with Philippine Airlines or Cebu Pacific. Please be conservative and never arrive back in MNL on the day of your international flight. Spend at least a night prior to each, preferably two nights.

This J return fare includes lounge access, unlike carriers such as EY that for the cheapest J "value" fares have abolished lounge access unless you pay extra.

You could search ITA Matrix and print out or otherwise record the fare (including the booking classes that in this case are 'D' and 'I', and take or inform a good travel agent. I have found they never exactly match the fare but a trusted TA always comes close:
----------------------------------------------------
Fare for 1 adult $6,675.28
Changes to this ticket will incur a penalty fee.
Cancellation of this ticket will incur a penalty fee.
Fare 1: Carrier WY ICF3EPR MEL to MIL (rules)
Passenger type ADT, ROUND-TRIP fare, booking code I

Covers MEL-MNL (Business), MNL-MCT (Business), MCT-MXP (Business)
$2,975.00
Fare 2: Carrier WY DCF3EPR MIL to MEL (rules)
Passenger type ADT, ROUND-TRIP fare, booking code D, I

Covers MXP-MCT (Business), MCT-MNL (Business), MNL-MEL (Business)
$3,221.00
Australia Passenger Movement Charge PMC (AU) $70.00
Australia Safety And Security Charge Departure (WG) $8.68
Australia Passenger Services Charge Departure International (WY) $67.50
Carrier-imposed surcharge (YQ) $110.00
Carrier-imposed surcharge (YR) $99.60
Oman Security Fee (I2) $7.60
Philippines Passenger Service Charge (LI) $46.60
Oman Airport Tax (OM) $7.60
Oman Infrastructure Charge (S6) $16.60
Italy Council City Tax (HB) $12.00
Italy Embarkation Tax (IT) $24.60
Italy Passenger Service Charge Departure (MJ) $3.00
Italy Security Charge (VT) $5.50
Subtotal per passenger $6,675.28
Number of passengers x1
Subtotal for 1 adult $6,675.28
Fare Construction(can be useful to travel agents)
MEL PR MNL WY X/MCT WY MIL Q33.54 1962.34ICF3EPR WY X/MCT WY MNL PR MEL 2110.60DCF3EPR 1S50.31 NUC 4156.79 END ROE 1.490566 XT 70.00AU 8.68WG 67.50WY 46.60LI 7.60I2 7.60OM 16.60S6 12.00HB 24.60IT 3.00MJ 5.50VT 110.00YQ 99.60YR
Total Airfare & Taxes $6,675.28
Itinerary
Melbourne (MEL) to Manila (MNL) on Fri, Aug 14

Melbourne (MEL) to Manila (MNL) on Fri, Aug 14
8:00 AM to 2:25 PM (8h 25m)
Philippine Airlines 210
Airbus A330
Business (I)

Manila (MNL) to Milan (MXP) on Wed, Aug 19

Manila (MNL) to Muscat (MCT) on Wed, Aug 19
7:45 AM to 12:00 PM (8h 15m)
Oman Air 844
Boeing 787
Business (I)

Layover in MCT (3h 5m)

Muscat (MCT) to Milan (MXP) on Wed, Aug 19
3:05 PM to 7:50 PM on Wed, Aug 19 (6h 45m)
Oman Air 143
Boeing 787
Business (I)

Milan (MXP) to Manila (MNL) on Sun, Oct 4

Milan (MXP) to Muscat (MCT) on Sun, Oct 4
9:50 PM to 6:05 AM (6h 15m)
Oman Air 144
Boeing 787
Business (D)


Layover in MCT (3h 10m)

Muscat (MCT) to Manila (MNL) on Mon, Oct 5
9:15 AM to 9:50 PM on Mon, Oct 5 (8h 35m)
Oman Air 843
Boeing 787
Business (D)

Manila (MNL) to Melbourne (MEL) on Tue, Oct 13

Manila (MNL) to Melbourne (MEL) on Tue, Oct 13
8:30 PM to 7:30 AM on Wed, Oct 14 (8h 0m)
Philippine Airlines 209
Airbus A330
Business (I)