If you would like to ask a question to be featured on the blog, please feel free to contact me by email at [email protected] or click on the contact us tab above. Reader C contacted me about using Avios on multi-carriers to Australia.
Dear Michele, Currently, I have 245 000 Avios and am thinking of booking a big trip in business to NZ via Sydney in a years time or so. I am trying to research the options. I have seen the chart for multi-carrier redemptions and realise I need 240 000 for a journey of up to 25000 miles in business. Can I book this online if so, how or do I have to ring BAEC call centre? I have read you only need 2x Avios for business rather than 3x for a standard BA reward redemption?
Using the One World partners which would be your carriers of choice, best planes with business seats to get you to SYD? I would fly QF8766 to Christchurch. Technically being one ticket, would I have to reclaim baggage on each arrival and check in for the next segment or would luggage go to the final destination? If reclaim is needed at each arrival, how many hours do I need to give myself to comfortably make the next connection? As there will be several carriers, will my connections be guaranteed or are they at my own risk? An example of LHR-DOH-SYD-CHC-AKL-HKG-LHR scrapes just under the 25000 miles according to Great circle mapper. Thank-you for all your interesting reports and articles, I have learnt a lot from your advice. Best wishes C.
I will look at each of the questions in turn:
In this post:
Booking multi-carrier redemptions with Avios
If you plan to use 2 or more oneworld partner airlines for your redemption, a different number of miles applies. The chart shown above can be found on BA here. The Avios amount for reward flights in premium economy is 1.5 times the Avios amount shown; for business class 2 times, and for first class, it will be 3 times. These can often work out better value for Avios redemptions than booking directly just on BA or with one connecting airline. This is because when Avios were devalued in 2015, BA didn’t change this chart. For those not familiar with multi-carrier award planning, the oneworld RTW ‘where we fly’ tool can be useful for working out an itinerary. To measure the distance the great circle tool is also useful.
So how do you book these? Unfortunately, you do need to call BA to book, it can’t be done online. Be aware that it may take some time to make the booking and not all agents will be familiar with this type of booking, so allow plenty of time. There are plenty of reports of conflicting advice being given by BA agents, so don’t expect it to be simple. Given the savings, it’s still worthwhile persevering. I would also recommend looking at Award Nexus to get suggestions of availability before calling BA as it will save a lot of time.
Choice of airlines
The routeing you have suggested is a good one, allowing you to experience 2 of the best oneworld airlines in my opinion. If we take the itinerary you have given as the blueprint for your trip, here is what I would suggest:
London to Sydney
You have indicated that Doha would be your preferred point of connection which means Qatar Airways. In terms of aircraft types and business class seats, a lot will depend on availability, schedules and whether you are travelling solo or with a partner/family. The other is whether you are more concerned about the onboard seats and experience or getting the latest aircraft that make flying less stressful on the body. The A350 and B787 pressurise the cabins to the equivalent of about 6000 feet, about 2000 feet lower than most aircraft. This means more oxygen getting into your system and more moisture in the air. LED lighting systems are also used in the cabins, which are softer on the eyes.
My top option for seats and experience would be to fly on Qatar Airways’s B777 with the new QSuites which are currently on QR7/8 on the London route. This gives you a lot of privacy and works equally well for single travellers, families or couples. It features seats that can be used as a ‘double’ bed and a quad configuration for families too. The only drawback for some people is they feel it is a little claustrophobic in the single window seats with the suite door (although it’s not full height).
Next choice would be the A380 for the onboard lounge. The seats and layout of the A350, B787 and A380 are very similar with reverse herringbone seats and 1-2-1 layouts. However, the onboard bar gives the A380 the edge for me. Between the A350 and the B787 there is very little to choose in my opinion having flown on both. The B787 has the fancy window dimming but they are not always that effective when trying to sleep on a daylight flight.
On the Doha to Sydney route they are currently using the B777 and A380. Obviously, this could change by the time you go. The B777 has the old seats in 2-2-2 layout and Sydney is not earmarked to get the new seats in the near future. I find these very comfortable but it is a bit of a struggle to get out of the window seat with the seats in bed mode. So your choice of seat depends if you want to look out of the window and have aisle access, in which case go for the A380 again.
Auckland to Hong Kong to London
For Auckland to Hong Kong, you would be using Cathay Pacific which is also a great airline. They are currently using the A350 which is a good choice. The seats are the same as Qatar with a 1-2-1 layout in the reverse herringbone style. Make sure you allow time in Hong Kong to sample the Cathay Pacific business class lounges which are superb. There are several to choose from, so it’s worth having a look in advance to decide which one to visit. I like the Bridge with its Long Bar and signature cocktails personally. If you are stopping over, there is also an arrivals lounge.
From Hong Kong to London the quickest way to fly would be Cathay. The other alternative would be Qatar via Doha but I rate both carriers about the same in the air. However, on the ground, Cathay wins for its lounges and ground service when things go wrong. On the Hong Kong-London Heathrow route, Cathay are operating B777s with 2 configurations, a 3 class and a 4 class. The seats are both the same reverse herringbone seats as the A350. My preference would be the 4 class for the mini business class cabin just behind first class. The 3 class also has a mini-cabin too but that abuts Premium Economy. If you were willing to fly back to Gatwick you could have the more modern A350 instead.
Note: All recommendations are based on current schedules but these could well change to different aircraft before you go. I recommend using MyFlights app which will notify you if this happens so you can change your seat if necessary.
Alternatives
Qantas would be another carrier to could consider, although the best seats are on the new Melbourne route which stops in Perth. This features the B787 with the latest business class seats. On the Sydney route, they are changing one aircraft a day to an A380 from next March but it still has the old seats. Qantas have announced they will be retrofitting the A380 but no timescale has been given yet. The old seats have the same issue as Qatar’s B777 in the 2-2-2 configuration as it means you wouldn’t have direct aisle access in the window seat.
Checked through baggage and connection times
Checking through baggage is generally not an issue providing you are on the same ticket. I would expect this type of booking to be on one ticket. The confusion probably comes from the fact that oneworld stopped the agreement to check through bags on separate oneworld tickets. The only place I know where this is an issue from a customs point of view is the US where all connecting bags have to be reclaimed when entering the US even on the same ticket.
Nonetheless, I would add in plenty of time for delays and ideally an overnight break. Although the airline is obliged to get you to your final destination in the event of a missed connection, it could mean a lengthy delay until the next flight with seats or have a knock on effect on your trip. Qatar are generally very good at tight connections in Doha from my experience of a few. However, the new airport is huge and so far I haven’t heard of any quick transit centre like they had at the old airport. Qatar also does not have a great reputation for their handling of these type of events, even for business class passengers. I would allow at least 3 hours between flights which should allow enough time in Doha and Hong Kong to enjoy the lounges for a while. Both are very modern, pleasant airports to spend some time.
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