Last Minute Award Availability to Europe: How to Still Make Euro Summer Happen (2026)

Euro summer is calling, and with airlines no longer releasing award seats in a predictable manner, sometimes checking last minute can pay off. If you still want to fly to Europe and give the Australian winter a miss, you may have some options, especially if you are searching for last-minute award availability.

This guide will provide the different last-minute award availability, including what to avoid and how to have a realistic itinerary through a variety of award programs.

Last minute award availability through the Middle East

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways has last-minute award availability in Business Class from Sydney, Perth and Adelaide to Barcelona and London in late July. However, Qatar is currently listed under Australia’s “Do Not Travel” advisory. Even if you are only transiting Doha, most travel insurance policies will not cover disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.

You can fly from Australia to Europe for 180 000 Avios one-way and ∽$500-600 AUD per person. Most of the Australia-bound flights are operated by the excellent Qsuites.

Emirates

Emirates also shows multiple last-minute Business availability bookable with Qantas Points; however, the same insurance coverage issue applies. A further disadvantage of booking Emirates awards is their exorbitant carrier charges, which are between $1700-1900 AUD per person one-way.

Other last-minute award availability options outside of the ME3

If you prefer to avoid flights through Doha, Dubai or Abu Dhabi, you still have alternatives.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines releases seats with predictability, so it tends to pay off to check early and secure seats at the Saver rate, which uses significantly less points than Advantage or Access awards. Velocity members also have access to these award through the ability to convert Velocity Points to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Miles program.

At the time of writing, the only last-minute award availability is the Access awards, which are between 271,500 and 411,000 miles per person one-way. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend this option.

Virgin Australia has access to Singapore Airlines award seats through their partnership. There is only a smattering of seats available from Singapore to London in late July. The total points and taxes required per person are 104,000 Velocity Points and $351.90, so if you are flexible and don’t mind a cash fare or an Economy award seat to Singapore, this can be a potential option.

Vietnam Airlines

If you have American Express Membership Rewards, you can transfer your Amex rewards to Virgin Atlantic, which opens up the opportunity to travel to Europe via Vietnam Airlines. This is one of the few options that is fully in Business Class and offers a single stop. Virgin Atlantic also has access to other Skyteam partner airlines like KLM and Air France through other Asian cities.

You can fly from Melbourne, Sydney and Perth in Business Class to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh, stop over, and then travel onwards to European cities such as Frankfurt, Munich, Milan, Amsterdam and Paris.

You will require between 160 000-175 000 Virgin Atlantic Miles and ∽$850 AUD in taxes per person one-way.

Oman Air

Oman is covered by travel insurance policies and opens up to a wider range of reward seats. While Oman Air isn’t at the level of Qatar or Emirates, it offers a strong Business Class product with very low taxes and excellent availability. This makes it one of the best options for last-minute availability.

At the time of writing, there is availability in July for 2 people from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore via Oman to London, Paris and Amsterdam. These routes are served by wide-body aircraft.

Points and taxes from Asia to Europe are around 125,000 points to 143,000 Qantas Points per person and under ∽$500 AUD per person.

There is plenty of availability on the return from Europe to Asia in late July and August from the aforementioned cities. Taxes out of Europe are around ∽$500-940 AUD in taxes (the more expensive taxes apply to departing from London due to the APD).

Air France

Air France is a valuable Qantas partner, as it provides direct connectivity from several Asian cities to Paris. The main negative of using Air France is the high carrier taxes.

At the time of writing, there is last-minute award availability in Business class on direct flights from Ho Chi Minh, Shanghai, Bangkok and Hong Kong to Paris. You can connect to other European cities, such as Frankfurt, Zurich, or Amsterdam, for the same number of Points.

You will need between 108,000 and 125,400 Qantas Points and ∽$400-1000 AUD per person. Departing from Shanghai uses fewer Points and is more affordable than other Asian cities.

KLM

KLM provides direct flights to Amsterdam and onward connections with a high-quality Business Class product. Similarly to Air France, their taxes are unfortunately high.

At the time of writing, there is availability in Business Class on direct flights from Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Beijing to Amsterdam. You will require between 108,000 and 125,400 Qantas Points and ∽$750-1,000 AUD in fees and taxes per person one-way.

Getting to Asia and the challenges

One of the common challenges when looking for Business Class availability is finding flights out of Australia. Unfortunately, July is a difficult month to secure Business Class to Asia. However, if you are willing to compromise, you have the following options:

• Pay for a cash fare on a low-cost carrier.
• Redeeming Economy or Premium Economy reward seats to Asia. This is an optimal compromise for outbound flights, as most flights are during the daytime.

There is last-minute award availability in July to Hong Kong and Manila through Qantas’ new partnership with Philippine Airlines. This costs 70,800 Qantas Points and ∽$290-360 AUD in taxes per person.

An itinerary example

Travel dates: 19 July, return 17 August 2026

Option 1: Outbound with Cathay Pacific (Premium Economy) and Air France (Business Class).

Return with Oman Air and Qantas (Business Class)

Total: 435,500 Qantas Points and $2,141.48 AUD per person return.

Option 2: Outbound with Cathay Pacific (Premium Economy) and Oman Air (Business Class)

Return with Oman Air and Qantas (Business Class)

Total: 365,800 Qantas Points and $1,140.58 AUD per person return.

Both options require an overnight in the outbound and return; however, this may be an opportunity to explore a new city and break up the trip in a more enjoyable way.

Option 2 provides exceptional value because it is priced as a Round the World Classic Reward of 365,800 points. You can add internal European flights on Finnair, British Airways or Iberia, provided you follow the 5‑stopover rule.

The change of mindset when booking reward seats

Booking reward seats has become an increasingly complex task that requires flexibility. Of course, the examples just provided aren’t the most desirable or direct routes like Qantas’ Sydney–London via Singapore. However, if you’re willing to fly a high‑quality daytime Premium Economy sector and position yourself to Asia, you can still secure Business Class seats for Euro summer.