Qantas but not Qantas?

[Pom-DownUnder]

Hi All,

Just curious, although its usually shown as a QF flight for the most part when I do trips home to the UK I most often end up travelling on Emirates Metal.

Australia to UK (or western EU?) what is your preferred metal / QFF partner to use?

Seems like I can go J on all legs for 289,200 points on Emirates metal, good value? should I be looking at a different partner airline?

Thanks and hope you are all enjoying your monday morning

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi All,

Just curious, although its usually shown as a QF flight for the most part when I do trips home to the UK I most often end up travelling on Emirates Metal.

Australia to UK (or western EU?) what is your preferred metal / QFF partner to use?

Seems like I can go J on all legs for 289,200 points on Emirates metal, good value? should I be looking at a different partner airline?

Thanks and hope you are all enjoying your monday morning

Qantas awards are based on charts and zones. The AA/QF/EK chart is cheapest, and you can mix those three airlines on one award without penalty. If you move to the partner chart, you can mix those airlines, and those airlines only, without penalty. If you start to mix charts - crossing between airlines, you'll start to pay hefty penalties because your flights will be based on sector prices rather than the 'through price' for a zone.

So yes, if you have found EK or QF/EK combinations, that will be the best value. And Emirates is a pretty good product, particularly on the A380 (777 not so much unles syou get the new 2-2-2 configuration, of which they only have 9 planes I think).

The partner award chart is 5-10K more for a particular zone.

 

[Danger]

Another factor to consider when using EK is the extortionate fuel fuels. An Australia to Europe ticket can easily be $800 or more one way.

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

Another factor to consider when using EK is the extortionate fuel fuels. An Australia to Europe ticket can easily be $800 or more one way.

Ah I assumed that was flat across airlines, EK are worse than others?

 

[Danger]

Ah I assumed that was flat across airlines, EK are worse than others?

For Qantas's partners, yes. The next worst are BA and QR.

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

For Qantas's partners, yes. The next worst are BA and QR.

interesting! and if going to uk the best would be ?

 

[Danger]

interesting! and if going to uk the best would be ?

Definitely Cathay.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Also in my experience Cathay recognition of QFF status is second to none.
Much better recognition than QF give us!

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

Good to know, thanks! had a quick search and doesnt seem to be much availability for them but am sure there is a few tips and tricks, cheers

 

[p--and--t]

Definitely Cathay.

Question: Is that still the case after the HK gov lifted the ban on fuel charges in December? I'm also interested for future planning.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Good to know, thanks! had a quick search and doesnt seem to be much availability for them but am sure there is a few tips and tricks, cheers

Cathay may have lower fuel surcharges, but availability is a big part of the equation. Emirates is usually pretty easy to get, and if not for non-stops out of australia, you can always take qantas to say Bali or Singapore and pick up emirates from there. Cathay will cost you more points up front through.

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

Cathay may have lower fuel surcharges, but availability is a big part of the equation. Emirates is usually pretty easy to get, and if not for non-stops out of australia, you can always take qantas to say Bali or Singapore and pick up emirates from there. Cathay will cost you more points up front through.

Yea had a quick look and couldnt see anything for cathay higher than Y, cheap fuel though to be fair! kinda answers another question for me, as the fees for EK if i went economy seemed to be basically not much saving at all, so its J or bust with EK I reckon!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yea had a quick look and couldnt see anything for cathay higher than Y, cheap fuel though to be fair! kinda answers another question for me, as the fees for EK if i went economy seemed to be basically not much saving at all, so its J or bust with EK I reckon!

I think EK is by far the most 'fun' - great lounges for business class, the on board bar, good amenity kits, a fantastic drinks list. There does seem to be a lot of QR availability next Feb through - I searched it through AA.com. If you can snag Qsuites it's a nice ride.

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

I think EK is by far the most 'fun' - great lounges for business class, the on board bar, good amenity kits, a fantastic drinks list. There does seem to be a lot of QR availability next Feb through - I searched it through AA.com. If you can snag Qsuites it's a nice ride.

I need 289,200 for my trip J start to finish and i'm at 241,000, not booking until June/July so hoping to make it, Q-suites are a future dream to be sure, anything to not travel 26 hours in Y lol

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I need 289,200 for my trip J start to finish and i'm at 241,000, not booking until June/July so hoping to make it, Q-suites are a future dream to be sure, anything to not travel 26 hours in Y lol

Don't forget if you fly out of Perth you can get to Europe return for just 253000 (buy a cheap flight to Perth, if such a thing ever exists in future). Alternatively you can book from Perth now, and change to east coast later for a 5000 point change fee + additional points if you get them. Out of Perth also allows you to fly PER-SIN (Qf) and EK out of Singapore.

If you buy a cheap flight to Singapore in economy, even more options open up - like Emirates first class mainland Europe for 284600 on Emirates (business for 189000)

 

[Mattg]

Question: Is that still the case after the HK gov lifted the ban on fuel charges in December? I'm also interested for future planning.

Cathay Pacific completely eliminated fuel surcharges on its flights at the beginning of this month.

 

[get me outta here]

I saw that just now when getting a 'quote' CX JFK - CBR priced at around $53 in F / J.

Cathay Pacific completely eliminated fuel surcharges on its flights at the beginning of this month.

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

Don't forget if you fly out of Perth you can get to Europe return for just 253000 (buy a cheap flight to Perth, if such a thing ever exists in future). Alternatively you can book from Perth now, and change to east coast later for a 5000 point change fee + additional points if you get them. Out of Perth also allows you to fly PER-SIN (Qf) and EK out of Singapore.

If you buy a cheap flight to Singapore in economy, even more options open up - like Emirates first class mainland Europe for 284600 on Emirates (business for 189000)

Heya Mate

think I looked at this before and must be missing something, when I look at singapore to UK and back, in EK business I get $1,600 and 216,800 points? (see attached). What am I missing ?

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

Heya Mate

think I looked at this before and must be missing something, when I look at singapore to UK and back, in EK business I get $1,600 and 216,800 points? (see attached). What am I missing ?

ahh the mainland EU part perhaps? an extra 20,000 points and $200 for going over the north sea? shocking

 

[MEL_Traveller]

ahh the mainland EU part perhaps? an extra 20,000 points and $200 for going over the north sea? shocking

Spot on! But the extra $$ is the UK luxury departure tax. You can also open jaw your award - fly into MAN and our of mainland Europe. That will save you some points one the shorter journey back and $$.