Best route: HBA-HKG

[Chuq]

Hi everyone,

I may be heading to Hong Kong in August, and although I have done a bit of work identifying the best route/price, I thought I would turn to the experts

Being in Hobart, there is always the added complication of which other state capital to fly to first.

I'm a Velocity member so I'd like to stick to VA + partners if possible. The travel will be funded ex-MEL/SYD onwards up to a reasonable limit (about $1100).

My options:
(1) VA to Melbourne (HBA-MEL - $140 return), AK/D7 the remainder (MEL-KUL-HKG - $927 return + luggage fees)
(2) VA the entire way (HBA-MEL - $140 return, MEL-SIN-HKG - $970 return) - some legs on SQ

It hardly looks like the "budget" AirAsia is much cheaper? Am I missing something?

It also seems that some cheaper SQ fare classes do not earn Velocity points, so if I could route through PER I guess that would give me more miles on VA flights?

Keen to earn as many SCs as possible too (without making the flight time ridiculously long of course).

I'm preferring option 2 above at the moment but keen to hear from the experts!

 

[eastwest101]

Hi everyone,

I may be heading to Hong Kong in August, and although I have done a bit of work identifying the best route/price, I thought I would turn to the experts

Being in Hobart, there is always the added complication of which other state capital to fly to first.

I'm a Velocity member so I'd like to stick to VA + partners if possible. The travel will be funded ex-MEL/SYD onwards up to a reasonable limit (about $1100).

My options:
(1) VA to Melbourne (HBA-MEL - $140 return), AK/D7 the remainder (MEL-KUL-HKG - $927 return + luggage fees)
(2) VA the entire way (HBA-MEL - $140 return, MEL-SIN-HKG - $970 return) - some legs on SQ

It hardly looks like the "budget" AirAsia is much cheaper? Am I missing something?

It also seems that some cheaper SQ fare classes do not earn Velocity points, so if I could route through PER I guess that would give me more miles on VA flights?

Keen to earn as many SCs as possible too (without making the flight time ridiculously long of course).

I'm preferring option 2 above at the moment but keen to hear from the experts!

Edit Sorry: Just saw August dates then.

Using Skyscanner and looking at:

MEL-HKG I can see cheapest is Vietnam Airlines VN or Malaysian Airlines MH from $708-$730 return (beware of horrible connection times and fare classes not earning SC, MH may earn QFF SCs so no help for you and VN also a bit of an orphan due to crediting to SkyTeam)
You are right - I can also see MEL-HKG on VA and VA codeshare for about $950 so pretty similar to what you have found (beware of non earning fare classes on SQ).

SYD-HKG prices maybe a little better and opens up the possibility of Virgin Atlantic VS (not sure of earn) and Singapore Airlines SQ (again watch out for earn).

I have assumed that SC earning is the most important to you and that earning Velocity points is not so important. I have also ignored that transfer from International to domestic in Australia is a lot easier/more convenient in Melbourne airport than at Sydney airport. I have also ignored that you are in Hobart sorry - so connection flights HBA-MEL or HBA-SYD could cramp your options.

Maybe more of an expert here will be able to say whether booking VA, SQ or VS will get you more SC if you are determined to stay in the Velocity SC earning world....

But your Option 2 passes my sanity test provided you do earn the SC's

 

[Chuq]

Do you have a timeframe? Tomorrow, in April or next year???

August, first line of post Specifically August 6th-12th, approx.

 

[ftm]

I'd buy all flights the whole way, all on the one ticket rather than buy a separate HBA-MEL-MEL ticket. That looks after any potential problems should something run late, you can through check your bags etc. On the 6-12th dates there are various VA/VS or VA/SQ options sub $1200 return mark, ex-HBA.

 

[support]

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