Which way J EY/CX to Europe

[LA10]

Firstly, Mods, I am aware that there is currently another active suggestions for F/J to Europe thread, but thought this question is slightly different as it is only J. If required, please merge.

Currently I have Mel – HK (QF) – LHR (CX) booked for next year and AUH – SYD – MEL flight booked for my return. I was planning on buying a Y fare or a QR J award flight from wherever my last stop in Europe is (possible CPH, Stockholm) to AUH, to connect to my AUH award flight.

After reading much about how the CX flight is great for rest/sleep with average J food, I’m thinking of switching my flights to something such as the following. Rest on the way home is important as I’ll be back to work the day after arrival.

Going:
MEL – SYD – AUH – (maybe Doha)
Either EY or possibly then doing QR from DOH to LHR. This will allow me to try QR J and also use the Etihad J lounge at AUH.

Return:
AMS – HK (CX) – MEL (QF)
The flight into HK arrives in the morning and the flight departing HK to MEL (QF) leaves at night, so I have a fairly long wait in HK.


As I am travelling by myself (the joys of being under 30 with no ‘commitments’ yet) and this will be my first return long-haul in J (I’ve only previously done one way J on trips), I want to maximise the J experience. My other option is to keep my existing flights (as above) and just add the Europe (i.e. CPH) - AUH on EY or QR. I guess on the long AUH – SYD sector, I could get time to both enjoy the J experience and sleep.

Any tips, thoughts or things I should consider on whether I should keep the ticketed flights or change to the suggested itinerary above are much appreciated. I know I will have to pay award change fees if I do change. Thanks for much for suggestions.

 

[Kaiser]

You are going through the exact same thought process as myself as I've been looking for a J flight Europe to Aus. For what it's worth - I just booked mine and here's what I came up with after many endless nights of research (and advice from other AFFers).

Going: J redemption via Velocity points converted to Krisflyer on SQ: SYD-SIN-ZUR $475 in YQ/taxes.
Returning: Positioning flight to DOH - Y class QR: MUC-DOH $375
AAdvantage J redemption on CX: DOH-HKG-BNE = $1285 (45,000 miles + taxes)

So a total of $2135p.p Return Australia to Europe in Business on SQ and CX (with a small 5 hr Y flight on QR).

I could have got this down even lower to about $1650 by using my Velocity points to go from BNE-IST on EY for only 110,000 Velocity and $85 taxes.

There were other AAdvantage options for the return leg such as QR/QF: DOH-PER-BNE or QF: DXB-MEL or EY: AUH - BNE.

- the sweet spot for these AAdvantage redemptions is the Middle East/India to Australia zone which is 45000 points for J. Note you are allowed to go via SE Asian hub (SIN,HKG,BKK etc)

Hope this helps.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Return:
AMS – HK (CX) – MEL (QF)
The flight into HK arrives in the morning and the flight departing HK to MEL (QF) leaves at night, so I have a fairly long wait in HK.

I'd be looking to move the HKG-MEL to CX and reducing wait times. I believe the AMS flight arrives about 630am, and CX has a flight to MEl at around 1030am.

Sleep on the AMS-HKG flight, enjoy the lounges in HKG for a couple hours, enjoy a day flight (either sleep or 'enjoy' - up to you).

 

[LA10]

Thanks for the suggestions Kaiser and ​MEL_Traveller.

 

[knasty]

I like to 'enjoy' westbound and sleep eastbound. I am booked on Ey 380 J syd-Lhr and looking forward to a few hours in the bar/lounge area. I really like CX J but social it is not...

 

[scwappy]

Don't think you can go too far wrong with QR, EY or CX. All great in my view. If trying to get the lowest cost (in $ or miles) is unimportant then select a sample based on times and products you may get to experience.

 

[LA10]

Don't think you can go too far wrong with QR, EY or CX. All great in my view. If trying to get the lowest cost (in $ or miles) is unimportant then select a sample based on times and products you may get to experience.

Very true, seem to be great J products.