Article: Use Qantas Points to Book Eurostar Trains

[AFF Editor]

Use Qantas Points to Book Eurostar Trains is an article written by the AFF editorial team:

https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/use-qantas-points-eurostar-trains/

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

 

[henrus]

100% an error because standalone trains weren’t part of the deal. Oh well enjoy why it lasts.

It’d be interesting to see if this is actually good value or not.

 

[jase05]

100% an error because standalone trains weren’t part of the deal. Oh well enjoy why it lasts.

It’d be interesting to see if this is actually good value or not.

I guess it depends on individual circumstances but the last time I traveled from Brussels to CDG it was for memory about $110 in first class and I think second was about $70.
The flex fares were more expensive

 

[Mr H]

Last year I travelled from Maidstone to Kishinev by train, mostly in premium classes. The Eurostar from London to Paris was very impressive but cost as much as the rest of the journey combined. I enjoyed the experience but compared to flying, the premium experience seemed to extend only to the on-board product. There was no access to lounges (no access for First class in London, Paris lounge was shut) and no check in for luggage so you had to wait with luggage on crowded station concourses. The food and drink was mostly chargeable. I know this is comparing apples and oranges, but France seems to have decided that short flights should be done by train so the comparison will be made...

 

[Jean Prouvaire]

I'm surprised you weren't able to access the Eurostar lounge in London traveling first class as it's supposed to be for Business Premier passengers and Carte Blanche and Etoile Club Eurostar members (also certain Amex card holders). Unless by "first class" you mean "Standard Premier" which is their mid-tier travel class? I've never been to the lounge (travel Standard if and when I do take the Eurostar), but it looks reasonable for a train lounge.

The big advantage of the Eurostar over flights for me is the ease with which you can get to and from the stations. When staying in central London (as I typically do) getting to St Pancras train station is a lot more convenient than getting to any of the airports. And while I try to get to an airport 2-3 hours prior to departure for international flights, for the Eurostar I've cut it as fine as - IIRC - 20 minutes (granted, that was cutting it very fine and due to a mixup on my part). Similarly, the train drops you off much closer to the heart of Paris than flying. So you save hours on both ends, which is why it's now my preferred way of crossing the Channel.

 

[Gold Member]

Interesting article Matt, thanks.

I just recently purchased Bruges-Paris (Gare Du Nord) Business/Premium Class with Eurostar including a local “first class” domestic connection on Dutch carrier between Bruges and Brussels using the b-Europe.com website for $125 AUD one-way. Excluding the domestic connection, the Eurostar leg would have cost about $100AUD outright.

Considering Qantas want 10K QFF + 21 Euro for a Standard (ECONOMY) cabin seat, I think I’ll stick with booking direct and avoid Qantas bookings. And based on the limited searches I made, Qantas isn’t even offering Business/Premium class tickets on that leg for many weeks at a time. But if they did, it would be reasonable to expect a similar price to the Amsterdam-Brussels route at 20K QFF + 21 Euro considering they’re roughly the same time and distance. Even then, still very poor value.

 

[Mr H]

I'm surprised you weren't able to access the Eurostar lounge in London traveling first class as it's supposed to be for Business Premier passengers and Carte Blanche and Etoile Club Eurostar members (also certain Amex card holders). Unless by "first class" you mean "Standard Premier" which is their mid-tier travel class? I've never been to the lounge (travel Standard if and when I do take the Eurostar), but it looks reasonable for a train lounge.

There are two classes of travel on Eurostar - First Class (called Premier because France) and Second Class (called standard class). First class comes with two variants - called confusingly standard and business. Same seat, the difference is that one has lounge access and a meal on board, when the other has no lounge and only offers sangas. Oh, and one is more than triple the price of the other. Call me cheap, but I'm not going to pay over $400 for a cup of coffee and an omelette - and judging by the uptake of sandwiches in my carriage, nor was anyone else.