MEL-SYD via ADL/CBR for SC's -Virgin

[mavrick9]

I do the regular trip MEL -SYD and return. Got one coming up, and can afford a couple hours either way to earn a few more SC's.

Often flying MEL to OOL it's cheaper or a few $ more to go via SYD.

Does such a routing exist between MEL and SYD on the one ticket? Can I go via ADL or CBR.

 

[pgsdiver]

Out of interest I just did a check for a variety of days over the next week or so and nothing. I suspect there are no "intersting" routings because of the frequency between SYD and MEL.
I've done the route many many times and have never multi-stopped.
Regards,
Peter

 

[serfty]

It all depends on the routing rules. For MEL/OOL connections via SYD are generally listed.

You will find that for MEL/SYD the rules would show something like "direct flight only".

Going back 10-20 years you could often connect on high value fares through Canberra but this was tightened up in the latter part of the last decade.

Here are some routing rules for MEL-OOL on VA:
Results from ExpertFlyer.com

Fare Routing Search:
Departing MEL on 15/07/14 for OOL
Fare basis code SZDA
Flying VA
Routing via Eastern Hemisphere

MEL-OOL       CXR-VA       TUE 15JUL14                     USD
THE FOLLOWING CARRIERS ALSO PUBLISH FARES MEL-OOL:
DJ EK EY JQ QF U0 
  **AUSTRALIAN GST INCLUDED IN BASE FARE**
//SEE FQHELP FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW FARE DISPLAYS//
  SURCHARGE FOR PAPER TICKET MAY BE ADDED WHEN ITIN PRICED
AUD CONVERTED TO USD USING BSR 1 USD - 1.0669 AUD              
    V FARE BASIS     BK    FARE   TRAVEL-TICKET AP  MINMAX  RTG
  1   SZDA           S‡X    76.00 D28MR  T31JL  -/‡  -/  -    1
  2   SZDA           S‡X    85.00     ----      -/‡  -/  -    1
  3   SZDA           S‡X    90.00     ----      -/‡  -/  - 9000
 
*** THERE ARE NO YY REQUESTED FARES PUBLISHED MEL-OOL *** 
 
   1*  TRAVEL MUST BE DIRECT
9000*  1. MEL-ADL/CBR/SYD-OOL
       TRAVEL MUST NOT BE NONSTOP
.

 

[mavrick9]

I've had a further good look and can't see any MEL-SYD via anywhere flights on Virgin.

Although, if your in Hobart / Tasmania you can do HBA-MEL-SYD for $155.00 (also LST-MEL-SYD for $155) or HBA-MEL-CBR for $199.00

Virgin also allow you to go HBA-(via MEL-BNE)-CBR for $641.00

If your in ADL you can do ADL-MEL-SYD for $196.21

But no connecting flights MEL-X-SYD

 

[medhead]

I think you're missing the key difference between MEL-SYD and all those other routes, which have obvious transit ports. There is no obvious transit port for MEL-SYD without going well out of your way. That is why the routing rules don't allow it.

 

[serfty]

...

But no connecting flights MEL-X-SYD

As indicated, the routing rules allow no connections:Results from ExpertFlyer.com

Fare Routing Search:
Departing MEL on 15/07/14 for SYD
Fare basis code SZDA
Flying VA
Routing via Eastern Hemisphere

    V FARE BASIS     BK    FARE   TRAVEL-TICKET AP  MINMAX  RTG
  1   SZDA           S‡X    83.00     ----      -/‡  -/  -    1
PASSENGER TYPE-ADT                 AUTO PRICE-YES              
FROM-MEL TO-SYD    CXR-VA    TVL-15JUL14  RULE-1130 IPRTPFD/302
FARE BASIS-SZDA              NORMAL FARE  DIS-N   VENDOR-ATP
FARE TYPE-ER      OW-ECONOMY RESTRICTED
AUD    88.99  0001  E04FEB14 D-INFINITY   FC-SZDA  FN-     
SYSTEM DATES - CREATED 03FEB14/0316  EXPIRES INFINITY
 
PUBLISHED RTG MEL-SYD/VA1   /TAR-TGRG    EF-04FEB14 DIS-INDEF
 
/WITHIN THE EASTERN HEMISPHERE/
 TRAVEL MUST BE DIRECT
.

Compare with my prior post for MEL-OOL:

    V FARE BASIS     BK    FARE   TRAVEL-TICKET AP  MINMAX  RTG
   1   SZDA           S‡X    76.00 D28MR  T31JL  -/‡  -/  -    1
   2   SZDA           S‡X    85.00     ----      -/‡  -/  -    1
   3   SZDA           S‡X    90.00     ----      -/‡  -/  - 9000 ...

   1*  TRAVEL MUST BE DIRECT
9000*  1. MEL-ADL/CBR/SYD-OOL
       TRAVEL MUST NOT BE NONSTOP

Note that even to get the $76 base fare for MEL-OOL, no connection is permitted. The '9000*' routing is $90 and allows a connection in ADL, SYD or CBR.

 

[TomVexille]

It all depends on the routing rules. For MEL/OOL connections via SYD are generally listed.

You will find that for MEL/SYD the rules would show something like "direct flight only".

Going back 10-20 years you could often connect on high value fares through Canberra but this was tightened up in the latter part of the last decade.

Here are some routing rules for MEL-OOL on VA:
Results from ExpertFlyer.com

Fare Routing Search:
Departing MEL on 15/07/14 for OOL
Fare basis code SZDA
Flying VA
Routing via Eastern Hemisphere

MEL-OOL       CXR-VA       TUE 15JUL14                     USD
THE FOLLOWING CARRIERS ALSO PUBLISH FARES MEL-OOL:
DJ EK EY JQ QF U0 
  **AUSTRALIAN GST INCLUDED IN BASE FARE**
//SEE FQHELP FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW FARE DISPLAYS//
  SURCHARGE FOR PAPER TICKET MAY BE ADDED WHEN ITIN PRICED
AUD CONVERTED TO USD USING BSR 1 USD - 1.0669 AUD              
    V FARE BASIS     BK    FARE   TRAVEL-TICKET AP  MINMAX  RTG
  1   SZDA           S‡X    76.00 D28MR  T31JL  -/‡  -/  -    1
  2   SZDA           S‡X    85.00     ----      -/‡  -/  -    1
  3   SZDA           S‡X    90.00     ----      -/‡  -/  - 9000
 
*** THERE ARE NO YY REQUESTED FARES PUBLISHED MEL-OOL *** 
 
   1*  TRAVEL MUST BE DIRECT
9000*  1. MEL-ADL/CBR/SYD-OOL
       TRAVEL MUST NOT BE NONSTOP
.

Thanks for that