Business Class - Would I notice the difference?

[SYD]

By the way, get your TA to check for Finnair (AY) equivalent type fare to LH. Their J I think is a bit better than LH and they sometimes have equally good J fare bundles ex Australia. You'd fly via Helsinki, which IMHO is much better than flying via Frankfurt!! And its One World, which mean you'd earn on QFF.

Ditto get get your TA to check Finnair. You fly to HKG with QF or CX, (Singapore and Thailand are other options). AY fly to JFK (or seasonally to Chicago and Miami). You might have to make you own way to Washington (eg AA or US). But the beauty of the AY RTW fare is it includes transcontinental US flights in J (LH doesn't) - so it might appear more expensive but could save you in the long run.

Return to Oz is with QF from LAX.

 

[Aus ATC]

If you can afford it, do it!!! While I have not personally paid for J, I have enjoyed points redemptions, MASAs, upgrades and employer funded travel. The entire Business experience is much more enjoyable, and the flight becomes part of the travel experience, rather than a necessary evil. Lounge access (if you don't already have it) more space. sleeper seats, decent food and drink, being well treated by the cabin crew, status credits, first off the flight - all great.

Having said all that, there is a $$ cost threshold where the value equation no longer stacks up, and I would travel economy. Don't ask me where that is - it depends on my mood on the day, length of the flight, fare difference, and how much I need the SC's for my next WP year!

 

[doczim]

If you can afford it, do it!!! While I have not personally paid for J, I have enjoyed points redemptions, MASAs, upgrades and employer funded travel. The entire Business experience is much more enjoyable, and the flight becomes part of the travel experience, rather than a necessary evil. Lounge access (if you don't already have it) more space. sleeper seats, decent food and drink, being well treated by the cabin crew, status credits, first off the flight - all great.

Having said all that, there is a $$ cost threshold where the value equation no longer stacks up, and I would travel economy. Don't ask me where that is - it depends on my mood on the day, length of the flight, fare difference, and how much I need the SC's for my next WP year!

Totally agree with this. I'm sure I could cope with whY I've just been able to avoid having to do so on international . The flights def become part of the journey and to start with a bit of luxury is great.

I do fall a bit into the trap of not really having a spot on idea of how much I'm spending in totality for the trip given that everything is booked separately and at different times and while of course I only spend what I can afford I don't really add it all up. What I do get is a fantastic holiday which we all enjoy so much which at the end of the day is what it's about for me.

 

[seanpodge]

I am not sure how it would credit, but LH in J RTW may well get you close to *A SG, particularly with TK (or A3?). Whilst not much help domestically in AU, it would be a great benefit for any future SQ/TG flights to Asia.

A3 has cracked down on that. If you don't fly at least 4 times a year on A3 or Olympic Air, then you need 48,000 in 12 months to get *G and then 24,000 a year to retain. It's half again for *S, but by and large, a *S card is most useful as a coaster.

Another option besides TK is OZ. 40,000 miles over two years for *G with no flying on OZ required (although it is a pretty good airline, actually). Most business class fares earn 125% with OZ so a RTW on *A would get you about 30,000 points in business.

 

[vantage03]

Lufthansa do have some great fares; haven't done RTW with them, but a couple of SYD-(Asia)- FRA-other Europe and return which have been good value.

Much of their A380 fleet is still angled flat bed, but if you are coming from Y/PE then it'll still be a major step up. HKG service might be one of the upgraded birds.

LH HKG-FRA is operated by the awesome 747-8i which has guaranteed new business class seats (I.e. Fully flat).

Recommend crediting a *A RTW J fare to SQ so as to get benefits on VA if you were to reach a tier level.

If you can afford it, it will make a HUGE difference to your trip than flying in Y or Y+. Enjoy!