Garuda SYD-CGK return $650 Econ, $1200 Business

[gibspmuh]

Just noticed that Garuda has some pretty cheap fares for the new SYD-CGK service they've just commenced. The economy class fares are around $650 return (a bit less on travel.com.au and others no doubt) but more surprisingly is the business class fares for under $1200 return.

Given the new A330-200's feature 74" lie flat beds, it's a tempting choice for the next time I have to head to Jakarta (especially given that up until the most recent sales you were hard pressed to get economy class flights for that price on Qantas ). Fares appear to be on sale until the 30th of September for departures until 4th of December.

 

[futaris]

Extra bonus 600 miles for this, if you credit to Garuda Frequent Flyer.

If you do ever end up taking this, please write a short trip report (with pics) for here / flyertalk...

Redemption rate is ok, but I'd much rather stick to QANTAS or Singapore Airlines. Even Malaysian is another decent option...

NB, Redeeming for Business on QF using AA miles is fairly good value, 35,000/pp each way + taxes.

Seems to be fairly easy to go up the Garuda Tiers though. I suppose it'd be ok if you were regularly travelling outside of CGK...

 

[benhadi]

THis comes as a surprise indeed.

Where do you get the information re: seats etc from? The garuda website is hopeless.

 

[gibspmuh]

THis comes as a surprise indeed.

Where do you get the information re: seats etc from? The garuda website is hopeless.

Agreed that the Garuda website isn't much help. I found info at FIRST LOOK: Garuda Indonesia's new cabin products - Business Traveller Asia in relation to the seats, including a pic of the lay flat seat in the A330-200. I'm sure more pics will pop up soon enough with the flights commencing now though.

 

[futaris]

Flight Review GA 713 Sydney to Jakarta Inaugural Flight Executive Class Sunday 1 August 2009 - etravelblackboard.com
Flight Review GA712 Jakarta to Sydney Executive Class Tuesday 4 August 2009 - etravelblackboard.com

Access to the Qantas Club in SYD.
Has anyone here visited the Garuda Executive Lounge in CGK?

 

[gibspmuh]

Flight Review GA 713 Sydney to Jakarta Inaugural Flight Executive Class Sunday 1 August 2009 - etravelblackboard.com
Flight Review GA712 Jakarta to Sydney Executive Class Tuesday 4 August 2009 - etravelblackboard.com

Access to the Qantas Club in SYD.
Has anyone here visited the Garuda Executive Lounge in CGK?

I haven't had the pleasure unfortunately in CGK, only using the lounge that Qantas uses there (though at least that's been nicely renovated now - but is still just OK) and the Citibank lounge (which was pretty ordinary, but given it was Rp50,000 for entry with a Citibank card, and just buying a drink will set you back around Rp20,000 airside it's an easy choice ).

Sounds like another good reason to try Executive Class.

 

[Spider]

Hi!

Any ideas how much the fare is the other way around? From JKT-SYD?

 

[notzac]

Hi!

Any ideas how much the fare is the other way around? From JKT-SYD?

One way or return?

There's a one-way CGK-SYD D fare available for $1046.59 on a random date later this month, return (CGK-SYD-DPS-CGK) D fare for $1661.18.

 

[pauly7]

Good find.... tempting but not quite enough to gamble my life with Garuda...

 

[zig]

Good find.... tempting but not quite enough to gamble my life with Garuda...

Agreed! Would have to decline, even if the flight were free.

 

[Spider]

One way or return?

There's a one-way CGK-SYD D fare available for $1046.59 on a random date later this month, return (CGK-SYD-DPS-CGK) D fare for $1661.18.

Preferably r/t but one way will do too. What searchengine did you use?

 

[notzac]

Preferably r/t but one way will do too. What searchengine did you use?

I was using a GDS as opposed to an online booking site. Cheap Holidays to Luxury Travel - ZUJI Australia, Your Online Travel Agency is actually showing the $1200 return fare if you're prepared to fly mid-week; it's been a while since I've heard any horror stories regarding using Zuji so that might be worth looking at..

 

[sr81]

Match this fare with a Turkish Airlines flight to IST, CDG, LHR or RIX and you have a pretty cheap way of getting to continental Europe in J.

TK have just started going CGK-IST with a SIN tech stop.

Checking last night it was USD 3027 inc taxes return CGK-IST for random days in March flying their A330. Tack on an extra USD1000 and you can get CGK-IST-JFK return in J on their 777-300 that is being borrowed from Jet Airways and has a very nice J class.

These are fully flexible fares so can't wait for a sale.

 

[franjelley]

do you get lounge access in Sydney, in business class? if so, which lounge?

 

[samh004]

do you get lounge access in Sydney, in business class? if so, which lounge?

As mentioned earlier in the thread:

Flight Review GA 713 Sydney to Jakarta Inaugural Flight Executive Class Sunday 1 August 2009 - etravelblackboard.com

Access to the Qantas Club in SYD.