Finding reasonable award tickets to Europe

[adampenrith]

Hi

Never used points before on Velocity for a big trip, a few domestic flights sure.

So just had a look for May 2016, although we may go later in the year, and one way is looking like 744 000 points.

Leaving SYD for London

Don't really care which airline or route, as long as we can find 2 business seats each way . Don't mind if we get to PRG or CDG or AMS or wherever in Europe and then train it or local flights, don't mind a stop over and don't mind if its via the US either

Currently have 550 000 points so think it should be doable.

So before I go spare and tear out whats left of my hair, can some of the gurus on the forum let me know of any good ways to search , or any hacks that work

Many thanks in Advance

 

[greenfish]

Hi

Never used points before on Velocity for a big trip, a few domestic flights sure.

So just had a look for May 2016, although we may go later in the year, and one way is looking like 744 000 points.

Leaving SYD for London

Don't really care which airline or route, as long as we can find 2 business seats each way . Don't mind if we get to PRG or CDG or AMS or wherever in Europe and then train it or local flights, don't mind a stop over and don't mind if its via the US either

Currently have 550 000 points so think it should be doable.

So before I go spare and tear out whats left of my hair, can some of the gurus on the forum let me know of any good ways to search , or any hacks that work

Many thanks in Advance

Looks to be reasonable availability on Etihad at 125000 points each way per person. Try booking 2 x 1 way tickets. Flying back from London is expensive due to the APD - you can save hundreds of dollars flying from elsewhere in Europe.

 

[adampenrith]

Thanks

My ideal plan is SYD LON - then Paris by train - to Brussels and AMS by train then AMS SYD - so that works.

So is it more expensive to stop over - would I need to book - SYD AUH AUH LHR as two seperate tickets ?

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm not clear if you have to go to London? If you are looking at EY option they fly AUH-CDG; as noted above, its much cheaper to fly out of CDG rather than LHR on the way back. They also code-share with KLM direct to Amsterdam (not sure if this available as an EY award).

Can't help with the 2 separate Award tickets question, sorry, but I doubt if you'll have to 'stop-over' (>24hrs) in AUH. Should be a reasonable connection in AUH.

 

[dajop]

You could transfer to SQ. For 370,000 velocity points you could do a return for two in business to secondary European ports (eg AMS, CPH) ranging to 610,000 for return for two in first to LHR, ZRH, FRA or CDG...

 

[greenfish]

You could transfer to SQ. For 370,000 velocity points you could do a return for two in business to secondary European ports (eg AMS, CPH) ranging to 610,000 for return for two in first to LHR, ZRH, FRA or CDG...

This is a good idea, great value, but really hard to find in peak periods (I've been looking in June, could get rewards to LHR etc, but not to AMS, FCO, CPH etc). Cash component is a bit expensive too.

 

[greenfish]

Thanks

My ideal plan is SYD LON - then Paris by train - to Brussels and AMS by train then AMS SYD - so that works.

So is it more expensive to stop over - would I need to book - SYD AUH AUH LHR as two seperate tickets ?

Generally stopovers will cost if > 24 hours. The cheapest Singapore Airline award tickets (Saver) do not permit stopovers. Your example is correct in terms of the points used.

 

[mark4217]

You will or should easily find 2pax one way J
SYD-AUH-CDG straight off the virgin site. Then try AMS-AUH-SYD on virgin site as your second booking. If flights don't show up on virgin, go to the Etihad site and do a dummy rewards booking and if you see AMS-AUH-SYD ring virgin and they will book it for you over the phone. Also try each segment separately as sometimes the flights won't show as one connection is not available. Then you have to fiddle with the dates, meaning a possible night at AUH.

 

[dajop]

Generally stopovers will cost if > 24 hours. The cheapest Singapore Airline award tickets (Saver) do not permit stopovers. Your example is correct in terms of the points used.

SQ saver tickets permit a single stopover free of charge in one direction (if part of return ticket). Otherwise it is $100 USD a pop.

 

[kevrosmith]

adampenrith, hope you don't me hi-jacking your thread but I've got a few general questions about VA bookings for international EY and SQ reward bookings as well. I've been scattering posts around other threads, but figured I may as well jump on the band-wagon here too. I figure some of my comments/hints may help direct you too.

So I'm focused on getting flights around Wimbledon next year... so figured it's just as easy to use LHR as the destination, though note the comments about other options into European ports (and I'm not against getting the train across to UK either..).

I was hoping to try out EY A380 Apartments, but they seemed to have put a kibosh on releasing F Apartment Reward seats on their A380 (SYD-AUH) and B789 (BNE-AUH) services at the moment.

I've been monitoring EY F reward bookings through the Etihad site, and also SQ Suites through their engine. I can search J options for EY and SQ on the VA site.

Would people agree with my order of preference for the various options:
1. EY A380 First Apartment
2. EY B789 First Suite
3. SQ A380 First Suite
4. EY A380/B789 Business
5. SQ First (777 et al)
6. SQ Business (A380 or 777 et al)
7. EY Business (not A380 or B789)

I've never flown EY or SQ before, my benchmarks for limited international travel are: QF A380 F, QF B744 J and EK A380 & 777 F. Main criteria for me is probably the comfort of the suite/seat for sitting/watching TV/sleeping and service from crew (I guess I expect them to have nice food and drinks in F as a general principle). Have I got any of the above clearly out of order? (e.g. 4 vs. 5)

EY rewards aren't released for my dates yet, while SQ dates are already released. I've got 250K Velocity points, so figure I'll go VA/EY/SQ option one way and use my QF points to get me back somehow (or Vice Versa).

Looking for recommendations re EY options versus SQ options. E.g. there's a SQ A380 First Suite return option on A380 all the way on the date I want to return. Should I be getting my points over to KrisFlyer and booking it immediately, or should I be waiting a couple more weeks until EY availability is open?

Any other comments on whether the new EY Business product is a step ahead and worth trying compared to SQ (non-Suite) First?

 

[greenfish]

SQ saver tickets permit a single stopover free of charge in one direction (if part of return ticket). Otherwise it is $100 USD a pop.

Good to know, I'm a novice with SQ rewards, just been attempting to book one ways with a stopover without luck. So that makes sense.

 

[EUROPA]

Hi

Never used points before on Velocity for a big trip, a few domestic flights sure.

So just had a look for May 2016, although we may go later in the year, and one way is looking like 744 000 points.

Leaving SYD for London

Don't really care which airline or route, as long as we can find 2 business seats each way . Don't mind if we get to PRG or CDG or AMS or wherever in Europe and then train it or local flights, don't mind a stop over and don't mind if its via the US either

Currently have 550 000 points so think it should be doable.

So before I go spare and tear out whats left of my hair, can some of the gurus on the forum let me know of any good ways to search , or any hacks that work

Many thanks in Advance

What you are looking at is the full price J tickets redeemed with points. You need to look for 'Business Reward' seats, 2nd column from the left when searching through velocity site. Harder to find during busy periods but much better value. To travel J on EY to LHR or CDG will cost you 250k points +taxes return PP, much less than what you are seeing now. Your 550k points will be enough for 2x return J to anywhere in europe.

You can stop over in AUH if you like, just book the leg with the stopover as seperate segments i.e SYD-AUH, AUH-LHR/CDG. We always use CDG to depart Europe with EY as it is very easy to get there from anywhere else in Europe, has EY lounge, cheaper taxes, good connections through AUH to SYD and availability with rewards bookings always seems to be better than most other European cities.

 

[dajop]

Good to know, I'm a novice with SQ rewards, just been attempting to book one ways with a stopover without luck. So that makes sense.

Also, whilst you can book return savers with single free stopover ( or one-way standards with free stopover) online, to get the $100 stopovers you need to call, but they usually will still offer the 15% discount as they can't be booked online.

 

[Pele]

adampenrith, hope you don't me hi-jacking your thread but I've got a few general questions about VA bookings for international EY and SQ reward bookings as well. I've been scattering posts around other threads, but figured I may as well jump on the band-wagon here too. I figure some of my comments/hints may help direct you too.

So I'm focused on getting flights around Wimbledon next year... so figured it's just as easy to use LHR as the destination, though note the comments about other options into European ports (and I'm not against getting the train across to UK either..).

I was hoping to try out EY A380 Apartments, but they seemed to have put a kibosh on releasing F Apartment Reward seats on their A380 (SYD-AUH) and B789 (BNE-AUH) services at the moment.

I've been monitoring EY F reward bookings through the Etihad site, and also SQ Suites through their engine. I can search J options for EY and SQ on the VA site.

Would people agree with my order of preference for the various options:
1. EY A380 First Apartment
2. EY B789 First Suite
3. SQ A380 First Suite
4. EY A380/B789 Business
5. SQ First (777 et al)
6. SQ Business (A380 or 777 et al)
7. EY Business (not A380 or B789)

I've never flown EY or SQ before, my benchmarks for limited international travel are: QF A380 F, QF B744 J and EK A380 & 777 F. Main criteria for me is probably the comfort of the suite/seat for sitting/watching TV/sleeping and service from crew (I guess I expect them to have nice food and drinks in F as a general principle). Have I got any of the above clearly out of order? (e.g. 4 vs. 5)

EY rewards aren't released for my dates yet, while SQ dates are already released. I've got 250K Velocity points, so figure I'll go VA/EY/SQ option one way and use my QF points to get me back somehow (or Vice Versa).

Looking for recommendations re EY options versus SQ options. E.g. there's a SQ A380 First Suite return option on A380 all the way on the date I want to return. Should I be getting my points over to KrisFlyer and booking it immediately, or should I be waiting a couple more weeks until EY availability is open?

Any other comments on whether the new EY Business product is a step ahead and worth trying compared to SQ (non-Suite) First?

Gday

Mate i havent flown all of them but i would switch around 5 and 4 on your list.

Pele.

 

[Ben6]

adampenrith, hope you don't me hi-jacking your thread but I've got a few general questions about VA bookings for international EY and SQ reward bookings as well. I've been scattering posts around other threads, but figured I may as well jump on the band-wagon here too. I figure some of my comments/hints may help direct you too.

So I'm focused on getting flights around Wimbledon next year... so figured it's just as easy to use LHR as the destination, though note the comments about other options into European ports (and I'm not against getting the train across to UK either..).

I was hoping to try out EY A380 Apartments, but they seemed to have put a kibosh on releasing F Apartment Reward seats on their A380 (SYD-AUH) and B789 (BNE-AUH) services at the moment.

I've been monitoring EY F reward bookings through the Etihad site, and also SQ Suites through their engine. I can search J options for EY and SQ on the VA site.

Would people agree with my order of preference for the various options:
1. EY A380 First Apartment
2. EY B789 First Suite
3. SQ A380 First Suite
4. EY A380/B789 Business
5. SQ First (777 et al)
6. SQ Business (A380 or 777 et al)
7. EY Business (not A380 or B789)

I've never flown EY or SQ before, my benchmarks for limited international travel are: QF A380 F, QF B744 J and EK A380 & 777 F. Main criteria for me is probably the comfort of the suite/seat for sitting/watching TV/sleeping and service from crew (I guess I expect them to have nice food and drinks in F as a general principle). Have I got any of the above clearly out of order? (e.g. 4 vs. 5)

EY rewards aren't released for my dates yet, while SQ dates are already released. I've got 250K Velocity points, so figure I'll go VA/EY/SQ option one way and use my QF points to get me back somehow (or Vice Versa).

Looking for recommendations re EY options versus SQ options. E.g. there's a SQ A380 First Suite return option on A380 all the way on the date I want to return. Should I be getting my points over to KrisFlyer and booking it immediately, or should I be waiting a couple more weeks until EY availability is open?

Any other comments on whether the new EY Business product is a step ahead and worth trying compared to SQ (non-Suite) First?

I think to accurately pinpoint your choice, you need to rank what it is MOST important to you when rating your priority list. I have flown SQ First (not Suites) and EY Business, so it's opinion only but I see SQ and a more old fashioned grander style, with EY a more modern look and feel. Singapore has the better F&B and overall service quality but EY has the Limo service (even for redemption seats) and a wonderful first class lounge in AUH. SQ has the TPR in Changi but it matches my previous comments, older and stuffier but exclusive feeling, over EY's modern, slick and a nice back/shoulder massage option.

Personally I would try to experience both airlines (one each way), but I would def put SQ First ahead of EY Business due to my love of excellent French Champagne (Dom and Krug), Caviar, etc

 

[kevrosmith]

I think to accurately pinpoint your choice, you need to rank what it is MOST important to you when rating your priority list. I have flown SQ First (not Suites) and EY Business, so it's opinion only but I see SQ and a more old fashioned grander style, with EY a more modern look and feel. Singapore has the better F&B and overall service quality but EY has the Limo service (even for redemption seats) and a wonderful first class lounge in AUH. SQ has the TPR in Changi but it matches my previous comments, older and stuffier but exclusive feeling, over EY's modern, slick and a nice back/shoulder massage option.

Personally I would try to experience both airlines (one each way), but I would def put SQ First ahead of EY Business due to my love of excellent French Champagne (Dom and Krug), Caviar, etc

Gday

Mate i havent flown all of them but i would switch around 5 and 4 on your list.

Pele.

Thanks for the comments/suggestions: very helpful.

Now for a slightly different tack:
I've managed to secure SQ F/Suites on the return journey, LHR-SIN-SYD (A380/B777), and am happy enough with that (missed out on A380 all the way).

For the outbound, on the days I wanted, I was able to secure a QF Reward, but it is:
1. CX BNE-HKG A330 J
2. CX HKG-LHR B777 F

Being an "I" redemption, I'm paying full F redemption rates, even though the first sector is J: 199K + $175. It's a midnight departure from BNE and 8:30pm arrival into LHR.

There's an EY redemption on the same night:
1. EY BNE-AUH B789 J
2. EY AUH-LHR A380 J

Departs BNE at 9:30pm, and gets into LHR 1pm. 125K Velocity points + $86.

Seems better value, but would people choose EY J (on the B789 and A380) over CX J/F combination? I've never flown either CX or EY.

 

[RAM]

Thanks for the comments/suggestions: very helpful.

Now for a slightly different tack:
I've managed to secure SQ F/Suites on the return journey, LHR-SIN-SYD (A380/B777), and am happy enough with that (missed out on A380 all the way).

For the outbound, on the days I wanted, I was able to secure a QF Reward, but it is:
1. CX BNE-HKG A330 J
2. CX HKG-LHR B777 F

Being an "I" redemption, I'm paying full F redemption rates, even though the first sector is J: 199K + $175. It's a midnight departure from BNE and 8:30pm arrival into LHR.

There's an EY redemption on the same night:
1. EY BNE-AUH B789 J
2. EY AUH-LHR A380 J

Departs BNE at 9:30pm, and gets into LHR 1pm. 125K Velocity points + $86.

Seems better value, but would people choose EY J (on the B789 and A380) over CX J/F combination? I've never flown either CX or EY.

Personally I would go for the B789 vs the A330 experience - especially if you haven't flown on the B787 yet. Better flight 'comfort' with the pressurisation and a much newer plane (from wear & tear perspective in addition to 'comfort').

Also the A380 vs B777 - again I'd prefer the EY plane (similar reasoning to above). Trade-off the First experience for the benefit of EY's joint business seating.

I may be out-of-date (haven't seen the J A380 yet) but on the B777 for EY the middle business seats were ideal for couples/friends.

While the window seats were totally 'solo' private and each had its own entrance - no mixing with your neighbour getting in or out. Found EY J service & food through to Europe very good (too good in some ways - bottomless bowl of hot cashews = easy but pleasurable weight gain)

 

[kevrosmith]

Personally I would go for the B789 vs the A330 experience - especially if you haven't flown on the B787 yet. Better flight 'comfort' with the pressurisation and a much newer plane (from wear & tear perspective in addition to 'comfort').

Also the A380 vs B777 - again I'd prefer the EY plane (similar reasoning to above). Trade-off the First experience for the benefit of EY's joint business seating.

I may be out-of-date (haven't seen the J A380 yet) but on the B777 for EY the middle business seats were ideal for couples/friends.


While the window seats were totally 'solo' private and each had its own entrance - no mixing with your neighbour getting in or out. Found EY J service & food through to Europe very good (too good in some ways - bottomless bowl of hot cashews = easy but pleasurable weight gain)

Thanks for your comments. Always helpful to hear other people's thoughts.

I did go ahead and book the EY redemption as well, and I'll choose which one I will take later on, and cancel the other. Only a small points penalty. Another option may turn up on EY F or QF or EK later on, and then I can work out which option I want to choose.

 

[adampenrith]

Thanks everyone for your advice, when we were finally able to take advantage of this, when my leave was allocated for 2016, we could find nothing available on VA, nothing on EY, Delta was thru the roof, so we ended up settling for SQ Saver awards, so SYD SIN 18 hr transit overnight so we get the benefit, SIN LHR , then when we wanted to return nothing out of most European ports, so a choice of FRA or ZRH - we took ZRH SIN 18 hr stopover, and SIN SYD all in J.

We are happy with the stopevers as my bh as back problems and that gives him the chance to stretch it out, walk it off or sleep it off. Selected our seats - and naturally only 1 leg had any other J pax already allocated.

Great when we can use the points if we can find the seats. (mind you we had a bill of $1900 for taxes and surcharges) but its a $16500 fare we paid $1900 for so not complaining

 

[ScottO]

You can forget getting replicated benefits at all flying with Velocity's partner airlines. The systems are isolated and you cant select seats despite the benefit listed on the VA website, plus the airlines themselves do not seem to recognise a VA Velocity +Gold Partner as a preferred level. Twice now, one in USA and just yesterday in London Heathrow, partner airlines have refused me access to their lounge as they did not even know who VA was let alone Velocity and Gold Status ! Both times I was turned away at the lounge door despite me showing them the reciprocal benefits on the VA website. Enough is enough. Its embarrassing to be treated like a loser partner member rather than a preferred flyer and being told I am not worthy. I am moving my business back to Qantas. AT least their partners are keen for QFF flyers