Booking QF on EK then MS metal

[RSD]

I'm looking at a trip MEL - HRG and return in early June, it will be on Emirates metal MEL - DXB - CAI then EgyptAir CAI - HRG. I want to book via the QF website so as I get SC's and my 30kg QFF Gold checked baggage allowance but the QFF website doesn't recognise HRG so it will only let me book as far as CAI. Any suggestions on how best to resolve this to get the baggage allowance all the way through (and back again) and the SC's? I presume if I am booked all the way through in each direction then EgyptAir would recognise the 30kg baggage allowance?

 

[MrJetset]

MS is *A. You will not earn any SCs or points on their sectors.

You’ll have to use a TA to put this all on one ticket. OTAs will work, too.

You should also note that you’ll have to change terminals at CAI which involves walking outside between the two.

 

[RSD]

MS is *A. You will not earn any SCs or points on their sectors.

You’ll have to use a TA to put this all on one ticket. OTAs will work, too.

You should also note that you’ll have to change terminals at CAI which involves walking outside between the two.

Cheers! Its been so long since I've booked anything with even a remote degree of complication like this - normally it is QF to somewhere stateside with codeshare connections on AA.

 

[madrooster]

QF don't publish fares for MEL-HRG so it'd need to be done as separate tickets in the same PNR by a TA as MEL/CAI and CAI/HRG.

On a related note, CAI-HRG is a route that's currently not operating, so doing a QF ticket + MS ticket on the same PNR would potentially result in you having 2 tickets to refund in the event MS don't bring CAI-HRG back. MS have been a pain in the rear for refunds too.

 

[RSD]

QF don't publish fares for MEL-HRG so it'd need to be done as separate tickets in the same PNR by a TA as MEL/CAI and CAI/HRG.

On a related note, CAI-HRG is a route that's currently not operating, so doing a QF ticket + MS ticket on the same PNR would potentially result in you having 2 tickets to refund in the event MS don't bring CAI-HRG back. MS have been a pain in the rear for refunds too.

Oh Hell! I wasn't aware that CAI-HRG wasn't operating - due to COVID or another reason? 7 hours on a bus each way - aaaaargh!! Brings back PTSD flashbacks of living there in the 80's!

MS being a pain for refunds - are they just working on Egyptian time or ?

 

[MrJetset]

CAI-HRG is indeed operating with 4 direct flights a day.

Personally, we always book MS separately and try to allow for 2-3 hours connection time.

You could also book Meet & Assist who will whisk you from your arrival aircraft to the VIP terminal and private lounges while they process your formalities, retrieve your luggage than escort you to MS domestic check in. See VIP Service - meet & assist cairo airport arrival departure

 

[RSD]

CAI-HRG is indeed operating with 4 direct flights a day.

Personally, we always book MS separately and try to allow for 2-3 hours connection time.

You could also book Meet & Assist who will whisk you from your arrival aircraft to the VIP terminal and private lounges while they process your formalities, retrieve your luggage than escort you to MS domestic check in. See VIP Service - meet & assist cairo airport arrival departure

OK cheers! Booking MS separately - how do you go with getting MS to recognise FF baggage allowances from other airlines? My QFF Gold allowance of 30kg will be important for this trip.

 

[MrJetset]

Just book domestic business MS, it’s cheap, and you’ll get 32Kgs plus lounge access (it’s tiny but has drinks and and snacks).

You’ll also have a separate bus to and from the aircraft.

 

[RSD]

Just book domestic business MS, it’s cheap, and you’ll get 32Kgs plus lounge access (it’s tiny but has drinks and and snacks).

You’ll also have a separate bus to and from the aircraft.

Cheers! Just spotted something interesting - Emirates now uses the piece baggage system (like QF and other airlines to the U.S.) for flights into Africa including Cairo - so that is 2x 23kg in economy - and if EK gave me a status match for my QF Gold then that would get me another 23kg piece... hmmm

 

[madrooster]

CAI-HRG is indeed operating with 4 direct flights a day.

I was looking in the wrong schedule last night, I can confirm they are indeed operating.

OK cheers! Booking MS separately - how do you go with getting MS to recognise FF baggage allowances from other airlines? My QFF Gold allowance of 30kg will be important for this trip.

MS won't recognise FF allowances from anyone but star alliance. The standard QF allowance is 30kg, so QF gold gets you +16kg on EK.

Cheers! Just spotted something interesting - Emirates now uses the piece baggage system (like QF and other airlines to the U.S.) for flights into Africa including Cairo - so that is 2x 23kg in economy - and if EK gave me a status match for my QF Gold then that would get me another 23kg piece... hmmm

Beware that booking EK codes means no QF SCs.

 

[RSD]

MS won't recognise FF allowances from anyone but star alliance. The standard QF allowance is 30kg, so QF gold gets you +16kg on EK.

OK so QF Gold gets me 46kg on Emirates anyway - just calculated a different way - good to know as I wasn't aware that QF Gold gave an additional 16kg allowance on a QF fare booked on EK metal - thanks!