AFF Review: Qantas A380 First Class (SYD-JNB)

[downgraded]

. In recent times it has a minute steak option

You mean the CL/P1/F option that used to be on the standard F lounge menu available to everyone.

 

[serfty]

Everyone has different priorities of course but if it was me, I would never ever even consider cancelling the request, especially at old rates! ...
...

Great post.

We are all different.

... My favourite flying QF First out of Sydney is getting a guaranteed slot in the spa, and as an actual First passenger I have been lucky enough several times to kindly ask for a double treatment and got in granted. Sure- you can get a longer massage in any Thai Spa at the corner for a $100 but getting a hot stone massage followed by a foot massage at the airport is something very different
...

Enhanced spa access is not a consideration for me as I don't do 'em ... for whatever reason I find no relaxation at all. That is just me and I can understand others appreciating them. (Three times this year I have been proactively offered these at MEL; I have pleasantly declined.)

...
And on the long track to London, the better seat alone would make it be worthwhile for me. Plus the better champagne and usually much more personalised service which I always value and very much enjoy on QF. ...

As posted I have been there, done that with Qantas A380 first and understand those differences. For me it is not that much of an upgrade from Emerald City J.

...
It depends on what would one else do with those points- a couple of Domestic redemptions in J? A rewards booking trans Tasman or further? For me, while all those are also “sweet spots” of the Qantas FF program, all those options just don’t have the same ring to it as flying in First on an A380 all the way to London. And the A380s are slowly dying out, just as the 747s were so enjoy it while it lasts. Just my opinion!

In the last 18 months I have burned over 500K Qantas points, all have been for international travel, with half on classic oneworld awards. The upgrade cost would be roughly a fifth of another one in business or half of one in economy. My last booking reduced my points balance to under 5K and I have been working on rebuilding.

My considerations have boiled down to the value of Flagship QF1 experince with a better bed and special menu items in SYD.

 

[serfty]

You mean the CL/P1/F option that used to be on the standard F lounge menu available to everyone.

Yes ... I first experienced this as an Emerald in 2007.

 

[Berlin]

My considerations have boiled down to the value of Flagship QF1 experince with a better bed and special menu items in SYD.

That all makes sense from your perspective so yes, we all value different things indeed! I’m currently on a Classic Reward redemption flight SYD-NAN-LAX which I’ve only booked about a week ago (new job, old boss doesn’t want to see me any longer which is quite a mutual feeling so now I’ve got 3 weeks all of a sudden of getting paid but having spare time, what better opportunity to burn some points on a trip to the US for some shopping, roller coaster riding and some good ole Texan barbecue eating….) so I definitely understand the value of this as well!

Lucky for me, on the return I scored an F class seat on QF8 from Dallas and I did not hesitate for a second to book that in. Even at the new rates, that is

 

[RooFlyer]

The praise for the QF F bed is totally warranted. I was a regular F upgrader between Aust and LAX when I was doing a lot of work in Canada and USA and it was the bed that I spent the points on. The food & bev was better then though (tasting menu anyone).

The current food & bev seems on the whole pretty poor. As I've said before - First is First. Every aspect should be First Class from check-in to collect bags.

 

[SOPOOR]

that is a pretty horrible wine list and spirit list for first class,
its business class on other premium airlines,