Best carrier to use for J or F AWARD ex ADLwith QFF points?

[adelee]

Hi. I am looking for some feedback regarding the best carrier to use for a one way J or F award from ADL to LHR.

I have limited options due to the travel period I'm looking at (early December), and the need to book for 2 pax, and each carrier appears to have pros and cons. I'm trying to book the best possible experience for us, as I will be travelling with my husband and our infant on what will probably be our last decent long haul trip for quite awhile (it will be almost impossible once baby no 2 is on the way!). I've also never travelled F, and am very keen to do so. I'd also like to take advantage of related services, such as flagship lounges (would love to use the Mel F lounge) and chauffer drive, if possible.

Options are:

• Option One: ADL - LHR via HK with CX in J (139,000 points + $289.00 taxes per person). I've heard good things about CX, but not sure whether they would be preferred over an a380 offering from QF or EK? Also, will it be possible to use the chauffer drive service for an award booking? I also have the option of switching to F between Hong Kong and LHR, but this takes the total points needed up to $199,000 per person - worth it? On the upside, the taxes are very reasonable (almost half of QF and EK) and it is a convenient flight from ADL with no interstate connections.

• Option Two: ADL - LHR via Melbourne on QF 9 in F (192,000 points + $640 taxes). This gives me the advantage of using the MEL first lounge and experiencing suites on QF9. However there is no option to book the fare from ADL, so will need to fork out for an additional domestic flight from ADL - MEL. Plus taxes are 2 x CX. Is it worth it?

• Option Three: ADL - LHR via Perth on EK in F (192,000 points + $640 taxes). This option includes the A380 for both international sectors. However, it warrants a business class flight to Perth and 4 hours transit time in Perth Airport (and no decent lounge). Taxes on par with QF ($649). Is it worth it to experience Emirates A380 suites in first?

• Option Four: ADL - LHR on EK in J (128,000 points + $620 taxes). This option includes a flight direct from ADL - DXB on a 777. After a hour transit, A380 flight to LHR. It's certainly convenient, but not so keen on the longest sector being on 777.

Would really appreciate any feedback, particularly taking into consideration the travel experience on any of these products with an infant.

 

[Anna]

My experience with booking award flights in premium cabins is that it's more a case of "take what you can get, on a date within a week of the date you really wanted", rather than "hmm, which one will I choose?".

Even booking 353 days out I was still unable to get exactly what I wanted, let alone a choice. YMMV of course. If I did have a choice I would probably choose the lowest "taxes" and/or the shortest journey rather than picking by aircraft type, as aircraft can always be substituted at the last minute for operational reasons.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

If you have not flown F and wish to do so, then QF or EK is the way to go! (you might also consider flying J to HKG and then F on CX from there.)

CX J is a good option. QF/EK/CX all have their pros and cons. And all things considered, are probably equal. QF will have better food, but it takes hours to serve it. CX will complete your meal service in 60 mins, but the quality probably just short of QF's. CX wins on seats, but they are very private, and QF will allow you to sit side-by-side with your partner. (and so on, you get the picture)

The above is comparing QF/EK A380 to CX's A330 and 77W. If you change the mix to EK's 777, I would avoid their business class... the beds are on a slight angle, and a little narrow. So that rules out option 4

in order I would do: option 2 (QF F), option 3 (only because you want to try F), then option 1. If you could get CX J to HKG connecting to CX F to Europe, that would be a good choice.

 

[adelee]

Thanks for your feedback. These are all current flights available to me in the period 2 - 9 December (perhaps it's a low demand travel time from Australia into LHR?). I'm happy to be flexible around our departure date in order to go with the best option. You make some good points around taxes and flight duration.

 

[ketsuzei]

• Option Two: ADL - LHR via Melbourne on QF 9 in F (192,000 points + $640 taxes). This gives me the advantage of using the MEL first lounge and experiencing suites on QF9. However there is no option to book the fare from ADL, so will need to fork out for an additional domestic flight from ADL - MEL.

Have you tried using Multi-city to book? Might still be able to get ADL-MEL MEL-LHR for 192,000 points if the transfer is within 24 hours.

 

[adelee]

Yes, I've tried multi city, however it keeps crashing out with a system error, even when I select dates that I know there are award flights on. Having said that, it would be good to get the MEL-ADL flight in the same booking, as only then can I take advantage of the chauffeur drive. I will keep trying!

 

[sergeyvzn]

Yes, I've tried multi city, however it keeps crashing out with a system error, even when I select dates that I know there are award flights on. Having said that, it would be good to get the MEL-ADL flight in the same booking, as only then can I take advantage of the chauffeur drive. I will keep trying!

You'll need to ring Qantas to book it, their search engine has lots of bugs and this is one of them. Don't expect any magic, just ring them and book it over the phone

 

[bryanjones]

My advice would be to go in F at least once in your life.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

• Option Two: ADL - LHR via Melbourne on QF 9 in F (192,000 points + $640 taxes). This gives me the advantage of using the MEL first lounge and experiencing suites on QF9. However there is no option to book the fare from ADL, so will need to fork out for an additional domestic flight from ADL - MEL. Plus taxes are 2 x CX. Is it worth it?

Thanks for your feedback. These are all current flights available to me in the period 2 - 9 December (perhaps it's a low demand travel time from Australia into LHR?). I'm happy to be flexible around our departure date in order to go with the best option. You make some good points around taxes and flight duration.

I didn't have an issue using the multi city tool to select both ADL/MEL & MEL/LHR flights for Tue 08 Dec eg QF682 ADL/MEL in business then QF9 MEL/LHR in first.

[/LIST]

Have you tried using Multi-city to book? Might still be able to get ADL-MEL MEL-LHR for 192,000 points if the transfer is within 24 hours.

You can do exactly that when you first select the flight ADL/MEL in J it initially displays a cost of 16,000 points, however when you select the second leg MEL/LHR in F it displays the through points amount due of 192,000. I don't have sufficient points in my account to select the MEL/LHR to be able to view the taxes.

Yes, I've tried multi city, however it keeps crashing out with a system error, even when I select dates that I know there are award flights on. Having said that, it would be good to get the MEL-ADL flight in the same booking, as only then can I take advantage of the chauffeur drive. I will keep trying!

I'm using my trusty Toshiba netbook using Chrome as a browser which I find is less buggy than IE so it's definitely doable online.

 

[ketsuzei]

You can do exactly that when you first select the flight ADL/MEL in J it initially displays a cost of 16,000 points, however when you select the second leg MEL/LHR in F it displays the through points amount due of 192,000. I don't have sufficient points in my account to select the MEL/LHR to be able to view the taxes.

Just did it now for February 5, and it comes to 192,000 points + AUD645.67.