Hi, First time on the forum and looking for some advice. Purchased two award fares with BA in First LHR-DXB-LHR using Amex Companion fare, Avios + substantial tax. However in order to continue our journey to Male, Maldives we need a connector. I have asked BA to quote for a fare with Sri Lankan in Business via CMB which they seem to have great difficulty in accessing the fare. Its been three weeks now and they have failed to get back to me with a fare despite initially blocking the seats. So I'm looking for an alternative for the flight in J or F and would appreciate any suggestions on how I might access a deal that has a chance of actually flying. Need to be in Male on the 6th Feb and return to DXB on the evening of the 15th Feb to catch a flight at 2:30 am on the 16th to LHR. Obviously there is Emirates but the fares seem to be high.

Hi Jonathan & welcome to Flyertalk!

You'll stand the best chance of success if you share with us the research you've already done, fares you've found and what price point you're looking for, since definitions of "high" fares vary from person to person. Since we aren't a travel service, you may find people willing to help you if you've already done some of the legwork, but if you're not interested in doing that research yourself, your best bet may be a travel agent.

By way of informing readers of action taken to date. I am aware of the two best routes (One with Emirates Direct which leaves at 2:45 am on the 6th Feb and another with Sri Lankan Airlines at 11 pm on the 5th connecting in Colombo to Male on the morning of the 6th Feb) . The price difference is staggering in that J class is approx half that of Emirates on Sri Lankan Airlines. The pay off though is that Sri Lankan's regularity is spasmodic presumably due to Covid. So ideally I am looking for a business class ticket with Emirates that comes in under �3000 for two return. Any ideas? Sri Lankan is �2000-�2300 dependent on flight selection but Emirates a whacking �4000 + and �10000 in First and its only a 4 hour flight!

I would recommend you make your whole booking under one ticket (not get a connector).

E.g. on random dates you can get LHR to MLE business class for about $3k roundtrip https://www.google.com/flights/?f=0&...;sc:b;sd:1;t:f

I know you booked first-class to dubai on a companion fare, but think about it - do you really want all the hassle and risk of missing your flight in this unprotected connections during covid times? Isn't it better to just pay the $3k (which you seem to be able to afford) for a full return ticket even if it is business class and not first?

Even if you pay the cancellation fees on your current booking and then rebook everything in business it will come out to be better.

You need to keep a couple of things in mind. The first is that if you book separate tickets, you don’t have a connection. Just two separate tickets, so if your first flight comes in late/is cancelled, you’ll most likely face buying a new return ticket to MLE at walk up prices. You are unprotected and travel insurance won’t be of much help to you. The second issue to consider is what countries you’ll be allowed into or to transit through. In general, keep it simple. I agree that you should rebook this as a single return ticket.