First Class Etihad Vs SQ

[Freq Flier 2013]

I have finally got enough points to start organizing a trip in F Syd to Europe, trying to get A380, for late 2016.
Most of my points are Velocity and SQ so my options are:

Fly Etihad and / or SQ.

I would like to go via Abu Dhabi with a few days stop over. When I talked to Velocity they said that they treat it as 2 separate legs (SYD - AUH - LHR) and it will cost 212,700 velocity points one way.
1. Question - Is this correct?

I can get SQ direct (SYD - SIN - CDC (Paris)) with a stop over in Singapore for 132,500 points. Even with the transfer of Velocity to SQ it will be (132,500 * 1.35 = 178875 - 15% online disc = 152,040 Velocity Points). Significantly less points.

2. Question - Is it worth going Etihad for the Abu Dhabi experience (3 days)?
I have been to Singapore a few times and seen most of it.
I was thinking of going Etihad one way to LHR and return SQ from CDC as airport taxes will be less.

3. Question - Are there any other options that I have not considered?

Thanks!

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

Any thoughts?

 

[stusxr5]

1. Unfortunately if you want to do a stopover in Abu Dhabi, it can't be on the same ticket, hence why VA quoted you such a high (point) cost.
2. You only get a stopover on SQ awards if you do a return - though in saying that, I think you can pay $100 (not sure what currency) to pay for a single stopover in Singapore on a one-way at saver level - need to contact the call centre after booking.
3. You could consider a Star Alliance award through Europe, would still mean a flight into Asia, but you could fly Asiana, Thai, Swiss, Lufthansa etc. You would be transferring points to Krisflyer still, and would have to call up to try to find availability, but it is another option (albeit more expensive in points - may save on the fuel surcharge). Allows you to try airlines you may not have flown before. That award chart is here: https://www.singaporeair.com/pdf/ppsclub_krisflyer/charts/StarAlliance_RoundTrip_Aug15.pdf

Hope that helps!

 

[Alanslegal]

1. No idea, if paying two awards is correct you pay more points flying EY but way less taxes. Taxes on EY will be around $150 versus $750 on SQ - on an equivalent SYD-xx_-LON route.

2. Yes, 3 days is a good taster. If you like it, you could always go back. We did 3 nights in Dubai a few months back, and it appears we will be heading to Abu Dhabi in a few months time doing exactly the same thing. Two days by the resort and a day to do tourist things.

3. Etihad's Apartments is the "in" thing at the moment so if you can book it, go for it. I believe you will also get the chauffeur at both ends, so if you book two awards with a 3 day stop over, then all your transfers will be included. Come back with SQ, just so you can compare - just remember, there will be some serious taxes to pay on that award.

 

[DaveB]

EY and SQ are my airlines of choice though typically fly SQ for flight times and availability.
Definitely do EY R ahead of SQ F with the airport limo transfers a great way to start and end the trip.

 

[andye]

Would you consider a long transit (ie less than 24h) in AUH rather than a stopover so it is priced more cheaply as a single award

 

[TomVexille]

I would try both airlines if you can.

 

[Mark3000]

I agree, <24 hr stopover / one day in Abu Dhabi would be enough for me. Better to spend more time in Europe IMHO

 

[Danger UXB]

Have you thought about mixing it up a bit , something like
SYD-SIN SQ R
SIN-AUH EY F ( I believe they fly the 787 new F suite product ,OK its not an apartment but F is F!!)
AUH-LHR EY F apartment

then back the same way. That way you get plenty of opportunity for stopovers as you want with out having to pay extra $100 to SQ . You minimise the SQ legs so that their YQ tax is minimised and so is the 1.35 conversion. The expensive euro departure tax is paid to EY ( well actually VA as theirs is lower that EY) not SQ.

If you look at the *A award chart you cannot redeem on SWISS in F and good luck trying to get LH F unless its T-14 .

 

[SuzieQ68]

As part of your research just also note that you could fly into Dubai and get a transfer up to Abu Dhabi (around 2 hours driving I think) if that helps with the planning at all.

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

Have you thought about mixing it up a bit , something like
SYD-SIN SQ R
SIN-AUH EY F ( I believe they fly the 787 new F suite product ,OK its not an apartment but F is F!!)
AUH-LHR EY F apartment

then back the same way. That way you get plenty of opportunity for stopovers as you want with out having to pay extra $100 to SQ . You minimise the SQ legs so that their YQ tax is minimised and so is the 1.35 conversion. The expensive euro departure tax is paid to EY ( well actually VA as theirs is lower that EY) not SQ.

If you look at the *A award chart you cannot redeem on SWISS in F and good luck trying to get LH F unless its T-14 .

Thanks everyone.

Your idea of mixed legs is interesting. I never thought that way. Will crunch the points and see what I get!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Thanks everyone.

Your idea of mixed legs is interesting. I never thought that way. Will crunch the points and see what I get!

I thought that as well. I'll still a way off the very same trip concept as you, so I'd appreciate you keeping this thread updated as to how it all goes for you, especially on things like the taxes paid, availability issues etc.

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

I thought that as well. I'll still a way off the very same trip concept as you, so I'd appreciate you keeping this thread updated as to how it all goes for you, especially on things like the taxes paid, availability issues etc.

Once finalized hopefully in a week or so I will post the details, points and taxes.
All this calling around and Internet searches better be worth it

 

[mmchow]

Funny enough, I was looking at the same last week thinking what should I do with my expiring Skyward. A trip to DXB/AUH popped into my mind - never been and would like to try EY F Apartment. Check availability for both EY and EK and found good availability throughout Sept for F, out/inbound. Booked EY via VA Velocity without any hesitation (MEL-AUY).

It didn't sit right a day later thinking what a waste if I just spend a few days in UAE. Maybe I could do a RTW trip? Jumped straight onto QF and EK website and found F availability for DXB-JFK (EK), EWR-ORD-HKG (AA/CX) but no availability for HKG-MEL (QF). I then reverse the flight segment and found the following flights - MEL-HKG (J on QF), HKG-LAX-JFK (F on CX and F on AA transcon), JFK-DXB (F on EK) but no availability on EY F Apartment for AUY-MEL. SQ came into mind and availability wide open from HKG-SIN-MEL on F so transfer some of my Citibank points over to KF.

My final itinerary:

MEL-AUH A380 F 141,000 VA + AUD 110 (tax + international booking fees)
DXB-JFK A380 F 136250 Skyward + 36390 Skyward (surcharges as oppose to paying AED 1700) + AED 230 (tax)
EWR-ORD-HKG EMB175, 77H F 67,500 AA + AUD 8
HKG-SIN-MEL A380, 77W F 63,750 KF + HKD 1391 (factoring in 15% discount)

Happy with the results.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

As part of your research just also note that you could fly into Dubai and get a transfer up to Abu Dhabi (around 2 hours driving I think) if that helps with the planning at all.

Much less than two hours driving. Between an hour and a quarter and an hour and a half
That's airport to airport - about the same city to city as each airport is slightly east of its respective city.
At the speeds emiratis actually drive it's an hour.
No idea how long the bus takes as I have never and would never take that option.

 

[RooFlyer]

As part of your research just also note that you could fly into Dubai and get a transfer up to Abu Dhabi (around 2 hours driving I think) if that helps with the planning at all.

AUH to World Trade Centre in Dubai was about 70 mins when I did it a few months ago; that however was in an EY limo and we sat on 140km/h for a lot of it!!

 

[andye]

If you are tempted to drive yourself, be aware that the policing of speed limits for Emiratis and tourists is reportedly very different.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

If you are tempted to drive yourself, be aware that the policing of speed limits for Emiratis and tourists is reportedly very different.

True but it's not too bad on the freeways. Be careful of cameras on major roads within the cities.
Fines are very quickly transmitted to the hire car companies and charged to your credit card.