Suggestions for flights to Dubai

[Lu-Lu]

Hi All
Am looking to plan a family trip (4 pax) to Dubai over the New Year. We will need to fly out of Perth but the direct Emirates flights are $30000 in J - argh. I can get us going through Bangkok at $20000 which is clearly better but wondering if anyone has any suggestions to bring the price down further (apart from Y) as I have noticed the hotel prices in Dubai have increased in priced significantly since I was there last.

I have about 250,000 Qantas FF points and about 150,000 American Express points. I am happy to be in Y class for a 4 to 5 (max) hour flight but anything over that I like to be in J class. Don't mind doing a stop over in Asia.

Any suggestions?
Thanks
L

 

[lovestotravel]

What type of American Express card do you have ?

If you have a Platinum Charge card you have access to some great discounts for business class!

 

[Travel Guru]

Have a look as a comparison at using DXB as a stopover and not your end destination (say flying onto Paris for example for a couple of days), I know when I used to sell alot of EK it was always cheaper to buy a through fare than it was to just buy a DXB destination fare.

Just did a quick search and you should be able to get SQ for just over 25k

TG

 

[Lu-Lu]

What type of American Express card do you have ?

If you have a Platinum Charge card you have access to some great discounts for business class!

I have a Centurion Amex and have always asked them to quote me on travel and I have ALWAYS been able to find cheaper myself on flights. I use them for hotels as we often get the upgrades etc but flight pricing is usually 10 to 20% higher.

 

[Lu-Lu]

Have a look as a comparison at using DXB as a stopover and not your end destination (say flying onto Paris for example for a couple of days), I know when I used to sell alot of EK it was always cheaper to buy a through fare than it was to just buy a DXB destination fare.

Just did a quick search and you should be able to get SQ for just over 25k

TG

Just looked at going to Rome via DXB and it's the same price - crazy! Now I am thinking of all the possibilities of skiing in Northern Italy in January. Thanks for the idea!

L

 

[haydensydney]

Try using points to get to Bangkok or Singapore and then buy J from there. You will be surprised at how cheap the Asia>Anywhere flights are.

 

[lovestotravel]

I have a Centurion Amex and have always asked them to quote me on travel and I have ALWAYS been able to find cheaper myself on flights. I use them for hotels as we often get the upgrades etc but flight pricing is usually 10 to 20% higher.

Well you have access to about 20-30% off flights then in business class.

Not sure as I haven't quoted out prices to DXB, but on flights to the USA and Europe there are discounts of 20-40% off the prices that you get through the airlines website.

Give them a call and ask for the "companion fares"

 

[haydensydney]

PS... Not sure about your dates, but my search on www.bestflights.com.au is coming up with the following:

Bangkok - Dubai - Bangkok (DEP: 29 Dec RET: 8 JAN) - Business Class
Jet Airways via Mumbai = $1358 ea
Qatar via Doha = $1539 ea
Gulf Air via ? = $1888ea
Thai = $2740ea (Direct)
Emirates = $2823ea (Direct and A380 I think!)

Get my drift? You could also go in First on Emirates for $3583 ea. Not bad aye! Also, try to look at Abu Dhabi as an arrival destination as it's not far away. Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi is lovely BTW and you can find my report on it here.

PS... Centurion travel are usually fairly useless for us as we are like you - we can always find better fares online etc. We only once found cheaper fares on Etihad.

 

[browski]

PER-BKK-DXB return on TG is about $23000 return in J.
PER-CGK-DXB return on GA is cheaper again.
QR is supposed to be commencing flights from PER, so maybe they have some good deals.

 

[docjames]

Would definately look at purchasing PER-xx_-PER (where xx_ is SIN, BKK etc) and xx_-DXB-xx_ as it should work out substantially cheaper.

GA will presumably have a good fare if you're prepared to fly GA.

 

[Travel Guru]

Just looked at going to Rome via DXB and it's the same price - crazy! Now I am thinking of all the possibilities of skiing in Northern Italy in January. Thanks for the idea!

L

My pleasure, I used to tell my clients the same thing...go and spend a few days in Paris, Venice, Rome, wherever because for if it's cheaper or the same price you'd be mad not too.

Enjoy the trip.

TG