Qantas for FF points or cheaper airline to Europe

[ellen10]

We are planning a trip to Europe for Sept next year wont have enough QFF points for 2 return trips (only 1). Now what to do? Should we fly QF or partner airline to collect points or possibly fly Singapore or Emirates who seem to have good early bird flight deals.
Probably best options would be to fly SYD to Paris and then out of a port in Italy back home as that would be our last destination.

Your thoughts would be appreciated

 

[markis10]

Have you looked at using your points to get to Asia and then grab a fare from there?

 

[ellen10]

No I had not looked at that option. How would I go about it?

How do I book flights from Asia, online? I'm sorry I am new at these options and do not know where to start. I have read of other people doing this. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[markis10]

You can book flights ex Asia by selecting the intended country as your home country online at the QF website, ex Singapore is no issue, ex Bangkok has problems as you need to present your credit card to the agent in town to get the ticket organised.

 

[michaely]

We have done this exercise three times in the past 18 months, and come to the same conclusion.Travel in J or C class on an Asian airline(MH/TG) to CDG or FCO, and thence in to LHR, using one-way e-tickets with BA, and back out to CDG or FCO prior to returning to Aus.
Our experience has been:- Better service, less expensive, and less hassle than QF FF Award ticket , unless you have almost a year to book and finalise your itinerary.
Hope this helps,
M

 

[drewbles]

We have done this exercise three times in the past 18 months, and come to the same conclusion.Travel in J or C class on an Asian airline(MH/TG) to CDG or FCO, and thence in to LHR, using one-way e-tickets with BA, and back out to CDG or FCO prior to returning to Aus.
Our experience has been:- Better service, less expensive, and less hassle than QF FF Award ticket , unless you have almost a year to book and finalise your itinerary.
Hope this helps,
M

Note that doing it this way may cause problems in the event of a mis-connection.

If you arrive into CDG late for any reason and you're onward flight to elsewhere in Europe is not on the same ticket, you may lose your flight and have to buy another.

Of course this may not happen, but its best to know the risks. Having a good. Travel agent may help, as they can usually book the same fares that are available on the airlines websites, letting you have everything on one ticket. If you miss your connecting flight in this situation, the airline should just protect you over to the next availabe flight through to your final destination.

 

[ellen10]

There has been a small trickle of Earlybird flights coming through. Not many for Sept/Oct. Something about not being able to book more than 10 months out.

Speaking of Travel Agents I went to visit a local TA to get a few quotes for different airlines. He was quite young and scarily he didn't even know that Venice had an international airport. Said that Singapore Airlines didn't even fly into or out of Italy, and kept asking me to name another Italian city that he could look up, for flights. I was trying to be polite but I couldn't get out of there quick enough. He did offer me his card that called him a "travel stylist". I politely took it. This agency had been recommended to me by my neighbour who booked a tour with them.

 

[michaely]

An experienced traveller would allow plenty of time.We allow a buffer of at least 12 -24 hours, if we are buying extra flights independently.
We had a case three months ago, where our flight was delayed overnight. The airline put us up in a hotel, as one would expect, and we continued our journey the next morning.We emailed our hotel at our destination to advise of our delay, and ensure they held our room.
We use a travel agent/consolidator for long-haul flights and the rest we do on-line.
Hope this helps rather than confuses,
M

Note that doing it this way may cause problems in the event of a mis-connection.

If you arrive into CDG late for any reason and you're onward flight to elsewhere in Europe is not on the same ticket, you may lose your flight and have to buy another.

Of course this may not happen, but its best to know the risks. Having a good. Travel agent may help, as they can usually book the same fares that are available on the airlines websites, letting you have everything on one ticket. If you miss your connecting flight in this situation, the airline should just protect you over to the next availabe flight through to your final destination.

 

[michaely]

We always do a reality/honesty check on anything we are told by TA's, either on-line, and with another agent.

There has been a small trickle of Earlybird flights coming through. Not many for Sept/Oct. Something about not being able to book more than 10 months out.

Speaking of Travel Agents I went to visit a local TA to get a few quotes for different airlines. He was quite young and scarily he didn't even know that Venice had an international airport. Said that Singapore Airlines didn't even fly into or out of Italy, and kept asking me to name another Italian city that he could look up, for flights. I was trying to be polite but I couldn't get out of there quick enough. He did offer me his card that called him a "travel stylist". I politely took it. This agency had been recommended to me by my neighbour who booked a tour with them.

 

[grussellt]

What class are you looking to travel. We generally fly Sydney to Europe on points and buy a single back from London. There are not many bargains in J but generally BA/QF offer single in Y for around $850. Current single fares for May are around that price but September is a little over $1000 but should fall as that date is approached (say 5-7 months out)

 

[ellen10]

Having experienced Premium Economy on Qantas I would like to say PE but in reality it will be Economy. But thats ok as I would rather spend the money on more travel. Did enquire about paying extra for an exit row seat but that seems to be a bit of a lottery.

I thought buying a one way ticket would be more expensive, not just half the price. Maybe I will rethink the points thing.

 

[Alanslegal]

Maybe book 2 x one way to Europe using QF points, and purchasing return flights ex-EUR, then you can return back in 2012 This would mean you wait until mid 2011 to purchase those ex-EUR flights.

I just did a quick award search for 1/09/11 and entered SYD to CDG for 2, and it said seats yes, but I would fly the long way SYD-JFK-CDG .... now if only this had F seats

 

[ellen10]

Why would you choose to fly via New York? For stopover purposes?

To purchase tickets ex EUR would you do that online, through an Airline website? You would then have to have a definite return date for 2012 I assume?

 

[Alanslegal]

Why would you choose to fly via New York? For stopover purposes?

To purchase tickets ex EUR would you do that online, through an Airline website? You would then have to have a definite return date for 2012 I assume?

I searched SYD-CDG and the automatic results for that particular day was SYD-JFK-CDG. There is no stopover but just straight through. Sometimes it works out for a flyer, for eg. no availability for SYD-Europe via Asia but there is seats available if you want to go the long way via the USA and for the same amount of points. This is great if you want to fly in premium cabins and get an extra flight for the same amount of points.

Generally booked straight with the airline and online would be the easiest.

 

[grussellt]

Why would you choose to fly via New York? For stopover purposes?

To purchase tickets ex EUR would you do that online, through an Airline website? You would then have to have a definite return date for 2012 I assume?

It might seem strange but an award trip to Paris via the US (QF/AA) needs 64000pts but via Asia to London (and then BA to Paris) will be at least 74000pts. For availability use the muti-city award for SYD-LAX and then LAX-CDG. To purchase a single (or return) from Europe try Jetabroad, Expedia or Zuji which allow bookings from departure points outside Oz. To search best fares over a period (say a month) use ITA Software. The trip to Europe via the US is quite manageable as I flew to Dublin via LAX and ORD in August. It's worth spending $50 to use AA Lounges for a day (Admirals Club).

 

[ellen10]

Thanks for your replies.
Our first choice flyout date is 18th September 2011 so I will look at options there. And look at the possibility of purchasing a return flight through the sites mentioned.

Can anyone join the Admirals club for a day? Is this done online through AA once you have your flights?

 

[grussellt]

Thanks for your replies.
Our first choice flyout date is 18th September 2011 so I will look at options there. And look at the possibility of purchasing a return flight through the sites mentioned.

Can anyone join the Admirals club for a day? Is this done online through AA once you have your flights?

As it's a Sunday there's not a lot of choice left to LAX but you can still get there via AKL. From LAX there are several routes to Paris but I'd allow at least 2 hr connection in LAX. It looks a long route but you'll still be in Paris by 9 o'clock Monday.
You can join AA online for free. Admiral's Club can be paid in LAX on arrival and then you will have use of LAX/Intermediate Stop/possibly Paris on arrival.
I would book your outward award ASAP.