May 29, 2019, 7:12 am
Last edit by: corporate-wage-slave
Welcome to the Find me a good BA fare ticket clinic.
This is essentially for BA / BA codeshares and partner only. If your booking is essentially on Qatar, Qantas, AA or anyone else, please go to those forums and pursue the matter there. These forums have good subject matter experts to hand.
- Please avoid very vague questions. Specific questions get specific answers. Give exact dates, start point, end point, what flexibility you have.
- As a courtesy to the other forum members, please at least read some of the advice in the posts above, and find one fare as a start point. It's a lot easier to provide constructive feedback that way.
This is essentially for BA / BA codeshares and partner only. If your booking is essentially on Qatar, Qantas, AA or anyone else, please go to those forums and pursue the matter there. These forums have good subject matter experts to hand.
- Please avoid very vague questions. Specific questions get specific answers. Give exact dates, start point, end point, what flexibility you have.
- As a courtesy to the other forum members, please at least read some of the advice in the posts above, and find one fare as a start point. It's a lot easier to provide constructive feedback that way.
Find me a good British Airways fare - ticket clinic [Beta / draft: BA FARES ONLY]
May 28, 2019, 7:06 am
#46
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: London
Programs: BAEC | qantas | IHG | Hilton Honors | Priority Pass | Nandos
Posts: 865
And more thanks to CWS for a legendary effort!
May 28, 2019, 7:07 am
#47
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, EI Platinum, VS Silver
Posts: 58
Hi everyone,
I am searching high and low for any good return fares in J to YYZ from either UK or Ex-EU. I don’t mind a few stops along the way either as also trying to bag some TP’s to get me back to BA SILVER which I just lost :-( Anyone seen anything good? My dates are flexible. Anytime from mid-June to end of August, thanks in advance for sharing your wisdom, I am quite new to this and trying to learn the ropes!
Brigsy
I am searching high and low for any good return fares in J to YYZ from either UK or Ex-EU. I don’t mind a few stops along the way either as also trying to bag some TP’s to get me back to BA SILVER which I just lost :-( Anyone seen anything good? My dates are flexible. Anytime from mid-June to end of August, thanks in advance for sharing your wisdom, I am quite new to this and trying to learn the ropes!
Brigsy
May 28, 2019, 12:57 pm
#49
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,164
I've got a request please. I would like Sidney or Melbourne late January or early February or Auckland. J class and I can be flexible with dates preferably with ability to book direct with the airline - we can go from anywhere in Europe, INV, JER. Should I wait a bit or should I get in now? Qatar or any OneWorld would be fine as well as BA or QF.
Many Thanks
Many Thanks
May 28, 2019, 1:48 pm
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP/LTP, BA GGL/CCR/GfL, HH D/LTD, SPG/MR Plat/LTP
Posts: 10,075
A massive thanks to @corporate-wage-slave and all other contributors for this thread. ^^^
There are many hours invested by a few, for the benefit of many.
Hoping the BAFT community will make use of this clinic thread, thus relieving the pressure on the two busy Premium Fare Deals and TP-run threads.
There are many hours invested by a few, for the benefit of many.
Hoping the BAFT community will make use of this clinic thread, thus relieving the pressure on the two busy Premium Fare Deals and TP-run threads.
May 28, 2019, 2:23 pm
#51
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, EI Platinum, VS Silver
Posts: 58
I've got a request please. I would like Sidney or Melbourne late January or early February or Auckland. J class and I can be flexible with dates preferably with ability to book direct with the airline - we can go from anywhere in Europe, INV, JER. Should I wait a bit or should I get in now? Qatar or any OneWorld would be fine as well as BA or QF.
Many Thanks
Many Thanks
May 28, 2019, 2:50 pm
#52
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,726
I have done some interim updates, keep the great ideas coming in, it really adds a lot of value when so many people pitch in. Thanks again for the all the kind words, but I highlight that I have been helped by other FTers and even the stuff that I wrote was probably lifted from someone else's original idea.
- many typos removed
- section 1 simplified and made less ponderous (since we ponder anew in post 12)
- a new bit about codeshares
- ditto one way fares
- discount arrangements (Forces, AARP)
- a few more tips on finding cheaper fares.
- many typos removed
- section 1 simplified and made less ponderous (since we ponder anew in post 12)
- a new bit about codeshares
- ditto one way fares
- discount arrangements (Forces, AARP)
- a few more tips on finding cheaper fares.
May 28, 2019, 2:54 pm
#53
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 10,128
I've got a request please. I would like Sidney or Melbourne late January or early February or Auckland. J class and I can be flexible with dates preferably with ability to book direct with the airline - we can go from anywhere in Europe, INV, JER. Should I wait a bit or should I get in now? Qatar or any OneWorld would be fine as well as BA or QF.
Many Thanks
Many Thanks
If I may guide you to the first posts to say that this thread is designed for primarily BA fares and codeshares on ba.com.
Section 12
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31142095-post12.html
so I'll only post that and if I may refer you to section where there are many links (Premium Fare Thread on this board and on it's own too including some sage advice from CWS in the opening posts)
See section 12 for more info re QR etc and they are known for companion 2-4-1 deals now and again but I'm digressing there.
BA - £2,391 OSL-LHR-SIN-SYD (best to take the BA11 and then the BA 15 for maximum TP's)
As to whether it's best to wait or not then I'm not really sure to be honest but the lowest I've seen (BA and the following QF/CX codeshares) it is around the £2,200k mark on ba.com but that's usually off peak.
May 28, 2019, 3:32 pm
#54
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Platinum, ALL Gold, Bonvoy Gold Elite, HHonors Gold
Posts: 384
2.3) Find Our Cheapest Flight
This is an important one. Whether a basic user or a power searcher, this is a very useful tool for finding the cheapest fare from London. ... on shorthaul routes you may see a return fare shown as say £60 "each way". ... This often confuses people, particularly if you start moving the return flight to another service, when the fare auto-adjusts to wildly different fares.
This is an important one. Whether a basic user or a power searcher, this is a very useful tool for finding the cheapest fare from London. ... on shorthaul routes you may see a return fare shown as say £60 "each way". ... This often confuses people, particularly if you start moving the return flight to another service, when the fare auto-adjusts to wildly different fares.
So I wrote my own userscript for Tampermonkey / Greasemonkey which adds sorting functionality, as well as makes sure the EUK flights are displayed as return prices. I don't know if anyone else will find this useful, but here it is regardless; https://groenroos.fi/balpf.user.js - it likely doesn't handle all sorts of edge cases, but it works well enough for my own personal use.
May 28, 2019, 4:41 pm
#55
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Cork, Ireland
Programs: BAEC Gold, TK Elite, HH Diamond
Posts: 259
I’m not sure if this question is best suited here but I’ll give it a go
i need to get from Europe to Melbourne around Xmas 2020 so dates aren’t that relevant I’m just planning ahead.
Lets assume i have enough avios for either a straight redemption in J or multi partner redemption in J. I read that the latter works out much cheaper in the spending avios guide but I can't come up with the optimum route? I was thinking LHR - IST - DOH - BOM - KUL - MEL but it works out too expensive once you add in the return
2nd option is going the American route....
3rd option is book return to HKG or SIN in PE and UUA, then find a direct reward flight return from there?
I'm thinking option 3 is the most economical cash and avios wise?
Edit I also have a stash of OB points...
i need to get from Europe to Melbourne around Xmas 2020 so dates aren’t that relevant I’m just planning ahead.
Lets assume i have enough avios for either a straight redemption in J or multi partner redemption in J. I read that the latter works out much cheaper in the spending avios guide but I can't come up with the optimum route? I was thinking LHR - IST - DOH - BOM - KUL - MEL but it works out too expensive once you add in the return
2nd option is going the American route....
3rd option is book return to HKG or SIN in PE and UUA, then find a direct reward flight return from there?
I'm thinking option 3 is the most economical cash and avios wise?
Edit I also have a stash of OB points...
May 29, 2019, 2:55 am
#56
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BHX
Programs: BA GGL CCR GfL, SQ Gold, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, Cafe Nero Loyalty Card (7 Stamps)
Posts: 7,325
I’m not sure if this question is best suited here but I’ll give it a go
i need to get from Europe to Melbourne around Xmas 2020 so dates aren’t that relevant I’m just planning ahead.
Lets assume i have enough avios for either a straight redemption in J or multi partner redemption in J. I read that the latter works out much cheaper in the spending avios guide but I can't come up with the optimum route? I was thinking LHR - IST - DOH - BOM - KUL - MEL but it works out too expensive once you add in the return
2nd option is going the American route....
3rd option is book return to HKG or SIN in PE and UUA, then find a direct reward flight return from there?
I'm thinking option 3 is the most economical cash and avios wise?
Edit I also have a stash of OB points...
i need to get from Europe to Melbourne around Xmas 2020 so dates aren’t that relevant I’m just planning ahead.
Lets assume i have enough avios for either a straight redemption in J or multi partner redemption in J. I read that the latter works out much cheaper in the spending avios guide but I can't come up with the optimum route? I was thinking LHR - IST - DOH - BOM - KUL - MEL but it works out too expensive once you add in the return
2nd option is going the American route....
3rd option is book return to HKG or SIN in PE and UUA, then find a direct reward flight return from there?
I'm thinking option 3 is the most economical cash and avios wise?
Edit I also have a stash of OB points...
Bear in mind there's a fair chance of getting a cash ticket in J for around the £2200 mark ex-EU, so make sure you assess what your points are worth vs paying cash.
May 29, 2019, 2:56 am
#57
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA GGL, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 910
I’m not sure if this question is best suited here but I’ll give it a go
i need to get from Europe to Melbourne around Xmas 2020 so dates aren’t that relevant I’m just planning ahead.
Lets assume i have enough avios for either a straight redemption in J or multi partner redemption in J. I read that the latter works out much cheaper in the spending avios guide but I can't come up with the optimum route? I was thinking LHR - IST - DOH - BOM - KUL - MEL but it works out too expensive once you add in the return
2nd option is going the American route....
3rd option is book return to HKG or SIN in PE and UUA, then find a direct reward flight return from there?
I'm thinking option 3 is the most economical cash and avios wise?
Edit I also have a stash of OB points...
i need to get from Europe to Melbourne around Xmas 2020 so dates aren’t that relevant I’m just planning ahead.
Lets assume i have enough avios for either a straight redemption in J or multi partner redemption in J. I read that the latter works out much cheaper in the spending avios guide but I can't come up with the optimum route? I was thinking LHR - IST - DOH - BOM - KUL - MEL but it works out too expensive once you add in the return
2nd option is going the American route....
3rd option is book return to HKG or SIN in PE and UUA, then find a direct reward flight return from there?
I'm thinking option 3 is the most economical cash and avios wise?
Edit I also have a stash of OB points...
My issue with J redemptions to Australasia is that the earn rate for paid bookings is so good that burning miles makes less sense. You can earn 30,000-40,000 Avios from a return trip depending on your level within BAEC. It's well worth comparing:
- The TOTAL cost in Avios from a redemption. This is the actual redemption figure PLUS the lost Avios that would be earned on a revenue booking.
- The comparative taxes. From LHR-SYD you're looking at £761 in taxes alone.
So two options could be, for example:
1) Redemption : 180,000-200,000 Avios burnt (on multi-partner booking, depending on destination) + didn't earn 30,000-40,000 Avios plus £700 taxes - so total cost 210,000-240,000 Avios + £700ish taxes
2) Revenue OSL-SYD/MEL : No Avios used, earned 30,000-40,000. £2300-2400 total cost including £700 taxes. Plus 600 TP's for Silver membership alone.
So the revenue solution costs maybe £1700 more but saves me 210,000-240,000 Avios plus gives me 600 TP's.
YMMV
May 29, 2019, 3:27 am
#58
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Cork, Ireland
Programs: BAEC Gold, TK Elite, HH Diamond
Posts: 259
Thanks guys! lots of good suggestions
I priced LHR-IST-DOH-SIN-MEL one way at 150k avios one way + 310 in TFS, no saving in avios vs pricing directly, but you save about 300£ in TFS one way I think it's alright but not that tempting
I'm leaning towards PE return to HKG or SIN, then UUA into CW, straight redemption from HKG or SIN to MEL (SIN-MEL works out cheaper), it's about 1K return + 184k avios? (Not counting avios earned for PE + TPs)
I priced LHR-IST-DOH-SIN-MEL one way at 150k avios one way + 310 in TFS, no saving in avios vs pricing directly, but you save about 300£ in TFS one way I think it's alright but not that tempting
I'm leaning towards PE return to HKG or SIN, then UUA into CW, straight redemption from HKG or SIN to MEL (SIN-MEL works out cheaper), it's about 1K return + 184k avios? (Not counting avios earned for PE + TPs)
May 29, 2019, 6:57 am
#59
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: A3*G,BA Silver
Posts: 2,010
Hello all!
i have to fly to Vancouver in the next year or so a few times. So far the cheapest i have found is inverness-London-Vancouver around 1.500. Any other places in Europe i can fly cheaper in J to Vancouver?
i have to fly to Vancouver in the next year or so a few times. So far the cheapest i have found is inverness-London-Vancouver around 1.500. Any other places in Europe i can fly cheaper in J to Vancouver?
May 29, 2019, 7:10 am
#60
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,726
Can you give an example set of dates for the flights? For instance, a lot depends on whether you stay a Saturday night or not.
