Routing - Fare Advice/Help

[ludoh]

Hi,
Need some advice as our travel agent has come back with a ridiculous quote for the following routing: SYD-ARN-AMS-CPT-SYD
I need to arrive in ARN early 11[SUP]th[/SUP] Oct and leave for AMS on 13[SUP]th[/SUP] Oct. Then leave for CPT on 16[SUP]th[/SUP] Oct and leave for SYD on 18[SUP]th[/SUP] Oct to be back in Sydney on 19[SUP]th[/SUP].
I asked for J class and price was approx 15k AUD ! I’d prefer to fly OW carriers but Velocity is ok as well (although could not find good options). Is there a good OW multi segment fare (DONE4 would not be valid I assume as I won't stop in Asia) that could work ? Also Agent came back with option like QF5 to FRA where I think AY to ARN via BKK and HEL seems a better option. Could even fly ARN-HEL-AMS to keep it within OW carriers. For other part of the trip seems that BA via LHR to CPT is best (shortest flight) and QF back to Sydney.
As said could not find good Velocity options.
My boss will freak at the current price but equally not that easy to get pricing of internet to compare or beat quote – any suggestions welcome ! (and I really don’t want to fly Y for this schedule)
THANKS

 

[Danger]

My advice would be a DONE4. This doesn't require a stop in Asia but it does require you to go around the world. My suggestion would be to get a one-way ticket to AKL and fly to the US and onto Europe. From there it would be LHR-CPT-JNB-SYD. There's plenty of opportunity to maximise mileage if you wish. I haven't booked a oneworld Explorer ex-NZ but I'd think it would come out cheaper (although possibly not by much). Another option might be SYD-JNB-LHR return in J with your other short trips as separate bookings in Y.

 

[ozmille]

Problem at the moment is that the flights from Europe to CPT are completely fully booked in J on the 16th... Big conference in CPT?

 

[browski]

In terms of best routing and cheapest price, I suspect your best options will be on Qatar Airways. The fly to/from MEL, ARN and CPT. Obviously you'll need a couple of small intra Europe fares as well.
Secondly, Emirates are well positioned to help considering they have flights to AMS, and CPT. They also have started flying to CPH so that might be the gateway to ARN. Good option really, especially with the A380 flying SYD-DXB option

For FF earning, possibly your best bet is:
Eithad SYD-AUH-BRU/FRA (all Velocity earning) and then sidetrips from BRU-ARN/AMS. In fact this is a pretty good option because AMS-BRU can be done easily by train (I think).

Finally, for most expensive, but most convenient is perhaps a OneWorld 4 Continent Circle Trip Explorer fare. This fare definitely does NOT force you to go around the world. The itinerary would be quite simple, something like:

SYD-HKG-HEL-ARN
ARN-BUD-AMS
AMS-LHR-CPT (or AMS-MAD-JNB-CPT)
Then CPT-JNB-SYD

Cheers

 

[browski]

Got no idea why it has to be so convoluted but when i check Iberia MAD-JNB on 16 October it shows no availability, when i check Valencia to JNB via MAD (starting on the 15th) it shows 4 options all in economy but when i show Bilbao to JNB (via Valencia and MAD) starting on the 15th and flying MAD-JNB on the 16th it comes up with business class seats...

I would use a tool like https://matrix1.itasoftware.com and record your desired flights and connections. Then telephone your OW provider (Qantas, I guess) to book the ticket; they possibly have the ability to book the J seats that you would like.
Also be aware that BA (Comair) fly JNB-CPT and can be used on these fares, but you need to check the rules to see if you can backtrack through JNB for your journey to SYD. Also beware that Stockholm has 3 airports and the smaller Bromma airport also uses OW members Finnair and Sun Air of Scandanavia (BA).

 

[rsellens]

ludoh

Have you considered a OW Circle Trip Explorer fare. I don't think that you will find mention of it on the QF site but if you go to the OW site oneworld - Circle Trip Explorer the details are here.

You would need a 4 continent fare. The costing is about the same as a DONE4.

 

[casanovawa]

Got no idea why it has to be so convoluted but when i check Iberia MAD-JNB on 16 October it shows no availability, when i check Valencia to JNB via MAD (starting on the 15th) it shows 4 options all in economy but when i show Bilbao to JNB (via Valencia and MAD) starting on the 15th and flying MAD-JNB on the 16th it comes up with business class seats...

[TABLE="class: full"]
[TR="class: first on"]
[TD="class: noright"]10:15 [/TD]
[TD]Bilbao [/TD]
[TD="class: noright"]11:20 [/TD]
[TD]Valencia[/TD]
[TD]Iberia flight operated by Air NostrumIB8949 [/TD]
[TD="class: middle"]24h 00m [/TD]
[TD="class: bold ffCellUnselectedECOA"][/TD]
[TD="class: bold ffCellUnselectedBUSA"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: second on"]
[TD="class: noright"]17:50 [/TD]
[TD]Valencia [/TD]
[TD="class: noright"]18:45 [/TD]
[TD]Madrid[/TD]
[TD]Iberia flight operated by Air NostrumIB8977 [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: second on"]
[TD="class: noright"]00:10
(Sun) [/TD]
[TD]Madrid [/TD]
[TD="class: noright"]10:15
(Sun) [/TD]
[TD]Johannesburg[/TD]
[TD]Iberia flight IB6051 [/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: full"]
[TR="class: second off"]
[TD="colspan: 6"]So there is a OW J option as far as JNB, but pity you couldn't get IB to release that J fare from MAD to JNB on its own on the 16th with a DONE4 or something...
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[ludoh]

Thanks - so far I have looked at J with AY to ARN from SYD.
Then cheap flight ARN-AMS with SK.
AMS to CPT with Czech/Etihad via PRG and AUH (ok long option but good fare and timing)
CPT to SYD on BA/QF via JNB

If all in J I get to approx 12k
If CPT -SYD in Y - 8900aud
For addl 1500 can get Y+ for JNB - SYD leg.

Emirates had good price but their schedule did not suit.

Thanks for all advice.