Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
Originally Posted by k974
(Post 10997807)
All sorted bc world let me fix you up,with something. Could you do me one last check and see if there is any availability Bris -bkk about a week before I might go do a diving course in thailand.
Thanks again man really appreciate it [KVS Availability Tool 7.3.1/Diamond - Awards/StarAlliance-7D] Code:
BNE Brisbane Intl QL AU [YBBN] |
Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
A review of my husband's last minute mad dash to the UK, using US Airways dividend miles.
Booking the flights - the only trouble I had was due to my own ignorance, as I'd somehow got it into my head that US Air were in an alliance with One World. The first person I spoke to was quite rude - 'this is US AIRWAYS, we don't operate in Australia' (in a tone of voice that was saying 'you idiot!') The second person was much more helpful, explaining that the merger with AA which would see US Airways join the One World alliance had been passed by the Justice Department, and staff had been told it would be finalized very early in the New Year. He said that all US Airways staff had been told they would keep their jobs :fingerscrossed: Third time lucky, armed with the quite useful information that I needed to be checking and booking Star Alliance flights :o. The person I booked the flights with was chuffed that I already had all the flights numbers etc. The actual booking process took about 40 minutes, as something kept going wrong and the agent had to keep checking with the help desk. I was able to check the flights through my US Airways dividend miles account, but to confirm that the seats have indeed been ticketed, and to request particular seats, you need to contact the relevant airlines direct. I spoke to Thai's Perth office and they were very helpful, confirming the flights and changing my husband's seats to aisle ones. I didn't bother checking SK, too knackered by then and I assumed that if the two Thai flights were ticketed, that one would be too. Thai business class seats PER - BKK very ordinary 9 hour layover in BKK not a lot of fun, business lounge very old, crowded and lacking amenities Thai business seats BKK - Copenhagen fantastic At Copenhagen airport, you need to go through Customs and Immigration to access the lounge. Husband did this as he wanted to use the lounge showers. He was in and out in around half an hour, prompting an airport official to have a joke with him about him being the first person ever to visit Copenhagen just for a shower :lol: SK business seats to MAN non existent, Scandinavian Airlines have changed their domestic and inter-Europe aircraft, which now only have one class of seating. I believe that economy plus and business class passengers receive a choice of one menu item and a drink from the trolley, whereas economy passengers pay for these. Not an issue on an under 2 hour flight. Hope that Perth based BE-ers find this info useful/interesting. |
Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
Originally Posted by spouse of scouse
(Post 10998941)
9 hour layover in BKK not a lot of fun, business lounge very old, crowded and lacking amenities
On the subject of Asiana...I have to say, this is not an airline I'm in a hurry to fly again! They maintain a Skytrax 5* rating year after year but they certainly don't belong in the company of Singapore, Cathay etc! |
Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
BCworld, I am continually amazed by your wealth of knowledge.
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Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
Four of us are planning a trip down under at the end of june and I wondered if these flights can be booked from the uk and where to start with buying miles as I would love not to have to travel cattle class. I have read the thread but am confused by merger talks and initials. Please help!
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Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
Originally Posted by bcworld
(Post 10998983)
I find this is a bit surprising. There are several business lounges to choose from at BKK and I guess they're not all the same and there can be 20 minutes walk between them but it's worth checking out another lounge if you're not happy. I've just finished a big trip and have been in the flagship business lounges of Singapore Airlines and Asiana and I think Thai at BKK compares pretty favourably - they certainly have the nicest showers of the lot and better food than Asiana.
On the subject of Asiana...I have to say, this is not an airline I'm in a hurry to fly again! They maintain a Skytrax 5* rating year after year but they certainly don't belong in the company of Singapore, Cathay etc! |
Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
Originally Posted by beautifulgorgeous
(Post 10999624)
Four of us are planning a trip down under at the end of june and I wondered if these flights can be booked from the uk and where to start with buying miles as I would love not to have to travel cattle class. I have read the thread but am confused by merger talks and initials. Please help!
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Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
Originally Posted by spouse of scouse
(Post 11000571)
Hi BG (nice nic :D ) Someone who knows more about this will undoubtedly be along shortly, but I did read somewhere on this thread that the cost advantage of using dividend miles for a UK - AU - UK flight isn't as great as the other way. Might still be worth it though - good luck!
So, from the UK. Let's say the cost per person is approx USD2800 assuming all miles were bought in 100% promos. At today's exchange rates that's about GBP1750...potentially double or more than what you could buy an economy air fare for at many times of the year. 4 seats is also very difficult if not impossible. |
Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
Thank you for your prompt reply. I didn't want to commit to four in cattle if there was an economical way not to. Has anyone flown with virgin premium?
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Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
Thanks all for the recent updates on this thread, I'm sure there are lots like me who look in now & again just to be informed.
It looks like those of us who have been lucky to use flight TG482 & 481 PER/BKK rtn as a very quick connection for the onward flights to Europe will now be dissapointed. Thai have stopped them indefinitely for operational reasons which leaves us with a lengthy stopover if we use 484/3, even the staff aren't happy. I'm sure the Qatar and Emirates routing from Perth must be hurting Thai. I have recently used Virgin Premium LGW/LAS it is obviously better than economy but no where near as good as business. I also flew Premium into SYD same comment. I will be using it again soon LAX/LHR so it can't be too bad. I have found some good lounges over the years by using a Priority Pass lounge card, it gets me in a lounge sometimes when flying premium. I use a Priority Pass lounge access card so if the airline lounge is not very good I usually have an alternative. |
Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
Booked in for Christmas thanks or the help, anyone any idea when the next 100% offer will be?
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Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
Originally Posted by k974
(Post 11004697)
Booked in for Christmas thanks or the help, anyone any idea when the next 100% offer will be?
For future Star Alliance travel you should probably concentrate on LifeMiles...while bearing in mind all its advantages and disadvantages. I just booked the partner's parents 2 business seats on the Singapore A380. Just a simple SIN-MEL for about $800 each one way. |
Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
Originally Posted by bcworld
(Post 11004714)
.....Who knows what Oneworld thinks of US and its discount flights scheme!
I just wondered how long US partner airlines would continue to honour the 'free' tickets written by US Airways. |
Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
Originally Posted by Hino
(Post 11004913)
Many thanks for all your informed input bcworld, though the fact that the US Airways deals seemed to be mainly dependent on the goodwill of their partners was one of the main reasons I did not follow your advice ( to my regret ) when this thread started.
I just wondered how long US partner airlines would continue to honour the 'free' tickets written by US Airways. US of course chooses to block some redemptions...like Lufthansa first class and in other cases suffers from long standing technical problems that prevent them finding available seats, or make it difficult but I don't think they ever get blocked by anyone. |
Re: Business Class Airfares to UK / Europe - approx $2700 - $2800 rtn!
Originally Posted by bcworld
(Post 11005824)
I've been playing for 4 years now and I can't think of a single substantiated claim of any partner refusing to take a US Airways booking or blocking US specifically from their inventory. Sure, there have been loads of rumours about that, many of them perpetuated by US Airways call centre staff but to the best of my knowledge it just hasn't happened. What would be more likely to happen would be that the Star Alliance would ask US to cease and desist it's mile selling business.
US of course chooses to block some redemptions...like Lufthansa first class and in other cases suffers from long standing technical problems that prevent them finding available seats, or make it difficult but I don't think they ever get blocked by anyone. |
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