Best time to book SYD-LHR for Christmas 2006

[soh]

I'm heading to the UK for a white Christmas this year. Plan to leave Sydney around 15 December 2006 and fly home some time close to 10 January 2007. This trip will give me enough QFF for a free return flight next time so keen to stick to Qantas unless the extra cost over other airlines exceeds the points benefit. The website is quoting around $2500 all up and many of the agents are telling me to hold off until the end of March. Will be booking with ANZ FF Visa.

Can anyone offer any advice on when to book, who to book through (assuming direct with Qantas??) and what flight combinations/planes are the best option. Unfortunately will be struggling along in economy..

 

[Dave Noble]

I would suggest booking as early as possible for that period

QF is not the cheapest by far; base fare with QF starts at AUD2186 + 403 while GF cheaper at AUD1747 + AUD340 taxes plus if you need to cancel charge AUD110 instead of AUD550

Are the FF miles worth AUD502?

Dave

 

[Maca44]

Will be booking with ANZ FF Visa.

Just remember that if you are using a gold ANZ FF Visa you only get 1:1 up to $2500, and then 1 point for every $2 spent after that. The blue card is worse, earning 1:1 up to $1500, and then 1 point for every $2.

 

[serfty]

Will be booking with ANZ FF Visa.

Just remember that if you are using a gold ANZ FF Visa you only get 1:1 up to $2500, and then 1 point for every $2 spent after that. The blue card is worse, earning 1:1 up to $1500, and then 1 point for every $2.

True, however, if the booking is made and paid to Qantas with an ANZ Qantas FF visa card, there is an additional bonus point per $. So, in the case of the Blue Card, the $2,500 fare will earn up to 4,500 FF points (1,500 @1/1, 500 at 1/2 and 2,500 bonus.), the Gold Card up to 5,000 points.

 

[soh]

Have the gold card so if go with Qantas will be looking at 5000 points including the 'bonus' If I decide on another airline will probably go through flight centre as they have the same 100% 'partner' bonus points with ANZ if I remember correctly.

I'm interested to know if $2500 is the best I am likely to get for that time of year with Qantas or is it usually reduced for a short period at the end of March as many of the agents are telling me?

I'm also struggling to get firm prices and dates for many of the other airlines such as Emirates, Malaysian, Singapore and JAL through agents or even direct. Is there something obvious I'm missing here?

 

[serfty]

... Is there something obvious I'm missing here?

No, $2500 appears to be the standard price without any sale or specials being available. Currently with Qantas, the last a sale is available for is the "Earlybird Sale which is only valid for departures up to 2nd December.

The dates you are looking at are really too close to the Christmas Peak.

In a month or two, there may be some sales valid for the dates you want, but I doubt they would save you much.

You might consider, departing earlier, say 2nd December, perhaps coming back earlier as well? You can get fares (with QF) for around $1900.

 

[markis10]

Have a look at the current special available ex Singapore:


Sat 16 Dec 06 23:20 Singapore 05:30 (Sun) London QF9 1 Value


Tue 09 Jan 07 21:45 London 18:20 (Wed) Singapore QF320 4 Value



Total Price*
Price Passengers Total Price
$1290.00 x 1 adult = $1290.00
$1290.00 (SGD)


That locks in your London leg at $1000AUD return and then you oonly need to find a deal on the Aust-Sin leg later in the year (and you get your QF bonus points)

 

[soh]

Booking from Singapore looks like a pretty good option at around A$1000 rtn to LHR. I take it Qantas are likely to have a global sale later in the year for the Sydney to Singapore leg as it currently stands at around A$1400 return for the days I am looking at?

I know the time of year makes things very difficult but I've only got a few days leeway either side.

 

[BlacKnox]

That locks in your London leg at $1000AUD return and then you oonly need to find a deal on the Aust-Sin leg later in the year (and you get your QF bonus points)

Consider that SYD-DRW-SIN or SYD-PER-SIN maybe cheaper than SYD-SIN direct (splitting the ticket; whilst improving QF FFPs). If you haven't already done so, a good place to start is www.bestflights.com.au for alternative pricing.

 

[Dave Noble]

I know the time of year makes things very difficult but I've only got a few days leeway either side.

Given your lack of flexibility on dates that you have, I would personally book something sooner rather than later depending on how much of a gambler you are. Sales may occur ( but I wouldnt be betting on it for xmas period ) but you may end up with a much higher fare

Dave

 

[BlacKnox]

Given your lack of flexibility on dates that you have, I would personally book something sooner rather than later depending on how much of a gambler you are. Sales may occur ( but I wouldnt be betting on it for xmas period ) but you may end up with a much higher fare

Dave

And much higher fuel fines. QF noted recently they didn't expect these to increase in the immediate future but this is also a gamble.

 

[Dave Noble]

And much higher fuel fines. QF noted recently they didn't expect these to increase in the immediate future but this is also a gamble.

True. Is there actually such a thing as "Immediate Future" though

Dave

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Exactly - doesnt mean a thing. They could put them up next week, and claim at the time we made the statement we didnt envisage putting them up - but now we see a "need". :roll:

 

[danielh]

Don't forget that if you use a CC then you pay a few extra % points for those FF points.

You would hope that Qantas will remove the % increase for the Qantas AmEx card in the hopes of increasing more bookings through it.

Regards
Daniel