Quote:
Originally Posted by Renato1
Yes, if you give them your Velocity card you get a point per dollar. If you then pay with Qantas Cash or a credit card that earns points you'll get half a point a dollar (they have a 2.25% surcharge for using Amex, making the exercise pointless). So spending say $60 on petrol can earn 90 points.
They all add up, but they are small fry compared to the supermarkets.
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My local BP takes Amex with no surcharge
Quote:
Originally Posted by Renato1
But flights prices are really confusing nowadays. Two years ago we went to Europe with Emirates - when our dollar was really high. And we're going this year again on the same route with the same airline at the same times - and our dollar having taken a pounding. And I've paid a thousand dollars less for the two of us than last time.
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Flight prices are subject to supply and demand. There's a lot more choice for flights to Europe these days and London is a major destination. If the Aussie $ is taking a pounding, it definitely makes it less attractive to be travelling to Europe as everything becomes more expensive. Therefore if the airline find themselves with lots of empty seats, they cut their losses and sell 'em cheap.
IMO I can't imagine Heathrow is that much more expensive than other major European airports...in addition to all the long haul flights with large jets there are lots of domestic flights in and out of Heathrow with relatively small jets as it is a (if not the) major hub for the UK and international travel.
One recent change that could affect prices significantly is that the UK government recent adjusted the levels of air passsenger duty (tax!). For the most frequent range of 2000-4000 miles (read: US, Caribbean) they naturally increased the tax
but for destinations over 6000 miles it was reduced by a decent amount.
Another tip (maybe) for flying into London is not to exclude London's other airports. Last time I checked, Emirates also fly into Gatwick at reduced price. Gatwick is London's second airport and is a little further out than Heathrow (Heathrow is 15 minutes by train, Gatwick is 30 minutes), but is less congested and IMO a more pleasant experience.