In a few months I’m going to be in Singapore (SIN) without a way home (to MEL). So after weighing in all the usual options (QF/SQ/etc) I suddenly realised I have a bunch of EK (Emirates Skywards) miles which are going to expire shortly...

I figure I should use them. So, I logged onto their website and I can’t seem to book a one way redemption. It seems easy to book a return redemption, which is lovely, except that I don’t want a return flight.

1.) Do Emirates offer one-way redemptions?
2.) How much does a J/C one way redemption SIN-MEL cost (in miles)
3.) How does one book one of these illusive monsters?
4.) Do I need to schedule some time for a massive call centre adventure?

Thanks

No one way redemptions, roundtrip only.

You could pick a date in the future then use the second half of the roundtrip whenever you plan to go back to SIN.

Another option is to pay for a one way Y ticket and then use your EK miles for a one way upgrade to J, which is 30,000 miles. Not a steal, but not too bad.

Cheers,

Thanks for your help.

If I pick a future date I get stuck with the one way problem whenever I fly that leg (unless I ditch that sector). But I think I'm about 5,000 miles short of a return in J, so that kills that possibility.

One way Y ticket is 730 SGD, plus 30,000 miles for J... not the greatest deal, but a distinct possibility.

Other option would be to use the EK miles for a comfortable return trip MEL-AKL in J in the near future, but that still leaves me with this problem. I could burn some *A points and fly SQ, but fuel fines make that a bit of a waste. QF isn't a whole lot better in that department.

After spending much time playing with the EK booking engine and some looking into other options I have decided to do a return redemption SIN-MEL-SIN in J on EK... so the trip is SIN-MEL in J the day after the day I wanted... And then MEL-SIN in J on a Friday towards the middle of next year.

I needed to top-up miles a bit, so all up the cost will be around $350-400 AUD, which is okay, but not great... But it does get rid of all my pesky EK miles which would have gone to waste otherwise.

I’m not sure if I will use the MEL-SIN leg next year. But given that it’s such a long way out, I have flexibility to look at sales and other options as they come to hand over the coming months.

In the first instance SIN-MEL one-way in J for $350 (plus miles which would have otherwise been lost) is still a reasonable deal and if I can work out how to use the other sector as part of a future itinerary then it’s a bonus.

More discussion of other options on AFF.

i once booked a return award ticket on Continental with miles, even though i knew i wouldnt use the return ticket at all. Co allowed me to book different classes for onward & back, so, for onwards, i booked myself into J and coming back was in Y, which i never used anyways, atleast i didnt have to spend as many miles, dunno if EK allows that.

Good point.

EK do offer mixed class redemptions, providing they are for a return journey between a city pair.

I almost did a mixed J and Y class redemption actually, but I decided to get the J seat both ways. My reasoning was that it's so far out that I hope to have enough money and leave to take a short vacation around that time. In essence it is a gamble, but if it doesn't work out I haven't wasted too much.