LHR-CGK 5 times/week. Looks like 3x weekly now

S

Thanks. Have heard a lot of good things about Garuda and will give them a go to Europe in the future.

Only ever done them Domestically and HKG-CGK and have no qualms using them. Saw a vast improvement over the years and once had a CGK-SUB flight in J on an A330 (lie flat seat). If the domestic J service was anything to go by, I would imagine the service to be excellent and very comfortable on long haul.

​​​​​​​S

I've done MEL-CGK-LHR with Garuda a few months back. The J hard product is up there with the other Asian carriers (i.e. vastly superior to BA). The service is a bit unpolished, but still very good. Inflight entertainment somewhat limited if you do multiple long hauls straight after each other.

The big downside was the airport experience in CGK - it's not a place to spend a lot of time. At the same time, I am told Garuda have recently moved into a new terminal, so this might no longer be a problem.

Also, should be aware the CGK-LHR stops in SIN to refuel (LHR-CGK is non-stop).

1) if you want J from London, your best bet is VN which has nice J fares and a good product or hope for renewed Garuda offer (excellent product)

2) if you insist on oneworld, you'll have to either change your starting point (which also means adding more flights) or change your class of travel (premium eco might work on coz or ba).

Did exactly the same trip on CX J at Easter, managed £2600 x 4 ex LHR (back to LGW) for 2+2 in J, including a night in HKG (ex accommodation). Went March-April, booked the previous October.

Just as general personal advice, I obsessed about getting the best price for months, and in that time missed an incredible Malaysian offer (c£1800 pp) but was hanging out for a Cathay deal. The price fluctuated daily, but the one thing I learnt is that even when I thought I had missed the best price, a better one came along (often with the same carrier).

Google Flights/IA Matrix is your friend, but sometimes best prices were on eDreams or Expedia for some reason. And remember to clear your cookies!

Good luck...

how fo you search using Goggle flights/I A Matrix?

There must be a guide on here somewhere but I can't find it. However there's a useful one here:

http://www.headforpoints.com/2017/03...s-from-europe/

Google Flights is very simple - go to the website and play around, but you can search for a destination in a specific month or range of dates, limit airlines (eg OW). I find the prices at the bottom - when you clock through - vary rather materially.

Thanks very much. Appreciate it. :)

Thanks Jay

// apologies for bumping my old thread

I have managed to find a reasonable ex eu deal ~ 9k

OSL - LHR - SIN - SYD

How does one handle not having to return to OSL on return? Can we get our baggage in LHR and escape somehow?

Try to get the return LHR-OSL segment to leave the day after you arrive LHR but less than 24 hours apart to not raise the UK APD. Overnight should force BA to give you the bags as you can claim you need clothes inside it.

Then, once arriving in London, go home and cancel the remainder of segment so they don't need to look for you. You will get your unused taxes and fees back.

Please don't book with a travel agent

ARN-DOH-SYD with QR £7992 for 2 adults and 2 children, out 23/07, return 26/08
or
ARN-DOH-SYD SYD-DOH-LHR £10718 same dates.

Results from google flights.

I'm sure this isn't guaranteed, but it seems to me that problems shortchecking bags to London rather than the final destination seem to come from the US. I don't recall ever readng about the problem happening on flights from Asia. So I'd say there's a very good chance you'd be able to do it just by asking.

Or just accept the stopover fee (€100 or so) and the short-haul APD and use the final leg as the first leg of a weekend in Oslo weeks or months later. Just book a one-way redemption to come back.