Would you feel comfortable with this?

[jackaroo]

After saving QF hard for years, finally booked (using points) 3 business class seats on a one-way ticket Singapore to Europe flying KLM. Booked via Qantas website. Flying early December.

I have checked the booking reference number and is showing via KLM's manage booking page.

After reading loads of threads on here I'm feeling worried. We could not afford to just spring 3 x last minute business flights if our ticket was cancelled. I imagine even econ would be high too at such late notice.

We would look to fly to Singapore from Australia on paid for Qantas flights to meet this KLM flight. The flights we're currently looking at would arrive nine hours prior to above-mentioned reward flights.

I would appreciate thoughts on this.

1. Would you feel comfortable with the reward booking.

2. Is 9 hours enough between flights, given I'm reading about so many cancellations/delays or should we look to arrive day before? I'm reluctant to book day before due to high cost of transit hotels in Singapore AIRPORT (we wouldn't want to leave airport).

Thank you anyone who replies.

 

[JohnK]

I'd be OK with the reward booking as long as it doesn't require changes due to rescheduling or cancellations.

With the connection 9 hours is plenty but you hear stories of constant delays and cancellations. Risk is minimal.

 

[justinbrett]

Much better going paid to reward as you are, as you have full control of the paid booking and more options in event of a delay or cancellation.

Are you ending in AMS or connecting? I know AMS are having even worse problems than LHR with pax and have been capping flights - SIN should be OK but if you've got an onwards connection that could possibly be at risk.

I'd also make sure you have travel insurance, they should come to the party if you miss your connection (depending on your policy).

 

[Joy6328]

1. We have booked multiple legs 4x business class reward tickets dec / Jan this year and also quite nervous but just going to have a full balance credit card and the best insurance we can find. Just hopjng for the best after that.



2. We are staying in Singapore overnight and having a Changi airport day with the kids to waste time - Yotel family room is quite reasonable

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF @jackaroo .

I wouldn’t feel worried at this stage. But certainly don’t go trying to change any part of that booking.

I understand your reluctance to travel to Singapore the day before because of the cost but I still think that would be a sensible thing to do. The KLM flight might be brought forward or your outbound flight to Singapore might be delayed. A bit of insurance with an overnight accommodation would be a relatively small price to pay to make sure it all worked.

 

[jackaroo]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to read and reply. I really appreciate it. What a friendly bunch

We have travel insurance via using a qantas AMEX card however I'm going to take out separate insurance also. Actually, another question if I may - for anyone using Amex cards to book travel and using the insurance they come with I read on the T's & C's the Amex insurance states it needs to be a "return trip". We will be will be returning to Australia but it will be on a completely separate one way flight from the UK (again using AMEX card for paid flights). Does anyone know if AMEX mean you have to buy a return flight or is it just 'returning' to Australia within a set time?

Thanks @Joy6328 I researched Yotel but they didn't have availability for two adults & one child unfortunately. The other hotels are approx $400 for the night (room only!!).

Hi @John Anderson thanks. When you say "require changes due to rescheduling or cancellations" do you mean by us? We won't be changing anything once booked. Or do you mean by the airlne so out of our 'control'?

@justinbrett thanks. We will be staying for a night or two after arriving.

@RooFlyer thank you. We're just on a bit of a budget (we do have contingencies though) and I just feel $400 for a room only in an airport feels like such a waste! I agree with you it would be a "safer" option however. My partner really doesn't want to collect bags, cusoms and travel into Singapore for a night (big bags for a long trip, on a bit of a budget and small child basically).

 

[jackaroo]

Oops my apoogies I meant to tag @JohnK

 

[VPS]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to read and reply. I really appreciate it. What a friendly bunch

We have travel insurance via using a qantas AMEX card however I'm going to take out separate insurance also. Actually, another question if I may - for anyone using Amex cards to book travel and using the insurance they come with I read on the T's & C's the Amex insurance states it needs to be a "return trip". We will be will be returning to Australia but it will be on a completely separate one way flight from the UK (again using AMEX card for paid flights). Does anyone know if AMEX mean you have to buy a return flight or is it just 'returning' to Australia within a set time?

Thanks @Joy6328 I researched Yotel but they didn't have availability for two adults & one child unfortunately. The other hotels are approx $400 for the night (room only!!).

Hi @John Anderson thanks. When you say "require changes due to rescheduling or cancellations" do you mean by us? We won't be changing anything once booked. Or do you mean by the airlne so out of our 'control'?

@justinbrett thanks. We will be staying for a night or two after arriving.

@RooFlyer thank you. We're just on a bit of a budget (we do have contingencies though) and I just feel $400 for a room only in an airport feels like such a waste! I agree with you it would be a "safer" option however. My partner really doesn't want to collect bags, cusoms and travel into Singapore for a night (big bags for a long trip, on a bit of a budget and small child basically).

The cost of the room at the hotel will pale into insignificance if you miss your connection. I know I'm a bit risk averse but I'd be going the day before

 

[jackaroo]

...... researching hotel sites .......

 

[sqrt()]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to read and reply. I really appreciate it. What a friendly bunch

We have travel insurance via using a qantas AMEX card however I'm going to take out separate insurance also. Actually, another question if I may - for anyone using Amex cards to book travel and using the insurance they come with I read on the T's & C's the Amex insurance states it needs to be a "return trip". We will be will be returning to Australia but it will be on a completely separate one way flight from the UK (again using AMEX card for paid flights). Does anyone know if AMEX mean you have to buy a return flight or is it just 'returning' to Australia within a set time?

Thanks @Joy6328 I researched Yotel but they didn't have availability for two adults & one child unfortunately. The other hotels are approx $400 for the night (room only!!).

Hi @John Anderson thanks. When you say "require changes due to rescheduling or cancellations" do you mean by us? We won't be changing anything once booked. Or do you mean by the airlne so out of our 'control'?

@justinbrett thanks. We will be staying for a night or two after arriving.

@RooFlyer thank you. We're just on a bit of a budget (we do have contingencies though) and I just feel $400 for a room only in an airport feels like such a waste! I agree with you it would be a "safer" option however. My partner really doesn't want to collect bags, cusoms and travel into Singapore for a night (big bags for a long trip, on a bit of a budget and small child basically).

you have to pay for the entirety of your outbound flights with the amex card to be covered. I don't think it has to be on the same ticket. Best to check with amex travel (though contacting them is a pain). I don't know about taking out another policy... Amex travel covers covid nowadays.

Edit: fix incorrect info, thanks @encryptededdy

 

[jackaroo]

@sqrt() thanks. The possible complication is that we're going to be a mixture of one way with x airline and then a series of Europe/UK flights here and there and then a one way from UK or Europe to somewhere in Asia and then one way to Australia. All purchased with AMEX.

Thinking separate insurance might be easier....

 

[Joy6328]

...... researching hotel sites .......

Try the yotel website direct as well as through Qantas hotels. I booked through Qantas only because I had a voucher to get rid of

 

[encryptededdy]

iirc, you have to pay for the entirety of your return flights with the amex card to be covered. I don't think it has to be on the same ticket. Best to check with amex travel (though contacting them is a pain). I don't know about taking out another policy... Amex travel covers covid nowadays.

I don't believe this is correct. I would advise OP check with the Qantas card, but at least on my Explorer it says;

You must be on a return trip, BUT you only need to pay the outbound ticket using your American Express card

 

[jackaroo]

Thanks @Joy6328

I think I've figured out why no availability. The rooms look like they're for up to two people (or plus a child under 5). We're two adults and a young child over 5.

It will either need to be two rooms there or a bigger family one elsewhere. Thank you for your advice

 

[jackaroo]

Thanks @encryptededdy

Ours is same. I just couldn't figure out if that meant a return flight on one ticket or if you could have two totally different (routes, booking providers) etc. as long as you were returning

 

[justinbrett]

And do reward flights count if you paid the taxes / carrier surcharge on your AMEX? I've never been sure of that one.

 

[encryptededdy]

you could have two totally different (routes, booking providers) etc. as long as you were returning

I think that's OK, you just need to supply proof

Return Trips Only
You are only eligible for the travel insurance benefits under Sections A – H of this Policy for return Trips i.e. trips that begin and end from Your Home or Work in Australia. It does not cover One-Way Trips where You have no plans to return to Australia.
You may need to provide evidence of Your intention to return to Your Home or Your Work where reasonably possible, for example by providing copies of a return ticket, itinerary or schedule, return transfer or accommodation bookings, confirmation of return to Work dates etc. Remember, cover automatically ends for all Trips at 180 days.

And do reward flights count if you paid the taxes / carrier surcharge on your AMEX? I've never been sure of that one.

Should be OK on the Qantas card, it explicitly calls out Qantas Points

I suppose it does say "where applicable", but I don't see any reason why not.

 

[JohnK]

@jackaroo what I meant by changes and cancellations is let's say KLM makes changes to the scheduled flight or they cancel the flight but this happens close to travel?

There have been lots of reports on AFF where Qantas call centre staff have lost bookings when they have been trying to move flights around and people have been having issues trying to find alternatives or have their booking reinstated.

You may end up on an award a day earlier or a day later and you need to be prepared for this type of scenario. There won't even be many options for your paid flights to SIN in December pretty close to travel.

Personally I do not like paying more than AUD100 for hotel. My wife, 5 year old daughter and I are very comfortable staying in cheaper hotels but not hostels.

In Singapore I would get there a day earlier and go out and stay close to airport. Lots of decent hotels around AUD100 or less.

We had also stayed in SIN airport overnight many times from the time my daughter was born until she was 3 years old. Some of it was in the SQ lounges but there are also very comfortable lounge chairs upstairs in a quiet area.

My daughter is now 5 years old and I would not hesitate staying in SIN airport overnight again in future if necessary.

Good luck and let's hope there are no issues.

 

[Quickstatus]

I think it is reasonable to be comfortable.
Travel is full of ups and downs. There are always going to be factors beyond your control. And travel with a view to the possibility of contingencies and have some $$$ as a backup (outside of Travel insurance)

9hrs is also reasonable

Good luck and maybe if would be so kind to post a Trip Report. Thanks

 

[Pete98765432]

And do reward flights count if you paid the taxes / carrier surcharge on your AMEX? I've never been sure of that one.

While this seems to be covered, I wonder what the situation would be if you paid with a combination of a QF travel pass and Amex. In my case the cancelled flight for which the travel pass was issued was fully paid on Amex, so I could argue that the new flight was in effect fully paid on Amex.

The travel pass is a small portion of the total fare, so I could also argue that the outbound fare was fully paid on Amex with the travel pass applying to the inbound fare.

(This is an academic question as this trip is also covered by ANZ Black card insurance).