Cost efficient J to HKG
Oct 11, 2016, 9:07 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: HKG
Programs: BAEC Gold, CX MPC Gold, Avis preferred plus, MyWaitrose card
Posts: 287
Cost efficient J to HKG
Hi there
I am likely to be flying to Hong Kong in a few weeks time for a trial move to our offices over there, along with my family (wife, child and infant 'in lap'). Work will pay for (most likely economy or premium economy) flights for us, we will be there for 2-3 weeks minimum. Outbound flights will be during October half term (i.e. peak time crap availability).
However... thanks to this invaluable forum we are now fully accustomed to long haul business class and we are somewhat dreading the prospect of 13hours in the air in non lie-flat seating with the kids, particularly as there is a chance my wife will need to come back to the UK with the kids a few days before me due to work commitments etc.
So, does anybody have any suggestions for the cost efficient way I can secure business class flights that I can put to the company...
At this stage I don't know whether I am responsible for booking flights, or our London based travel agent, or the HK office.
I have about 200k avios and a 2-4-1 that I could consider using to book redemptions, or more likely UUA but I guess that doesn't work if we are in Y (or if there aren't enough redemption seats!), and I don't necessarily want to rely on the appearance of a POUG.
As far as I can see there are no decent (Qatar) sale fares on at the moment.
Any suggestions welcome...
I am likely to be flying to Hong Kong in a few weeks time for a trial move to our offices over there, along with my family (wife, child and infant 'in lap'). Work will pay for (most likely economy or premium economy) flights for us, we will be there for 2-3 weeks minimum. Outbound flights will be during October half term (i.e. peak time crap availability).
However... thanks to this invaluable forum we are now fully accustomed to long haul business class and we are somewhat dreading the prospect of 13hours in the air in non lie-flat seating with the kids, particularly as there is a chance my wife will need to come back to the UK with the kids a few days before me due to work commitments etc.
So, does anybody have any suggestions for the cost efficient way I can secure business class flights that I can put to the company...
At this stage I don't know whether I am responsible for booking flights, or our London based travel agent, or the HK office.
I have about 200k avios and a 2-4-1 that I could consider using to book redemptions, or more likely UUA but I guess that doesn't work if we are in Y (or if there aren't enough redemption seats!), and I don't necessarily want to rely on the appearance of a POUG.
As far as I can see there are no decent (Qatar) sale fares on at the moment.
Any suggestions welcome...
Oct 11, 2016, 9:13 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,575
Ex-eu usually produces a good fare ex-Germany e.g Düsseldorf
Or via Chengdu sometimes I've seen some interesting fares
UUA could be interesting if work will pay for WT+ though probably wouldn't see any seats until last minute
To be honest for myself I'd have to weigh up all these vs just getting on A380 upper deck and just getting there with no hassle
Good luck in HK!
Or via Chengdu sometimes I've seen some interesting fares
UUA could be interesting if work will pay for WT+ though probably wouldn't see any seats until last minute
To be honest for myself I'd have to weigh up all these vs just getting on A380 upper deck and just getting there with no hassle
Good luck in HK!
Oct 11, 2016, 9:15 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,575
Ex-eu usually produces a good fare ex-Germany e.g Düsseldorf
Or via Chengdu sometimes I've seen some interesting fares
UUA could be interesting if work will pay for WT+ though probably wouldn't see any seats until last minute
To be honest for myself I'd have to weigh up all these vs just getting on A380 upper deck and just getting there with no hassle
Good luck in HK!
Or via Chengdu sometimes I've seen some interesting fares
UUA could be interesting if work will pay for WT+ though probably wouldn't see any seats until last minute
To be honest for myself I'd have to weigh up all these vs just getting on A380 upper deck and just getting there with no hassle
Good luck in HK!
Oct 11, 2016, 9:15 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: UK
Programs: British Airways Gold, IHG Spire Elite, HHonours Gold.
Posts: 403
There's a QR deal on Groupon today for 50% off business class fares for £19, book by 30th October. Hong Kong is included in the applicable destinations and your dates fall outside of those which are blocked. May help you out.
https://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/ga-q...subs_group=afl
Edit: just informed that it's only off full fare J, so maybe not too good for you.
https://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/ga-q...subs_group=afl
Edit: just informed that it's only off full fare J, so maybe not too good for you.
Last edited by thepinkponce; Oct 11, 2016 at 9:26 am Reason: Added note.
Oct 11, 2016, 9:15 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: Latinpass Million Miler. BA Gold.
Posts: 3,544
I find that HKG is notoriously expensive in business class - demand for business always seems to be high. Even when there are sales, HKG seems to not be included, and priced higher than surrounding destinations.
I'm going as well over the half term and have been monitoring pricing and availability. There are very few redemption seats on BA especially this short to travelling, although some more on Cathay. We're going out via Beijing, and coming back direct on Cathay - but of course you can't use the 241.
Good luck
I'm going as well over the half term and have been monitoring pricing and availability. There are very few redemption seats on BA especially this short to travelling, although some more on Cathay. We're going out via Beijing, and coming back direct on Cathay - but of course you can't use the 241.
Good luck
Oct 11, 2016, 9:40 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: Ronin - churn and burn
Posts: 701
Oct 11, 2016, 9:44 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: LUX
Programs: BAEC Gold, MILLEMIGLIA Freccia Alata, M&M Blue
Posts: 406
There's a QR deal on Groupon today for 50% off business class fares for £19, book by 30th October. Hong Kong is included in the applicable destinations and your dates fall outside of those which are blocked. May help you out.
https://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/ga-q...subs_group=afl
Edit: just informed that it's only off full fare J, so maybe not too good for you.
https://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/ga-q...subs_group=afl
Edit: just informed that it's only off full fare J, so maybe not too good for you.
Oct 11, 2016, 10:25 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Berlin
Programs: BAEC; LH M&M; HH Diamond
Posts: 814
I recently booked Mrs AITF TXL-TPE rtn via HKG in J on BA for €1.900 for late November.
Interestingly enough on the connections she has J is significantly cheaper than WT and WT+ on the outbound at the moment!
Random search for dates in mid-November offers BA J TXL-HKG rtn for €1.733.
DUS probably about the same, I imagine, and both are apparently well-regarded for B2B (although I have no personal experience of this, being a Berlin resident!)
EDIT: Just noticed you are looking at October. Seems you would have to wait until November 01 for the outbound to get this price...
Interestingly enough on the connections she has J is significantly cheaper than WT and WT+ on the outbound at the moment!
Random search for dates in mid-November offers BA J TXL-HKG rtn for €1.733.
DUS probably about the same, I imagine, and both are apparently well-regarded for B2B (although I have no personal experience of this, being a Berlin resident!)
EDIT: Just noticed you are looking at October. Seems you would have to wait until November 01 for the outbound to get this price...
Last edited by AlienInTheFatherland; Oct 11, 2016 at 10:35 am Reason: Sketchy reading of OP's desired travel dates on my part
Oct 11, 2016, 10:40 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: usually somewhere between 30000 and 40000 feet...but actually the English countryside
Programs: BA GGL/Lifetime Gold, EK Gold, Lowly M&M, Marriott tit, Hhonors Diamond, numerous others
Posts: 1,156
I think you need to look hard at this one. Those 12 hour flights are a back breaker in Y and I would certainly be looking to my company for J in these circumstances. I have no idea what your company policy is, but with a career move I would not be looking to start out down the back - it may depend on who instigated the move?
Also bear in mind that assuming you will get home leave flights, you will most likely receive the same sort of flights, and doing them for the foreseeable....
I would start negotiating and be prepared to offer alternatives if you have to - ex - EU etc.
You need to think about housing allowances as housing costs are enormous, and also schools for the kids, there are waiting lists for most decent schools, and some are closed unless you have siblings already there!
With kids think about where you want to live, where I lived our kids played rugby, football etc but was an expat community on Lantau - great for the airport, but a bit longer onto the island.
Good luck and negotiate hard - I did
Also bear in mind that assuming you will get home leave flights, you will most likely receive the same sort of flights, and doing them for the foreseeable....
I would start negotiating and be prepared to offer alternatives if you have to - ex - EU etc.
You need to think about housing allowances as housing costs are enormous, and also schools for the kids, there are waiting lists for most decent schools, and some are closed unless you have siblings already there!
With kids think about where you want to live, where I lived our kids played rugby, football etc but was an expat community on Lantau - great for the airport, but a bit longer onto the island.
Good luck and negotiate hard - I did
Oct 11, 2016, 12:31 pm
#11
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
Good advice. Hk may not be as good for the kids as one may think...
As for flights, look into TPE but dont venture too far.
As for flights, look into TPE but dont venture too far.
Originally Posted by Beano HK
I think you need to look hard at this one. Those 12 hour flights are a back breaker in Y and I would certainly be looking to my company for J in these circumstances. I have no idea what your company policy is, but with a career move I would not be looking to start out down the back - it may depend on who instigated the move?
Also bear in mind that assuming you will get home leave flights, you will most likely receive the same sort of flights, and doing them for the foreseeable....
I would start negotiating and be prepared to offer alternatives if you have to - ex - EU etc.
You need to think about housing allowances as housing costs are enormous, and also schools for the kids, there are waiting lists for most decent schools, and some are closed unless you have siblings already there!
With kids think about where you want to live, where I lived our kids played rugby, football etc but was an expat community on Lantau - great for the airport, but a bit longer onto the island.
Good luck and negotiate hard - I did
Also bear in mind that assuming you will get home leave flights, you will most likely receive the same sort of flights, and doing them for the foreseeable....
I would start negotiating and be prepared to offer alternatives if you have to - ex - EU etc.
You need to think about housing allowances as housing costs are enormous, and also schools for the kids, there are waiting lists for most decent schools, and some are closed unless you have siblings already there!
With kids think about where you want to live, where I lived our kids played rugby, football etc but was an expat community on Lantau - great for the airport, but a bit longer onto the island.
Good luck and negotiate hard - I did
Oct 11, 2016, 1:19 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: Meh
Posts: 2,598
I think you need to look hard at this one. Those 12 hour flights are a back breaker in Y and I would certainly be looking to my company for J in these circumstances. I have no idea what your company policy is, but with a career move I would not be looking to start out down the back - it may depend on who instigated the move?
Also bear in mind that assuming you will get home leave flights, you will most likely receive the same sort of flights, and doing them for the foreseeable....
I would start negotiating and be prepared to offer alternatives if you have to - ex - EU etc.
You need to think about housing allowances as housing costs are enormous, and also schools for the kids, there are waiting lists for most decent schools, and some are closed unless you have siblings already there!
With kids think about where you want to live, where I lived our kids played rugby, football etc but was an expat community on Lantau - great for the airport, but a bit longer onto the island.
Good luck and negotiate hard - I did
Also bear in mind that assuming you will get home leave flights, you will most likely receive the same sort of flights, and doing them for the foreseeable....
I would start negotiating and be prepared to offer alternatives if you have to - ex - EU etc.
You need to think about housing allowances as housing costs are enormous, and also schools for the kids, there are waiting lists for most decent schools, and some are closed unless you have siblings already there!
With kids think about where you want to live, where I lived our kids played rugby, football etc but was an expat community on Lantau - great for the airport, but a bit longer onto the island.
Good luck and negotiate hard - I did
Good luck OP.
Oct 11, 2016, 3:51 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold (and other non-status plastic)
Posts: 1,889
I can't get this to work for half term, but for future reference BA ex-EU via CTU outbound for sub-£1.2k: https://www.google.co.uk/flights/?f=...=ONEWORLD;eo=e
Alas the AY and most recent QR sales have finished for the moment
Alas the AY and most recent QR sales have finished for the moment