Business reward with SG - huge cost?

[Bakks]

I'm looking to travel back from Europe in July next year. Unfortunately I can't find anything in business class available for two people from Europe, but I can from Dubai which is good enough. I can fly Dubai > Singapore > Perth with Singapore Airlines.

If I book through Velocity it is 204,200 points for both of us (no fees), but if I book through KrisFlyer it is 125,000 points (which is favourable given the 1:1.35 conversion rate), BUT I need to pay $2,170 in fees! Is this normal?!

The other strange thing is the Virgin website states that travel between Dubai Airport and Singapore will be via bus (rightio....).

 

[rtyuiop]

Sounds about normal, although I'm a touch surprised the fees are quite that high just to Dubai. Certainly if you fly out of LHR (or with Etihad!) that level of fee would be about right.

The general rule is that going via VFF will have lower fees but potentially higher points use, going direct via SQ may have high fees but lower point usage - particularly if you can use the online booking discount.

 

[BriarFlyer]

if I book through KrisFlyer it is 125,000 points (which is favourable given the 1:1.35 conversion rate), BUT I need to pay $2,170 in fees! Is this normal?!

That does sound high. We've booked LHR-SYD in first and the fees were less than $1,500. And that's with the UK departure tax.

 

[BriarFlyer]

I've checked this out and the fees are quoted in local currency, so it's 106,250 KF miles (with online discount) and AED2,170. Circa $AU800.

 

[Bakks]

I've checked this out and the fees are quoted in local currency, so it's 106,250 KF miles (with online discount) and AED2,170. Circa $AU800.

Thanks for that - that makes a bit more sense! 75,000 points or $800, hrmmmm!

 

[clipped_wings]

bus=biz? As in class?

 

[Bakks]

bus=biz? As in class?

No, literally bus.

"Please Note: Travel will be by Bus between Dubai Bus Station and Singapore"

 

[777]

No, literally bus.

"Please Note: Travel will be by Bus between Dubai Bus Station and Singapore"

99% sure its an error created by the partnership with etihad. EY offer Dubai as a destination linked by an hour or so on a bus from Abu Dhabi.

Probably a glitch in the system but if the travel time is several weeks its either the adventure of a lifetime or a crazy inconvenience.

 

[Bakks]

Of course it's a glitch in the system, amusing none the less. Would hate to book it and then have an issue though!

Luckily I've managed to find some Business Saver tickets all the way from Europe (just not the first pick of airports) so don't need to worry about the bus