How to go to UK pre Olympics?

[downgraded]

Question for the brains trust...
LTG (if it matters). I've got enough QF points for a CR to UK in J, but will pay cash. Not worried about earning QF points if a non OW option is "better". Happy to travel on near zero notice for about a week duration before end of July. What would be your suggestions for a PE or preferably J (ie lie flat is key) option ( ie route/airline(s) to search) ? Not a foodie, eat to live and die of starvation on NP weeds. Don't want excessive transit times but happy for a trade off for $$$. Flat sleeping is probably the key feature ( though wine to drink is a bonus).
Destination is north of London so any UK airport north of London is fine.

Who's offering the sweet spot? I'm asking because it seems the focus is often on the longer time frame early booking scenario which is not what I'm looking at.

 

[New to this]

Qatar and Emirates will take you to Birmingham.
Manchester has more airline traffic but is a terrible airport and should be avoided like the plague.

 

[RooFlyer]

( ie route/airline(s) to search) ?

You are in the Qantas forum, but your post implies you will take any airline. Is that right? Will open things up hugely if it is.

 

[downgraded]

You are in the Qantas forum, but your post implies you will take any airline. Is that right? Will open things up hugely if it is.

Yes. QF forum cos QF points. Starting from MEL.

 

[levelnine]

Look for the cheapest cash fare you can get. Your chances of getting a classic award J ticket to Europe in peak season is about the same as you winning the Powerball.

 

[RooFlyer]

Yes. QF forum cos QF points. Starting from MEL.

But you are paying cash and 'non OW' OK. Sorry, not being argumentative, just trying to see how you want to go. As levelnine said, a QFF points Reward seat at short notice will be a big ask (absent a bulk release of seats, as we've seen happen a couple of times)

Assuming non OW is OK, then starting the long-haul from an Asian port is usually the cheapest way in J (although I'm not sure about last minute fares).

Ports such as Jakarta (Oman Air*), Kuala Lumpur (Oman, Malaysian*), Saigon (Vietnam) will get you to London. Taking Middle East carriers from those ports will get you to the north of England via the Gulf, but probably more expensive. You could probably get a ticket on these combos ex MEL, but cheaper if you use a LCC for the hop up to Asia.

* Will earn QFF points

 

[flyguy77]

If you are wanting to find a seat using FF points perhaps consider paying a service if you don't want to spend the time researching yourself?

If wanting a paid fare just use Google Flights to compare the options and go with the options that offers the best combo of price/seats/timing (or again pay a travel agent for their time researching it for you)

For Northern England as an example Singapore airlines flies into Manchester
Qatar/Emirates offer flights to Birmingham

 

[harryhv]

As the Irishman said, if that's where you're going I wouldn't start from here...
Use points to get to say, Bali or KL and buy the remainder of the ticket from there. Someone like TK will always have a sale ex Indonesia/Malaysia/Thailand.

 

[RichardMEL]

Seems like you want the fastest and cheapest yes? Something like google flighrs or skyscanner would be useful tbh.

While playing around getting to say DPS or BKK would get you cheaper, that totally fails the fastest/most direct requirement (which, in most cases, you would pay a premium for of course). For example, cheaper options like CI or (ugh) AI are out tgere, but less direct. Perhaps consider sma carrier like Royal Brunei to LHR for value.

If airline aaliance/FF is not a major factor but "would be nice" then I would look at QR MH CX EK (more direct but less earn), and AY(likely cheaper but st least two stops and longet). EK can get you to LGW and MAN. I think QR also flies to MAN.

 

[Human]

Via Sri Lanka or India might also be an option. BA sometimes has good availability from the Indian cities that Qantas flies to.

 

[Pushka]

Try via different transit cities. KL. HK. SL. Often availability. We are flying cheapie to Bali then catching a paid for a return flight with Cathay to UK next month then back to Bali. Saves thousands. QR often has special fares from DPS to Europe.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Perhaps look at buying a cheap ticket, or using points to get to somewhere like Jakarta or Manila, and fly business out of there. Saudia is offering AUD3068 return Manila to Manchester for June and July. Qatar is offering $4200 jakarta to Manchester for the same time.

 

[UP4014]

Even points to New York and buy a ticket from there. Travelling via the US only adds a couple of hours.

 

[gaz0303]

Qatar and Emirates will take you to Birmingham.
Manchester has more airline traffic but is a terrible airport and should be avoided like the plague.

What’s wrong with MAN? I recall it being ugly but getting in and out through security/customs had always been quick for me. Getting to and from via rail or road also easy.

 

[New to this]

Glad it has gone well for you. Not so lucky myself.

Lots of building work at the moment.
Small arrivals hall which clogs up in the busier periods (e.g summer)
Always delays to flights

in contrast, at Birmingham, you’re out of the terminal 10 mins after landing.

 

[downgraded]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything in terms of OW options that might do late releases (for example). The points are there to be used hence the question, but I'm inclined to think it isn't an earning avenue to continue pursuing hence the looking for all options.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Is there a requirement to fly to the UK or would getting to Europe to points help? If the latter, I’d recommend looking at major European capitals like Frankfurt in Germany as seats.aero is showing there may be some availability there

-RooFlyer88

 

[hutch]

But you are paying cash and 'non OW' OK. Sorry, not being argumentative, just trying to see how you want to go. As levelnine said, a QFF points Reward seat at short notice will be a big ask (absent a bulk release of seats, as we've seen happen a couple of times)

Assuming non OW is OK, then starting the long-haul from an Asian port is usually the cheapest way in J (although I'm not sure about last minute fares).

Ports such as Jakarta (Oman Air*), Kuala Lumpur (Oman, Malaysian*), Saigon (Vietnam) will get you to London. Taking Middle East carriers from those ports will get you to the north of England via the Gulf, but probably more expensive. You could probably get a ticket on these combos ex MEL, but cheaper if you use a LCC for the hop up to Asia.

* Will earn QFF points

Have I missed something regarding Oman Air's joining date for Oneworld?

 

[1022]

EK often release award seats to QFF in J and F in the 2-3 days prior to travel. But that is probably too much of a gamble if you actually have to be somewhere by a certain time. EK carrier charges these days are also very steep.

 

[RooFlyer]

Have I missed something regarding Oman Air's joining date for Oneworld?

Probably not. I just go ahead of it a bit