Flying Perth to Doha, have Economy reward but how about getting to Jakarta and then Business reward

[ols]

Have Qatar economy reward for wife and myself booked Perth to Doha, have paid for seats 25J & K ($550-ouch).
Had also booked Al Maha Service as first time to Doha and looking to get priority through customs, immigration.
Platinum status Virgin.
Was now thinking maybe fly Air Asia Perth to Jakarta then get Qatar business rewards in what I believe will be 777 Q suites to get from Jakarta to Doha.
Pros and cons I can see.
PROS
Get 84K points back + fees and taxes for refunding economy reward
Get seat selection refunded
Get Al Maha services refunded
Fly 8.5 hours in Q Suites
Priority at Doha airport as flying business
Break up one11.5 hour flight in economy into one 4.5 Air Asia economy, lounge access for four hours in Jakarta then 8.5 hours business to Doha
CONS
Charges to change economy reward tickets ($60 x 2?)
Spend 142K points + fees and taxes for business reward Jakarta to Doha
Spend $400 approx on 4.5 hour economy flight Perth to Jakarta Air Asia.
Cramped 4.5 hours in Air Asia Economy
No lounge access in Perth
Two flights totaling 13 hours with four hour break between flights

First time for both of us for long haul flights and both with some mobility issues due to age and wear and tear.
Your thoughts, suggestions and experiences would be very welcome.

 

[jase05]

Personally for me that’s an easy one And it comes down to 4.5hrs in Economy v 11.5hrs in economy
The Garuda lounge in Jakarta is ok without being anything special but that is what I’d do personally.Everyone is different though.

 

[ols]

Personally for me that’s an easy one And it comes down to 4.5hrs in Economy v 11.5hrs in economy
The Garuda lounge in Jakarta is ok without being anything special but that is what I’d do personally.Everyone is different though.

Thanks Jase05
Our seats on the Economy reward are upper deck A380 with no one in front of us.
Just two in the row extra legroom right behind the bar (which we couldn't go to )

 

[clifford]

Thanks Jase05
Our seats on the Economy reward are upper deck A380 with no one in front of us.
Just two in the row extra legroom right behind the bar (which we couldn't go to )

I'd save my money and go with what you've booked. Seems like you have selected really nice seats in Y, and the A380 is a pleasure to fly on.

QR 777 and Q-Suites are a little overrated IME (I've flown them a few times), and the hassle at CGK could be significant, eg unable to access transfer facilities due to different terminals, and be required to pay $50 for a visa on arrival and then collect and recheck any bags (not to mention 4 hours on Air Asia). Then go through security and immigration again, etc, etc.

But good luck with whatever you choose to do.

 

[ols]

I'd save my money and go with what you've booked. Seems like you have selected really nice seats in Y, and the A380 is a pleasure to fly on.

QR 777 and Q-Suites are a little overrated IME (I've flown them a few times), and the hassle at CGK could be significant, eg unable to access transfer facilities due to different terminals, and be required to pay $50 for a visa on arrival and then collect and recheck any bags (not to mention 4 hours on Air Asia). Then go through security and immigration again, etc, etc.

But good luck with whatever you choose to do.

Thanks Clifford.
We have a Q Suites flight a couple of days later, Doha to Paris so not like we are missing out.
Won't always be able to do long haul J so this seems to be the gentlest intro to long haul Y we could get.

 

[clifford]

Thanks Clifford.
We have a Q Suites flight a couple of days later, Doha to Paris so not like we are missing out.
Won't always be able to do long haul J so this seems to be the gentlest intro to long haul Y we could get.

Agree, and really, you wouldn't want to experience (if you hadn't already) the joys of arriving at CGK airport (T2 for Air Asia as I recall) and transiting to T3 for QR departure (not to mention the expense).

It's something I do occasionally when there really isn't a better option, but I'm never ecstatic about it and paying $50 for the "privilege".