Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

If you're fed up of Aussie airfares then the following represents a real bargain, well it does even if you're not fed up of Aussie airfares!

I recently flew back to the UK for Xmas and took advantage of a frequent flyer program promotion through which I paid about A$2500 for return business class airfares from Melbourne to Edinburgh. I travelled Melbourne to Frankfurt on Thai and then on the short European connection on Lufthansa. My seats were booked on Dec 18th and I travelled on Dec 23rd - at the time the cheapest available economy fare was around A$2800.

To my surprise, the promotion is running again...I thought I'd share the details this time for anyone who is interested!

Here's how it works:

• Sign up for US Airways frequent flyer program (each person travelling) - Dividend Miles
• US Airways is a member of Star Alliance allowing you to get frequent flyer seats on US Airways, United, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, Thai, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Continental, Swiss etc etc etc
• Wait at least 11 days after you sign up - I think this is part of the T & Cs - then buy the miles you need
• Until 31 March US Airways will give you 100% extra free on the miles you buy upto 50k...so buy 50k miles and get 100k!
• You need 120k for a business class return to Europe - but a second member can 'gift' you miles and that figure is then also doubled. The second member gifts you 10k miles and you receive 20k.
• Alternatively you can buy the 20k miles yourself but this will cost twice as much as gifting as no bonus applies

The primary reason this is such a good deal is the strength of the A$ - so get in quick as it's been dropping (or wait until it strengthens again)! The miles are priced in USD.

The cost to buy 100k and gift the 20k is just under USD1775. Taxes on my rtn flight amounted to USD450. Assuming an exchange rate of US$0.85 that comes to just over A$2600. Your credit card company will probably also sting you currency conversion fees for all transactions hence the approx figure of $2700 - $2800.

The gotchas:

• There is no availability checking or online booking on the US Airways website - you will need to call them up. They can be fairly clueless especially for itineraries they aren't used to booking.
• FF seats are limited - this is probably best for 2 people travelling at the most
• You can all but forget about Singapore Airlines - they don't allow FF bookings in the premium cabins on the planes (A380 and nice 777) which fly to the UK and many of those on the Aus to Singapore legs
• US Airways is probably repeating this offer because they want / need the cash - read into that what you will!
• One way bookings cost the same number of miles as returns - hence this is not worth doing for a o/w.
• As these are FF bookings you wont earn any miles - beggers can't be choosers!

I have found availability on Thai very easy to get and the product is very nice indeed - some European routes should be avoided due to older seats. Flying to London or Frankfurt is generally a safe bet.

If business isn't good enough for you....first class is 150k...also a steal!

Air NZ is supposed to be quite tricky to get availability on.

In GBP this prices up around GBP1400 which is also a great deal for business class, but not quite as much of a bargain as from this end.

Attached below is a screen grab of the costs to buy miles and a pic of the business seats on most Thai flights.

Hopefully this can get some of you a great trip somewhere!

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

Thanks for the tip BC. Have signed me and the wife up. Will wait 11 days before purchasing miles. How does it work out for economy class fares?

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

I don't think it's really worth it.

Economy is 100k, business 120k and first 150k. The only time economy might be worth a go would be peak times like Xmas...you'd probably end up saving several hundred $'s off those fares.

For ease of booking the flights for 2 people it's worthwhile having all the miles in one account. So for example you could buy your 50k+50k. Then your wife can gift you 50k+50k. Then you buy the remaining 40k you need. What I'm not clear about is if a third person can gift you 20k + 20k....it all gets too complicated and the T & Cs aren't clear!

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

I guess there's nothing stopping you having more than one Dividend Miles membership account. Or at least you could sign up various relatives who would then "gift" you their miles. That sounds a bit too easy so there must be a catch.

It's really weird how there isn't much difference between economy and business. You often pay 3 times the amount for a business class ticket.

I'm getting disillusioned with the Qantas FF program and am thinking of getting a Star Alliance credit card. This Westpac Singapore Airlines AMEX Platinum card looks good:

http://info.westpac.com.au/singapore...mBenefits.aspx.

Only $125 fee in the first year, plus a 10,000 points joining bonus. However, it looks like their points don't get you as far as my Qantas points.

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

I have to fly at short notice sometime in march or April

What are the best economy fares looking like during those times? Just wondering if 'upgrading' at this time of year is as worth it as it was for you when economy was so expensive due to christmas.

May well sign up anyway to give me the choice later

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

One thing about reward flights though is flying at short notice is notoriously full as those fare buckets tend to get emptied pretty quickly on popular routes.

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

...but they also have a habit of becoming available at the last minute if seats remain unsold - not very good for forward planning though & a risky strategy. I was very surprised to get Xmas seats at the last minute though - particularly as the BA strike shennanigans were ongoing at the time.

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

Only trouble with upgrading once, is that you kind of have to do it every other time :D

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

Well I registered and will see whats available whenever I have to go and take my chances. It'll be a short trip of only a week maybe two at most so the idea of sleeping enroute and not wasting tiem with jetlag appealled. Usually I'll be aiming for a longer visit so it won't be so important

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

I should also have mentioned - from what I gather they will hold seats for you even if you have zero miles - then go buy the miles and confirm later - within a few days of holding. That way there isn't a great deal of risk in shelling out the cash then never being able to get a seat.

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

A$ back above US$0.90....those points just got cheaper! :thumbup:

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

Wow! Just did this! can't believe it. Couldn't get business as its so close to flying (2 weeks) but went for it and booked first class on Thai!!!!! What a bargain. Thanks BCworld

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

That's SUPERB safin! Congratulations!!! :thumbsup:

You have a lot to look forward to!

I've been watching the ex rate improve & will definitely be buying some points before the month is up.

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

If I knew I'd fly again within 12 months there'd be no way I wouldn't buy more.

BTW the us airways phone number is a free one so if you're using skype of something similar it doesn't even cost you to call - just as well as i did it over and over til I got flights i was happy with. As bcworld said some agents are great but many thought BNE was in Iran!!

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

I wish I was travelling back as I'd give this a shot. Thai seem to be getting some very good reviews too. Thanks for the tips.

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

:lol: Funny!

Probably a clash of accents - they must've been thinking of BND - Bandar Abbas - check your booking carefully!!! I got them to read everything back to me letter by letter - they had my name so wrong despite the fact that it all should be readily available from my frequent flyer profile.

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

Did anyone else have trouble signing up? I've gone through the application process twice and still not able to.

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

So long since I did it...can't remember. It may have been a but picky about the format of addresses & phone numbers though...are you getting any specific error message?

Just a quick update on the numbers...at today's ex. rate of US$0.91 the cost to buy & be gifted the necessary 120k miles for business class (and pay ballpark US$450 for taxes) is about A$2440...so even cheaper than when I first posted. :thumbup:

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

my taxes were 226USD in 1st flying BNE BKK LHR.
In business flying BNE BKK frankfurt LHR they were 366USD.

So it seems it depends how many countries you have to pay departure taxes etc on.

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

By my calculations that FRA stop should add on about 70USD in extra taxes and fuel fines...but who knows how they arrive at the final total!

Out of interest Safin...have you priced up your flights to see how much they are with 'real' money?

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

:lightbulb: BUMP! :lightbulb:

I thought I might give this a bump.

If the 10 day rule for signing up does exist then there are only a couple of days left to do this.

When I started this thread the exchange rate was about US$0.87. Today it's over US$0.92. Given Safin's comments re taxes above I reckon the cost for business class could now be between A$2400 - A$2500.

I have done some checking of availability for Xmas 2010 - little to speak of in business class at the moment (to London), however there was some in First & plenty in economy - the latter on both Thai & Singapore Airlines - yes, even the A380! This is for flights departing the weekend before Xmas and the week leading up to it. Economy probably about $2000 all up.

A friend of mine is now travelling first class Melbourne - Vancouver & back in business - for the same price as the economy fare - thanks to this promo. :thumbup:

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

hhhmmm, I'd forgotten about this.

I had a look on their web page but it wouldn't let me do anything from Perth (yes I know they are american) but it did for Sydney. I couldn't pay that for it not to work with flights from Perth to Edinburgh.

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

Not sure where you were looking because as far as I'm aware the US website doesn't offer any sort of availability checking for frequent flyer seats on partner airlines - there are definitely options ex Perth - Thai & Singapore.

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

Just looked again. Must have been something up last night as it is now recognising Perth. I've signed up and just about to sign up hubby. Still have time to buy the miles before 31 March.

Thanks

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

Where are you seeing Perth though?

If you are using the booking form on the homepage it won't help you in finding availability for frequent flyer seats - I doubt it will even offer you any paid options for a routing like PER - EDI.

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

It was on their registration pages to sign up. Didn't recognise Australia initially and then Perth on departure airports. Got it now though. Might just have been my wireless connection last night.

Will let you know how I go in 10 days time.

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

You can't book online for the dividend miles unless in the US and flying with them.

You need to check if any of their partners fly out of perth. Eg for me out of Brisbane it needed to be Singapore or Thai.

They mix and match airlines as they have to book the OZ/UK journey in seperate legs (though on the same ticket). Many of the routes they offered me were via asia and europe and they looked at airlines such as lufthansa, swiss and scandinavian.

4 days to go - so long as Ului doesn't mess me up.

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

Ului is tending north towards Townsville now...you'll be fine. Might get a bit bumpy though...careful not to spill your champagne! :D

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

Singapore and Thai both fly out of Perth so the same as the East Coast. Will be quite happy into the likes of Amsterdam. Will wait and see.

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

spill it:eek: - no way - Its obvious you don't know me:p

Ok just so I don't look a right :o amongst those who don't have to count the $ What do I have to pay for in 1st? What about in the lounges? Do I get to keep anything? I want a souvenir.

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

One of the advantages of Perth is that Singapore allows business class redemptions on the plane that flies from there...and also on the 747 that flies to Frankfurt. In theory you could do a routing like PER - SIN - FRA - EDI (or similar via BKK) - better than transitting LHR in my opinion.

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

Pay for!? :eek:

Nothing. Or in the lounges. Not sure how long you have at Bangkok but there is a spa for first class passengers where you can book yourself in for a massage or other treatment.

http://www.thaiair.com/thai-services...orchid-spa.htm

Details on First lounges here:

http://www.thaiair.com/thai-services...rst-lounge.htm

For souvenirs you should get a nice amenity kit in first...the business class one was pretty nice. In fact you'll get 4 over the course of your trip! In first you'll get PJs as well which might make a nice souvenir! :D

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

oo sounds good - quite fancy the spa treatment - even more if its free. Got about 6 hrs there on the way over - straight through coming home.

I read the info but didn't know if the lack of price meant - if you have to ask you can't afford it - or it meant free. I can see me gaining a few kilos just on the journeys!

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

I've flown business class 3 times (2 planed and 1 upgrade) on the 2 planned trips I always made sure we came down to Heathrow earlier than the usual flight they'd put you on just so we didn't rush and could enjoy things like the lounge.

The spa facilities with Molton Brown at Heathrow for BA are super.

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

Hi bcworld,
Ive only just seen this for the first time, so under pressure timewise I guesss...
i've had a quick scan through all the posts but you might be able to do me a huge favour and just clarify the following.
Im planning a trip to vancouver for somewhere around March/April next year (dates unlikely to be confirmed for another month or two, but there will be some flexibility) am I correct in thinking that I could sign up to the program, buy the miles etc now to take advantage of the deal.
But I dont need to actually book anything now?
Those points wont expire or anything?

Given the comment about them probably running the offer to get cash in, I guess there's a chance of something going wrong and losing the lot if they go belly up.

My routing to vancouver would probably be via the East coast and I dont think Thai or Singapore fly from here in that direction, so id probably be buying a seperate Qantas/Virgin ticket to get over there first but thats no issue.

When your checking the availabilty you can only do that by calling the US, correct? and they tap into the individual airlines to check routings/availability?

I presume I can check the miles i'll need for a specific route via that Dividend Miles link (rather than on each airlines website)?

Sorry for all the questions, manically busy at work and dont want to miss out on this one!
Thanks for posting this,
Cheers
Steve

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

Shame BA as an airline isn't so super :p I fly Virgin now ex Heathrow. The Virgin Clubhouse is outstanding and I've been known to spend 6 hours there..

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

May is such a dreary month imo. So the wife and I are off to LA for a week via Air NZ Business on points now. :thumbup:

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

Once you've had a nice spa treatment and massage, filled your belly with some super eggs benedict, and gotten pissed on 3 kinds of bubbly (though sadly not of the Bollinger 1999 variety found in the BA Galleries), you will want to spend 6 hours in the Qantas First lounges too! A pity check in only opens 3 hours before most flights........:thumbdown:

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

Hi Steve....where do I start!? :p

Yes you can buy the miles now and book later - this is what I plan to do - you take your chances with the airline's solvency - don't foresee any issues there though. Miles expire if there is no activity on your account for 18 months - however you could prevent this by say buying 1000 miles at minimal cost. Or if you ever stay in hotels or use car hire with any of US Airways partners, add your US Airways number to earn a token number of miles that way. They also have a pay to keep your miles active option...not the best value though.

You can only get availability by ringing them up...it can be arduous! There is a possibility you would find a routing ex PER (you could consider via NZ?) but it would be even harder for the call centre staff to get their heads around! North America is slightly cheaper than Europe - business is 110k miles & first 140k miles (full list of miles required is attached).

My friend is taking United Airlines in First MEL - Vancouver (via SYD) and a combination of Air Canada / Asiana on the way back in business. For a mixed class booking like this you pay the miles for the highest class...so 140k in this case.

Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
 

Awesome, thanks for that much appreciated.

Do you get issued the membership number when you sign up, or do you have to wait for it to come through in the post?

Do you see the bonus miles get added straight away when you buy them? im a bit concerned about the 10-11 day thing and potentially buying them and not getting the deal for somereason.