Suggestions re finding a J award Syd - Ath return

[kpc]

In Oct 2013, I'm thinking of attending a conference in Athens. My flights are covered by work but it is always a challenge getting an award in business for my +1. SQ are suspending Sin-Ath direct flights in Oct this year, dashing my plans for an easy SQ J saver Syd-Sin-Ath award.

I could use Velocity pts to redeem a J return on Etihad, Syd-Auh-Ath (most direct route) but looking at availability at the moment, this seems quite variable - at this stage, this seems my favoured option, availability pending; cost is around 200K Velocity pts.

Using QF points, I need to fly Syd-Sin-Lhr-Ath (QF / BA) which is rather indirect and long, and availability in J class on QF between Syd-Lhr seems very poor. It also costs 332K QF pts!!!

I could use US airway miles (have previously bought some) to fly Syd-Bkk-Fra-Ath on TG / LH but this is not my preferred option..

I wondered about using SQ pts to redeem a *alliance partner award eg Syd-Sin-Fra on SQ, and then LH fr Fra to Ath....I will need to ring SQ up to find out if this is possible, and how many points it would cost (just looked it up - probably 190K SQ pts).

Whatever I choose, I will need to be able to buy a commercial flight on the exact same flights for myself.

Any other thoughts / suggestions?
Thanks!

 

[JohnK]

That is a huge shame the SQ SIN-ATH flights are being suspended. One less option of getting to ATH via Asia on one stop.

Have you thought about TG BKK-ATH? They fly on alternate days to SQ.

 

[kpc]

Have you thought about TG BKK-ATH? They fly on alternate days to SQ.

I don't think TG fly to Ath anymore...can't find that flight on the TG website.

 

[futaris]

Fly via FRA or some other European airport? It's very easy to get SYD-SIN-FRA on QF in June 2013 using AAdvantage miles in Business or First... Theoretically you should be able to redeem on Etihad too, using AAdvantage miles.

Alternatively, Istanbul isn't that far away from Athens. Malaysia Airlines, and Singapore Airlines fly there...

 

[trooper]

TG's BKK_ATH was replaced by BKK-BRU.. IIRC!

 

[JohnK]

I don't think TG fly to Ath anymore...can't find that flight on the TG website.

Really? Mum is going to be so disappointed for her trip next year as it appears *Alliance does not offer any 1 stop trips SYD-ATH via Asia.

 

[Alanslegal]

Don't TK fly BKK or SIN to IST ?

 

[futaris]

Tk6476 ist-tak-bkk
tk6477 bkk-del-ist

 

[dajop]

Using QF points, I need to fly Syd-Sin-Lhr-Ath (QF / BA) which is rather indirect and long, and availability in J class on QF between Syd-Lhr seems very poor. It also costs 332K QF pts!!!

....

I wondered about using SQ pts to redeem a *alliance partner award eg Syd-Sin-Fra on SQ, and then LH fr Fra to Ath....I will need to ring SQ up to find out if this is possible, and how many points it would cost (just looked it up - probably 190K SQ pts).

Best bet using QF points would be a oneworld award, saves 50K pts but need to look at least one other OW airline in addition to BA, such as CX, which of course does improve potential availability.

For SQ (or star awards) it seems SQ to SIN then TK to IST/ATH offers best connections (IST-ATH is only about an hour).

Another suggestion, if you don't mind paying a small amount of cash, is to use SQ or QF pts to get to a preferred gateway and use cash (for Y), or US airways miles(for J), to get between the gateway and ATH. Probably save a whole heap of points that way.