Advice on QF10 LHR-DXB, QF2 DXB-SYD

[tmdellit]

Hi all,

Hoping someone here can help me on this as I'm getting conflicting answers.

I'm looking at flying LHR-BNE on Business using Qantas FF points in early (around the 8-10th) Jan 2017, and one of the options looking available to me (according to earlier dates) is flying QF10 LHR-DXB which lands in Dubai at 11.15pm, then flying QF2 DXB-SYD at 9.35am the next day (followed by a domestic SYD-BNE flight). The LHR-SYD route is showing up as a one-way ticket (not multi-city) on the Qantas booking website.

My questions are as follows:

1. With the DXB-SYD flight being a calendar day after landing in DXB from LHR, will I need to pick up my bags and clear customs/immigration, or will the bags go straight through to SYD and I can just stay in the terminal?
2. Has anyone actually done this flight before, and would they recommend getting a hotel room for the night (approx $200) or just make use of the 24x7 lounge?
3. I'm currently a Silver member, however, based on upcoming flights, I should be a Gold Member by April-ish. Would you recommend jumping on this type of flight if my heart is set on using points to fly business home, or would you wait until reaching Gold level in the hope that it accesses seats on the QF2 flight all the way through?

I'm hoping this is a hypothetical and that once the points flights are released, I can just go straight QF2, but want to be prepared if this is not the case.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.

Trent

 

[medhead]

I would jump on awards if they are available rather than wait.

on a business ticket, Dubai connect might be helpful. Dubai Connect | Qantas That's a hotel room for connections greater than 6 hours.

Not sure about 1)

 

[mel-world]

Hi all,

1. With the DXB-SYD flight being a calendar day after landing in DXB from LHR, will I need to pick up my bags and clear customs/immigration, or will the bags go straight through to SYD and I can just stay in the terminal?
2. Has anyone actually done this flight before, and would they recommend getting a hotel room for the night (approx $200) or just make use of the 24x7 lounge?
3. I'm currently a Silver member, however, based on upcoming flights, I should be a Gold Member by April-ish. Would you recommend jumping on this type of flight if my heart is set on using points to fly business home, or would you wait until reaching Gold level in the hope that it accesses seats on the QF2 flight all the way through?

Trent

I agree; given the dates you want to fly, secure the award seats now.

If the stopover is less than 24 hours, you can sent the bags from LHR to SYD without you needing to collect them in DXB. I have not used it but there is a transit hotel in the airport you could use without needing to clear immigration/customs- check which terminal and the price but it might be an option rather than 8+ hours in the Lounge that can be a zoo at any hour.

 

[medhead]

Why pay for a hotel when Qantas will give you one for free under dubai connect?

 

[JohnPhelan]

Why pay for a hotel when Qantas will give you one for free under dubai connect?

Because of the time wasted - on a comparatively tight overnight transit - in stuffing around getting to and from the airport. To utilise Dubai Connect, you need to "enter" the UAE (immigration and customs), then go the EK desk and get your vouchers, then get the transport to the hotel, then check in, etc. Next morning, get up much earlier, check out of hotel, get transport to airport, go through security, then go to lounge.

If you've got a transit stop of say, more than 12 hours, I'd say that's doable. But anything less - my view is that it's too much stuffing around and the loss of too much sleeping time.

I've done this is the past (about a midnight arrival and 1030 departure) - booked a room at the transit hotel; they meet you at the arrival gate, take you straight to the hotel, and you're in your room literally 10 minutes after stepping off the aircraft. And then I get up only about 90 minutes before the morning flight is due to depart. No transport required, no security, just walk straight to lounge for breakfast, and then onto aircraft, well-rested!

 

[tmdellit]

Thanks for all your replies! options to think about, but I think the consensus is just to book them as soon as I can.

JohnPhelan - I assume your bags transited all the way through without you having to pick them up?

 

[Himeno]

I used Dubai Connect a few years ago after BA misconnected to QF and BA refused to help. QF rebooked and got me a hotel room (I didn't mind staying in the lounge though). After getting the hotel voucher, had to wait near the desk for a driver, then to the hotel and check in. It didn't include anything other then the room itself, to the point that the wifi was turned off. Heading back to the airport, after checking out, the hotel called a driver and had to wait a while for the car to arrive.

The EK concourse A F lounge has a large quiet room that can be used to rest in. Not sure about the J lounge.

 

[Mattg]

FWIW I don't think you would be eligible for Dubai connect as there are shorter connections available (albeit perhaps not with points on this particular day). Personally I would still book those flights and just pay for a night at the airport hotel should you not be eligible.

I would be quite happy to get an opportunity to break the journey and get a decent night's sleep along the way anyway. And award seats are not easy to find (and go quickly) so book now or forever hold your peace!

I believe you could have the bags checked through to SYD if you wanted, as the transit time in DXB is under 24 hours.

 

[JohnPhelan]

Thanks for all your replies! options to think about, but I think the consensus is just to book them as soon as I can.

JohnPhelan - I assume your bags transited all the way through without you having to pick them up?

Yes, because it's only a transit, not a stopover. Bags are tagged all the way through to Australia.

 

[Canny man]

I've had to make the same choice and went with lounge time. I sleep very well on the plane, so having a hotel in between two sleeps and all the stuffing around didn't make much sense. Admittedly I was in the F lounge, which is a great place to kill time: catch up with international newspapers, spa time for a massage, sit down meal with outstanding wines and food selection, go for walk in terminal and do some people watching (no shopping though, Dubai prices are silly), back for a snack and another wine....next thing you know its boarding time and off to sleep again.