Weekly SYD-BNE round trip

[peacock]

Hey there,

Hope you're all having a great start to the week. This is my first post here, I hope it's appropriate and apologies if it's been asked and answered before (feel free to point me to a good thread if you have one -- i did search but couldn't seem to find the right one).

A change in my work circumstances is going to see me potentially spending 50% of my time - let's say 2-3 days per week in Sydney working in the CBD, and then the remainder either in the Brisbane offices which near me in Newstead or traveling to Melbourne / Internationally. I'm also juggling shared custody of two kids (7 & 9). An au pair / demi pair to help is definitely in the plan.

I'll be covering the Sydney travel personally and the non-Sydney (Melbourne, International) travel will be reimbursed. I'm no stranger to frequent long and short haul travel but it has historically been overseas; I'm relatively new to Australian domestic frequent travel as I've been an expat for most of my career.

Does anyone do this / has done this on the regular? Could you put a ball park on the weekly gross cost before tax?

I'd love to hear perspectives on the most effective way to make this work both financial and non-financially. Theory is a good starting point, but practical experience is irreplaceable.

On the financial side -- what are some good strategies for keeping the SYD-BNE-SYD prices cost effective? Are there discounts available for bulk / recurring travel with one or multiple airlines? What about transport to / from BNE - I'm close to the airport so it's 50/50 on drive and park or uber? What about recurring accommodation in Sydney? Recurring serviced apartment vs. airbnb vs. hotel?

On the non-financial side -- delays, cancellations, traffic, repetition... there's obvious risks and downsides outside the theory -- what are some less obvious things that I should keep in mind when planning this out?

Thanks in advance for any advice or insight you can share!

P

 

[henrus]

what are some good strategies for keeping the SYD-BNE-SYD prices cost effective?

I'd expect to pay around $300-400 round trip per week for these flights.

Peak time flights in the morning and evening will obviously be at the more expensive end as will dates around school holidays and special events (eg NRL final etc).

You may want to stick to an airline and try and build up status which then comes with additional benefits to make a weekly commute a tad less tedious. For example Virgin Gold gets Priority boarding, check-in, lounge access, better seats onboard, the ability to fly ahead on some fares. Platinum also throws in free wifi, free extra leg room seat selection plus fly ahead on more fares).

Personally I see Rex and Jetstar just not offering enough frequency for regular community, sure they may offer a better price but there is always a trade off.

For more expensive days it might be possible to use points. Additionally booking as far out as possible could help and some airlines like Virgin Australia also have promo codes which you can find here on AFF.

Are there discounts available for bulk / recurring travel with one or multiple airlines?

Nope. If you've got an ABN you might be able to sign up to one of the corporate programs that offer some discounts or extra points.

What about recurring accommodation in Sydney? Recurring serviced apartment vs. airbnb vs. hotel?

Think about where the office is, is there a particular hotel nearby. Again a loyalty program works well and some like Accor have programs you can sign up (by paying a fee) for further discounts. If you can commit to dates upfront you might be able to reach out to a hotel directly.

What about transport to / from BNE - I'm close to the airport so it's 50/50 on drive and park or uber?

Ubers from Brisbane airport are a pain, many will just cancel when they see a short fare

 

[peacock]

I'd expect to pay around $300-400 round trip per week for these flights.

Thanks for the reply and the insight below. Year I reckon about 3-400 too.

Peak time flights in the morning and evening will obviously be at the more expensive end as will dates around school holidays and special events (eg NRL final etc).

You may want to stick to an airline and try and build up status which then comes with additional benefits to make a weekly commute a tad less tedious. For example Virgin Gold gets Priority boarding, check-in, lounge access, better seats onboard, the ability to fly ahead on some fares. Platinum also throws in free wifi, free extra leg room seat selection plus fly ahead on more fares).

Currently Lifetime Silver / Lifetime Qantas Club and Solitaire PPS (until 2026).

I'm planning to check in on status matching for both QF / VA to see if I can accelerate at least to Gold or Platinum on QFF / Velocity.

Personally I see Rex and Jetstar just not offering enough frequency for regular community, sure they may offer a better price but there is always a trade off.

For more expensive days it might be possible to use points. Additionally booking as far out as possible could help and some airlines like Virgin Australia also have promo codes which you can find here on AFF.

Nope. If you've got an ABN you might be able to sign up to one of the corporate programs that offer some discounts or extra points.

I have an ABN not directly linked to this travel and also an Amex Platinum Business Charge. I was going to look into leveraging Amex's concierge for flight / hotel bookings as well. Anyone had a positive / negative experience with this?

Think about where the office is, is there a particular hotel nearby. Again a loyalty program works well and some like Accor have programs you can sign up (by paying a fee) for further discounts. If you can commit to dates upfront you might be able to reach out to a hotel directly.

Right so I think I have some complimentary memberships with Accor and others. Will look into what options that gives me and come back with what I learn as well. Office is near Martin Pl. so somewhere walking distance probably best.

Ubers from Brisbane airport are a pain, many will just cancel when they see a short fare

Ok, I felt that might be the case. I might just suck up the $85 park long fee and avoid the toll roads.

Based on my estimate and what I've heard from others - financially it looks something like this:

Flights - $400pw (average)
CBD accomm - $450pw (average)
Bne Parking - $85 pw
Sydney Trains - $40 pw

So round it up and say about $1000pw / $50,000 pa.

Have I missed anything?

P

 

[AIRwin]

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[Seat0B]

Hi @peacock and welcome to AFF.

Depending where you work in Sydney, look at Meriton Suites. These offer very good 1BR or studio apartments with kitchen and laundry, usually in walkable precincts for groceries or restaurants and close to public transport. They are in many locations including several close to the airport and the Sydney CBD. I’ve stayed in a few recently for overnight/few days of medical treatment for $135-$160 per night. book direct as they have generous cancellation arrangements. After you get a few stays under your belt, I’d ask them about a discount or bulk purchase deal - they seem open to this type of thing (or they were a few years back pre-COVID when I travelled a lot for work). For example, you could stay at Meriton Mascot Central for $135 per night last week, 4 min walk to Mascot train station which would provide an easy commute to the CBD and also to the Airport. In the past, they have also minded large luggage for me for a couple of days so I did not have to lug it to and for eg when I stayed Tues to Thursday and was returning on the following Tuesday, they just put it in their luggage store for me. Of course you may prefer a hotel, but I like being able to wash clothes and eat some cheap meals in my apartment When doing the road warrior thing.

I agree you might be best to consolidate your flying with one carrier and get your FF status up as fast as you can. That will improve your chances of being able to get some flights on FF points awards to save a few $ and will also help with priority for changing flights to go home earlier and if there are (inevitable) flight delays.

you could also join Qantas Business Rewards using your ABN. Then when you fly, you get a small discount off the flight (3-5%) more as your level rises, plus you get to double dip FF points so quicker to build enough for award flights. They don’t check if your flying is for the particular ABN or not - I have an ABN and obviously it is good for my work travel, but I also say I’m travelling for my business when I take holidays and no one has ever questioned it.

finally, consider getting/using a points earning credit card for all this expenditure as this will also speed up getting FF points (faster rewards flights) and keeps your travel expenses in one clear place for tax time . Also look to see if you can churn these cards for sign up bonuses of points (faster reward flights) and sometimes even SC to boost your status. And look into points club if you stay with QF - once you make the required level of points to join, you will get SC even when flying on award flights, which will help you maintain/accelerate your FF status.

Sounds like you have an exciting time ahead. Post back with your experiences?

Edit for spelling *DYAC!

 

[Quickstatus]

What's your projected budget for Sydney accom?

 

[peacock]

What's your projected budget for Sydney accom?

200-250pn give or take

 

[kookaburra75]

Have a chat to your accountant about how you might be able to claim deductions for travel related expenses, or the difference between what you spend, and what is the maximum you are able to claim. It can add up - and the usual disclaimer about this not being tax advice and talk to your accountant first etc etc.

TD 2021/6 | Legal database

Taxation Determination

www.ato.gov.au

 

[Quickstatus]

200-250pn give or take

For something like that you might be able to rent a studio/ 1 bedroom apartment? The benefit of that is you don't have to have checkin luggage...
A lot more convenient.

 

[henrus]

Currently Lifetime Silver / Lifetime Qantas Club and Solitaire PPS (until 2026).

Amusingly these both give perks on QF and VA.

Really QF benefits of higher status tiers won't do too much help (unless you reach Plat/Plat One which is unlikely with just BNE-SYD flights unless booking higher fare classes) but this could be possible with added MEL/OS travel if on QF/OW.

If you do pick to fly more with VA then Plat on VA status gives things like premium phone support (1 trillion times better than QF), FlyAhead (show up early on any fare other than a light fare as a plat and if an earlier flight is still open with free seats it's yours), EconomyX meaning extra legroom.

I was going to look into leveraging Amex's concierge for flight / hotel bookings as well. Anyone had a positive / negative experience with this?

I'd avoid for the simple reason of that Amex's travel agent system is terrible but ignoring that if you need to cancel/change you can do so via the app of the airline in question, likewise during things like cancellations and changes both QF and VA help their own customers much better than those booked via a travel agent.

 

[Quickstatus]

I was going to look into leveraging Amex's concierge for flight / hotel bookings

No, better to deal direct with provider.

 

[peacock]

Have a chat to your accountant about how you might be able to claim deductions for travel related expenses, or the difference between what you spend, and what is the maximum you are able to claim. It can add up - and the usual disclaimer about this not being tax advice and talk to your accountant first etc etc.

TD 2021/6 | Legal database

Taxation Determination

www.ato.gov.au

Thanks - yes agree with you, esp. given that this is a place not the primary place of work is helpful as I’m not just doing a very long “home to work” commute which isn’t deductible. So as I’m in the marginal tax bracket having as much of this as pretax as possible is worthwhile.

Post automatically merged: Jun 5, 2023

No, better to deal direct with provider.

Seems that way, although I do see there’s some discounts off the face website value for VA. 10-15 each per flight. May or may not be worth it.

 

[peacock]

For something like that you might be able to rent a studio/ 1 bedroom apartment? The benefit of that is you don't have to have checkin luggage...
A lot more convenient.

Yes, renting or even buying a small studio is an option I’m costing out. Both have tax implications to consider (such as principle place of residence vs. CGT. Etc).

 

[peacock]

Hi @peacock and welcome to AFF.

Depending where you work in Sydney, look at Meriton Suites. These offer very good 1BR or studio apartments with kitchen and laundry, usually in walkable precincts for groceries or restaurants and close to public transport. They are in many locations including several close to the airport and the Sydney CBD. I’ve stayed in a few recently for overnight/few days of medical treatment for $135-$160 per night. book direct as they have generous cancellation arrangements. After you get a few stays under your belt, I’d ask them about a discount or bulk purchase deal - they seem open to this type of thing (or they were a few years back pre-COVID when I travelled a lot for work). For example, you could stay at Meriton Mascot Central for $135 per night last week, 4 min walk to Mascot train station which would provide an easy commute to the CBD and also to the Airport. In the past, they have also minded large luggage for me for a couple of days so I did not have to lug it to and for eg when I stayed Tues to Thursday and was returning on the following Tuesday, they just put it in their luggage store for me. Of course you may prefer a hotel, but I like being able to wash clothes and eat some cheap meals in my apartment When doing the road warrior thing.

I agree you might be best to consolidate your flying with one carrier and get your FF status up as fast as you can. That will improve your chances of being able to get some flights on FF points awards to save a few $ and will also help with priority for changing flights to go home earlier and if there are (inevitable) flight delays.

you could also join Qantas Business Rewards using your ABN. Then when you fly, you get a small discount off the flight (3-5%) more as your level rises, plus you get to double dip FF points so quicker to build enough for award flights. They don’t check if your flying is for the particular ABN or not - I have an ABN and obviously it is good for my work travel, but I also say I’m travelling for my business when I take holidays and no one has ever questioned it.

finally, consider getting/using a points earning credit card for all this expenditure as this will also speed up getting FF points (faster rewards flights) and keeps your travel expenses in one clear place for tax time . Also look to see if you can churn these cards for sign up bonuses of points (faster reward flights) and sometimes even SC to boost your status. And look into points club if you stay with QF - once you make the required level of points to join, you will get SC even when flying on award flights, which will help you maintain/accelerate your FF status.

Sounds like you have an exciting time ahead. Post back with your experiences?

Edit for spelling *DYAC!

Spot on — am looking at meriton near China town as options quite affordable and tock those boxes you mentioned.

Will give Qantas business and the Virgin equivalent a look as well. Using Amex Platinum Business Charge for flights and accommodation.

Thanks again!

 

[Seat0B]

I'd avoid for the simple reason of that Amex's travel agent system is terrible but ignoring that if you need to cancel/change you can do so via the app of the airline in question, likewise during things like cancellations and changes both QF and VA help their own customers much better than those booked via a travel agent.

No, better to deal direct with provider.

I'm another hard no on using Amex for this. Any time anything changes (and that's quite often at the moment), you'll have to go back through Amex to accept or reject the changes - way way better to be able to do it directly to the airline - and yet another reason it would be good to choose one and aim to get your status higher so you get priority on the call centre, and priority for fly forward (you get this on QF as well, I think as a platinum), and preferential treatment for IRROPS.

 

[flyingfan]

Reading with interest. OP I hope the job and your extracurricular life are worthwhile (as in have time and space to ‘detox’ outside travel) because methinks the inevitable flight delays (occasionally cancellations), security screening and random other things will get tiresome at that frequency, and even uber-status / flying business will only marginally help with those in the long run.

Wishing you all the best and do keep posting back so we can help each other make the travel as comfortable as possible

 

[Quickstatus]

No, better to deal direct with provider.

hard no on using Amex for this

Can Amex see all the flight availability that is visible on the online bookings?

 

[Quickstatus]

I’m not just doing a very long “home to work” commute

It's also clear that SYD is the secondary place of work.

 

[Forg]

A mate was working at USYD full-time while living in Brisbane, but only had to be there 3 or 4 days per week; it’s probably a little different being in Newtown/Camperdown/Glebe compared to the CBD, but for his purposes properties being run as BnB’s (likely via some less-evil alternative to AirBnB knowing him) were the bestest for his porpoises, he could book a month or two at a time & have some certainty & not need to pay for 7days/wk accomodation for 3-4days/wk & yet get a discount ‘cos he was booking for a month or two.

 

[AIRwin]

Will give Qantas business and the Virgin equivalent a look as well.

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