BNE to LHR Best options?

[ozjuice]

I'm trying to work out the best way to maximise a family pooling flight i have to book for my wife - BNE - LHR economy return in October.

Can anyone offer their advice on what would be the best option? The SC's will be important for next year to maintain VA Gold. Does booking VA or Singapore make any difference for example?

Any ideas or info would be appreciated.

 

[bgough]

I would ordinarily fly with a VA code share Singapore Air (SQ) flight by virtue their Flexi fares are much cheaper than flying with Etihad (EY) code share. Looking mid-week in October there's a ~$200 difference between SQ and EY.

BNE -> SIN 60SC
SIN -> LHR 80SC

Two people, return is a nice 560SC which is far more than your 400 to keeping gold. If you've already got ~120SC then you could save some money and go a normal VA saver fair (280SC).

The SC should be the same no matter who you fly with. If you go with SQ you'll get an A330 out of Brisbane and your choice of A380 / 777-300ER to LHR. Where as if you flew EY you get a new 787-900 and a mix of A380 / 777-300ER.

I always get a spreadsheet going, Google the air miles and compare to the Velocity SC table

 

[ozjuice]

Thanks for your reply.
I actually went ahead and booked direct with SQ on their website.
It's her birthday so i splashed out for her and got her an exit seat in economy (No PE) on the BNE - SIN Legs and PE from SIN - LHR. The good thing was it was not only cheaper than VA but i booked all seats then and there so guaranteed exit seats. Also i am sure that the saver fares may not be what you get with SQ on economy so should get 60SC's for that short leg and the SIN - LHR will be 120 SC's there and back. So all up should get 360 SC's. She didn't seem to like EY last time.
Already have MLB and LAX flights booked so may even be heading VA Plat soon. ;-)

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

If seat selection is important, book with the SQ website, and enter either your VA FF # or SQ KF # if you have it.
This allows seat selection from the booking stage straight off.
This is one of the things that irks me with the VA alliance, not only with SQ but also with NZ.
If you book with VA flight number, though you do get the status bonus, your favourite seat could be taken by someone else who has either booked direct, or checked in before you.
VA also will not do OLCI for international flights, SQ will though.
With the booking under the SQ booking, while you loose with some points, you gain with others.
SQ might even give you that "free" tour if they have it of Singapore. (((Thought they might have stopped it by now))).
Edit: just noticed you have already booked.
Take the Singapore city or night tour if they offer it to you.

 

[subichow]

And claim your Changi dollars.. Free money!

 

[Lemon_Party]

VA also will not do OLCI for international flights, SQ will though.

It is possible to check in online on SQ website for a VA codeshare, but you need the corresponding ticket number or PNR in SQ system, not the one issued by VA. For work trips I've been able to request this from our travel agent. I've not tested it outside of SQ bookings though.