How on earth do you actually use points?

[jb747]

I've just realised that Poms have a pretty nasty departure tax. Makes it even more attractive to somewhere like AMS/FRA, etc and just buy separate ticket for the short hop to the UK.

 

[Hvr]

I've just realised that Poms have a pretty nasty departure tax. Makes it even more attractive to somewhere like AMS/FRA, etc and just buy separate ticket for the short hop to the UK.

You are learning the essentials of this caper.

 

[ermen]

I've just realised that Poms have a pretty nasty departure tax. Makes it even more attractive to somewhere like AMS/FRA, etc and just buy separate ticket for the short hop to the UK.

Ah you got the directions wrong It is a departures tax, so:
Flying TO the UK is fine (e.g. SIN-LHR or HKG - MAN etc etc)
Flying FROM the UK is where you get a hit with this nasty tax (APD)

The way to get out of this is
(i) fly out of INV (the only place in the UK it seems that is exempt from APD)
(ii) fly out of continental Europe (buy a separate ticket UK - Europe)
(iia) transit LHR (less than 24 hours stop in LHR) e.g. AAA-xLHR-CCC

For me I don't pay APD as a matter of principle (and cheapness)

 

[Ansett]

Often also cheaper to fly from NZ to LHR and Back much cheaper taxes. Also look at flying into and out of Dublin. Flying through Hong Kong return also dramatically reduces the tax bill.

 

[Limewood]

Best use of points well look here.

 

[Saul Geffen]

THIS

"'@jb747 As someone who has made a massive contribution to the AFF Community over many years in the "Ask the Pilot" thread, I think it is now time to offer our assistance..

.. not sure if you have heard about the Award Flight Assist service from Frequent Flyer Solutions, our sister website. You can read all about it HERE. If you are interested I am more than happy to offer you this service at no cost. If you wish to take up the offer, send me a message and I'll arrange it. Just a small token of our appreciation to what you have added to AFF."'

brilliant response and one I thought of sugesting but you guys were in front of me. Well done Admin.

 

[Lord_Lenny]

Ah you got the directions wrong It is a departures tax, so:
Flying FROM the UK is where you get a hit with this nasty tax (APD)

Although oddly enough, when I organised out recent trip to Europe (Flew in to MUC and out of LHR on SQ, trains/BA for the intervening trip) it was actually cheaper for Lady Lenny and I to fly out of LHR than it was to leave from VIE!! In fact we were able to add 4 days in London to our trip (including hotel and BA flights VIE - LHR) for only $200 each more than flying straight home from VIE.

It was an odd and pleasant surprise!!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

And sadly changes to staff travel a few years ago have made that a much less attractive, or even viable, option.

Me tinks you have been batting for the wrong team for way too long jb747!

FYI:

SQ pilots who complete 25yrs continuous service and who retire at minimum mandatory age of 55 or later are eligible for following:
• Annually 1 x FREE return flight for himself + wife in highest cabin level available on that flight - F > J > PE > Y
• Unlimited return flights at DISCOUNTED RATE of 10% commercial price for himself + wife in highest cabin level available on that flight - F > J > PE > Y

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I've just realised that Poms have a pretty nasty departure tax. Makes it even more attractive to somewhere like AMS/FRA, etc

• London is very popular and so other airports like AMS may have availability when LHR does not anyway.
• I picked Copenhagen for my next "return" city in July simply as I had never been to Denamark before.

and just buy separate ticket for the short hop FROM the UK.

• With so many regional air routes this can be an excellent ways to visit new places. My next trip I am flying from Newcastle to Stavanger so that I can visit the Fjords of Noway for the first time. Check out a few Fjords including a coastal ferry then fly from Bergen to Stockholm fora quick jaunt through Sweden before the *A flight home starting in Copenhagen and swapping to a Suite out of FRA.
• Eurostar to Paris and beyond is an excellent option too

 

[jb747]

Me tinks you have been batting for the wrong team for way too long jb747!

Have to think about that phrasing..

The reality is that they are standby tickets, and generally represent a great way of ruining a holiday.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

The reality is that they are standby tickets, and generally represent a great way of ruining a holiday.

I will check that - standby was certainly not mentioned - TBMK tix could be booked anytime but I will ask again today.

 

[travelislife]

Remember all that even though the focus has been on SQ JB's points are coming from Amex MR. There are a lot of other options to transfer the miles in to another programme to get to/from Europe, including booking using the points direct in TG, CX, EK and EY's programmes.

Membership Rewards® Travel Partners

 

[Cruiser Elite]

The reality is that they are standby tickets, and generally represent a great way of ruining a holiday.

Yep confirmed 100% 'Standby' post retirement.

Q - 'How do you handle this planning wise?'
A - 'You quickly learn how to work around it'
Q - 'What do you think of SQ R 12->6 / F 8->4?'
A - 'Next question!'

 

[wandering_fred]

Given son in ASP, points seem to be the only way to avoid the ridiculous air fares for Mrs WF to visit.....

Just wandering
Fred

 

[jb747]

I thought I should give you an update on this. Thanks for all of your comments, and to Matt for his patient emails.

We used Amex points to book Singapore airlines, flying business from Singapore to Zurich, and then returning from Milan. I've purchased return tickets to Singapore to allow us to start/finish the journey. Singair is starting to feature a bit, as we are also using them to go to NZ in February.

 

[The man with no name]

Air Asia to Singapore from Melbourne ??? Haha !

Actually your post is very informative. Remember the ad where they told us about the toothbrush the dentists use ? Now we know the airline pilots choose

 

[jb747]

Remember the ad where they told us about the toothbrush the dentists use ? Now we know the airline pilots choose

On the other hand, ads are marketing, and as we all know, that's just a form of lying.

 

[futaris]

If it's any consolation, a pilot I know who flies for Indonesia AirAsia X, last few on QANTAS to/from Australia.

Swings and roundabouts.

 

[Quickstatus]

I discovered that the SQ points required for a SYD-SIN-KUL is exactly the same as a SYD-SIN.

Aiming to get more SQ points and less QF pointer

 

[amaroo]

Easy as flying a plane I suppose. Have redeemed millions of points over the past years, and long may it continue....