[MarcusGB]

We were inundated with Airlines offers on Black Friday this year, though they were scantily advertised.

With fares remaining very high for Premium Cabins, and even increasing more, perhaps The Forum could share any discounts they may come across, for Air Travel or Hotels, so we may be able to share a little extra Joy on a trip in 2024?

Will the long haul Premium fares + government UK taxes, remain £600-£1,200 less from the EU as last year, comparing direct departures from London?
It may require some dedicated searching but a lot can be saved and a “treasure” fare can be found!
Please share fares you see, and the best you find for you!

BT’s sources always also add much in, so please fire away….

[MarcusGB]

Qantas have a 3 day “Boxing day sale, but for flights through 2024. Further ahead you book, lower the prices.
So good if you plan a trip in 2024, and either Domestic or International.
Seems to be about 20-30% off Business, and 20% off Economy , more domestic fares.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en.html

Air New Zealand However to Auckland, simply looking Ex Australia, fares are 30% less than Qantas’ Sale!
This includes flights on the A320 Neo series, where you can opt for Economy De-luxe, with the seat next to you free in the first few rows, or Normal Economy, Business seemingly not available.
They do have one 773E-R and another 789 each day in each direction, where Premium Economy and Business are available.

I found fares were AU $1,001, Return, outwards on a Long Haul 773-ER in Premium Economy, and back “Works Deluxe”, (2 Seats in a row of 3, middle kept free) seat 2a on a new A321Neo.
Having a Thai Star Alliance Gold Card, i would gain entrance to The Lounge plus usual benefits, and credits to my Thai membership account for membership, (2 yrs at a time), and mileage.

Very good for an International 3hr flight, in a PE seat!

Those with Star Alliance Gold, can use their benefits, and include Air NZ great lounges, certainly in Sydney, and for sure in AKL, as well as their other benefits.

[BT]

Here are a few for you

Cathay until 22 jan for various location in Asia – https://www.businesstraveller.com/bt/cathay-pacific/

BA (inc Holidays until 30 Jan – https://www.businesstraveller.com/bt/british-airways/

Virgin Atlantic unril 31 Jan – https://www.businesstraveller.com/bt/virgin-atlantic/

IHG = 2x Points on every stay – https://www.businesstraveller.com/bt/ihg/

Miles & More A Smallword prestige membership 15% off and 25,000 extra miles until 31 December- https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2023/11/01/get-15-per-cent-off-asmallworld-prestige-membership-and-25000-extra-miles-more-miles/

Qatar Airways – 10% off when you sign up[ to their newsletter plus ‘seasons greetings’ promo in some markets until 6 Jan – https://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/7992998/type/dlg/https://www.qatarairways.com/en-gb/offers/subscribe-now.html

[MartynSinclair]

By my own admission I am suckered into Bonvoy as my main hotel supplier. I generally book direct via the Bonvoy website as the benefits I receive against my status makes it more beneficial. However, as I have mentioned before, I get extremely frustrated, except for my main hotel in BKK, that I never get the same room rate or airfare twice.

I am now 62+ and the Bonvoy 62+ rates never seem to be be better than the standard rates. Sale prices frequently marketed by Bonvoy are not a bargain. Apart from BKK I have one other regular destination, Malta, but here the main Bonvoy hotel I have used (up to 40-50 nights pa) refuse to entertain any discussion on fixed pricing. So my strategy:

1. BKK, although I do have fixed pricing, which is going up, I do receive several hotel benefits, which quite frankly, I am too embarrassed to list in full. This does make my stay cost effective. Hotels generally in BKK appear to be be picking numbers out of thin air for pricing, but with about 20 more international hotels opening over the next few years, I think prices will soon start to level out and may be reduce.

2. Malta, very surprisingly, I decided to change hotels when my favoured brand refused to agree to a meeting to discuss a fixed rate. I make 6+ visits a year, but just got fed up with the room rates for 3-5 days visits flexing between Euros 126 to 500+. So I visited another large Bonvoy, met the management team and now have clothes stored at both hotels and just chose the hotel that give me the most favourable rate.

To be fare, both hotels suggest I email them in advance to see if they can shave anything off the bonvoy rate, and it is interesting, when i do email. 1 hotel answers with 24 hours, the other answers generally within 5 – 6 days!

For the rest of the time when travelling, I use Bonvoy points to reserve rooms, very easy to use and generally never had an issue with rooms not being available.

My advice to travellers using the same hotels, create relationships with the hotel management, ask to meet GM’s (whose staff automatically think you are about to complain). If I have a great stay, i always try to thank the GM and it’s amazing the additional benefits that appear on the next visit.

In summary, price points are important to me, but equally, if the hotel are willing to pick up transfers, provide vouchers for restaurants and bars, store and launder my clothes, provide ‘real estate’ for meetings – I am more than happy to spend money in the hotel, especially if they have a good restaurant, saves on the worry where to eat and the hotel are generally appreciative of me bringing clients into the hotel restaurants. I will not use third party websites for hotels – the hassle when things go wrong!

Airfares are a different kettle of fish… that’s over to my trusted and professional travel counsellor; who needs sale prices when you have Tim F on your side!!!

3 users thanked author for this post.

TimFitzgeraldTC, PatJordan, sparkyflier

[MarcusGB]

Malaysia Airlines have a sale Ex UK.

Travels to Asia in Business are not especially good, but you can save £1,000 on a flight further down to Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland.
You could also start from EU and pay i Euro’s and pay less!

Economy also. However, many have reported issues with meals and cancellations, and generally KUL is rather run down at the moment, as a hub!
I took KLM ex KUL some weeks ago and the Golden Lounge is one of the only 2 Lounges open, and it was brimming at 9p, packed full!
Nothing special either.

https://www.malaysiaairlines.com/uk/en/promotions/new-year-sale-24.html?cid=edm%7CUK1223NYS%7CAC%7Cnl%7C%7C%7Cuk%7CPDM551473%7Cen%7Chome&bid=-1113864610

Garuda Airlines have decent economy fares also towards Asia, these an ex Australia fare.

“🎁 BOXING DAY SALE!
UP TO 15% OFF TO INDONESIA! 🎉
Unwrap the joy of travel this Boxing Day with incredible discounts from Garuda Indonesia! Explore the stunning beauty of Indonesia at unbeatable prices.

🌟Limited Time Offer: Enjoy up to 15% OFF on fares to Indonesia destinations!🏝️ From the vibrant streets of Jakarta to the breathtaking beaches of Bali, experience the magic of Indonesia with return fares from $715. 🛫 Hurry, this exclusive offer is only available for a limited time until 06 JAN 2024 for travel until 30 NOV 2024!

Book your tickets now for your next adventure with Garuda Indonesia and make your Boxing Day truly extraordinary!”

Garuda also…sale ex UK to Indonesia Economy, decent fares

[BT]

Hilton – Book by 30 Jan for 20% off partipating properties – https://www.businesstraveller.com/bt/hilton/

Singapore Airlines – From £3565 to Sing in Business, £3233 To Hanoi, Man to Houston £2120 as examples. Book by 24 Jan https://www.businesstraveller.com/bt/singapore-airlines/

[BT]

IHG – From 4-18 Jan – at least 15% off Europe – https://www.businesstraveller.com/bt/ihg/

BA – Sale continues until 30 Jan but up to extra £300 off holidays from now until 9 Jan. https://www.businesstraveller.com/bt/british-airways/

[TimFitzgeraldTC]

Not so much a sale – but if you can get the right combination of dates you can get AUH via CMB to JKT on UL in J return (on an A320 for both legs) for £900. (560 TP’s) Throw in a decent AY J class fare to DXB (at least from LHR – 440 TP’s) and 1000 TP’s for under £3k. Might mean you have a night or 2 in AUH/DXB. If not looking for TP’s then BA W to DXB might work nicely as well and work better from a scheduling perspective.

So far “sale” fares I have seen haven’t been all that – I’m looking for myself to Sri Lanka (and naturally looking at various routings for clients day in day out!)

[Author]

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