J/F EK Classic Rewards - Reducing Carrier Charges ex Europe?

[bussyboy]

I understand that QF reward bookings on EK metal originating from countries outside Australia may attract significantly less carrier charges than from Australia. Can anyone shed light on if there are options from Europe through DXB where $$$ savings can be made, particularly flying J/F?

 

[offshore171]

If I recall, the poms charge a very large tax on outbound flights, and it gets higher for longer routes, premium cabins.

So avoid departure from the UK if possible.

 

[SYD]

If I recall, the poms charge a very large tax on outbound flights, and it gets higher for longer routes, premium cabins.

So avoid departure from the UK if possible.

That applies to award and revenue. But OP is more interested in ports that EK don’t pass on their own fees. SIN is one that comes to mind.

 

[bussyboy]

That applies to award and revenue. But OP is more interested in ports that EK don’t pass on their own fees. SIN is one that comes to mind.

Yes this, or at least lower fees... i looked at similar options Budapest to Sydney and London to Sydney for example and London was around GBP240 more expensive

 

[offshore171]

That applies to award and revenue. But OP is more interested in ports that EK don’t pass on their own fees.

I was going off the topic heading "Saving Taxes ex-Europe"

SIN is one that comes to mind.

Not exactly ex-Europe? Is the suggestion they go EU - DXB - SIN - SYD? Is that necessarily cheaper than just EU - DXB - SYD?

 

[SYD]

Yes this, or at least lower fees... i looked at similar options Budapest to Sydney and London to Sydney for example and London was around GBP240 more expensive

Yes, as above flying out of the UK in a premium cabin is going to incur the very high APD (no way around that other than NOT originating your homeward departure from the UK - if convenient check for something out of continental Europe).

I was going off the topic heading "Saving Taxes ex-Europe"

Airline “Taxes”..!

Not exactly ex-Europe? Is the suggestion they go EU - DXB - SIN - SYD? Is that necessarily cheaper than just EU - DXB - SYD?

Just an example of a country / port where EK don’t pass on excessive carrier charges. Alas, the SIN-MEL EK flight has finished or will soon. It was very notable the difference in fees flying MEL-SIN vs SIN-MEL. I’ve never looked to compare the fees on Euro-DXB-SIN* v Euro-DXB-Oz.

*obviously would still need to get something to Oz.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

You raise an interesting point and it's something I have subtly raised before. It is well known that some of Qantas' award partners (including Qantas) collect carrier surcharges on many of their flights. However, the amount they collect does vary on the routing, itinerary and partners involved. Hence, I do wonder whether it might be possible to "fuel dump" Emirates' exorbitant carrier surcharges on their business and first class awards by simply finding a third strike (i.e. an useless award segment you add on at the end to make collection of such fees optional). This might be beyond the pay grade of this forum, and I suspect those who use (and abuse) classic awards regularly are probably unlikely to share these fuel dump strategies on account of once the cat has left the bag it is only a matter of time before Qantas fixes the "glitch"

-RooFlyer88

 

[bussyboy]

Thanks @kangarooflyer88 - though I'm not across it, I know repositioning to Asia is an often utilised strategy, figured there would be similar options maybe Eastern Europe to work with.

I'll do some research and report back

 

[levelnine]

I'm not an expert on EK redemptions (it's cheaper to buy cash fares with US credit card points, ironically), but my understanding is that EK's surcharges are only lower on some fifth freedom routes. Anything going to/from Dubai is going to be expensive.

 

[Human]

I'm not an expert on EK redemptions (it's cheaper to buy cash fares with US credit card points, ironically), but my understanding is that EK's surcharges are only lower on some fifth freedom routes. Anything going to/from Dubai is going to be expensive.

Yes -- the key to low EK surcharges is to fly one of their fifth-freedom routes. In the Australian context, SIN-MEL has very low surcharges (though the route will be cancelled as of March 30) as does SYD-CHC (although the relatively high Australian departure tax means that the surcharge will still be well over $100).

 

[madrooster]

Hence, I do wonder whether it might be possible to "fuel dump" Emirates' exorbitant carrier surcharges on their business and first class awards by simply finding a third strike (i.e. an useless award segment you add on at the end to make collection of such fees optional).

I can confirm it is possible... but for obvious reasons I'm not going to divulge where / how.

 

[serfty]

Yes -- the key to low EK surcharges is to fly one of their fifth-freedom routes. In the Australian context, SIN-MEL has very low surcharges (though the route will be cancelled as of March 30) as does SYD-CHC (although the relatively high Australian departure tax means that the surcharge will still be well over $100).

You meant the total Taxes/Levies/Surcharges will be well over $100.

FWIW, on a F redemption SYD, CHC on EK Qantas charge $31.90 in carrier charges along with the other levies and taxes as well as 64500 QFF points:

Air transportation charges
Other Carrier Charges	$31.90
Taxes, fees and charges
Border Clearance Levy	$31.10
Passenger Services Charge - Intl	$45.86
Passenger Service Charge	$15.40
Passenger Movement Charge (PMC)	$70.00
Total per Passenger	$194.26

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