Auckland - London using Avios (Dec 2021/Jan 2022)
Mar 23, 2021, 11:00 am
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,167
All flights for year-end are placeholders, based on pre-covid schedules. Many will not operate. A good starting point is to see what is currently operating.
The only OW airline that has been flying reliably during this pandemic is QR.
As mentioned above, it does a brief stop in BNE.
CX is down to a handful longhaul flights due to the Hong Kong quarantine of air crews. That is not likely to change for a few months. What happens by year-end is unpredictable today. But it is obvious that there won't be full schedules.
It never hurts to do an avios booking and cancel it if flights do not operate.
I would hesitate to book in F because, AKL-HKG will never have F and the same could apply to CX HKG-LHR..Only BA will/might have F, but the Club suite is expected from December.
The only OW airline that has been flying reliably during this pandemic is QR.
As mentioned above, it does a brief stop in BNE.
CX is down to a handful longhaul flights due to the Hong Kong quarantine of air crews. That is not likely to change for a few months. What happens by year-end is unpredictable today. But it is obvious that there won't be full schedules.
It never hurts to do an avios booking and cancel it if flights do not operate.
I would hesitate to book in F because, AKL-HKG will never have F and the same could apply to CX HKG-LHR..Only BA will/might have F, but the Club suite is expected from December.
Indeed, many incoming routes have been suspended by Governments. The UK is a strong example as it has suspended many UK incoming routes recently, including DOH, and also suffers from many outgoing route suspension by other governments, like HKG.
But even when airlines could legally fly, they have discontinued service. Unlike others, QR has maintained a lot of routes.
But even when airlines could legally fly, they have discontinued service. Unlike others, QR has maintained a lot of routes.
Mar 24, 2021, 4:30 am
#17
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Here today, gone tomorrow
Programs: Nothing shiny :-(
Posts: 2,493
Remember with the multi-partner reward you have to use two or more partners, so AKL - LHR and back on the same airline generally won't work.... but you might be able to squeeze in another flight on Qantas for later (or never) to "force" your booking to be multi-partner one.
For example, you could do AKL - HKG - LHR - HKG - AKL - SYD (on Qantas) (maybe anywhere east coast Oz) for just under 25k miles. Gives mum a bonus trip to Oz (one way only though). Could even do one of HKG - LHR/LHR - HKG on BA if you couldn't find CX availability.
However, AKL - DOH - LHR - DOH - AKL wouldn't work (only one airline), nor would adding AKL - SYD as over 25k miles.
AKL - DOH - LHR - HKG - AKL (or v.v.) would work (two airlines) but I don't think you'd be able to add AKL - east coast Oz as that would also take you over 25k miles.
For example, you could do AKL - HKG - LHR - HKG - AKL - SYD (on Qantas) (maybe anywhere east coast Oz) for just under 25k miles. Gives mum a bonus trip to Oz (one way only though). Could even do one of HKG - LHR/LHR - HKG on BA if you couldn't find CX availability.
However, AKL - DOH - LHR - DOH - AKL wouldn't work (only one airline), nor would adding AKL - SYD as over 25k miles.
AKL - DOH - LHR - HKG - AKL (or v.v.) would work (two airlines) but I don't think you'd be able to add AKL - east coast Oz as that would also take you over 25k miles.
Mar 24, 2021, 6:56 am
#19
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 508
I have traditionally found the best availability to Auckland to have been on Qatar, Malaysia or Cathay. Qantas has good options but obviously requires an additional stop somewhere in Australia.
Mar 25, 2021, 9:39 am
#20
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold / Hilton Diamond / IHG Diamond Ambassador / Marriot Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,533
I've been looking at various options to fly my mum to London from Auckland, i want to fly her around the xmas period.
Searching BA.COM yields quite a few options, but the majority of my searches result in a AKL - HKG - LHR using Cathay Pacific + British Airways.
For example
Any tips/experience with this appreciated.
Searching BA.COM yields quite a few options, but the majority of my searches result in a AKL - HKG - LHR using Cathay Pacific + British Airways.
For example
- a one-way economy AKL-LHR with CX and BA is 66000 Avios + £ 98.90 or 62000 Avios + £ 96.80 if just CX the 14th December.
- a one-way FIRST AKL-LHR with CX and BA is 194750 Avios + £ 100.70 or 216500 Avios + £ 98.60 if just CX the 14th December.
Any tips/experience with this appreciated.
The advice that has been provided is very good and I would simply add book now, the most convenient costs effective option. If you can stretch to F on CX then do so, albeit its just HKG LHR. They are superb. Even their J is excellent.
There will be a lot of changes between now and the end of the year however being booked means you need to be rerouted by the ticketing carrier so if one or more sectors are cancelled you would be re accommodated on another flight, usually a one world carrier.
Good luck
Mar 25, 2021, 2:56 pm
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,167
Result... using the advice here i got 3 legs business, 1 leg first on 2 carriers and 1pnr for 240,000 Avios and £366.52
Much better than the standard avios redemption from BA
Outbound Flight 1: Auckland - Hong Kong, CX0198, BUS
Outbound Flight 2: Hong Kong - Heathrow (London), CX0255 <<< FIRST
Inbound Flight 1: Heathrow (London) - Kuala Lumpur, MH0003 BUS
Inbound Flight 2: Kuala Lumpur - Auckland, MH0133 BUS
All done via the BA website too!
Much better than the standard avios redemption from BA
Outbound Flight 1: Auckland - Hong Kong, CX0198, BUS
Outbound Flight 2: Hong Kong - Heathrow (London), CX0255 <<< FIRST
Inbound Flight 1: Heathrow (London) - Kuala Lumpur, MH0003 BUS
Inbound Flight 2: Kuala Lumpur - Auckland, MH0133 BUS
All done via the BA website too!
Mar 25, 2021, 3:06 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,018
Result... using the advice here i got 3 legs business, 1 leg first on 2 carriers and 1pnr for 240,000 Avios and £366.52
Much better than the standard avios redemption from BA
Outbound Flight 1: Auckland - Hong Kong, CX0198, BUS
Outbound Flight 2: Hong Kong - Heathrow (London), CX0255 <<< FIRST
Inbound Flight 1: Heathrow (London) - Kuala Lumpur, MH0003 BUS
Inbound Flight 2: Kuala Lumpur - Auckland, MH0133 BUS
All done via the BA website too!
Much better than the standard avios redemption from BA
Outbound Flight 1: Auckland - Hong Kong, CX0198, BUS
Outbound Flight 2: Hong Kong - Heathrow (London), CX0255 <<< FIRST
Inbound Flight 1: Heathrow (London) - Kuala Lumpur, MH0003 BUS
Inbound Flight 2: Kuala Lumpur - Auckland, MH0133 BUS
All done via the BA website too!
Now just hope those flights operate. Or if not can be accommodated on other flights.
Depending on the situation at the time may need to do 14 days isolation in MIQ on returning to NZ. MIQ slots on a particular day can be very hard to get. Look ~3 months before arrival date. Look every day.
https://allocation.miq.govt.nz/portal/
Mar 25, 2021, 3:18 pm
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,167
Good result
Now just hope those flights operate. Or if not can be accommodated on other flights.
Depending on the situation at the time may need to do 14 days isolation in MIQ on returning to NZ. MIQ slots on a particular day can be very hard to get. Look ~3 months before arrival date. Look every day.
https://allocation.miq.govt.nz/portal/
Now just hope those flights operate. Or if not can be accommodated on other flights.
Depending on the situation at the time may need to do 14 days isolation in MIQ on returning to NZ. MIQ slots on a particular day can be very hard to get. Look ~3 months before arrival date. Look every day.
https://allocation.miq.govt.nz/portal/
Multi-partner reward flights are definately the way to go for a single person thou.. mega savings on points!
Mar 25, 2021, 3:24 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,018
off topic
NZ Govt has budgeted for mandatory hotel quarantine until mid 2022. The NZ population will not be fully vaccinated by Dec 2021. The NZ Govt will be ultra conservative on fully opening the border.
Link-->New Zealand’s response to Covid-19 [was Soft closing of NZ Border]
Thanks, Ill check out the links and get up to speed on "re-entry" criteria - thou to be fair if quarantine is still needed in Jan 2022 will probably bin the trip.
Multi-partner reward flights are definately the way to go for a single person thou.. mega savings on points!
Multi-partner reward flights are definately the way to go for a single person thou.. mega savings on points!
Link-->New Zealand’s response to Covid-19 [was Soft closing of NZ Border]
Mar 25, 2021, 4:26 pm
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,167
off topic
NZ Govt has budgeted for mandatory hotel quarantine until mid 2022. The NZ population will not be fully vaccinated by Dec 2021. The NZ Govt will be ultra conservative on fully opening the border.
Link-->New Zealand’s response to Covid-19 [was Soft closing of NZ Border]
NZ Govt has budgeted for mandatory hotel quarantine until mid 2022. The NZ population will not be fully vaccinated by Dec 2021. The NZ Govt will be ultra conservative on fully opening the border.
Link-->New Zealand’s response to Covid-19 [was Soft closing of NZ Border]
Mar 26, 2021, 12:44 am
#26
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 508
Result... using the advice here i got 3 legs business, 1 leg first on 2 carriers and 1pnr for 240,000 Avios and £366.52
Much better than the standard avios redemption from BA
Outbound Flight 1: Auckland - Hong Kong, CX0198, BUS
Outbound Flight 2: Hong Kong - Heathrow (London), CX0255 <<< FIRST
Inbound Flight 1: Heathrow (London) - Kuala Lumpur, MH0003 BUS
Inbound Flight 2: Kuala Lumpur - Auckland, MH0133 BUS
All done via the BA website too!
Much better than the standard avios redemption from BA
Outbound Flight 1: Auckland - Hong Kong, CX0198, BUS
Outbound Flight 2: Hong Kong - Heathrow (London), CX0255 <<< FIRST
Inbound Flight 1: Heathrow (London) - Kuala Lumpur, MH0003 BUS
Inbound Flight 2: Kuala Lumpur - Auckland, MH0133 BUS
All done via the BA website too!
sounds like it has priced it using the multi-partner rules given the total mileage you’ve be charged.
however, I’m very intrigued by getting a first class flight included in a business award for the same cost.
anymore know if this is actually permitted or whether it’s an IT failing on the BA website?
either way, great booking for a great price.
Mar 26, 2021, 3:56 am
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,167
excellent work.
sounds like it has priced it using the multi-partner rules given the total mileage you’ve be charged.
however, I’m very intrigued by getting a first class flight included in a business award for the same cost.
anymore know if this is actually permitted or whether it’s an IT failing on the BA website?
either way, great booking for a great price.
sounds like it has priced it using the multi-partner rules given the total mileage you’ve be charged.
however, I’m very intrigued by getting a first class flight included in a business award for the same cost.
anymore know if this is actually permitted or whether it’s an IT failing on the BA website?
either way, great booking for a great price.
Mar 26, 2021, 4:22 am
#28
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Here today, gone tomorrow
Programs: Nothing shiny :-(
Posts: 2,493
Interesting that you could book including the first class leg online. Pretty low taxes too. I'm not surprised you are pleased.
As I said upthread, you could add AKL-SYD (just over 25k per GCMap but only 24,990 per BA)for just the taxes (possibly plus £35 change fee) later in the year once you know this is going ahead if your mum fancied a trip to Sydney next year.
As I said upthread, you could add AKL-SYD (just over 25k per GCMap but only 24,990 per BA)for just the taxes (possibly plus £35 change fee) later in the year once you know this is going ahead if your mum fancied a trip to Sydney next year.
Mar 26, 2021, 10:38 am
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,167
Interesting that you could book including the first class leg online. Pretty low taxes too. I'm not surprised you are pleased.
As I said upthread, you could add AKL-SYD (just over 25k per GCMap but only 24,990 per BA)for just the taxes (possibly plus £35 change fee) later in the year once you know this is going ahead if your mum fancied a trip to Sydney next year.
As I said upthread, you could add AKL-SYD (just over 25k per GCMap but only 24,990 per BA)for just the taxes (possibly plus £35 change fee) later in the year once you know this is going ahead if your mum fancied a trip to Sydney next year.
Actually it got me thinking, can i add a LHR-FAO in the middle of my trip for free (we need to fly to portugal whilst my mum is here)
?
Currently the trip is
AKL-HKG-LHR
>< can i add a LHR-FAO (open jaw) here? - trip stays under 25k miles, but is open jaw
LHR-KUL-AKL
CX0198 - Cathay Pacific Airways | Business | Confirmed
Auckland - Hong Kong
CX0255
Cathay Pacific Airways | First | Confirmed
Hong Kong - Heathrow (London)
MH0003 - Malaysia Airlines | Business | Confirmed
Heathrow (London) - Kuala Lumpur
MH0133 - Malaysia Airlines | Business | Confirmed
Kuala Lumpur - Auckland
Avios points debited 240000
Payment Total GBP 366.92
Last edited by babyg_wc; Mar 27, 2021 at 10:27 am