OneWorld options Sydney -> Samoa

[kidmystic80]

Hi folks,

I'm travelling from Sydney to Samoa (Apia) in a couple of months, and am looking to optimise my OneWorld benefits/options.

Of course, there is a Qantas flight which flies out of Brisbane, but it does not leave frequently. The other option is Fiji Airways via Nadi. It looks like the SYD -> NAN leg has a QF codeshare, but the NAN -> APW leg does not. I'm aware that, as Fiji Airways is a OneWorld Connect member (and not a full OneWorld member... yet), I need to be flying on a QF code to have lounge access in Sydney etc.

Any tips on how to make this booking work? Can I (for example) book the SYD -> NAN leg on a QF ticket, and the NAN -> APW on a FJ ticket?

Thanks in advance!

 

[henrus]

Yes it's possible to get a single ticket with both flights operated by Fiji Airways but the first flight has a QF code, they may not come up as an option to book online but should be possible to book over the phone with Qantas or via a travel agent.

But I guess the biggest question is why are you wanting the first flight to be a QF code, if it's just for lounge access in Sydney then the price might scare you off. An example of this is oneway SYD-NAN-APW on 18 September. A QF ticket is $1834 oneway in economy (albeit a full Y class flexible fare) whereas the exact same flights through Fiji Airways is $538 (that's essentially a $1296 extra cost to get the QF code - even if you have oneworld emerald I don't think the SYD F lounge is worth the $1296 extra ).

Now you could obviously book two seperate tickets but due to the flight timing an option below with just a 1 hour transit wouldn't be possible so you'd probably have to overnight in Fiji or pick an option with a longer transit giving yourself enough time to clear immigration in Fiji and recheck in for the next flight.

Even splitting the ticket is going to cost extra as SYD-NAN is $454 on QF code (using my 18 Sep example) then NAN-APW is $431 meaning $885 total (still $347 more then the single Fiji airways ticket - you can buy a lounge pass at a paid lounge in SYD and still have some spare change).

Also just to point out oneway is $1329 on Fiji Airways in Business class or Qantas via Sydney is $1033 oneway. Both of these come with lounge access anyway as Fiji Airways use the Qantas business lounge in Sydney. Finally if you've got Qantas points it's 20,300 points + $140.99 taxes to get from SYD to APW via NAN, you'd need to pick the Qantas operated QF101 from SYD-NAN to get oneworld lounge access then the next flight is 6 hours later FJ253 to APW.

 

[Mwenenzi]

I'm travelling from Sydney to Samoa (Apia) in a couple of months, and am looking to optimise my OneWorld benefits/options.

Of course, there is a Qantas flight which flies out of Brisbane, but it does not leave frequently. The other option is Fiji Airways via Nadi. It looks like the SYD -> NAN leg has a QF codeshare, but the NAN -> APW leg does not. I'm aware that, as Fiji Airways is a OneWorld Connect member (and not a full OneWorld member... yet), I need to be flying on a QF code to have lounge access in Sydney etc.

Any tips on how to make this booking work? Can I (for example) book the SYD -> NAN leg on a QF ticket, and the NAN -> APW on a FJ ticket?

Seem to be willing to spend more time, money and complications/risk for some perceived OW Benefit. What benefit are you hoping to get?
Class of travel? Your QF status?

A map from the Great Circle Mapper

A map from the Great Circle Mapper

www.gcmap.com

Faleolo International Airport - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[kookaburra75]

MrsK and I flew to Samoa in August last year. After checking the different options, we went with using points to get Canberra-Sydney-Auckland return in business, overnighting in Auckland, and Air New Zealand to get Auckland-Apia return in economy (AUS$650 each). For us, that was the best value in terms of holiday travel, plus first flights in the B787 (QF3/4). It gave me an opportunity to take MrsK into the F Lounge in Sydney, and on return, the F Lounge in Auckland (don't laugh). There's a paid lounge in Apia, but you're better off out in the terminal.

 

[kidmystic80]

Thanks all for these detailed replies. I really appreciate you all taking the time.

To answer some questions and add some information which I should have included the first time around, I'm P1 (I fly a lot but haven't encountered this particular situation) and I'd like to access decent lounges along the way, with a secondary consideration being the possibility of points upgrades (work flight and they will pay economy). I agree it's definitely not worth paying a gazillion dollars for, though. I did later speak with the Qantas team but to be honest you are all more knowledgeable .

Likely, the simplest option is to fly FJ (or VA - not a huge difference in terms of the benefits) and use Amex/Priority Pass lounges, such as they exist, along the way. It's not like it's very far.

Thanks again!

Post automatically merged: Aug 17, 2024

Thank you for going to this trouble... more detailed and accurate response that I'd probably get from a travel agent .

Yes it's possible to get a single ticket with both flights operated by Fiji Airways but the first flight has a QF code, they may not come up as an option to book online but should be possible to book over the phone with Qantas or via a travel agent.

But I guess the biggest question is why are you wanting the first flight to be a QF code, if it's just for lounge access in Sydney then the price might scare you off. An example of this is oneway SYD-NAN-APW on 18 September. A QF ticket is $1834 oneway in economy (albeit a full Y class flexible fare) whereas the exact same flights through Fiji Airways is $538 (that's essentially a $1296 extra cost to get the QF code - even if you have oneworld emerald I don't think the SYD F lounge is worth the $1296 extra ).

Now you could obviously book two seperate tickets but due to the flight timing an option below with just a 1 hour transit wouldn't be possible so you'd probably have to overnight in Fiji or pick an option with a longer transit giving yourself enough time to clear immigration in Fiji and recheck in for the next flight.

Even splitting the ticket is going to cost extra as SYD-NAN is $454 on QF code (using my 18 Sep example) then NAN-APW is $431 meaning $885 total (still $347 more then the single Fiji airways ticket - you can buy a lounge pass at a paid lounge in SYD and still have some spare change).

Also just to point out oneway is $1329 on Fiji Airways in Business class or Qantas via Sydney is $1033 oneway. Both of these come with lounge access anyway as Fiji Airways use the Qantas business lounge in Sydney. Finally if you've got Qantas points it's 20,300 points + $140.99 taxes to get from SYD to APW via NAN, you'd need to pick the Qantas operated QF101 from SYD-NAN to get oneworld lounge access then the next flight is 6 hours later FJ253 to APW.

View attachment 402817

 

[henrus]

Likely, the simplest option is to fly FJ (or VA - not a huge difference in terms of the benefits) and use Amex/Priority Pass lounges, such as they exist, along the way. It's not like it's very far.

If you're after the most comfortable option then VA out of Brisbane would have to be up there. The flights are at normal times and if you can lock in an Economy X or Business class seat It'll be a comfortable journey.

For me Fiji Airways would be a close second with the 6am departure from Sydney and 1hr Nadi layover arriving at 3:50pm, although something to note is that these 737 MAX aircraft don't have a lot of extra legroom seats.

Qantas offers a terrible time with a 10:20pm departure arriving at 6:05am the next morning this is a 4hr 45min overnight flight on a 737. it's slightly better at 7:20am to 10:05am on the way back.

 

[kidmystic80]

If you're after the most comfortable option then VA out of Brisbane would have to be up there. The flights are at normal times and if you can lock in an Economy X or Business class seat It'll be a comfortable journey.

For me Fiji Airways would be a close second with the 6am departure from Sydney and 1hr Nadi layover arriving at 3:50pm, although something to note is that these 737 MAX aircraft don't have a lot of extra legroom seats.

Qantas offers a terrible time with a 10:20pm departure arriving at 6:05am the next morning this is a 4hr 45min overnight flight on a 737. it's slightly better at 7:20am to 10:05am on the way back.

Yep this looks like the best option to me too. Thanks again.