QR returning to CBR

[ketsuzei]

The usual iterative booking process for me.

Version 1: CBR-DOH-LHR-DOH-CBR QFF 318,000pts+AUD1,674.30
(thinking: "nothing on AA and best to get in quick")
Version 2: CBR-DOH-LHR ZRH-DOH-CBR QFF 318,000pts+AUD1,303.10
(a few hours later; Stockholm syndrome has kicked in and that feels almost "cheap")
(two calls to Fiji; first jumped through to the survey before the booking had been completed; second operator had no record of the first attempt, but was able to change my booking as requested in around 20 minutes)
Version 3: CBR-DOH-EDI ZRH-DOH-CBR AA 200,000pts+USD205.20
(ZRH-DOH in F, seems to be the old Cathay seats; ticketed within 15 minutes)

This is why my QFF points balance never seems to decline more than temporarily.

 

[levelnine]

The usual iterative booking process for me.

That is an astronomical difference in taxes, not to mention points.

But the key question is ... how do you earn AA points easily in Australia?!

 

[RooFlyer]

But the key question is ... how do you earn AA points easily in Australia?!

Easily, but not many: car rentals (Avis, at least).

 

[BNEFlyer]

That is an astronomical difference in taxes, not to mention points.

But the key question is ... how do you earn AA points easily in Australia?!

AA points are also able to be purchased and are reasonably good value if you buy them during a promo.

 

[levelnine]

AA points are also able to be purchased and are reasonably good value if you buy them during a promo.

Thanks for the pointer.

Though that destroys the comparative value proposition.

According to this article, AA sells points for as low as $USD.0245 per mile when on sale.

So to buy 200K AA miles, it would cost you $USD4,900, making the total ticket cost ~$AUD7,400.

In Australia, it is relatively easy to pick up Qantas points at $AUD.005 per point or better through credit card churning.

So to buy 318,000 QFF, it would cost you $AUD1,590, making the total ticket cost $AUD2,893.

Perhaps a better proposition if the AUD ever gets to parity with the USD again, but at current rates you're still way better off with QFF (unless you can churn American cards).

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

bunch of those tickets that were there are the far end of the spectrum disappeared today for CBR to DOH, i'd be surprised if that was all people taking them.

indicated on the image ones that were there Yesterday in Business.

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

and now they are only releasing economy as they come out each day, disappointing.

 

[Viper6]

Trying to book a Qatar business class rewards flight from Doha back to (anywhere) in Australia. Seems Canberra is the only city with some availability, however I am wondering why I can't get off in Melbourne if the flight stops over there? Why do I have to travel all the way to Canberra?

If I do a search in the multi city booking tool on Qantas, it doesn't show any availability for DOHA-MELBOURNE but it does for DOHA-CANBERRA?

 

[Hoatzin]

Read about "Married Segments". That is what is going on.

 

[levelnine]

I am wondering why I can't get off in Melbourne if the flight stops over there?

Actually, you can. But it won't be possible if you have checked luggage. And you risk getting into trouble with the airline in the future as you are violating their conditions of carriage by doing so: What Happens When You Skip Flight On An Itinerary?

 

[Viper6]

Even I book via the Qantas call centre and tell them I want to get off in Melbourne? Or is that not an option at all?

I thought Qatar flies twice a day now to Melbourne (one in morning, one in evening) so I should be able to get off there as this is the evening flight there?

 

[levelnine]

Even I book via the Qantas call centre and tell them I want to get off in Melbourne? Or is that not an option at all?

I thought Qatar flies twice a day now to Melbourne (one in morning, one in evening) so I should be able to get off there as this is the evening flight there?

The Qantas call centre will be unable to do it. They will say the segments are married. Either you book the entire ticket to Canberra or cancel the entire ticket. No middle option.

The fact that Qatar has another flight just to Melbourne doesn't matter. If you want to fly just to Melbourne, book a ticket just to Melbourne. Of course, there are none available, which is the point — to force customers to buy particular tickets.

 

[Viper6]

Thank you for the clarification, bit of a shame but I guess it's an extra hour in Melbourne airport and an extra hour in Q Suite on the way to Canberra.

Would have been nice to get off the plane at 11pm to go to a hotel in Melbourne Airport instead of having to fly through to Canberra and going to the hotel at 2am... but beggars can't be choosers

 

[Scarlett]

If flying DOH-MEL-CBR do pax (and bags) clear customs/immi in MEL? If so, just walk out at that point. (probably nice to tell local staff that you’re leaving in MEL so they don’t waste time chasing you up… “my travel plans have just changed”)

If not as per situation above and customs is done in CBR, @Viper6 is hand luggage only an option to just leave the flight in MEL?

 

[Viper6]

If flying DOH-MEL-CBR do pax (and bags) clear customs/immi in MEL? If so, just walk out at that point. (probably nice to tell local staff that you’re leaving in MEL so they don’t waste time chasing you up… “my travel plans have just changed”)

If not as per situation above and customs is done in CBR, @Viper6 is hand luggage only an option to just leave the flight in MEL?

Yes flying DOH-MEL-CBR but unfortunately will have checked luggage as been away for over 1 year. Good point about the immigration/bags, I hadn’t thought about that.. However I would think checked bags stay on the plane through to Canberra and passengers all have to get off and go to a lounge/gate in Melbourne Airport until it’s time for boarding again?

 

[levelnine]

With this flight, you clear customs in CBR. Not possible to pick up your bags in MEL and head home.

 

[Scarlett]

Well I suppose you could always ask at originating airport if the staff there can ‘short check’ your bags to MEL and tell them your travel plans have changed.
In my experience, check in staff aren’t always familiar with the tickets their organisation may have sold, so may not be aware of this particular married segment logic.

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

my understanding that you arent permitted to leave the plane if you are ticketed through a technical stop.

 

[Viper6]

my understanding that you arent permitted to leave the plane if you are ticketed through a technical stop.

Interesting… oh ok. That makes it less of an issue then as don’t need to disembark and reboard. 1.5 hours stuck inside on the ground seems a lot though..

 

[BNEFlyer]

Trying to book a Qatar business class rewards flight from Doha back to (anywhere) in Australia. Seems Canberra is the only city with some availability, however I am wondering why I can't get off in Melbourne if the flight stops over there? Why do I have to travel all the way to Canberra?

If I do a search in the multi city booking tool on Qantas, it doesn't show any availability for DOHA-MELBOURNE but it does for DOHA-CANBERRA?

The flight is DOH-(MEL)-CBR, not DOH-MEL/MEL-CBR. And your boarding pass would say DOH-CBR and any luggage would be tagged DOH-CBR.