How I saved over £4,500 on Abu Dhabi First Class Flights

I’m so excited. I’ve just saved over £4,500 on Abu Dhabi First Class flights!!!! Yes, I’m upgrading from business, wiping out my airmiles balance, and heading to Abu Dhabi in First Class in August. After a few days there, we will fly on to Doha with Qatar Airways, also in First Class.

Thanks to the Points Guy for inspiring me to push the boat out and use my points for this experience. That First Class lounge in Doha totally sold me on the idea!

Abu Dhabi First class flights

Here is what it costs us, and how that compares with simply buying First Class fares (come on, I’m from Yorkshire! As if I would do that!).

• 23rd August departure from Manchester to Abu Dhabi, via London Heathrow with British Airways – cost £1210.52 and 160,000 AVIOS
• 25th August departure from Abu Dhabi to Doha on Qatar Airways in First – £150.60 and 72,000 AVIOS.
• 28th August return from Doha to Abu Dhabi in First – no additional cost
• 29th August return from Abu Dhabi to Manchester in First – no additional cost

how does this compare?

Reward Flights	Reward Price	Cash Price	Cheapest flight	Saving on cheapest fare	Points value
Manchester to Abu Dhabi	160,000 plus £1210.52	£4,092	£3,822	£2611.48	0.0163
Abu Dhabi to Doha	72,000 plus £150.60	£2,118	£2,112	1961.4	0.2724
Total	232,000 plus £1361.12	£6,210	£5,934	£4572.88	0.0197

Note: all prices are correct as at 12th May 2017 and are totals for two people.

Manchester to Abu Dhabi

The cheapest flights from Manchester to Doha on Skyscanner were £1,911, flying First with British Airways but at slightly different times. For two, this would obviously set us back a whopping £3,822. The cash price for the same flights would set us back £2,046 each, although to be fair, not as expensive as many Club World flights I’ve seen. I don’t however, want to spend £4,092 before arriving at my destination.

Abu Dhabi to Doha

The cheapest First Class flights from Abu Dhabi to Doha on Skyscanner were Qatar Airways for £1,056 each. Wowsers, £2,112 for a flight of just over one hour. Do people really pay that?! The cash price for our exact flights were £1,059 each, or £2,118. There must be some seriously rich people living in Doha!

Total cost

So I’ve paid a total cost of £1,361.12, saving £4,572.88 on the cheapest First Class fare. Furthermore, I’ve got pretty decent value for my points too when compared to other options.

Why do it?

Some would say I’m foolish booking short haul flights, and it does seem like a lot of points, but I am desperate to check out the ultra luxurious lounges of the Middle East. Furthermore the cheapest economy flight was over £150 each so if I’m going to pay that, I may as well travel in style!

Have you ever bagged a great bargain like this? If so, please feel free to share and watch out for our posts reviewing the First Class lounges in London, Abu Dhabi and Doha!!