Minimising fees and charges on SQ flights - sweet spot routes

[Obi-run Kenobi]

I can't see that this has been asked anywhere specifically, so forgive me if I'm duplicating questions.

Does anyone have any info or recommendations for avoiding hefty airline charges when travelling from Australia to Europe? In particular, are there any routes or cities that are sweet spots for lower fees?

I was shocked to see that you can fly SQ from SFO > HKG for as little as $37 USD in taxes, whilst SYD > HKG costs nearly $300!

I am fairly new to this, so apologies if I'm missing something blatantly obvious. It just seems like any flight out of Australia is doomed to be slapped with big charges.

 

[SponsorSFC]

If you can, avoid flying out of LHR (or anywhere else in the UK) in premium cabins the Air Passenger Duty will cost you 142 GBP on top of any carrier surcharges.

Whereas Ireland doesn't charge a departure tax at all. I was pricing up some AA awards on EY from UK/Ireland to AUH, by tacking on a DUB-LHR flight it cost about $400 less in taxes than just flying the LHR-AUH leg.

 

[auriga]

I think it is to do with hong kong. I understand that the fuel surcharges for Hong Kong are regulated. Unfortunately when you look at SYD-HKG on SQ, you have to factor in SYD-SIN ( which comes with the big surcharge).

 

[Obi-run Kenobi]

I think it is to do with hong kong. I understand that the fuel surcharges for Hong Kong are regulated. Unfortunately when you look at SYD-HKG on SQ, you have to factor in SYD-SIN ( which comes with the big surcharge).

That seems to make sense. When I tried booking alternate routes, everything wanted to route through SIN, thereby jacking up the fees payable.

Thanks for your replies. Much appreciated.

 

[dajop]

When I tried booking alternate routes, everything wanted to route through SIN, thereby jacking up the fees payable.

You can only book SQ (& Silkair) flight awards online, and most of their routes originate in SIN, therefore you will always be routed through SIN. The only exceptions are BCN-GRU, FRA-JFK, MUC-MAN, DME-IAH, NRT-LAX, ICN-SFO, HKG-SFO, DAD-REP and as of Monday CBR-WLG. For awards on partner airlines (that usually don't go through SIN), you need call Krisflyer call centre. Some of the partners have minimal surcharges (eg United), other have exorbitant surcharges (eg Lufthansa).

 

[albatross710]

You can play with options going through Manila. Manila like HK has introduced some regulation to the airlines to try and curb their addiction to fuel charges.

An upcoming itinerary that I have Aust - Phils - India has a redemption from Phils to India for just USD 4.75 in taxes , plus an internal PR redemption for USD5, plus another repositioning Pi flight for $15.

So, without doing the exact sums, you could redeem SYD - MNL, spend a day or so there being a tourist then search out your sweet spot MNL - (SIN) - ZRH or MNL-(SIN)-AMS, CEB-(SIN) - BCN etc etc

Unfortunately we are a long way away so unless you have good flexibility, the sad fact is it is cheaper to just pay the charges.

I have had some success with non-redemption flights going vi Sri Lanka where I justified the extra time with a short tourist holiday.

So, it's a trade off, money v time.

Alby

 

[levilib]

Besides 5th freedom routes, all SQ flights will go to from or through their hub, Singapore. SQ charges fuel surcharges (YQ) on almost all redemption, (notable exceptions include United) so while there are a few Star Alliance airlines that fly between Australia and Europe, SQ will still charge YQ on most (if not all) of them, although the amounts will vary from one airline to the next.

 

[albatross710]

Interesting figures:


Return on SQ metal BNE-(SIN)-DPS 50,000 miles + ~A$600 taxes.

Return on VA metal direct BNE-DPS 52,000 + S$138 taxes.


I think it is looking like SQ are rorting us.

Alby.

 

[levilib]

Looks like SQ isn't charging YQ on VA, not surprising

 

[Mattg]

Looks like SQ isn't charging YQ on VA, not surprising

Considering that VA don't charge any fuel surcharges themselves, I'm not sure how SQ could justify tacking one on to KF redemptions on VA metal. I believe it has to do with the operating airline, not so much the program.

It's the same when using QF points to fly a partner that doesn't impose fuel surcharges. E.g. taxes on some AA redemptions using QF points are very, very low.

 

[levilib]

I don't believe it always works like that, no examples come to mind atm, but IIRC there are instances where mileage programs will charge YQ even if the operating carrier themselves don't.