MEL - SIN - DXB Booked : What onward redemptions options to Europe do people use?

[uiopui]

Wasn't sure where to ask this but I figure there may be some other flyers out there that like to book Singapore Airlines to DXB or IST for the lower redemption rates. Given I now redeem for a family in J I burn through points and need to get creative.

Im just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for points redemptions onwards from DXB to Europe? Im heading to Athens ultimately but open to other options if there is a cheap redemption. Ive also got a trip back from Istanbul on Singapore Airlines so if there are any good redemptions for that?

Ive got access to many points currencies like Velocity, Qantas, Marriot Bonvoy stash, AAdvantage, Alaska, American Express AU awards from my edge

At the moment I was thinking Etihad out of AUH with Velocity points given its direct, but just wondering if there are any hidden gems/ sweet spot with other programs?

Ill obviously continue to look and ill post if I find anything but thought there might be some knowledge out there from others that have done these cheaper KrisFlyer redemptions

 

[hossein_au]

I am a bit confused: are you asking about redemption options to DXB or IST, or from DXB or IST to Europe? There is also a question about IST back to MEL?

For IST to MEL, I have booked several SQ redemptions over the past 1-1.5 years for myself, mostly in J but also a couple of PE.

For MEL-IST, I found SQ, EK, QR and EY to be the most direct options. You can also look into some variations such as SQ to SIN and then to IST on TK, but I found these harder to search and book online. I found better availability on QR for ADL-IST and back; you'll need to get to and from MEL to ADL for positioning flights.

 

[Scr77]

I’m a bit confused too. You say onwards to Europe, so I would have thought QF points on Emirates would be a good choice for J or F from DXB.

 

[uiopui]

Sorry, I've got Mel - Sin - DXB booked with SQ J

Im after any tips that people have used to get from DXB to Europe

on the way home I've got IST - SIN - MEL booked on SQ J and looking for any tips for getting from Europe to IST if there is some sort of sweet spot redemption.

Im not really across some of the other obscure programs but thought maybe the community might know. Eg a totally hypothetical transfer Marriot to JAL and redeem 10k miles for ATH - LHR - IST or something in J....

Just wondering if there is some sort of obscure program that I wouldn't look at in my normal searching

Post automatically merged: Aug 7, 2023

Trying to avoid taxes so Emirates is out unfortunately.

 

[maz1]

Could I ask which platform you use to search these flights.
In 2018 I used AA miles to book J melbourne to ist via Dubai on Etihad.
Next year I'd like to do the same trip but this time I have no AA miles, I have either SQ or Qantas or possibly Velocity.
I checked SQ but nothing that I can see.

 

[uiopui]

KrisFlyer miles , however Istanbul is very hard to come by as opposed to Dubai which is a lot easier to find business class.

Velocity can be used to book Singapore Airlines flights but not a single seat to Istanbul for Euro summer if that's when you are looking. You should be able to find one seat here and there using KrisFlyer miles.

 

[hossein_au]

From DXB to Europe, you're better off using a program that does not impost carrier charges. You can, for example, use Air Canada points to book EY. From IST, you most obvious choice is TK, but that does have carrier surcharges. I admit I am not answering your question... you have piqued my interest now

 

[MathNerd]

ATH - LHR - IST

Look at a map and I think you'd agree that this would be a nonsensical routing (unless it's a hardcore mileage run or a crazy error fare etc).
I just booked A3 from ATH to IST for a trip last June in J. Granted A3 J is really just Y with a free middle seat, it was a quick 1 hour flight and the A3 lounge at ATH was quite large and comfortable.
One option of getting between ATH and IST if that's what you're after