Options for booking one way SYD-HKG-LHR - minimising cost

[ENGLISHGIRLINSYDNEY]

Thanks to everyone who helped me out recently with suggestions on booking a one way route SYD-LHR for our upcoming move back to the UK.

As rightly pointed out, 3 shorter flights with young children was actually going to be more trouble than it was worth so we've decided on a stop in HKG as flight duration just about bearable.

I cannot book this on the Qantas website (I was wanting to fly QF or CX the whole way) which seems to be par for the course...can you ever book these kinds of codeshare flights on there as I haven't managed it yet!?! I want QF flight number departing Sydney for lounge access though.

So if I book SYD- HKG on the website, it's pretty good value but no onward availability showing for CX on there as a separate booking. If I try to book the second leg directly on CX website, the one way price to LHR is very expensive.

I could alternatively fly BA or VA to LHR but am not a fan of the former and can't get anything showing for HKG-LHR on VA website (is this because I'm searching Au site? There is no option to change to Asian site on dropdown).

So as I see it, my options are to call Qantas to try and book QF/CX/BA codeshare all the way (does this accrue extra booking fees?) or book the whole trip on CX, bringing the price down but earning less QFF/SC and no lounge access.

Am I missing an option here to get this booked? Sorry if it's obvious but I'm really a novice at this despite being a member for 10 years! Thanks.

 

[AIRwin]

I've seen a VA/VS combination on Skyscanner search results...

 

[mannej]

You may have to use a Travel Agent or Online Travel Agent (OTA) to get the booking you are after.

You will not be able to get the QF code on a CX or BA flight between HKG and LHR.

 

[ENGLISHGIRLINSYDNEY]

You may have to use a Travel Agent or Online Travel Agent (OTA) to get the booking you are after.

You will not be able to get the QF code on a CX or BA flight between HKG and LHR.

Thanks... I'm happy with CX or BA code from HKG as long as SYD-HKG is QF but I just want to be able to book it as one multicity trip and that seems impossible or at least not simple.

 

[mannej]

I couldn't get it to price on the QF site either, may be worth looking at an OTA to see what they can do.

 

[ENGLISHGIRLINSYDNEY]

I couldn't get it to price on the QF site either, may be worth looking at an OTA to see what they can do.

Think I'll have to, thanks.

 

[Quickstatus]

Do you have any KrisFlyer points up your sleeve?
SYd-SIN on QF then SIN-LHR in SQ using KrisFlyer points?

Alternatively would you consider a Finnair stop in HEL?
SYD-HKG-HEL-LHR?

 

[Kerrodt]

QF will direct searches for SYD-LHR to route via stopovers in places other than HKG as they do not offer a codeshare on any HKG-LHR route as far as I am aware. (Effectively they won’t sell someone else’s product when they can sell their own product albeit via different ports).

You will need a travel agent, either online or offline, to structure this one.

 

[andye]

Although CC card application may not be a top priority at the moment, there are several Amexes that would take care of Sydney lounge access for adults and children at least (if you are in a position to apply). Most will recoup the first years annual fee with points

 

[andye]

Having had a quick look at google flights there is a wide discrepancy in prices for one-way SYD-LHR and given that I would personally not prioritise SCs or lounge access.
There are some very reasonable prices in Y on Thai (admittedly via BKK with a stopover), Virgin Aus/Atlantic via HKG (eg $576 on 24 Oct) around. I am presuming you are not keen on the consistently cheap China Airlines options.
I understand you haven't got a stash of points which can be very useful for oneways

 

[ENGLISHGIRLINSYDNEY]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions.

 

[ENGLISHGIRLINSYDNEY]

Do you have any KrisFlyer points up your sleeve?
SYd-SIN on QF then SIN-LHR in SQ using KrisFlyer points?

Alternatively would you consider a Finnair stop in HEL?
SYD-HKG-HEL-LHR?

Sadly not. I work some of the time in KL always flying QF, MH/JQ Asia so my only account is with QFF.

And I’d love to go to HEL but we’ve ruled out another stop with two very young children.

 

[ENGLISHGIRLINSYDNEY]

Having had a quick look at google flights there is a wide discrepancy in prices for one-way SYD-LHR and given that I would personally not prioritise SCs or lounge access.

Thanks, you are completely right $ wise, there are much cheaper options but I wanted QF to push me to SG (which I will never be able to maintain but would be nice just once!) and I do love a lounge....yes I’m one of those! And my husband has never used one even though our small son has with me, haha!

I might just have to suck it up and book VA though. I can see CX and Virgin Atlantic cheap combo on Skyskanner so presumably would still get some QFF from the first leg (despite having some lowly status, I’m not smart about these things yet)?

And yes, I had to wipe out all my points for emergency travel recently (which hurt so much as was terrible value for money and still haunts me).

 

[ENGLISHGIRLINSYDNEY]

Although CC card application may not be a top priority at the moment, there are several Amexes that would take care of Sydney lounge access for adults and children at least (if you are in a position to apply). Most will recoup the first years annual fee with points

We are actually about to apply for a credit card each for various reasons so this is a good point. Do you mean the Amex lounges? We have QF passes through our bank but need QF/JQ flight number.

 

[andye]

We are actually about to apply for a credit card each for various reasons so this is a good point. Do you mean the Amex lounges? We have QF passes through our bank but need QF/JQ flight number.

Yes, many of the Amex cards give 2 free entries to the SYD Amex lounge + children. The Charge would give you Priority Pass too but that is a big fee (albeit offset with points)
If you end up short in your quest for SG you could use the money saved for short breaks on BA (Club Europe on sale can be a great way of clocking up SCs) to make up the difference. The BAEC forum on Flyertalk and headforpoints are great resources for BA flights which credit to QF at full rates intra-Europe
If you do end up on some VA or VS flights make sure you family pool to one member on VA. Status can come quickly that way (as long as you have the required VA segments)

 

[ENGLISHGIRLINSYDNEY]

Yes, many of the Amex cards give 2 free entries to the SYD Amex lounge + children. The Charge would give you Priority Pass too but that is a big fee (albeit offset with points)
If you end up short in your quest for SG you could use the money saved for short breaks on BA (Club Europe on sale can be a great way of clocking up SCs) to make up the difference. The BAEC forum on Flyertalk and headforpoints are great resources for BA flights which credit to QF at full rates intra-Europe
If you do end up on some VA or VS flights make sure you family pool to one member on VA. Status can come quickly that way (as long as you have the required VA segments)

Thanks, that’s really helpful.