[mhh]

I'm organising an (extended) 3 week family trip to London ex Adelaide in April 09. I'm wondering if we can stretch to business class for the international sectors. Any thoughts on a good travel agent for this kind of travel - and the airlines likely to offer the best deals?

It's probably not relevant but I'm a Qantas FF with about 900,000 points...

Any thoughts most welcome.

Edit: Oops, I think I've posted in the wrong section. Mods, feel free to move me.

[Dave Noble]

I would suggest phoning the airlines and speaking to their group bookings department.

Looking at fares being offered for next year, perhaps contact carriers such as Air France or SAS ( they have non-group business return for $4600 plus tax out of Sydney ). Air France uses QF to Asia and then Air France onwards whilst SAS uses Thai to Asia and then continues on on SAS

Dave

[Travel Guru]

I'd suggest finding a good agent and having them source a group fare for you.

The challenge you're going to have with those mainstream fares with Air France etc are they don't release alot of seats on each flight into their cheaper business fares so you're unlikely to be able to book 13 people into the one.

What sort of budget did you have in mind?

TG

[mhh]

One travel agent suggested that booking as a group would probably increase the fare with most airlines (although it would allow more flexibility) so there may not be much advantage in presenting as a group.

The best ADL-LHR-ADL fare for Business so far is $7655 (including taxes) with Malaysia. Another alternative is to use QFF points for 4 J seats (that's all the points I've got) and pay the $9716 per seat for the rest of the family with Qantas J.

Any comments on the respective merits of MAS and Qantas for Business class would be most welcome!

[simongr]

Your main challenge wil be getting 4 J seats together on ADL-LHR-ADL - some people might end up flying BA as an option... DOn't forget even if using points you will be hit up for a heap of taxes. It would be a good use of points though if you can make it work.

[Travel Guru]

Originally Posted by mhh

One travel agent suggested that booking as a group would probably increase the fare with most airlines (although it would allow more flexibility) so there may not be much advantage in presenting as a group.

The best ADL-LHR-ADL fare for Business so far is $7655 (including taxes) with Malaysia. Another alternative is to use QFF points for 4 J seats (that's all the points I've got) and pay the $9716 per seat for the rest of the family with Qantas J.

Any comments on the respective merits of MAS and Qantas for Business class would be most welcome!

Because there aren't alot of international airlines servicing Adelaide, it might be worth searching ex. Melbourne and buying an add on airfare to/from MEL...from there you open yourself up to options such as Thai Airways which is a good product and cheaper than MH.

What the agent told you about the group fare being higher is true, group fares offer awesome flexibility (you only need notify names close to the date, you can drop ppl off/add them on) but they do charge you for the privilege.

For me, i'd be looking at A. Booking as early as possible B. Snapping up as many seats as I could on something like MH or TG.

If you are going to buy J seats on QF, hunt down an agent who can get access to QF Corporate fares (very few Retail agents can) as its about 500pp+ cheaper than the retail J fare.

TG

[mhh]

Originally Posted by Travel Guru

For me, i'd be looking at A. Booking as early as possible B. Snapping up as many seats as I could on something like MH or TG.

Good advice, TG. I'm on to it!

[ozstamps]

ADL gives you near zero choice hence higher prices.

MEL - or better still SYD gives you DOZENS.

For the $150 RT to ADL cost you'll save $1000 a ticket easily - and have CHOICE.

[mhh]

Originally Posted by ozstamps

ADL gives you near zero choice hence higher prices.

MEL - or better still SYD gives you DOZENS.

For the $150 RT to ADL cost you'll save $1000 a ticket easily - and have CHOICE.

Good thought. I'll see what is finally offered.

At this stage, the Malaysia Airlines option looks pretty good to me with the advantage of flying straight in to Adelaide, and no Y domestic leg required.

I've told the agent I'll consider coming through MEL or SYD if they can find a better alround deal (considering price but also route, schedules and J quality) but they haven't suggested anything so far.

[ozstamps]

See what www.travel.com.au quotes .. you save a forture out of SYD.