Using Points for Sydney to Milan?

[Rob_T]

A long time anonymous lurker, now asking a question

We are planning a trip to Italy and want to use QFF points for Sydney to Milan and then Rome to Sydney. (Travel within Italy will be via ground.)

An important constraint is that I need the extra luggage allowance provided by my Qantas Club membership. (Travelling with my wife. Say no more.)

I've done some initial checking and it appears as if we probably need to go through Heathrow. Is this correct? Or am I missing something via a One World or other partner airline?

 

[Danger]

Welcome, Rob_T.

Firstly, the additional baggage allowance that comes with being a Qantas Club member does not extend to other airlines, including oneworld carriers. Additionally, it does not apply on QF codeshares.

Secondly, there are other ways of getting to Milan (MXP) that don't involve LHR but they are likely going to be more expensive. For example, Malev (via Budapest), Finnair (via Helsinki), Royal Jordanian (via Amman) and Iberia (via Madrid) all fly direct from their hubs. The downside of an award on those carriers requires more points that if flying with British Airways.

Is it an issue going through LHR? Flying through LHR would allow you to use your Qantas Club membership, as well as in MCP and FCO (Rome). However, there are no recipricoal arrangements on the other oneworld carriers mentioned above for Qantas Club members.

 

[hazel]

We are planning a trip to Italy and want to use QFF points for Sydney to Milan and then Rome to Sydney. (Travel within Italy will be via ground.)
An important constraint is that I need the extra luggage allowance provided by my Qantas Club membership. (Travelling with my wife. Say no more.)
I've done some initial checking and it appears as if we probably need to go through Heathrow. Is this correct? Or am I missing something via a One World or other partner airline?

Hi Rob_T
On our recent Rome to Sydney ticket it was via LHR. The FCO - LHR was with BA & you only get 20kgs of baggage allowance, not the additional Qantas Club allowance.
cheers

 

[Rob_T]

Thanks folks, that has been helpful.

Our European entry point is normally PRG, so we have been going via LHR. (The lounge - and showers - in T5 are excellent.) Since we have not stopped over in LHR, we've checked our bags all the way through and managed to get the Qantas Club allowance all the way - and on the return flights - even though the European legs are BA. I hope this hasn't changed.

This time our entry point will be Milan and it seemed that going to LHR and "back" to Milan was a lot of extra flight time. However, it seems like we need to do that for a rewards flight.

Thanks for the help.