Ticket to CDG July 2018

[texter]

Looking at going to CDG in July 2018. The current QF sale J fare is $7171 from MEL, however that fare is only available on EK metal. So my Qs are:
1) When is a good time to buy a ticket for 7/18?
2) QF9/10 is not discounted (currently $16k return), are the prices likely to drop at all? Historically did the QF9/10/1/2 options cost the same as the EK ones?
3) FYI, QF1/2 is routed via SYD rather than MEL-SIN-LHR.

Thanks

 

[Brettmcg]

That $7171 fare with QF code on EK metal you are seeing is fare basis IXMSEU7, which has the following restrictions:

ELIGIBILITY NO ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS APPLY.

DAY/TIME TRAVEL FROM THE FARE ORIGIN IS PERMITTED MON/TUE/WED/THU.

SEASONALITY PERMITTED 01MAR18 THROUGH 30SEP18 ON THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL SECTOR. SEASON IS BASED ON DATE OF ORIGIN.

FLIGHT APPLICATION
THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT BE ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
QF FLIGHTS 5000 THROUGH 5999
QF FLIGHTS 8009 THROUGH 8012
QF FLIGHTS 8015 THROUGH 8016
QF FLIGHT 8420
QF FLIGHT 9
QF FLIGHT 8407
QF FLIGHT 8413
QF FLIGHT 8421
QF FLIGHT 8435
ANY QF FLIGHT OPERATED BY CZ
ANY QF FLIGHT OPERATED BY MU
ANY QF FLIGHT OPERATED BY OZ
ANY QF FLIGHT OPERATED BY VN
SK FLIGHTS 3000 THROUGH 3999
SK FLIGHTS 6100 THROUGH 6199
SK FLIGHTS 6400 THROUGH 6449
SK FLIGHTS 6500 THROUGH 6549
SK FLIGHTS 6700 THROUGH 6899
SK FLIGHTS 8000 THROUGH 8349
SK FLIGHTS 8400 THROUGH 8999
SK FLIGHTS 9300 THROUGH 9999
EK FLIGHTS 4000 THROUGH 4999
EK FLIGHTS 7050 THROUGH 7999
EK FLIGHT 420
EK FLIGHT 413
EK FLIGHTS 9 THROUGH 12
EK FLIGHTS 15 THROUGH 16
EK FLIGHT 407
EK FLIGHT 421
EK FLIGHT 435
EK FLIGHT 5009

I have managed to find a couple of days where it is available on the QF1 up to LHR and then onwards to CDG with BA, and back on the QF2.

I also had a brief look through fare availability for both CDG and a range of other European destinations. All of the discount Business fare classes (C, D and I) are zeroed out on the QF9 and 10 for the duration of the current sale period. My advice would be to wait until this current earlybird sale has finished (04OCT17) and then have a look again.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I believe that you still get the QF code even if you flew EK.
If there wasn't a QF code on your ticket, then you don't earn any QF SC, but from what I see, from the flights that don't palm you off via LHR, there are still EK metal QF flight numbers.
Touching my paw to my nose, let me tell you, fly via SYD, and get that EK plane!
The bar on board is to die for, so to speak.
Also the QFi MEL J lounge in the basement is the pits. The QFi SYD J lounge is better with good views outside, even if its only aircond ducts you see! Better than facing a wall!
The 18.00 EK metal QF flight number QF8419 will earn you the full QF SC as if you were on a QF plane.
I total going via SYD at $7479, a bit more than your $7179, but believe you me, QFi SYD J lounge is better.
Book a red E deal to get you from MEL - SYD and back separately, MEL - SYD say 10am, and SYD - MEL say, 16.00.
Edit: BA will not usually carry a QF code, so if you decided to fly via LHR you will earn less QF SC, the flight LHR - CDG is a BA code.

 

[texter]

That $7171 fare with QF code on EK metal you are seeing is fare basis IXMSEU7, which has the following restrictions:

ELIGIBILITY NO ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS APPLY.

DAY/TIME TRAVEL FROM THE FARE ORIGIN IS PERMITTED MON/TUE/WED/THU.

SEASONALITY PERMITTED 01MAR18 THROUGH 30SEP18 ON THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL SECTOR. SEASON IS BASED ON DATE OF ORIGIN.

FLIGHT APPLICATION
THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT BE ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
QF FLIGHTS 5000 THROUGH 5999
QF FLIGHTS 8009 THROUGH 8012
QF FLIGHTS 8015 THROUGH 8016
QF FLIGHT 8420
QF FLIGHT 9
QF FLIGHT 8407
QF FLIGHT 8413
QF FLIGHT 8421
QF FLIGHT 8435
ANY QF FLIGHT OPERATED BY CZ
ANY QF FLIGHT OPERATED BY MU
ANY QF FLIGHT OPERATED BY OZ
ANY QF FLIGHT OPERATED BY VN
SK FLIGHTS 3000 THROUGH 3999
SK FLIGHTS 6100 THROUGH 6199
SK FLIGHTS 6400 THROUGH 6449
SK FLIGHTS 6500 THROUGH 6549
SK FLIGHTS 6700 THROUGH 6899
SK FLIGHTS 8000 THROUGH 8349
SK FLIGHTS 8400 THROUGH 8999
SK FLIGHTS 9300 THROUGH 9999
EK FLIGHTS 4000 THROUGH 4999
EK FLIGHTS 7050 THROUGH 7999
EK FLIGHT 420
EK FLIGHT 413
EK FLIGHTS 9 THROUGH 12
EK FLIGHTS 15 THROUGH 16
EK FLIGHT 407
EK FLIGHT 421
EK FLIGHT 435
EK FLIGHT 5009

I have managed to find a couple of days where it is available on the QF1 up to LHR and then onwards to CDG with BA, and back on the QF2.

I also had a brief look through fare availability for both CDG and a range of other European destinations. All of the discount Business fare classes (C, D and I) are zeroed out on the QF9 and 10 for the duration of the current sale period. My advice would be to wait until this current earlybird sale has finished (04OCT17) and then have a look again.

Thanks - it would be nice if these conditions were listed on the website (didn't see the Mon-Thu departures and importantly QF9 were specifically excluded

I believe that you still get the QF code even if you flew EK.
If there wasn't a QF code on your ticket, then you don't earn any QF SC, but from what I see, from the flights that don't palm you off via LHR, there are still EK metal QF flight numbers.
Touching my paw to my nose, let me tell you, fly via SYD, and get that EK plane!
The bar on board is to die for, so to speak.
Also the QFi MEL J lounge in the basement is the pits. The QFi SYD J lounge is better with good views outside, even if its only aircond ducts you see! Better than facing a wall!
The 18.00 EK metal QF flight number QF8419 will earn you the full QF SC as if you were on a QF plane.
I total going via SYD at $7479, a bit more than your $7179, but believe you me, QFi SYD J lounge is better.
Book a red E deal to get you from MEL - SYD and back separately, MEL - SYD say 10am, and SYD - MEL say, 16.00.
Edit: BA will not usually carry a QF code, so if you decided to fly via LHR you will earn less QF SC, the flight LHR - CDG is a BA code.

Just to clarify Poochie - Are you saying to go via SYD just for the lounge or for the extra SCs generated going MEL-SYD-BKK-DXB-CDG?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I would pick the EK flight that bypasses BKK, seeing that QF does not have its own lounge there anymore I believe.
MEL - SYD (red E deal)...
SYD - DXB direct (EK metal QF flight number)
DXB - CDG (EK metal QF flight number)
In the end, you can say I am overdoing it, but why go via LHR if you don't really have to?
Do as you wish, but unless you are WP/P1 with access to the QFi MEL F lounge, that "basement" is the pits. Though, if you forgo the QFi MEL J lounge, and just spend all your time in the MEL EK lounge in T2, then, "bobs your uncle!".
Others do love the QFi MEL J lounge, but I was shocked to see it for myself, and to compare it with the QFi MEL F lounge.
Ultimately, if you do want to dep MEL - SIN - LHR - CDG, thats fine by me.
Just providing another option.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

If you do fly LHR - CDG, would you/you probably have to pay that APD, even if its included in the fare?

 

[Brettmcg]

I would pick the EK flight that bypasses BKK, seeing that QF does not have its own lounge there anymore I believe.
MEL - SYD (red E deal)...
SYD - DXB direct (EK metal QF flight number)
DXB - CDG (EK metal QF flight number)
In the end, you can say I am overdoing it, but why go via LHR if you don't really have to?
Do as you wish, but unless you are WP/P1 with access to the QFi MEL F lounge, that "basement" is the pits. Though, if you forgo the QFi MEL J lounge, and just spend all your time in the MEL EK lounge in T2, then, "bobs your uncle!".
Others do love the QFi MEL J lounge, but I was shocked to see it for myself, and to compare it with the QFi MEL F lounge.
Ultimately, if you do want to dep MEL - SIN - LHR - CDG, thats fine by me.
Just providing another option.

Why on earth would you fly MEL-SYD on a Red E-Deal?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

To spend the most lounge time in SYD is why.
QFd MEL J lounge and QP will be undergoing works, so it would probably not be worth it to spend time in that area for the time being, though by Jul 18 the works probably will be nearly complete, if the OP wants to go dom MEL - SYD, to get int from SYD onwards.
If you get linked PNR tix, you might find you only have a linked time of say, 2hrs 25 mins to get from gate 15 at T3 to T1, and then have to go though outgoing int security, and also immi & customs.
Using a red E tix might mean you have to physically check in QF SYD's J check in area, but you might have say, 4 hours from T3 to T1, meaning more time in the lounge, even bypassing the QFi SYD J lounge and all time spent in the SYD EK lounge.
OP's could also just go with EK MEL - DXB, and ignore my SYD waffle, I haven't tried the MEL EK lounge, but it must be better than the QFi MEL J lounge.

 

[BD1959]

I haven't tried the MEL EK lounge, but it must be better than the QFi MEL J lounge.

It is!! Good views of the apron, if you are seated that side - various different zones from dining to views to lounge areas. Superior food offerings, champagne (if Moet is your thing), better ambience. The last time I was there (January) the MEL Int J Lounge felt like a zoo - not helped by the now crowding by passengers of various (obviously paying) airlines; only hot food options were a not very good looking pasta and soup. EK Lounge tends to have curries, lamb cutlets, fish as well as premium entrees and deserts. Attentive staff in EK - dishes continually topped up, plates cleared much quicker etc etc.

Regards,

BD

 

[Deleted member]

Think outside the box and look at other one world carriers. we flew BNE - MEL - HKG - HEL - CDG (return) all in J in April this year and used a fellow Aff'r (TA) to do the bookings, we got a really good fare and 720 Sc's. for around $5 k as I recall. a mix of QF and AY

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Think outside the box and look at other one world carriers. we flew BNE - MEL - HKG - HEL - CDG (return) all in J in April this year and used a fellow Aff'r (TA) to do the bookings, we got a really good fare and 720 Sc's. for around $5 k as I recall. a mix of QF and AY

AY fares are good value for money and there's a decent hard product too.

 

[Deleted member]

we flew in the A350 in J, there is a knack to choosing the right seats on this plane BTW, we decided that the best option was the smaller rear cabin (J) and in any seat that was an "A" I think we had the last two seats at the rear of that (smaller) cabin.

A


AY fares are good value for money and there's a decent hard product too.

 

[BD1959]

AY fares are good value for money and there's a decent hard product too

... Except some intra-EU J, which is glorified Y+.

we decided that the best option was the smaller rear cabin (J)

When AY used the A340, the view on the AY FT Board was that the smaller rear cabin was less "premium" and used by AY as "Emerald City" for their own premiers. Has this changed with the A350?

Regards,

BD

 

[GoldCanyon340]

... Except some intra-EU J, which is glorified Y+

Agree, but it's usually a better choice than BA Club Europe.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

It is!! Good views of the apron, if you are seated that side - various different zones from dining to views to lounge areas. Superior food offerings, champagne (if Moet is your thing), better ambience. The last time I was there (January) the MEL Int J Lounge felt like a zoo - not helped by the now crowding by passengers of various (obviously paying) airlines; only hot food options were a not very good looking pasta and soup. EK Lounge tends to have curries, lamb cutlets, fish as well as premium entrees and deserts. Attentive staff in EK - dishes continually topped up, plates cleared much quicker etc etc.

Regards,

BD

Will definitely do that EK J/F lounge visit on my planned MEL - AKL trip this Crimbo.
Will spend all my time in the EK lounge, even if its only breakfast.
The salmon is the tickler for me, never seen that in my time on the evening flights Au - NZ in the QF lounges.

 

[Vic]

To spend the most lounge time in SYD is why.
QFd MEL J lounge and QP will be undergoing works, so it would probably not be worth it to spend time in that area for the time being, though by Jul 18 the works probably will be nearly complete, if the OP wants to go dom MEL - SYD, to get int from SYD onwards.
If you get linked PNR tix, you might find you only have a linked time of say, 2hrs 25 mins to get from gate 15 at T3 to T1, and then have to go though outgoing int security, and also immi & customs.
Using a red E tix might mean you have to physically check in QF SYD's J check in area, but you might have say, 4 hours from T3 to T1, meaning more time in the lounge, even bypassing the QFi SYD J lounge and all time spent in the SYD EK lounge.
OP's could also just go with EK MEL - DXB, and ignore my SYD waffle, I haven't tried the MEL EK lounge, but it must be better than the QFi MEL J lounge.

I still don't know why all that means using a red-e deal when business from MEL-SYD could be used for about the same cost, or even lower cost depending on how it's booked. Why pick a red-e-deal when they could have business?

 

[RichardMEL]

The AY A340 J product was dire and glad they've gone(or almost gone) from the fleet. I had sat in that rear cabin and it was less premium, even in the bulkhead/exit row seat (not to mention the fwd cabin pax got all the blankets and it was freezing! LOL).

The 350 is such a beautiful aircraft. The cabin is great, the seats are a tad narrow, but so far above the prior offering it's night and day and the F&B is pretty good (as was the wiffi ). I found all aspects of the AY experience in the A350 to be very very good and compete well with other carriers, specially with those sale J fares that provide unbeatable value for the paid ticket.

Intra-europe I think the euro-J product is pretty good, but I knew not to expect much given all of them are more or less the same "convert-a-seat product, but catering decent(better than BA IMHO) and really for a few hours flying decent. Plus connecting in HEL is far from a dire devilish experience and far far superior to places like LHR, CDG or even FRA/MUC.

Also for the SC chasers, AY seems to offer good SC earning compared to QR and other OW carriers into europe after the devaluation a few years ao. Sure it's not the same as QF metal earning, but it's pretty good. Plus many of these AY fares can allow QF flight#/metal connections to AY gateway cities in SIN/BKK/HKG.

 

[Berlin]

Agree, but it's usually a better choice than BA Club Europe.

Oh, this compares like night and day in my experience, AY is way better than BA on pretty much any length of flight. Plus, Helsinki is an awesome airport to swap planes and I absolutely love the design of their lounge.

 

[Deleted member]

... Except some intra-EU J, which is glorified Y+.



When AY used the A340, the view on the AY FT Board was that the smaller rear cabin was less "premium" and used by AY as "Emerald City" for their own premiers. Has this changed with the A350?

Regards,

BD

I couldn't say what "Emerald City" qualifications were required

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Oh, this compares like night and day in my experience, AY is way better than BA on pretty much any length of flight. Plus, Helsinki is an awesome airport to swap planes and I absolutely love the design of their lounge.

Must admit I have a soft spot for BA F at the right price but BA J, both Europe and World, is just plain and simple AWFUL. Concur about transiting at HEL.