Finding discount paid J fares AU-EU

[jpp42]

Hello,

I saw someone comment on here that paid J fares to Europe are possible in the $6k return range, which seems incredible compared to what the list prices are for major airlines. Can anyone comment on a strategy for finding these? My partner and I would like to travel SYD-AMS return in August 2025, dates are somewhat flexible and I'm willing to consider MEL or BNE as a departure port instead, and other nearby airports in northern Europe (i.e. BRU, DUS, FRA, etc). However, I wouldn't want to do a totally crazy tour (i.e. something like SYD-BNE-NRT-HEL-AMS might be a bit too many stopovers.)

I have no loyalties on airlines as my FF status will be nil by then and happy to consider mainland China stopovers. Not fussed about food or service but would want proper lie-flat, aisle-access seats on the long-haul segments. (As we are a couple, could consider a pair of seats with one with aisle access, if those are still in the market.)

I'm willing to pay a travel agent or other service to help monitor fares, but I am not sure if these services are actually available these days. Any recommendations?

Thanks

 

[Mattg]

This article may be helpful:

Strategies for Cheap Business Class Flights to Europe

If you live in Australia, there are several strategies you can use to book cheap Business Class flights to Europe.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can sometimes find fares in the price range you're looking for using the Google Flights explore mode. Set your point of departure to SYD and hover your mouse over the different cities in Europe to see the cheapest prices available in the next six months.

 

[Ade]

August 2025,

I don't think seats for all dates in AUG25 will be open for sale now ... Google Flights only shows dates as selectable until 08 July 2025 ... May be a TA can do more? I have asked my work TA to check.

 

[elanshin]

look into buying points and reward flights that already exist. basically like buying a cash fare but for a fraction of the price.

 

[jpp42]

I don't think seats for all dates in AUG25 will be open for sale now ... Google Flights only shows dates as selectable until 08 July 2025 ... May be a TA can do more? I have asked my work TA to check.

Agreed they aren't on sale yet, I'm asking now so I can plan ahead properly.... but I know that the best fares may not be available just yet.

look into buying points and reward flights that already exist. basically like buying a cash fare but for a fraction of the price.

Thanks, but J reward flights to Europe through QFF (where I have any points at all) are like hen's teeth and while I will do some work to pay attention to reward seat availability, I need something that will actually get me there. I'm certainly not going to play the roulette of seats on partner airlines that can be cancelled on a whim, and don't think my chances of getting seats on QF metal as a Gold are all that promising. My question is specifically around cash fares.

Post automatically merged: Aug 13, 2024

Strategies for Cheap Business Class Flights to Europe

If you live in Australia, there are several strategies you can use to book cheap Business Class flights to Europe.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can sometimes find fares in the price range you're looking for using the Google Flights explore mode. Set your point of departure to SYD and hover your mouse over the different cities in Europe to see the cheapest prices available in the next six months.

Thanks, Matt, on both points! Will do some exploring as the flights start to be bookable.

 

[Mwenenzi]

I saw someone comment on here that paid J fares to Europe are possible in the $6k return range, which seems incredible compared to what the list prices are for major airlines. Can anyone comment on a strategy for finding these? My partner and I would like to travel SYD-AMS return in August 2025,

12 months (~365 days) out will not have discount pricing. Some airlines only sell from 330 days out. (today to 09/07/25).

Second tier airlines, VN, UL, MH and Chinese may offer something. But transit times may be unsuitable.

 

[jase05]

Oman Air often has good deals around the $6k mark from Australia to Europe.
If you have got Qantas points one consideration is using points to get SYD-CGK on Qantas and they should open up availability soon for August. From Jakarta you can always get J flight return to Europe for $3-4k with airlines like Etihad and Qatar

 

[harryhv]

Bargains dont usually appear when seats are first released, they trickle in over the next few months. It's only for scarce award flights you need to watch, say, the Qatar website after midnight that particular day.

Consider doing the outbound in two parts, first a one-way to Bali or KL, say, and then a one-way ticket at Asian prices to AMS. And if you're lucky, also returning here on the same cheap ticket. Or look out for a separate homeward sale-fare. Turkish has some good sales like that intermittently, but may others too - be sure to watch Premium-flights dot com like a hawk

 

[elanshin]

Thanks, but J reward flights to Europe through QFF (where I have any points at all) are like hen's teeth and while I will do some work to pay attention to reward seat availability, I need something that will actually get me there. I'm certainly not going to play the roulette of seats on partner airlines that can be cancelled on a whim, and don't think my chances of getting seats on QF metal as a Gold are all that promising. My question is specifically around cash fares.

Post automatically merged: Aug 13, 2024

Never said anything about QFF even though it's completely possible om QFF's partners too.

I effectively bought a SQ J award flight after seeing it for ~1800 AUD one way to EU. Points bought right then and redeemed immediately. Needs a bit of timing and luck though. Effectively I outright bought a award flight with cash.

 

[Forg]

Google Flights right now are showing return to Rome in J for about $11.5k, for two, flying Royal Jordanian and … I think SAS. For next Feb. The return leg has some long waits in airports, mind you … there was another combo including Singapore for about $13k, it had shorter connection waits.

 

[luxury-lizard]

IMO - if you are paying cash for flights I would wait till 6 months from your desired date if looking for specials - keep an eye uut for specials - often posted on AFF and other travel blogger sites. As other have said consider positioning to an Asian city (using an award, if you have the points, or paid Y or PE) - then a paid fare ex-one of BKK, DPS, MNL, CGK, ..) Then you can plan a bit of a stopover in the Asian city you select.

Another option if you have the time - an RTW fare ....

 

[Scarlett]

If cost is important, how do you feel about Saudia from South East Asia? Sub $3K per person.

Otherwise, generic searches out to an end of Jan25 departure indicate:
- PER - a number of EU cities around $5K pp. with WY.
- SYD-CDG ~$5.7K with TG/RJ
- MEL-MXP same price SQ/SK

Whether these fares remain for August is the million dollar question… peak European summer travel and all.

 

[clifford]

I just buy a Business class ticket ex MNL (EY or QR <$3,000) to anywhere in the EU and then take a cheap flight to where I actually want to go. I get to MNL using QF points or buying a cheap "Business" ticket on Scoot or Jetstar. Works for me, and the bonus is points and status credits for progress towards VA or QF Platinum.

MNL tends to be cheaper than anywhere else in SE Asia (apart from perhaps sometimes CRK).

 

[CaptJCool]

The traditional sales periods for Australia to Europe are October and February

The sub-$6,000 were on NEW ROUTES
Air India J to Zurich $4,800
Turkish J to most places in Europe $5,600 - $5,900

Similarly as an aside JAL F (switch of aircraft out of Sydney) was $10,700 into Paris or Milan for example. LHR cops the air passenger tax

However AMS is a relatively expensive destination so might cause cost blow-outs
BRUSSELS is my alternate go to (220 kms on the train direct from the airport to AMS)

 

[clifford]

If cost is important, how do you feel about Saudia from South East Asia? Sub $3K per person.

I'd personally avoid Saudia like the plague. In any case it's certainly not the cheapest ex-MNL. There are much nicer (and cheaper) options such as EY and QR.

Apart from being a dry airline (if that's important to you) and having less than attentive staff, the experience at a Saudi airport where you will have to connect is rather underwhelming.

Just check the reviews.

 

[SCM]

I travel to AMS a lot so I can probably help.

Singapore airlines always does their EU early bird sale in September - so you won't have to wait long. In the last few years, I've always been able to get around 6k return trip SYD - FRA.

AMS tends to be one of the more pricy airports to fly to, you can just fly to FRA which is usually one of the cheapest, and get a direct train from the airport to AMS centraal - just book the train early with DB directly, and it won't be that expensive compared to the cost of flying to AMS.

Another option is to look at BRU which is even closer (only 2 hour train), and SQ started flying there this year. Bonus is amazing chocolate in duty free. I would just search AMS, BRU and FRA from Sydney with SQ once their sale opens up.

Also, last year they only had one time slot for the sale for the first week or so, until the last week - when all time slots became available for the sale, so patience is key.


Alternatively, just fly to CGK in economy or qantas business class using points (relatively very cheap) and then EY or QR to AMS, you can very often get that part of the trip for well under 4k return - considering it's about 2/3 of the way, it's very good.

Another benefit of this option is that QF have ample reward availability on SYD-CGK route, so often times I'll literally book a J reward seat a day or two out, and it's fine - if you book further out, for sure you can easily get them, and if you want to save points just book economy instead.

 

[djkelly69]

I effectively bought a SQ J award flight after seeing it for ~1800 AUD one way to EU.

Just out of interest, how do you buy enough points for an SQ J award that quickly/easily? Assume that is for a Saver?

 

[Flashback]

I'd personally avoid Saudia like the plague. In any case it's certainly not the cheapest ex-MNL. There are much nicer (and cheaper) options such as EY and QR.

Apart from being a dry airline (if that's important to you) and having less than attentive staff, the experience at a Saudi airport where you will have to connect is rather underwhelming.

Just check the reviews.

Agree, folks did it once and after the transit experience they said never again.

 

[DAC1]

Just out of interest, how do you buy enough points for an SQ J award that quickly/easily? Assume that is for a Saver?

I assume buying Aeroplan miles on sale is a way many would use

 

[James Gatenby]

I assume buying Aeroplan miles on sale is a way many would use

Agreed. I bought some during the most recent sale (125% bonus) then booked SQ for next July, SYD to AMS and return from FRA. Approx cost pp A$4400 return.