Brisbane to Dubai - Best Option Qantas FF/SC

[David F]

Qantas FF, QC member and Silver Status. Partner looks like moving to Dubai soon to work for two years so looking at best option for 2-3 return flights a year. Usually fly Qantas to USA/Europe for reasons in first sentence and do like PE service. My options seem to be

1. Emirates flights via Qantas code share for points/status/lounge access but no PE option, only economy really. BC too expensive as regular option

2. Singapore Airlines via Singapore. PE option but no points etc

3. Internal flight to another city in Australia with better direct options ?

4. Other?

Would be a good opportunity to boost Qantas status ( if really worthwhile) but 14 hr economy flights are rough

 

[jase05]

If you are looking at flying with SQ have you considered their KrisFlyer program or even VA FF?
A couple of flights a year would get into Gold status if it’s the perks you are looking for.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

If you want to do it fast, non stop that is, then that Beoing 380 flying with EK with a QF flight number, (at the moment, and maybe/probably for the forseeable future, it will still be so), and this could you could as well as him/her climb the lifetime status ladder.
You could also go EY via SYD, going into one of the other UAE states, not DXB though, EY flies into AUH but you would have to join the VFF program and start from Red going upwards.
As we know, QF does not fly its own aircraft to DXB anymore, so, its EK with a QF flight number.
SQ would put you transiting SIN, which could eat up some time into the flight. SQ is in with VFF, so you can get VFF points for flying with them, and for flying EY too.
You can also increase your VFF SC by buying groceries with Coles with FB.
With 3 return flights a year even in Y, if with EK with QF flight number, you could put up your tally to QF lifetime status.
Not sure if you or she/he would make it to QF SG flying 3 return Y flights in that one year though.

 

[David F]

Thanks for replies. Other option would be Cathay Pacific - as a one world partner - through HKG and they have PE

But yeah at present the simple option is Emirates via Qantas code share and maybe try for a BC upgrade one way with points

 

[jase05]

Thanks for replies. Other option would be Cathay Pacific - as a one world partner - through HKG and they have PE

But yeah at present the simple option is Emirates via Qantas code share and maybe try for a BC upgrade one way with points

I just can’t justify the cost of PE personally.
If you want to stay with OW have you thought of hopping to Asia on Economy and then picking up a cheap flight in Business?
Brisbane to KL with Malaysian or Brisbane to Singapore on Emirates in Economy can be under $900 and then Sri Lankan often has Business class for $1200-2000 or Economy for under $1000 to Dubai from either those two. PE from Brisbane to Dubai is $3500-4000 I’m guessing?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Because CX does not carry a QF flight number at all or very rarely, your SC haul will be miniscule, or average.
I guess its up to your personal sense of comfort, ...
On a lot of my flights, in Y, I always seem to get the man spread, ie, seat partner stretches out his legs into my spot, and always wants to have his legs touch mine!
So, if you really want PE/PY but can't bear to spend J prices, and don't mind earning less QF points and QF SC, then going CX via HKG would be a good idea.
Because EK still carries the QF flight number, you will get QP access to the joint QFi BNE J/F lounge, but not sure if you will get access to the BNE EK lounge.
Coming back, as a QP member, would you get any lounge access travelling Y.
A lot of options.
If you decide to go with MAS via KUL, the QF points earn and QF SC earn will be only in 2 bands, either discY or flexY, even if you go with a J class fare, (small QF points and SC earn esp on the Au-My sector) if being the operative word, yes, I know MAS does not have premY either.

 

[sudoer]

CGK-xCMB-DXB return in UL J can be had for $1200. Just need to get yourself to CGK, but you'll easily hit Gold doing two trips a year.

 

[sudoer]

Also just remembered, Cathay do a DXB-BAH fifth freedom hop which is a reasonable earner - 120SC for $467.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Forget the status credits. Go the cheapest fare of the day and save yourself a fortune.

Grab the right credit cards, and you'll have lounge access where it's needed.

Else - buy miles from US programs and redeem.

 

[David F]

Lounge access not critical, just a sweetener. As I start to travel a bit more realise going full in with Qantas (eg QC 2 yr membership) not the smartest idea I ever had. Suits USA travel pretty well but not Europe so much especially via UAE. May look on one of trips at doing a mini OW RTW trip.

I thought even flying Y class as a QC member on on QF coded Emirates flight u had lounge access in Dubai?

Maybe a stupid question but never looked at it before - do Qantas ever have flight sales to Dubai or is it only ever Emirates and if so do those specials apply to QF coded Emirates flights?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

As we all know by now QF no longer flies it's own aircraft to DXB, so their fares I guess would be min as stipulated by EK plus markup for expenses plus profit.
Probably other factors tie in too.