QF v OW to Europe

[mikejr]

Hi Guys

I am looking at some Europe flights later this year in peak season Aug/Sep and previously I have been pretty loyal to QF but the prices just keep rising, so i am now looking at OW options - so here is the dilemma I need some help to resolve:

On QF J seats for 2 people is currently $7,599 each based on the Companion Sale fares - however I cannot get the ideal dates we really want (over $1,000 more each) the flights are not ideal for a close date (either out of LGW and LHR on Emirates or come back via MEL and then hop to SYD taking another couple of hours) On the up side you get a lot of points (WP and SG) Status Credits and Lounges... and possibility of points upgrade - although not successful on the last 4 requests internationally!

On Cathay J seats for 2 people are about $6,900 each based, it appears, on no sales promotion - we can get the ideal dates and even split the flights if I stay on for business after. On the down side it is through HKG so longer time, and no A380 which I do like, less QFF points about a third I think, and no chance of points upgrade.

1. If we are on a Cathay Flight No. can I still access the 1st Flounge in Sydney prior?
2. Is Cathay J comparable with Qantas J? Beds, food etc...
3. Is the extra points earn worth the extra $$ - i already have a lot of QFF points so this is not a big factor but would be interested on everyone else perception.
4. What would you do?

I did contemplate the $11k 1st Class deal but that is a lot more to us ($8k) which can buy some great hotels whilst in Europe...

Any comments and answers would be really appreciated (and sorry about this 1st world problem).

Cheers,

M

 

[trentusjuventus]

Hi mikejr. Keep in mind you will still get SC on CX, therefore the only thing you should really be missing out on is the 1/3 QFF points that you mentioned, so you maybe just need to work out how much those points are worth to you personally (also, do you have enough qualifying QF flights for CX SC to be useful?). At the moment it appears you are looking at $700 each extra for 1/3 more points, and you are not flying on the dates you want either. Although you might be in HK longer, I'm also assuming you would get SYD-HKG-LHR which means only one stop to Europe, and not having to come back via MEL. You could also take advantage of a layover in HK and head in to town and see the city for a short period if that interests you.
I would definitely rate CX as a high-quality product both food and service-wise, and the J beds are extremely comfortable, not to mention all-aisle access. What's the A380 experience worth to you also?
Basically in answer to your question 4, I would go with CX.
I cannot advise on the Flounge question, but I'm sure others here will surely be able to answer your query. Keep us updated on your decision.

 

[winfred]

1. If we are on a Cathay Flight No. can I still access the 1st Flounge in Sydney prior?
2. Is Cathay J comparable with Qantas J? Beds, food etc...
3. Is the extra points earn worth the extra $$ - i already have a lot of QFF points so this is not a big factor but would be interested on everyone else perception.
4. What would you do?

M

My thoughts:

1. Yes you can access 1st lounge. WP can access 1st lounge if flying OW.
2. CX has much better seats than QF in both J and F. There are many photos and reviews around. Just google it.
3. I have to make a similar decision every year and it has been CX (or Finn Air) as the points are not worth that much and I have been op uped on CX more often than QF.
4. Go with CX.

 

[winfred]

At the moment it appears you are looking at $700 each extra for 1/3 more points, and you are not flying on the dates you want either. Although you might be in HK longer, I'm also assuming you would get SYD-HKG-LHR which means only one stop to Europe, and not having to come back via MEL. You could also take advantage of a layover in HK and head in to town and see the city for a short period if that interests you.
I would definitely rate CX as a high-quality product both food and service-wise, and the J beds are extremely comfortable, not to mention all-aisle access. What's the A380 experience worth to you also?

I don't think the layover in HKG will be that long. There re 4 direct flights to HKG most days and 5 direct flights from HKG to LHR on most days.


Are all QF flights to London A380? I thought only some are.

 

[SQ421]

1. If we are on a Cathay Flight No. can I still access the 1st Flounge in Sydney prior?
2. Is Cathay J comparable with Qantas J? Beds, food etc...
3. Is the extra points earn worth the extra $$ - i already have a lot of QFF points so this is not a big factor but would be interested on everyone else perception.
4. What would you do?

1. Presuming you are a WP, yes.

2. CX will have 1-2-1 configuration in J on both SYD-HKG and HKG-LHR sectors, c.f 2-2-2 on QF J. If having a window seat *and* sitting next to your companion is important to you, you may consider the QF J product to be superior, otherwise there isn't much wrong with CX J. I do believe QF provides a "mattress" in J unlike CX. Re. food, on the flagship routes, QF (I hope) pushes out a better offering than what is being discussed in the "cafe breakfast" thread elsewhere. CX's meals, while not flashy, are, IMO what I'd expect from an airline of it's stature.

3. Flying QF J, you'd earn 2.5x the BIS miles flown (50% cabin bonus, 100% status bonus); while on CX, it will be 1.25x the BIS miles. With the GCMAP distances for SYD-LHR; SYD-DXB-LHR and SYD-HKG-LHR being within a few hundred miles of each other, you are effectively looking at 2x earn on QF J c.f flying CX J

4. Given the flights are cheaper, with the flexibility to split the bookings if required, I'd pick CX over QF in this instance.

(OTOH if you are able to get QF Coded, EK operated flights all the way to LHR and back, I'd probably go with that option).

 

[jojen]

We were in the same position as you, wanting to fly to Europe and return with Qantas at high prices. It was after reading nonpops trip report that we investigated Finnair. End result is we are flying QF to and from HKG in J , and Finnair to Europe return to HKG in J. Saved a substantial amount of money. Also booked some flights in Europe using "Finnair" pass.

If you want to have a stopover you do have to ring their Sydney number, very helpful staff.

We have been loyal Qantas customers, but in the end could not justify the higher prices. CX were still a lot higher than Finnair for the dates we wanted.

jojen

 

[winfred]

We were in the same position as you, wanting to fly to Europe and return with Qantas at high prices. It was after reading nonpops trip report that we investigated Finnair. End result is we are flying QF to and from HKG in J , and Finnair to Europe return to HKG in J. Saved a substantial amount of money. Also booked some flights in Europe using "Finnair" pass.

If you want to have a stopover you do have to ring their Sydney number, very helpful staff.

We have been loyal Qantas customers, but in the end could not justify the higher prices. CX were still a lot higher than Finnair for the dates we wanted.

jojen

I've tried Finn Air to CDG because of price. It was CX to HKG then Finn Air to Paris via Helsinki. The J class seats for Helsinki-CDG leg was like a domestic seat which is not very good. If the price difference is big enough then it is worth considering.

 

[markis10]

The J class seats for Helsinki-CDG leg was like a domestic seat which is not very good. If the price difference is big enough then it is worth considering.

Thats intra Europe J pretty much no matter who you fly, long haul often is comparable or better than what we are used to.

 

[yohy?!]

no contest - CX product is superior in pretty much every way apart from not being on A380 (food, service, IFE, seat/bed, schedule)

aircraft will be a330 to HKG where you can pick 2 middle seats to sit together (which is nice, I did this late last year when travelling with family), depending on your final destination you would then be on the 777 from HKG likely which is similar seats but larger in scale - again a very nice product.

unless you are rusted-on to QF will a large domestic or AU credit card earn I would be crediting to Asia Miles from CX flights as the redemptions and fees are far lower than QF.

 

[daturtle]

I could also suggest looking at flying QR into Europe from HKG, which is what I'll be doing in June this year (only in Y however). Not sure about their J product but the flights were considerably cheaper ($1100ret. vs $1500ret for AY). QR and AY are not direct flights is the only issue but as I'm flying solo, I'd rather keep the money for extra fun things in Europe.

 

[sergeyvzn]

the whole things sounds like a classic case study "How Qantas has lost its premium customers"

 

[hopefulQFF]

Definitely consider Qatar - I got a return HKG-ZRH for $3000 in J. I'm not sure if it's such good value from Australia but might be worth checking out. Only 75% of points but full SCs. There is a stop in Doha, but that isn't an issue for me.

Had a quick look and seems to be $6500 return MEL - CDG in June with 1.5 - 2 hour stops in Doha.

 

[craven morehead]

Re : Question 2 = CX

 

[Limewood]

And HK is not a bad place for a night or more, fantastic airport, maybe a hotel at the airport and could go vis the fast 20min train to city too if you wish.

We looked at SYD/DXB onto Vienna etc., chose to go via HKG in J.

 

[mikejr]

Thanks very much for the replies - very informative indeed.

I never really looked too far beyond QF before but last year we did Europe on the 2 for 1 / companion sale for $5,699 and now the best is $7,599 - that is a big increase in 18 months so prompted me to research, then to my surprise there are better deals on other 'premium airlines' for quite a bit less and offering more flexibility, with most of the benefits. In one way I feel like I am being unfaithful, but in another I feel like I am being cheated on...

Thanks for the comments on CX I have only experienced their Y service some years ago (which was good) and was unsure about their J, and because I do rate the QF J product I wanted to make sure it is similar at least. I have tried others like BA on their old 747s and was not really impressed, but that is a different story...

I will check out the other options mentioned like Finnair and QR - but at the moment the CX looks the best product / times / options and at a reasonable price for a premium carrier.

Thanks to everyone and especially winfred, trentusjuventus, and SQ421

And if anyone has any other comments please chime in, the more the better!!!

Cheers
M

 

[trentusjuventus]

Thanks to everyone and especially winfred, trentusjuventus, and SQ421

And if anyone has any other comments please chime in, the more the better!!!

Cheers
M

That's what AFF is all about! Don't forget to follow up and let us know what you go with!

 

[Paddy55]

Agree with all the above re CX paid J being well worth the experience.
Not only, as a WP, will you be able to access the QF Flounge in Sydney, but you would also be able to access the CX Wing Flounge in HKG - one of the best in the world for sure, and, with the cabanas, definitely better than the Emirates Flounge in DXB.

Saving that much money = no brainer

 

[davec]

Thihnk I am agreeing with everyone else here - go with CX! The downside is missing out on the A380 J seats but CX are great. And definately try to get a cabana for a while in the CX Wing Flounge (after dinner in the restaurant of course....).
Enjoy!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I will check out the other options mentioned like Finnair and QR - but at the moment the CX looks the best product / times / options and at a reasonable price for a premium carrier.

Thanks to everyone and especially winfred, trentusjuventus, and SQ421

And if anyone has any other comments please chime in, the more the better!!!

Cheers
M

the only other suggestion would be to build your own option. Perhaps consider QF premium economy to HKG for $1399 and then combine with QR (a top quality carrier) for $3000. Saves you another $5500. plus you still get all the lounges and SCs.

As for your concerns about CX J - I agree with others - nothing to be concerned about. better seat, better service. Food is a mix, QF will be better most of the time.

 

[Kangol]

The downside is missing out on the A380 J seats but CX are great.

Some would say that is not a downside, but the opposite.
By now a fair few of the QF A380 J seats have the "droop" and are not fully flat (design flaw or something), from all reports the new CX J does not have that as it meets a footrest when in bed mode (don't know about an extra support for the feet section). I haven't tried CX J personally but it appears that the droop does not seem to be a problem.
Not to mention the whole QF small/main plates devaluation, unless QFF points are your Raison d'être, it seems like there is only one suitable option for comfort and value.

Sure QF J is better than PE or Y, but for what you are paying I'd be expecting more.