MEL-AKL-MEL on EK – if you could only do F in one direction which would you choose?

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smit0847

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Considering booking a weekend in NZ next year and really want to try EK A380 F once in my life. Probably only have enough points for F one way and J the other (or might even do Y on VA or NZ the other way as have VA status) (no EK or QF status).

The benefit of MEL-AKL is obviously MEL F Lounge access which is a real drawcard. However with the flight leaving at 8am it would be difficult to convince my other half to get to the airport so early to enjoy it. It’s also quite an unsocial time to get our ‘fill’ of booze. AKL-MEL is a far more sociable flight time for a tipple and I understand blocked slightly longer but no F Lounge (although I understand the AKL EK J Lounge is about as good as J Lounges get in this part of the world?)

Can someone update me on the current status of onboard shower and chauffer drive – I believe shower is available on this flight by chauffer isn’t?

Thanks
 
Re: MEL-AKL-MEL on EK – if you could only do F in one direction which would you choos

Hmmm..now theres an idea, thanks :p
 
Re: MEL-AKL-MEL on EK – if you could only do F in one direction which would you choos

Flounge wins for me.

And it's never too early for champagne ;)
 
Re: MEL-AKL-MEL on EK – if you could only do F in one direction which would you choos

Brekkie in the F lounge is worth getting up early for :)
 
Re: MEL-AKL-MEL on EK – if you could only do F in one direction which would you choos

Can someone update me on the current status of onboard shower and chauffer drive – I believe shower is available on this flight by chauffer isn’t?

Thanks
Correct that the shower is available but chauffeur drive is not.
 
Re: MEL-AKL-MEL on EK – if you could only do F in one direction which would you choos

First back from AKL- MEL from my view, give the drinks cabinet a workout.
 
MEL-AKL-MEL on EK – if you could only do F in one direction which would you c...

First back from AKL- MEL from my view, give the drinks cabinet a workout.

+1
If your flight leaves MEL at 8am then you won't be able to get a massage (spa only opens at 8am) and how much can you eat and drink so early in the morning?
I would choose to fly F on the return because everything is better on an evening flight: food, drinks and of course shower in the plane after long day in AKL.
 
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Re: MEL-AKL-MEL on EK – if you could only do F in one direction which would you c...

If you don't get to Flounge often, you can't got past MEL-AKL. Champagme breakfast was invented for a reason :mrgreen:
 
Re: MEL-AKL-MEL on EK – if you could only do F in one direction which would you c...

I don't think you can book awards on EK as QF8xx_ flight numbers as Emirates Partner awards on the QF site are sold as EKxx_ so you wouldn't earn points or SC if you were one of those people who got the recent offer.
 
Re: MEL-AKL-MEL on EK – if you could only do F in one direction which would you choos

I've done AKL-SYD in F and it was sensational. Food, drinks and the shower were amazing, and when I did it (was OCT 13) we got chauffeur drive as well at both ends. I reckon an 8am flight is too early to enjoy - and really, it's the onboard experience you want, over the F Lounge (ducks to avoid all the controversy) although I do agree that the F lounge is amazing, but that's because of all the extras (spa, wine etc). Too early in the day to maximize the F Lounge experience.
 
Re: MEL-AKL-MEL on EK – if you could only do F in one direction which would you choos

I personally would do the F lounge on the way over and a J run on the way home. IMHO the EK lounge is just about as good as you can get, you don't need a shower, and you have the great bar at the back to relax in as well
 
Re: MEL-AKL-MEL on EK – if you could only do F in one direction which would you choos

I did AKL-MEL in F last year twice and both times was sensational. I have never been to the QF F lounge so can't comment on that, but for me it was the same question and I thought the morning flight on the way over is too early to really enjoy all the perks. We also got the chauffeur drive on both ends each time.
 
Re: MEL-AKL-MEL on EK – if you could only do F in one direction which would you choos

We also got the chauffeur drive on both ends each time.

OP is talking about using points. Wont get any chauffeur at either end

Come to think about it, If using points I don't think you will get F as QF don't do a F flight with points across the ditch ( I don't Think )
 
Re: MEL-AKL-MEL on EK – if you could only do F in one direction which would you choos

OP is talking about using points. Wont get any chauffeur at either end

Come to think about it, If using points I don't think you will get F as QF don't do a F flight with points across the ditch ( I don't Think )

I used points (EK Skywards points) in both instances and got chauffeur drive no questions asked. Travel was in April and June 2013 respectively. At the time the rule for Skywards bookings on TT was F gets chauffeur, J doesn't. Not sure if this has changed.
 
Re: MEL-AKL-MEL on EK – if you could only do F in one direction which would you choos

I used points (EK Skywards points) in both instances and got chauffeur drive no questions asked. Travel was in April and June 2013 respectively. At the time the rule for Skywards bookings on TT was F gets chauffeur, J doesn't. Not sure if this has changed.
You may well be correct as you are talking EK and I was talking QF and assumed the OP was as well.
I do know that EK stopped all J class chauffeur on TT's a few years ago as I did use them all the time.
I booked an J EK fare on QF web site from SYD in July and was able to upgrade to F using points. (I didn't think it was possible but I did it) but couldn't get the free ride
 
Re: MEL-AKL-MEL on EK – if you could only do F in one direction which would you choos

Looks like the policy now is:
"Itineraries which are exclusively between New Zealand and Australia are not eligible for Chauffeur-drive."
Chauffeur-drive | The Emirates Experience | Emirates Australia

Does anyone know when it changed? Its a shame as it would really add to the experience but I can understand why they removed it for such short flights.
 
Re: MEL-AKL-MEL on EK – if you could only do F in one direction which would you choos

The AKL-MEL leg is approx. 30 minutes longer, so more time to enjoy F.
 
Re: MEL-AKL-MEL on EK – if you could only do F in one direction which would you choos

Does anyone know when it changed? Its a shame as it would really add to the experience but I can understand why they removed it for such short flights.

I vaguely remember that it was changed around the time when I travelled, because I recall feeling especially lucky to still receive it.
 
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