OFFERS: Best value Club Europe inc 160TP and best business class long haul fares

8 comments

1. Thanks for this update on fares, Michelle. One of the standouts has to be OSL-AUH with Qatar via DOH. I believe DOH-AUH is in Qatar First cabin.

   1. The Qatar Oslo-Doha-Abu Dhabi fare is a great deal but is likely to be their lite ‘P’ class fare that does not entitle you to lounge access, even if, technically, you are travelling from Doha to Abu Dhabi in first. If you do have Oneworld status you can access the Platinum or Gold lounges but not the coveted Al Safwa or Al Mourjan lounges in Doha.

      The last time I did that routing on a ‘P’ class fare there were flight cancellations and my DOH-AUH sectors changed to ‘A’ class, which under normal circumstances would allow access to the Al Safwa lounge, however, when I asked about lounge access they scanned my boarding pass and invited me to use the Platinum lounge as my original fare class was still showing in their systems, and that still determined my lounge access.

      1. It is actually not to do with the A class part as if any part of the ticket is business class lite then the other legs will get treated as lite even in A class as I have done a similar trip. However, on my last trip I did manage to get into the new Garden lounge on this ticket. Not sure if it was an oversight or not! I do actually reallyt like the3 PLatinum lounge plus you do have the option to pay to get into the lounge which is often cheaper than buying the next fare bucket up.

   2. Yes that is correct although it is really business class and being a lite fare you can’t access the first class lounge. However the onboard service is a world away from what you would ge3t in Europe. I’ve had Q Suites to DXB from DOH and they always have decent champagne onboard, cold towels and welcome drinks.

2. Thanks, Michelle for this piece of research. Very helpful in optimising my tier runs to maintain status with BA. I am glad I visited your stall at the Travel Fair in London in 2019(?). All the best in your ‘retirement’.

   1. Thanks so much Abee!

3. Thank you for the consistently helpful intel! While I’m here, I’d like to share that I’m currently planning a road trip through the Midwest USA next summer as a treat for a family member. I’ve been amazed by how prices change when flying out of DUB and returning to MAD —two European cities where I often find some of the best business fares for British Airways and other one-world airlines. Has anyone else tried this travel hack? I’m facing a challenge convincing my husband to fly out of London Heathrow (LHR) and then return to LHR as a layover for both outbound and inbound flights. Personally, I believe it’s worth the money it saves.

   1. I have done this many times. It can save around £1000 per person on business class with BA and i do try to feature the Dublin 6 montnh fares regularly. My main advice is to build in plenty of time. My ideal scenario would be to position to Dublin and then fly back to Heathrow the same day with your transatlantic the following day. While you may have to pay for a hotel near Heathfrow if you are not local, it takes a lot of stress out of the trip and also means you are not as tired for the transatlantic. Also prices are usually much cheaper for Heathrow hotels than Dublin as long as you book in advance.

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