Getting to Sydney and back in F with Avios + 2for1
Mar 26, 2018, 9:43 am
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 10
You'll have no trouble transiting SIN twice; even sometimes-awkward countries like China make this pretty straightforward.
There is a bit of an issue with mixing classes: your first leg might be available on 16/5 but your onward leg SIN-SYD will be on the next calendar day so will not open up until 17/5. I don't think it's straightforward to secure one, as you'll need to, and then add the other the next day (6/4 if that's your date looks like the first day of the Easter holidays: likely to be snapped up). Booking LON-SYD as one segment with one departure date doesn't have this problem (nor does a split SYD-SIN/SIN-LON as both flights depart the same day). I would either prioritise booking LON-SYD as one segment or....
Are you going to SYD only? The alternative is to book to SIN or maybe KUL (to access AirAsia), and then a cash fare onwards. If that saves an internal flight it may be worth the slumming (though in particular KUL-PER is a short flight with often cheap biz fares). LON-KUL F and then SYD-LON J would also fit your avios pile: it does seem like you're travelling peak cost.
A final alternative is to book some form of LON-SYD//HKG-LON. You may get a substantial cash saving returning from HKG that offsets the cost of a cash ticket Oz-HKG.
There is a bit of an issue with mixing classes: your first leg might be available on 16/5 but your onward leg SIN-SYD will be on the next calendar day so will not open up until 17/5. I don't think it's straightforward to secure one, as you'll need to, and then add the other the next day (6/4 if that's your date looks like the first day of the Easter holidays: likely to be snapped up). Booking LON-SYD as one segment with one departure date doesn't have this problem (nor does a split SYD-SIN/SIN-LON as both flights depart the same day). I would either prioritise booking LON-SYD as one segment or....
Are you going to SYD only? The alternative is to book to SIN or maybe KUL (to access AirAsia), and then a cash fare onwards. If that saves an internal flight it may be worth the slumming (though in particular KUL-PER is a short flight with often cheap biz fares). LON-KUL F and then SYD-LON J would also fit your avios pile: it does seem like you're travelling peak cost.
A final alternative is to book some form of LON-SYD//HKG-LON. You may get a substantial cash saving returning from HKG that offsets the cost of a cash ticket Oz-HKG.
Mar 26, 2018, 10:14 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,258
Well - I would say J is still fantastic for £700ish and your Avios and Voucher - so try and book and keep checking for some special Qatar fares - you can cancel the Reward flights for £35 each and based on recent deals on QR get a cash fare for as low as £1300 per person
Mar 26, 2018, 10:27 am
#18
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NZ
Programs: NZ Gold, BA Gold, QF Silver, IHG Platinum Elite Ambassador, Accor Diamond
Posts: 1,048
Not useful for the 2 for 1 obviously, but as separate redemptions, there is more availability now between SIN and SYD and MEL thanks to QF upgauging services to A380s. Another combination that can be easy to get premium redemptions on is CX (QF is harder) from HKG to SYD, MEL, BNE or PER, and JL/QF from NRT/HND to SYD/MEL.
Mar 27, 2018, 6:58 am
#19
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Jersey
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 27
Thanks, CWS! Yes - correct, Jersey born and bred!
Mar 27, 2018, 7:08 am
#20
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 732
With a 2for1 + GUF2 (without GGL jokers) what is the strategy here? Does it make sense to book the J flights using only the 2for1 and then try to use the GUF2 later if availability in F opens up? Or just hold off on booking anything until F opens up on BA redemption finder?
(edit: very flexible with dates)
(edit: very flexible with dates)
Last edited by Frequent flyer 101; Mar 27, 2018 at 7:15 am
Mar 29, 2018, 1:16 am
#21
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Thailand
Programs: BA Silver (OWS), OZ Diamond (*G), TK Elite (*G), HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 361
Sorry for getting bit off topic but didn't want to start a whole new thread.
I assume the LHR-SYD route is quite popular and the flights loads quite high. I'm looking to book SIN-SYD in W and GUF2 it to J (using a Joker if necessary) for Jan 2019. Should I secure this now as the dates are pretty much set or is it likely there would be a sale / promo rate for this route at some point before next winter?
I assume the LHR-SYD route is quite popular and the flights loads quite high. I'm looking to book SIN-SYD in W and GUF2 it to J (using a Joker if necessary) for Jan 2019. Should I secure this now as the dates are pretty much set or is it likely there would be a sale / promo rate for this route at some point before next winter?
Mar 29, 2018, 1:18 am
#22
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: ±38,000 feet
Programs: LH HON, BA GGL, AF Plat, EK Plat
Posts: 6,428
Sorry for getting bit off topic but didn't want to start a whole new thread.
I assume the LHR-SYD route is quite popular and the flights loads quite high. I'm looking to book SIN-SYD in W and GUF2 it to J (using a Joker if necessary) for Jan 2019. Should I secure this now as the dates are pretty much set or is it likely there would be a sale / promo rate for this route at some point before next winter?
I assume the LHR-SYD route is quite popular and the flights loads quite high. I'm looking to book SIN-SYD in W and GUF2 it to J (using a Joker if necessary) for Jan 2019. Should I secure this now as the dates are pretty much set or is it likely there would be a sale / promo rate for this route at some point before next winter?
May 9, 2018, 8:02 am
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 10
Hey guys,. just wanted to tell you all I've managed to get this all booked
Lon>Sin BA First (A380)
Sin>Mel Qantas Economy
Mel>Adelaide Qantas Economy
Adelaide>Syd Qantas Economy
Syd>Hkg Cathay Economy
Hkg>Lon BA Business (A380)
All for around 250,000 avios + £2004 - probably could have done it a bit cheaper with more avios but looking forward to flying in First again!
Lon>Sin BA First (A380)
Sin>Mel Qantas Economy
Mel>Adelaide Qantas Economy
Adelaide>Syd Qantas Economy
Syd>Hkg Cathay Economy
Hkg>Lon BA Business (A380)
All for around 250,000 avios + £2004 - probably could have done it a bit cheaper with more avios but looking forward to flying in First again!
May 9, 2018, 9:37 am
#24
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Gateshead
Programs: BA Gold, ELAL Top Platinum
Posts: 851
I found availability a month ago 2 seats in J to SYD. I bagged them quickly as my Amex 2-4-1 was running out. I also got 2 seats in F back from PEK. COngrats to the OP on finding 2 F seats to SIN on the A380.