Booking Outward and Inward on separate Reward Bookings

[burmans]

That's quite incorrect. Fuel fines are loaded based on point of origin and fuel fines originating elsewhere can be more expensive than AU fuel fines. The UK is a good example... it's notably cheaper to do SYD-LHR-SYD as an award, than it is to do SYD-LHR + LHR-SYD.

Similarly, having an award starting in AU on JL eg. SYD-NRT-JFK and back, incurs almost nil fuel fines. Whereas if you book this as SYD-NRT-JFK + JFK-NRT-SYD you would get hit with much more notable fuel fines.

Isn't that what he said? It was taxes he said were fixed, despite the airlines attempts to categorise them as the same fuel surcharges are definitely NOT taxes.

 

[cjd600]

I think the vibe of the message is that the ++ $$ on 2 x one ways vs a return can be far greater.
No need for debate on charges vs taxes within that ++$$ in this scenario.
Bottom line is it costs less in ++$$ to book return, in a lot of cases, especially Ex-Australia, than to book 2 one ways.
Which was the original question re benefits of booking one way or the other.

 

[offshore171]

However I can't select Malta - Mel as a return flight.
I am not sure if it something to do with Qantas not flying there, but the strange thing is i can do a return flight from Vienna

Malta isn’t exactly a trunk route, so I’m not surprised. What I’d do is book your return from somewhere like Rome, and just use a budget carrier for the short flight from Malta to Rome.

($100 or so)

 

[Craig O'Brien]

Yeah, I think using Rome is probably easier. I did a test dummp run in economy and the taxes for return were $1726.94 whilst the one way was $797.64 + 604.91 Euro which worked to $932.054 Aus. Therefore the total was $1729.694 so almost the same. I know that the exchange rate will not be exactly how it is on XE, but it isn't a massive difference.

 

[travelislife]

That's quite incorrect. Fuel fines are loaded based on point of origin and fuel fines originating elsewhere can be more expensive than AU fuel fines. The UK is a good example... it's notably cheaper to do SYD-LHR-SYD as an award, than it is to do SYD-LHR + LHR-SYD.

Similarly, having an award starting in AU on JL eg. SYD-NRT-JFK and back, incurs almost nil fuel fines. Whereas if you book this as SYD-NRT-JFK + JFK-NRT-SYD you would get hit with much more notable fuel fines.

What is incorrect about my statement? I have openly said the 'fuel fines' can and may be different when book individually vs as a return, exactly in line with what you have said?

I have stated that the 'taxes' are identical. Fuel fines are not taxes. Taxes are generally considered the government and airport charges levied on outgoing passengers.

The issue grouping them altogether is that every FF programme treats fuel fines differently. Where taxes should always be identical based on airport code regardless of airline.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

What is incorrect about my statement? I have openly said the 'fuel fines' can and may be different when book individually vs as a return, exactly in line with what you have said?

I have stated that the 'taxes' are identical. Fuel fines are not taxes. Taxes are generally considered the government and airport charges levied on outgoing passengers.

The issue grouping them altogether is that every FF programme treats fuel fines differently. Where taxes should always be identical based on airport code regardless of airline.

Irrespective of whether the monies charged on top of the points required are classified as fuel fines or taxes the issue is how much the average Joe will have to pony up.

Say you were happy to fly AU to HKG return in whY on a sale fare then fly J ex HKG to Europe and back, most itineraries eg HKG CX BCN (surface) ZRH EK x/DXB EK HKG incurred taxes of AUD120.00 pp as the whole ticket is being issued in HKG and thus exempt from the YQ fuel surcharge. Try looking at the above as two one ways and if ZRH/xDXB/HKG was on a separate ticket you'll get hit with the YQ surcharge.

By all means fly into LHR but avoid flying out if at all possible to avoid the hefty APD taxes.

 

[serfty]

Just to note it's a common mistake to lump all taxes/levies/surcharges on a booking as 'taxes'; IMHO this should be avoided.

I'm sure Qantas prefers this to continue to occur however.

I generally use the +++ method to lump taxes/levies/surcharges together and unless I am specifically referring to mandated government charges then I definitely do not use the term "taxes".

It is interesting to note the for ex OZ award bookings to the USA, Qantas make available a break down of the +++ during the booking process. They do not do this for bookings with travel originating in the USA.

 

[mrsterryn]

Thanks for asking this. I was wondering if to book award seats asap or wait.
I think I would prefer to book when available and wear possible additional costs

 

[Remo]

Hi all

First time user, I have a similar question. Looking at traveling to Hawaii May 2019 but options for Business class seem limited (unless you want to fly via China or Fiji) Would appreciate any suggestions. Cheers

 

[rock86]

Hi all

First time user, I have a similar question. Looking at traveling to Hawaii May 2019 but options for Business class seem limited (unless you want to fly via China or Fiji) Would appreciate any suggestions. Cheers

This has popped up a few times I've seen on the forum and as I remember, with Hawaii unless you are WP or SG then you have just about buckley's chance of getting a direct J award seat on QF - you will probably have to fly via an Asian port.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Hi all

First time user, I have a similar question. Looking at traveling to Hawaii May 2019 but options for Business class seem limited (unless you want to fly via China or Fiji) Would appreciate any suggestions. Cheers

Business Class seats on QF3/QF4 SYD/HNL/SYD are notoriously hard to get as award seats at the time of booking, even more so since the 332 a/c EBG & EBL with the 36/199 config with the Mark1 Skybed don't do the HNL run as much now other 332s with the 28/239 config with the new J suites are on this run.

You could either book paid Saver fares in whY and do a points upgrade request to Business Class for 60K points pp each way. We have done a Saver fare outbound and upgraded on points for the overnight flight outbound then just booked a Sale fare on the return (non-upgradeable) and just put up with whY for the day flight.

QF are operated the 744 on the HNL run early next year, at least Janurary to April in 2019 and had a sale recently where you could fly return in PE for AUD1,499.00 pp return or J for AUD2,999.00 pp return which is a bargain IMHO. You could do J outbound & PE inbound for AUD,2250.00 pp return. Not sure what the current (non-sale fare) is right now.

Do you have any ff points with VA? If so, you could do a partner award on HA ex SYD or BNE and the taxes are way lower than QF. The NAB has a Velocity freq flyer card and has had some good sign up points bonuses in the past. If you have an Amex Plat charge card you can also transfer your Amex points to Velocity.

 

[Remo]

Thanks Ozbeachbabe &rock86, I assumed as much with QF, any thoughts on Jestar busn?