Just an update on my previous post questions - I've booked an OWA in (mostly) business class and had ticketed the following:
17 Aug '25
SYD-LAX: QF11 - Stopover 1. As Plat FF, requested 2 bus. class seats released - success.
Booking AA separately LAX-LAS, then LAS-JFK, and back to LAX
14 Sept '25
LAX-PDX: AA6424 - Stopover 2.
Booking separate travel for Canadian road trip.
5 Oct '25
PDX-LAX: AA4891 - Transit
LAX-HND. AA27 - Stopover 3.
Unfortunately, as
elanshin previously advised, no Bus. Class - booked in Econ.
I've set EF alerts for award availability if it comes up but not hopeful.
12 Oct '25
KIX-BKK: JL727 - Stopover 4.
Will book own flights BKK-SYD and be home for Christmas,
then SYD-BKK to resume OWA.
Have booked following dummy dates to hold ticket but will change to April and June as soon as award flights become available:
28 Oct '25
BKK-HEL: AY142 - Transit
HEL-LHR: AY 1339. Stopover 5
Aiming to spend April, May, June in UK/Europe - new grandson there!
4 Nov '35'
LHR-SIN: QF2 - Transit
SIN-SYD: QF2 - Finish. Note this only avail. econ but will be rebooked.
I might get lucky and get them to release 2 more bus. seats....
Comes in at 34,383 miles. Total cost for husband and I - $AUD2,166.56. Hobart agent exceptionally good - spent 1.5 hrs on the phone and ticketed within 25 minutes.
After more reading here, am I correct in thinking that if I route back home through HEL with AY (LHR-HEL-SIN-SYD), I would reduce the taxes/fees out of LHR given shorter distance to HEL? And if it did, would Qantas refund the difference or not bother as I've already paid? Would it even be worth it? Given lack of award availabiliy, might have better luck getting AY flights in business anyway.
Would appreciate thoughts from more experienced minds?