Organising a stopover with Qantas

[Brettmcg]

Hi all,

I am planning a trip to Europe for the end of next year. I will be a new QF Frequent Flyer and also a member of the 'prestigious' Qantas Club.

I have already made this trip a few times and have realised the need for an extended stopover in Singapore. I am looking at booking my flights through Qantas' homepage, but am struggling to find a tool with which I can include a stopover in my itinerary. I do not wish to book two separate flights as this, for some reason, costs a little more. Does anyone know if the stopover can be included after booking by calling Qantas and arranging such, or alternatively can anyone provide me with advice as to how to book my short stopover?

Any advice will be appreciated!

Cheers,

Brett

 

[Mal]

Stopovers are sometimes available as part of fare rules, but a lot of online booking engines can't handle these types of exceptions (like the Qantas website).

If booking through Qantas direct, I think the only way is to call and cop the phone surcharge (or visit one of their travel shops and cop the surcharge as well).

Some online websites can book stopovers, but most involve a phone call to them to get it arranged.

Travel Agents shouldn't have any worries, but once again you will normally be hit with a small surcharge.

Wait a year or so until the online websites all get smarter, then you could do it all in one spot!!

 

[Brettmcg]

Thanks Mal,

I must admit, I find it a bit rich that Qantas offer their UK customers the ability to book Multi-City trips, yet Australians are offered less than average online service. Looks like I'll have to try my luck with the Qantas Phone System!

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Welcome to AFF Brettmcg

At least QF has online multi-city for australian domestic flights. It doesn't have that function for domestic flights within NZ.

 

[Brettmcg]

Thanks Kiwi,

In many ways Qantas has a great online service compared to other major international airlines. In fact, their online booking service makes it much easier to build a cheap international business fare by booking separate flights from separate ports etc. I just think that if Qantas are serious about competing with airlines such as Singapore and Emirates they should look at providing customers the tools tomake their trip more comfortable. All in all I find Qantas a good product, despite continually travelling in Y-class. I am but a poor 18 year old !

Cheers,

Brett

 

[JohnK]

I have already made this trip a few times and have realised the need for an extended stopover in Singapore. I am looking at booking my flights through Qantas' homepage, but am struggling to find a tool with which I can include a stopover in my itinerary. I do not wish to book two separate flights as this, for some reason, costs a little more. Does anyone know if the stopover can be included after booking by calling Qantas and arranging such, or alternatively can anyone provide me with advice as to how to book my short stopover?

Brett, I don't know where in Europe you are going but let me give you some useful advice.

I have been researching a SYD-LHR trip for travel in August/September of next year.

If I book the return trip without stopover the cost is $2636.

If I book the trip as two separate flights, including stopover in SIN in both directions, then the cost is $2350. To me that is a very significant saving.

 

[Dave Noble]

Any advice will be appreciated!

I have just tried a dummy booking using AA.com for Feb with a 1 monyth stopover in SIN and it did the trick nicely using the multi city search and it came up with a fare of USD1728 (AUD2204) (fare class SLBB1Y) which is slightly less than QF is charging for the red-e-deal ($2238). Book over the phone and the AA price will probably drop about $350 as the fuel fines disappear

Also, should you want to make changes later, AA will not fine you $75 for the privilege of having the change made ( QF service charge )

Dave

 

[Mwenenzi]

I will be a new QF Frequent Flyer and also a member of the 'prestigious' Qantas Club.

You could consider joining the AA frequent flyer programm. Much better earn & burn rates than QF

 

[Brettmcg]

Brett, I don't know where in Europe you are going but let me give you some useful advice.

I have been researching a SYD-LHR trip for travel in August/September of next year.

If I book the return trip without stopover the cost is $2636.

If I book the trip as two separate flights, including stopover in SIN in both directions, then the cost is $2350. To me that is a very significant saving.

Hi John,

I am travelling to FRA. The flight from MEL - SIN costs around $1266, and the flight from SIN - FRA approximately $1055 AUD. In total that would cost $2321. If however, I were looking to book a straight flight (MEL - FRA), apart from the 23 hrs straight, I would be looking at around $1972 - $2056 at most. If possible I would really prefer not to have to pay the extra $300, but unfortunately without the ability to include a stopover this seems inevitable.

Regards,

Brett

 

[dajop]

Have you tried a travel agent? Qantas online booking do not always offer the best fares anyway, and it is easy for travel agent to include a stopover if allowed. For example comparing exactly same flights on exactly same day on zuji.com.au to the Qantas online booking engine - for one set of dates I picked zuji was $168 cheaper than Qantas, but for another it was only $15 less expensive. At the very least a travel agent like flight centre should be able to at least match the Qantas online fare.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Brett, I don't know where in Europe you are going but let me give you some useful advice.

I have been researching a SYD-LHR trip for travel in August/September of next year.

If I book the return trip without stopover the cost is $2636.

If I book the trip as two separate flights, including stopover in SIN in both directions, then the cost is $2350. To me that is a very significant saving.

Aug/Sept isnt peak season. Should be able to find fares to London well under A$2636. Heck even via NZ would be significantly cheaper than that. Of course may not necessarily be on QF.

 

[Dave Noble]

I am travelling to FRA. The flight from MEL - SIN costs around $1266, and the flight from SIN - FRA approximately $1055 AUD. In total that would cost $2321. If however, I were looking to book a straight flight (MEL - FRA), apart from the 23 hrs straight, I would be looking at around $1972 - $2056 at most. If possible I would really prefer not to have to pay the extra $300, but unfortunately without the ability to include a stopover this seems inevitable.

Regards,

Brett

Try using the multi city search on AA.com; it did exactly what you needed when I tried

Dave

 

[auriga]

I have just tried a dummy booking using AA.com for Feb with a 1 monyth stopover in SIN and it did the trick nicely using the multi city search and it came up with a fare of USD1728 (AUD2204) (fare class SLBB1Y) which is slightly less than QF is charging for the red-e-deal ($2238). Book over the phone and the AA price will probably drop about $350 as the fuel fines disappear


Dave

what does that mean? book over the phone vs book online?

 

[Mal]

what does that mean? book over the phone vs book online?

I'm interested as well. To quote the lovely (cough) Pauline (who is chasing a U.S visa right now due to her being charged!)

Please explain!

I though Qantas / AA resolved the "issue" that they had with fares not including the correct fuel surcharges. Dave, are you saying that a Qantas ticket issued via the AA call centre still doesn't have these charges whereas an AA web booking will?

 

[Dave Noble]

I though Qantas / AA resolved the "issue" that they had with fares not including the correct fuel surcharges. Dave, are you saying that a Qantas ticket issued via the AA call centre still doesn't have these charges whereas an AA web booking will?

No real issue. YQ charges are not part of the fare. The online system for some reason does seem to add them however the regular sabre used by AA doesn't

For example.... I recently arranged a ticket from Eggland to Oz in K... The base fare listed on expert flyer was GBP904

over the internet , AAs site quoted GBP1096 inc tax. When done over the phone it dropped to GBP973 inc tax.

From Qantas it was even higher than the GBP1096.

Dave

 

[Mal]

No real issue. YQ charges are not part of the fare. The online system for some reason does seem to add them however the regular sabre used by AA doesn't

Cool. Thanks for the explanation. May come in handy for me at some stage soon

 

[JohnK]

Aug/Sept isnt peak season. Should be able to find fares to London well under A$2636. Heck even via NZ would be significantly cheaper than that. Of course may not necessarily be on QF.

Aug isn't peak season? Try telling that to QF, TG, SQ etc. July 01 - Aug 15 is the second highest season on QF website only marginally behind the Dec 12 - Dec 23 season. My available dates are Aug 06 - Sept 05, therefore peak season.

 

[JohnK]

I am travelling to FRA. The flight from MEL - SIN costs around $1266, and the flight from SIN - FRA approximately $1055 AUD. In total that would cost $2321. If however, I were looking to book a straight flight (MEL - FRA), apart from the 23 hrs straight, I would be looking at around $1972 - $2056 at most. If possible I would really prefer not to have to pay the extra $300, but unfortunately without the ability to include a stopover this seems inevitable.

Brett, the time that you want to go is considered low-shoulder season and the savings by booking 2 separate flights are not there compared to high season. I just tried my SYD-LHR examples departing between Nov 12 - Nov 25 and the result is pretty much the same as yours. The flight costs much more if making 2 bookings. I guess I am lucky travelling high season.

Your best bet may be to book through a travel agent, or even Qantas and pay the booking fee, as they could add a stopover for you at not much more cost than the original airfare.

 

[auriga]

For example.... I recently arranged a ticket from Eggland to Oz in K... The base fare listed on expert flyer was GBP904

over the internet , AAs site quoted GBP1096 inc tax. When done over the phone it dropped to GBP973 inc tax.

From Qantas it was even higher than the GBP1096.

Dave

Is that calling the US number, or the Australian number?
There seem to be some mention on the AA website about non-US/UK/ Canadian residents not being able to book online as well.
Thanks.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Aug isn't peak season? Try telling that to QF, TG, SQ etc. July 01 - Aug 15 is the second highest season on QF website only marginally behind the Dec 12 - Dec 23 season. My available dates are Aug 06 - Sept 05, therefore peak season.

Some examples found in just a few minutes on zuji for AKL-LHR return (in NZ$)

BI $1611 - as long as first flight is before end March and can stopover for free enroute in Australia.
QF $1679 - as long as first flight is before end March and can stopover for free enroute in Australia.
BA exactly the same.
BI $1691 - as long as first flight is before end June and can stopover for free enroute in Australia.
BI $1789 - no date restrictions
CX $1692 - as long as first flight is before end June and can stopover for free enroute in Hong Kong, includes $100 duty free voucher.
QF $1779 - first flight between April & September.
BA $1779 - same as above.
CX $1786 - first flight before end September, includes $100 duty free voucher.
OZ $1790 - first flight before end May and can stopover for free enroute including Sydney, includes free overnight accommodation on return (forced overnight) & 4 stopovers.
BI $1798 - as long as first flight is before end June and can stopover for free enroute in Australia.
TG $1840 - as long as first flight is before end Mar and can stopover for free enroute in Bangkok.
EK $1852 - as long as first flight is before end Mar and can stopover for free enroute in Australia.
LH $1883.
OZ $1884 - first flight before end May and can stopover for free enroute including Sydney, includes free overnight accommodation on return (forced overnight) & 4 stopovers.
TG $1937 - as long as first flight is before end Mar and can stopover for free enroute in Bangkok.

I'll stop here - there are lots more fares between 1900 and 2100.

Most of the date restricted fares listed above have a modest surcharge for departure date outside specified period.

Many of these fares allow 2 or more en route stopovers, meaning you could stop both ways in Australia if desired (subject to routing of course).