Syd - ist

[hazel]

Hi
2 family members are looking at flying SYD-IST Easter 2010. They would like to travel OW O fare so they can upgrade to J for the trip - [they have 100 000 QFF points each] Their other option is using points for PE award seats. Problem - anything OW is via LHR or 2 stops somehwere in the Middle East/Gulf.
Non OW eg SIN make it simple 1 stop in Asia then to IST & much cheaper.
I have put so many permeantations in Expert flyer & Jetabroad that I'm about to go mad. Any suggestions please??

 

[docjames]

The risk in staying OW is that you may not get the upgrade, and then you've travelled a lot further, in Y, at the same price, than going direct via SIN. Travelling at easter, expect the QF flights to be full, and thus uless they have high status with QF (and i'm guessing with "only" 100000 pioints they dont have high status), an upgrade will be possibly hard to come by.


Does CX fly HKG-IST? That may be another one-stop option with QF to HKG then CX to IST and vv (although further than via SQ).


Unless massively tied to OW, it'll be easier, and probably cheaper, to go SQ via SIN or EK or EY via the middle east.

 

[hazel]

many thanks docjames for the suggestions.
I will pass on your advice to them re QF to Asia & then take a more sensible route to IST with someone else.
I also heard that most airlines leave people sweating on the tarmac for 2 hour Dubai stopovers - is there an airline that lets you off? I believe it has something to do with what Dubai airport charges the airlines to let pax off. I would assume that any charge would be paid by the passenger anyway in the taxes & charges bit of the ticket.

 

[kpc]

I also heard that most airlines leave people sweating on the tarmac for 2 hour Dubai stopovers - is there an airline that lets you off?

SQ certainly let you off...:mrgreen: and I enjoyed the use of the free Diners Club lounge at Dxb to boot!
FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - SQ490 - Nonstop or not???

 

[browski]

Whilst not One World, the most obvious (quickest) option is to fly the Qantas codeshare on Etihad to Abu Dhabi and then take a Turkish Airlines/Etihad flight to IST. Connection is very good. In addition, you get full Qantas earning rights and, if a Qantas club member, use of the lounges in SYD (on the outbound) and AUH (on the return leg).

I doubt you'd get an upgrade opportunity on a codeshare though. However, no sweating on the tarmac because it is a aircraft change in AUH.

Outbound
Depart Sydney 17/11/2009 9.50pm QF342 SYD-AUH.
Arrive Abu Dhabi 18/11/2009 5.40am

Depart Abu Dhabi 18/11/2009 9.15am EY97
Arrive Istanbul 18/11/2009 12.20pm