Thinking about doing a Euro Summer? Well… You’re not alone! Europe has always been a popular destination for Aussies, and this trend continues to grow each year meaning using Qantas Points during this time is becoming increasingly hard! However, don’t be discouraged… In this blog post, we discuss travelling to Europe on Qantas points and tips to secure those rare reward seats!
Seat Releases
Getting direct flights from Sydney to London (w/included stopover in Singapore) is relatively easy in economy. If you’re booking far enough in advance and flexible with dates, you can usually make something work. The issue is… it’s 24hrs of travelling and if you have the points getting a lie flat seat in business class makes that a lot less painful!
If you’re hunting business class seats on that route, you’ll need to wait for a PR release where Qantas drops a ton of classic reward fares. This is only done a couple of times a year and always sells out in a couple of hours! Given they only last a couple of hours, you need to ensure you have the right strategy to be notified when these seats are released. We talk about this in our extensive course Mastering Qantas Points if you’d like further details check it out here!
Route Planning
However, there is some good news, when it comes to travelling to Europe on Qantas Points. That is that you have a plethora of cities to choose from for entry and exit points. Since Europe is located on the opposite side of the world, it’s important to consider three crucial factors: the departure city, the stopover city, and the arrival city.
To make the most of your points and secure optimal availability, it’s essential to understand both the popular and lesser-known routes. Simply searching for a direct flight from Sydney to London may not yield the best results, especially if you have your sights set on a business class experience. To maximize your chances, consider exploring alternative cities. Get creative and search multiple routes to find the ideal availability for your desired travel months. Below we have listed a ton of cities that you can chop & change to see where the best availability lies.
Starting/Ending Destinations:
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth
Stopovers:
Singapore, Jakarta, Hong Kong, Taipei, Manila, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Dubai
Cities to fly in/out of Europe from:
Paris, Amsterdam, Munich, Barcelona, Dublin, Milan, Zurich, London (popular),Rome (popular)
Instead of just searching Sydney to London… you now have a ton of different ways you can get to/from Europe. We discuss these routes further in our Europe Route Planner found in our course Mastering Qantas Points. Shortly, a video walkthrough will also be released showing exactly how to go about searching & booking this route too.
Travel Dates
It’s no secret that Europe is a dream destination for many travelers. However, this popularity often leads to a surge in demand during peak travel dates, resulting in higher prices and crowded attractions. But fear not! In an ideal world, consider planning your European adventure just outside the peak travel months. May and September, nestled just before and after the busy Euro Summer, offer a perfect window of opportunity. By choosing these off-peak periods, you’ll not only enjoy a more tranquil and immersive experience but also benefit from cheaper and more accessible flights.
Booking in Advance
When it comes to using your points effectively, preparation is key. To maximize your chances of securing the best seats, it’s recommended to start looking approximately 6-10 months in advance. By beginning your search early, you’ll have a head start and a higher likelihood of finding availability for your desired flights. Stay proactive by checking in periodically or setting up alerts for seat notifications. This way, you’ll be notified promptly when seats become available, giving you the advantage of being one of the first to secure them.
Airlines & Taxes:
Something to also pay attention to is the different airlines which fly in/out of Europe! There can be a vast difference between finding reward seats on Emirates VS another airline like Finnair. Emirates taxes on premium cabins can be around $1000 AUD in addition to points! Finnair taxes in addition to points are usually within a couple hundred! This factor can make a significant difference so look out!
If you’d like a further tips on getting to/from Europe using points, we have a full video walkthrough with multiple strategies via our in depth course. Check out all the details here
