QF to Europe - Best Price?

[Orca]

Hello All,

I apologise if there is a similar thread to what I'm looking for (please feel free to link me there if that's the case!). My fiancé and I will be honeymooning in August next year and I'm already planning our flights. We plan to venture to Europe and then the Maldives. So we will be booking on QF metal SY-LHR return (so as to allow us to upgrade via points if available)

From your experience, what is the best price we can expect to get for:-
1) Return Y+ x2 people or
2) Return Jx2 people??

I recall in the past that QF have had 2 for 1 business class sales... Do these still pop-up every now and then?? When would you roughly expect the best time to book would be?

Any advice and guidance is greatly appreciated - many thanks!

 

[docjames]

If you want the best deal, it may pay to look broader than QF.

 

[Orca]

Fair point but keen on Qantas for the opportunity to gain a flight upgrade, earn SC's and points.... and a part of me is kind of loyal (ridiculous, I know) and I'd prefer to stick with QF.

 

[docjames]

I'd also point out that unless you have status with QF your chance of upgrade is small.

Ill give others a chance to answer, the best deal recently coincided with the EK launch @ $6999 for J.

 

[Orca]

Thanks for your replies! We're not expecting the upgrade, I will be definitely SG by the time the trip comes around and potentially (odds are good) WP so I'm hopeful that we can score and upgrade on at least one of either the SY-DBX or DBX-SY legs. We'd be happy with 7k for J... Thanks again for your advice docjames

 

[casanovawa]

Is looking on the Brazilian Expedia a good way to look for cheap QF airfares?? As docjames states, being a bronze there will be plenty in the queue ahead of you to claim an upgrade...

Depends how much you really want those SCs and points as you will be able to get a much better deal if you want to go J to LHR and Maldives, you could even go in F for many of the flights for cheaper if the SCs and points aren't so important...

But try the Br expedia and just see, i think i saw with a sale recently something like QF to Rome for about $1400 return in Y was it???

 

[OATEK]

I'd also point out that unless you have status with QF your chance of upgrade is small.

Ill give others a chance to answer, the best deal recently coincided with the EK launch @ $6999 for J.

I grabbed this offer with both hands, so I guess that pretty much sets the benchmark for me at least. Occasionally you hear of a lower fare, but not often enough to make it a regular occurrence.

I spend a lot of time watching the key sites, QF, CX, and some of the general booking sites from about 12 months out for a major leisure trip. This year I let CX Y+ for about $3,500 go by in the hope that the QF/EK partnership might throw up just this sort of special. Next year the CX Y+ and any J specials will get closer scrutiny.

 

[Orca]

Is looking on the Brazilian Expedia a good way to look for cheap QF airfares??
But try the Br expedia and just see, i think i saw with a sale recently something like QF to Rome for about $1400 return in Y was it???

Forgive me for being ignorant, but is there a way I can use the brazilian expedia site in English?

 

[OATEK]

Forgive me for being ignorant, but is there a way I can use the brazilian expedia site in English?

As stated on several other threads, the Google Chrome browser will automatically ask whether you want a site translated (there is quite a big button to press just below the URL line). Sometimes the translation seems a little stilted, but works well really.

 

[docjames]

I grabbed this offer with both hands, so I guess that pretty much sets the benchmark for me at least. Occasionally you hear of a lower fare, but not often enough to make it a regular occurrence.

I spend a lot of time watching the key sites, QF, CX, and some of the general booking sites from about 12 months out for a major leisure trip. This year I let CX Y+ for about $3,500 go by in the hope that the QF/EK partnership might throw up just this sort of special. Next year the CX Y+ and any J specials will get closer scrutiny.

This is good advice. You have to keep watching, and it pays to sign up to airline email lists.

 

[OATEK]

Just as an example of why you need to keep watching, QF has SYD-DXB-LHR and return "Limited Offer' J specials on QF1 up today for Aug/Sept at around $6999. Might be for more dates, I just checked a few prior to the school holidays.

 

[joyvee]

Have you looked at Finnair which has QF points as is part of same loyalty program. their office is in BNE . Might be worth a call. Also check website. When i was comparing Qatar prices the airline site was $300 less than MEL office.
I found that Finnair from BKK was most reasonable and they have one row near window in J class. Could combine with jetstar flight to BKK Just that i thought that Qatar and Oman had more comfy lie flat beds and better service. Joy

 

[joyvee]

just checked my spread sheet and Finnair from BKK to CDG and FRA to BKK in J was $2851 and J class gets 200% Qf FF points. More expensive if you return via Hong Kong and use Cathay for last leg to BKK,
Cheapest price on link to web page on airlinequality.com
Lie flat bed JoyV

 

[whatmeworry]

just checked my spread sheet and Finnair from BKK to CDG and FRA to BKK in J was $2851 and J class gets 200% Qf FF points. More expensive if you return via Hong Kong and use Cathay for last leg to BKK,
Cheapest price on link to web page on airlinequality.com
Lie flat bed JoyV

You could get to BKK cheaply with QF in Y. Mmmm sounds like a plan. Plus Finnair go to other cities in Germany like HAM and DUS.

 

[joyvee]

Finnair use Flybe to lots of European destinations
Don't forget to check Royal Brunei as it leaves at a civilised time from Melbourne and BKK. Has one stop over in Brunei. Arrives back in Melbourne at 05.00 Yuk.. but has no QF points. Qf leave Melbourne at 06.30 and goes to sydney. Often Emirates from there. Have to transfer to Domestic Syd to get back to MEL. last time I did that it cost $5 and I had no cash. Kind bloke paid for me which was a random act of kindness - much appreciated.

 

[blu]

Obviously not QF, but I would be interested to know the airline (as copied from FlightCentre.com.au)

Sydney to London Business Class Airfare	DEAL NUMBER 1032897
Business Class travel dates 03 Oct 2013 - 29 Nov 2013.	RETURN from $4,099

 

[Nizar]

Obviously not QF, but I would be interested to know the airline (as copied from FlightCentre.com.au)

Sydney to London Business Class Airfare	DEAL NUMBER 1032897
Business Class travel dates 03 Oct 2013 - 29 Nov 2013.	RETURN from $4,099

Royal Brunei ?
On their website they've got A$3940 Melbourne-London return in J

Home - Royal Brunei Airlines Australia

 

[ozmille]

just checked my spread sheet and Finnair from BKK to CDG and FRA to BKK in J was $2851 and J class gets 200% Qf FF points. More expensive if you return via Hong Kong and use Cathay for last leg to BKK,
Cheapest price on link to web page on airlinequality.com
Lie flat bed JoyV

From memory, I have done a couple of AY trips to Europe, J on AY only gives you 125% (so if on the same ticket make sure QF flights don't get the AY number, done it once never again)
I loved every bit though, it is a nice way to go to Europe, the short connections at HEL can be an issue but we used the extra time to go and visit the city.