Sydney to Mumbai - Advice

[Zippy7]

Hello - I need some advice.

I may be required to travel between Sydney and Mumbai soon.
I am asking for advice so that I may be able to prepare the right strategy

I am a member of QFF (dropped to silver this year), and I have a complimentary Gold Velocity membership.

Could someone advise the best flights/connections between Sydney and Mumbai? I tried looking on Qantas website, and it stated there was no flight from Sydney to Mumbai (There are no flights from Sydney to Mumbai. View our route map to see the Qantas network.). But then it had Mumbai-Sing-Syd for the return leg ( Mumbai - Singapore - Sydney

QF3950

QF32 ). QF3950 is Jet Airways? I've not heard of them...

Any suggestions on what I should do?

Also, any hotel advice/suggestions? I may need to stay for 1 week...

Thanks in advance.

 

[dajop]

Qantas have a service from Brisbane to Mumbai via Singapore - and back - that is timed to connect in Singapore with flights to/from other Australian cities, include Sydney. It operates on Tue/Thu/Sat returning Wed/Fri/Sun. They also, as you point out codeshare on Jet Airways operated flights. These connect from Mumbai to Sydney in Singapore, but do not connect with flights leaving Australia (unless you go via PER). Jet Airways are one of the privately owned airlines in India, and certainly get good reviews (I think the 330's serving SIN/BOM that QF codeshare on have lie flat business class).

The other option you have - sticking to oneworld - is Cathay Pacific via Hongkong (but these have long connections). Probably the most common routings to India are on Thai or Singapore airlines, but these are of course not linked to QF and are in star alliance.

 

[browski]

For OW, technically you could fly BA or QF on SYD-BKK and then have a good connection with BKK-BOM on CX. However the BKK-BOM flight on CX is not a daily flight. In addition, the arrival time into BOM is horrible. I also doubt you could get a good QF/CX combo fare but you never know your luck.

If it were me........SQ (if you want a little better seat pitch) or TG (If you want a very good chance of a spare seat next to you). They arrive into BOM in the evening around 11pm and 10pm respectively.

 

[Zippy7]

Thanks.
Looks like either I need to book SQ (I wonder if I can go A380?).
Otherwise the OW flight schedule seems pretty cough, but hey, 11pm looks cough too

Hmm - I'm not a member of SQ's FF - Is it worth joining the SQ version, or try to go another member airline (say Air NZ) and credit to that instead?

Any hotel suggestions? Not cheap ones, but good ones.

Cheers.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Thanks.
Looks like either I need to book SQ (I wonder if I can go A380?).
Otherwise the OW flight schedule seems pretty cough, but hey, 11pm looks cough too

Remember 2300 is the local time in Mumbai which is 4.5 hours behind Sydney so you've gotta think how you'd feel going through customs and finding your way to the hotel when your body clock thinks it's 0330!

Also you will need a visa for India so allow plenty of time to get that if you have a reasonable idea of the dates you'll be there. Most countries want at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport too so double check when your passport expires.

Cheers

Oz

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Jet airways is very good - excellent food (choice of indian or western) and good service to match. Note however you get NO benefits from QFFF on Jet (even with a qantas code share) - so your silver status does not get biz class check-in or extra baggage.

As for SQ - not that many economy fares do NOT earn miles in Kris flyer. Or even if they do - it could be at highly reduced rates.

As for a hotel in Mumbai - not sure of your price range - but the Ascot Hotel in Colaba was good for about USD80 a night. Clean, spacious. Just make sure you book through the HOTEL site - not a third party. Tripadvisor has lots of stories how the hotel has given away bookings - but we went directly through the hotel site and had no problems.

 

[dajop]

Zippy7, what class are you booking in?

Also, remember that whilst 2300 (SQ arrival) may feel like 0330 on your body clock, that makes the QF arrival time (0240) feel like 0710 ..... One suggestion if travelling SQ may well be to overnight at the transit hotel (or Crowne Plaza at the airport) and take the morning flight to BOM. Very civilized.

As for accommodation, I think an important factor is the location where you will be during the day, and work it from there.

 

[auriga]

As for SQ - not that many economy fares do NOT earn miles in Kris flyer. Or even if they do - it could be at highly reduced rates.

.

This is not quite right. Economy fares that do earn miles,do so at 100%. Some discounted fare class do not earn miles at all, but I do not think there are any that earn at reduced rates.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Jet airways is very good - excellent food (choice of indian or western) and good service to match. Note however you get NO benefits from QFFF on Jet (even with a qantas code share) - so your silver status does not get biz class check-in or extra baggage.

But you still earn FF points on the flights whether booked as 9W or on QF codeshare is that right?

Cheers

Oz

 

[dajop]

But you still earn FF points on the flights whether booked as 9W or on QF codeshare is that right?

Cheers

Oz

Yep generally that is correct. The main difference between the 9W code and the QF code will be as follows:
1) Status credits awarded on QF code, not on 9W coe
2) Status bonus points on QF code (if applicable), not on 9W code
3) Certain booking classes on the 9W code will only earn 50% of miles flown (and is possible that some will earn 0. On QF will get 100% of miles flown.

 

[Zippy7]

Zippy7, what class are you booking in?

Also, remember that whilst 2300 (SQ arrival) may feel like 0330 on your body clock, that makes the QF arrival time (0240) feel like 0710 ..... One suggestion if travelling SQ may well be to overnight at the transit hotel (or Crowne Plaza at the airport) and take the morning flight to BOM. Very civilized.

As for accommodation, I think an important factor is the location where you will be during the day, and work it from there.

I'll be travelling for work, so it's business class. Those times really are crazy.

I don't think work will stump up for an overnight stay in Singapore en-route to Mumbai. I would have to select a hotel from the approved work list for corporate rates, but I'm keen on hearing which ones offer better security/services/etc.

Cheers.

 

[Zippy7]

Okay - I managed to speak to one travel agent, who said it was possible to go on a Sunday on QF127 Syd to HK, then Jet Airways HK to Mumbai arriving on that day. On the return, she found a Jet Airways to Singapore (leaving 11pm-ish?), then a QF flight back to Sydney.

However, the next day, I asked a pa to inquire, we got a different person at the agency, and somehow the quote came back recommending that I go Thai (because QF would cost too much, and SQ was booked out). But that Thai flight means I have to depart Sydney on the Saturday (The last time I asked a pa to book me a flight, I got rubbish flights. It seems to be happening again?). I refuse to give up 2 days when I only need one for the travelling.

India is not included in a Circle Asia fare, but is there some other style fare to make things cheaper? (So that I can stay on QF/Oneworld)

Cheers.

 

[taswegian77]

Jet airways is very good - excellent food (choice of indian or western) and good service to match. Note however you get NO benefits from QFFF on Jet (even with a qantas code share) - so your silver status does not get biz class check-in or extra baggage.

As for SQ - not that many economy fares do NOT earn miles in Kris flyer. Or even if they do - it could be at highly reduced rates.

As for a hotel in Mumbai - not sure of your price range - but the Ascot Hotel in Colaba was good for about USD80 a night. Clean, spacious. Just make sure you book through the HOTEL site - not a third party. Tripadvisor has lots of stories how the hotel has given away bookings - but we went directly through the hotel site and had no problems.

I recently flew DEL-SIN with Jet and was pleasantly surprised with their level of service. Points of note:
1. Check in was seamless and quick, I guesss it pays to arrive early but still it was easy and I was given an exit row even though i managed to allocate 10D on line which looked like a good seat.
2. There is technically no lounge access for QF members but I managed to get in, it is however departure side but still ok as you can check security queues from where you sit.
3. I snagged a free op up to J on the flight, dunno why but did not complain. However the J cabin does not have a personal tv system but the service and extra room was rewarding.
4. I received Sc and QF points for the flight as well as double SC as it was a QF code share flight.

All in all I think Jet is extremely good airline. My only concern was the lack of respect some flyers have for the staff and safety considerations when taking off and landing and arriving to the gate. Thing slike window shades nto up, or put down after they walk past, hitting the call buton while taxiing to take off, standign up once the plane is barely off the runway after landing........ I can go on...

 

[dajop]

My only concern was the lack of respect some flyers have for the staff and safety considerations when taking off and landing and arriving to the gate. Thing slike window shades nto up, or put down after they walk past, hitting the call buton while taxiing to take off, standign up once the plane is barely off the runway after landing........ I can go on...

100% cultural. After all the staff are mere servants, why show any respect for them?

Very common to see that attitude in India and coming from a more egalitarian society it can be quite a shock the first time you encounter such behaviour.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I'll be travelling for work, so it's business class. Those times really are crazy.

I don't think work will stump up for an overnight stay in Singapore en-route to Mumbai. I would have to select a hotel from the approved work list for corporate rates, but I'm keen on hearing which ones offer better security/services/etc.

Cheers.

If you travel SYD/BOM eg on a Monday your work will have to pay for Mon night in a hotel in BOM so what difference does it make if you stay in SIN Mon night then travel to BOM on Tue? It's not like your employer has to fork out for an extra night somewhere.

Also given that your employer seems happy to pay for a J class airfare, what's one nights accommodation in the big picture? Never assume they wouldn't pay for a night in SIN. If you number crunch the figures & show the employer they would be saving dollars I don't see how you could lose.

As beancounters always look at the bottom line you have to basically work out the itinerary that suits you then make sure that option looks rosy from the employer's per spective.

If you fly TG/SQ/CX would they give you an STPC (stopover at carriers expense) due to a forced overnight stop in J class?

If travelling QF via HKG or SIN going all the way through to BOM in the one day is quite a bit more expensive, are you not doing your employer a favour by getting a cheaper fare on one of the Asian carriers if overnighting enroute?

 

[Zippy7]

Seems that I am now able to combine this trip with a business trip in HK.

Therefore, I'll probably go to Mumbai for a week, then stop for a week in HK on the way home. It is travelling for work, but since I have a team of people (and time is precious), I will begin the journey on a Sunday morning in order to maximise the time at the office. If I travelled during work time, I'd get like 3 days there...

Anyway, I've no idea what connections are like for CX (have let the PA have a 2nd attempt at getting me a decent itinerary). Lets see how it pans out...

 

[docjames]

Seems that I am now able to combine this trip with a business trip in HK.

What??? The AFF way would be to make it two trips and max SCs/miles/J seat time.


Good outcome.

 

[Zippy7]

What??? The AFF way would be to make it two trips and max SCs/miles/J seat time.

At one stage it was leaving HK on Friday evening/arriving in Sydney early Saturday. Then I could spend the rest of that day with the kids, only to jump back on the plane on Sunday morning to get out to Mumbai.

I told my boss thanks for thinking about me spending family time, but I think I'd be totally knackered by the time I got to Mumbai.

Now it looks like I can do 1 week in Mumbai before 1 week in HK, then home. Yes, I lose mileage and SC, but I don't have to wash all of my clothes and repack in a hurry (trips >1week include laundry, under 1 week does not).

Given this new itinerary, if I go through HK on the way to Mumbai with a few hours layover, can I exit and reenter the customs/immigration for the sake of it? (The thought process is to make that stopover count towards the HKIA Frequent Visitor card visits - mine expired this year and I had not made 6 visits in the 2yrs due to GFC)

 

[Mal]

Given this new itinerary, if I go through HK on the way to Mumbai with a few hours layover, can I exit and reenter the customs/immigration for the sake of it? (The thought process is to make that stopover count towards the HKIA Frequent Visitor card visits - mine expired this year and I had not made 6 visits in the 2yrs due to GFC)

I can't see why you wouldn't be able to get a CX Business fare ex-SYD, with a stopover on the return to SYD that would be right for this trip. But haven't looked into fares. Also, the plane type HKG-Mumbai might be nothing special on CX - regional config. IIRC, it's a pretty long flight. But again, best you check.

HKG have no issues with people entering for short periods of time, as long as you fit their right profile. (ie right passport, right type of look). I've certainly done it countless times. And yes, a 2 hour entry will count towards getting to FVC again.

If you are doing legitimate business in the APEC region, then perhaps consider looking into getting an APEC business travel card: http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...s/apec-business-travel-card-express-5653.html

 

[docjames]

At one stage it was leaving HK on Friday evening/arriving in Sydney early Saturday. Then I could spend the rest of that day with the kids, only to jump back on the plane on Sunday morning to get out to Mumbai.

I told my boss thanks for thinking about me spending family time, but I think I'd be totally knackered by the time I got to Mumbai.

Now it looks like I can do 1 week in Mumbai before 1 week in HK, then home. Yes, I lose mileage and SC, but I don't have to wash all of my clothes and repack in a hurry (trips >1week include laundry, under 1 week does not).

Given this new itinerary, if I go through HK on the way to Mumbai with a few hours layover, can I exit and reenter the customs/immigration for the sake of it? (The thought process is to make that stopover count towards the HKIA Frequent Visitor card visits - mine expired this year and I had not made 6 visits in the 2yrs due to GFC)

All fair - I was tongue-in-cheek suggesting it but you've actually tried it! :shock: Ouch. Can see why the new plan is far more attractive!