What's the cheapest QR J that you can get to Europe?

[SCM]

Hello

From SYD, I've flown SQ J a few times to Europe - namely to FRA and MUC for ~ 6k AUD return. I bought all those tickets on some sort of sale.

I've never seen any QR tickets to anywhere in Europe for less than around 8k, not to mention there are no (or almost no) qsuites flying to SYD at the moment. I am wondering if I am missing something - is it possible to book any QR tickets for anywhere near 6k to any port in Europe - and if so, which airport, and when during the year? Are there any recurring sales that QR does each year that I may be unaware of?

I am very satisfied with SQ, but now that QR is also a velocity partner, I'm very keen to try them as well, so I'm just wondering what's about the cheapest ticket I can expect to book.

 

[CaptJCool]

It’s dire
even October a touch over $7k (bear in mind FUEL has ROCKETED up by 75%)

 

[levelnine]

From SYD, I've flown SQ J a few times to Europe - namely to FRA and MUC for ~ 6k AUD return.

Were these pre-pandemic? Post-pandemic, I think $6K J class fares on top tier airlines are long gone. Inflation in travel costs has been running hot, well above the headline figure.

The bargain on QR J seems to be from places like CGK. I think QR know they can command top dollar from the Australian market given their superior product (soft and, in the case of QSuites, hard). I imagine the VA tie-in has only increased demand as they now have VA loyalists looking to book them too.

 

[knagelli]

I think $6K J class fares on top tier airlines are long gone. Inflation in travel costs has been running hot, well above the headline figure.

I have been trying to check for J tickets from MEL to LHR and it is costing me almost 15K for 3 pax. I will be more than happy to find something less than 10K with QR.

 

[SYD]

Were these pre-pandemic? Post-pandemic, I think $6K J class fares on top tier airlines are long gone. Inflation in travel costs has been running hot, well above the headline figure.

SQ had an “Early bird” sale late last year for travel through to northern summer. Around $6k (maybe even some fares started with an “5” from memory). Absolute bargain for those who pounced.

I am very satisfied with SQ, but now that QR is also a velocity partner, I'm very keen to try them as well, so I'm just wondering what's about the cheapest ticket I can expect to book.

If you can get to SIN, BKK or CGK, there’s QR J to BER (and elsewhere) for sub $5k. Sometimes, A$3.5k ish ex BKK.

 

[RooFlyer]

QR offer certain Travel Agents 'corporate rates' on certain routes to Europe ( I doubt LHR) that undercut the fares on the web. I can’t give a name on this occasion, sorry, but might be worth a call to your local.

 

[SYD]

QR offer certain Travel Agents 'corporate rates' on certain routes to Europe ( I doubt LHR) that undercut the fares on the web. I can’t give a name on this occasion, sorry, but might be worth a call to your local.

There’s a 10% discount offer booking via the app (for what it’s worth).

 

[RooFlyer]

There’s a 10% discount offer booking via the app (for what it’s worth).

Didn't know that - it's probably the same 10%

 

[SCM]

Were these pre-pandemic? Post-pandemic, I think $6K J class fares on top tier airlines are long gone. Inflation in travel costs has been running hot, well above the headline figure.

The bargain on QR J seems to be from places like CGK. I think QR know they can command top dollar from the Australian market given their superior product (soft and, in the case of QSuites, hard). I imagine the VA tie-in has only increased demand as they now have VA loyalists looking to book them too.

All during the last 12 months or so. Like SYD mentioned, there was an early bird sale in September they had even sub 6k tickets to many destinations in Europe return. Right now it's 11k - 12k even 6 months out, even more expensive than QR by quite a lot, not sure why such a big change.

If you can get to SIN, BKK or CGK, there’s QR J to BER (and elsewhere) for sub $5k. Sometimes, A$3.5k ish ex BKK.

I have looked at this a lot, but is it really worth it? It costs so much to fly there even economy with a full service airline, let alone business, and with a budget airline it would suck having to do J followed by a coughpy economy product (or the reverse), and a much longer journey and potentially without a lounge on the way back or even there. I also understand QR won't fly their best product to "cheaper" countries in asia anyway, so no chance of qsuites.

I am still curious about this option though, have you done it before, and can you speak to concerns above?

 

[SYD]

I am still curious about this option though, have you done it before, and can you speak to concerns above?

Last year, SYD+1 did QF Y SYD-SIN (return) and QR J SIN-DOH-BER (return). The QR fare was ~A$4.5k (QSuites SIN-DOH). 787 in/out of BER but aren’t they being refurbed also?

Anyway, overnighted in SIN on the way over but flew straight through on way home. Note: QR will through check luggage on seperate PNRs to other OW airlines (maybe even VA now?). You’re still not protected but one less complication if trying to return in one go.

Although slightly higher fare ex SIN, it‘s a convenient stop over point with easy access to / from the airport. Great selection of OW lounges in SIN - especially the QR J lounge.

SYD+1 snagged a points Y-J upgrade on the final QF SIN-SYD leg. Which obviously helped a lot. I’ve been looking to replicate this for us both using points to Asia but there’s been buggerall released for June onwards. Maybe some will appear on Friday.

If you did a stopover in SIN on the way home, perhaps a day flight in SQ helps avoid the red eye. Another option to avoid the red eye on the last leg is fly to PER, overnight before heading east. I did that on points last year (QF SIN-PER-SYD - same points as flying SIN-SYD).

 

[SCM]

Awesome thanks, it would seem maybe CGK is not a bad option, if I add qantas economy, it's around 5.5k total return.

 

[jase05]

Awesome thanks, it would seem maybe CGK is not a bad option, if I add qantas economy, it's around 5.5k total return.

Are you locked into flying with QR only?

 

[SYD]

Are you locked into flying with QR only?

Yes, there’s some interesting AY fares ex-ASIA. Including SIN-HKG-HEL-Euro Port for the SC hungry.

 

[jase05]

Yes, there’s some interesting AY fares ex-ASIA. Including SIN-HKG-HEL-Euro Port for the SC hungry.

EY has some pretty good deals for under $3k from MNL.
If the OP is willing to spend $5.5k and still be in Y for the AU-ASIA legs there is also the option of the AU-EU for around $6k in J all the way with the bulk of it on WY’s excellent product

 

[jordyp123]

If you try from Jakarta you can get it for 4-4.3k

 

[SYD]

So I finally got around to booking my first run to Europe via CGK/DPS.

I’ve been trying to arrange this for months but QF reward seats up and back to Asia in June/July in any class have been as rare as rocking horse poo but managed to find a combo on QF41 Y (with upgrade pending plus overnight stay) and home from DPS via PER (the downside JQ to PER but QF J A330 to SYD - all same day/daytime flights).

I was seeing some AY J fares ex CGK for around A$3.6k via DOH to CPH and/or OSL on combos of QR metal [QSuites] CGK/DPS<->DOH and mainly AY metal to/from CPH/OSL but also some QR options. Which is pretty good if heading that way but not top of the list.

I ended up booking CX since the priority was UK and Spain. Stumbled on CX J CGK-HKG-LHR//MAD-HKG-DPS with good connection times and sensible arrival times. The headline price was ~A$3,950 but booking direct was pricing in IDR but Webjet had the same flights for A$4k (less $150 voucher I got from Latitude 28° and another $75 cash back using AMEX!).

Will stay in Bali for a couple of nights before heading home.

 

[Feka742]

You may already know but if not, be prepared to need to pay the $50 tourist visa on arrival fee in both directions depending on the passport you travel on.

International airside transits aren't typically possible in CGK except when flying Garuda. Usually you'll need to clear immigration into Jakarta, collect luggage, and re-check landside to your onward flight. There used to be an exemption from the visa fee when entering Indonesia for a short transit (less than 48 hours) with proof of onward travel, but this vanished during COVID and hasn't returned.

I've noticed some online resources discussing transit in CGK haven't been updated to reflect the new visa policy settings.

 

[SYD]

You may already know but if not, be prepared to need to pay the $50 tourist visa on arrival fee in both directions depending on the passport you travel on.

International airside transits aren't typically possible in CGK except when flying Garuda. Usually you'll need to clear immigration into Jakarta, collect luggage, and re-check landside to your onward flight. There used to be an exemption from the visa fee when entering Indonesia for a short transit (less than 48 hours) with proof of onward travel, but this vanished during COVID and hasn't returned.

I've noticed some online resources discussing transit in CGK haven't been updated to reflect the new visa policy settings.

Yeah, I read about the cash grab on LL (or elsewhere) although I read here somewhere that it was US$35?

My preference was to transit SIN or BKK. The former I know like the back of hand. I’ll be re-aquatinting myself with BKK later in the year to access the pros and cons as a staging post - if CGK proves problematic.

 

[Feka742]

Yeah, I read about the cash grab on LL (or elsewhere) although I read here somewhere that it was US$35?

My preference was to transit SIN or BKK. The former I know like the back of hand. I’ll be re-aquatinting myself with BKK later in the year to access the pros and cons as a staging post - if CGK proves problematic.

Yep $35 USD is correct. Works out to just over $50 AUD on current exchange. Too many dollars!

Touch wood but in my experience the CGK transit is only marginally more complex than BKK or SIN - certainly worth the savings available in my opinion, with the appropriate mitigations in place for connections on separate tickets.

There are also some excellent accommodation options in close proximity to CGK (e.g., Swissotel PIK) if breaking the journey there. Going against the traffic, this can often be quicker than the MRT from the airport into central Singapore or Bangkok.

All the best with your trip.