Cheapest Melb to EU First Class Option

[travelnutjohn]

Just strictly in the research and learn process,

Ive done a few random dates using miles calculator for Melb to CDG (or any EU city)

and its come up with 384k emirates points +$1373 for first class, I know taxes are high eg vs singapore which is $256 but thats how it is?
it seems both to and return are A380 aircraft which is great,

just a few questions
- Is this the cheapest option using emirates points?
- I have an amex ascent program that converts 4:3, is this the best way to earn the emirates points, assuming 2ppd and 4:3, id need to spend $256,000
- Are these Suites or normal First class
- there are options to stay in dubai for 2 hours, 14 hrs, 18 hrs, for someone whose never been to dubai, do you recommend I stay for 2 hrs in the lounge (ie the shorter the better) or 14-18 hours in the lounge and make myself comfortable, or can I/should I visit the city for half a day

thanks everyone

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Just strictly in the research and learn process,

Ive done a few random dates using miles calculator for Melb to CDG (or any EU city)

and its come up with 384k emirates points +$1373 for first class, I know taxes are high eg vs singapore which is $256 but thats how it is?
it seems both to and return are A380 aircraft which is great,

just a few questions
- Is this the cheapest option using emirates points?
- I have an amex ascent program that converts 4:3, is this the best way to earn the emirates points, assuming 2ppd and 4:3, id need to spend $256,000
- Are these Suites or normal First class
- there are options to stay in dubai for 2 hours, 14 hrs, 18 hrs, for someone whose never been to dubai, do you recommend I stay for 2 hrs in the lounge (ie the shorter the better) or 14-18 hours in the lounge and make myself comfortable, or can I/should I visit the city for half a day

thanks everyone

You'll save a packet of points if you leave from Perth (168K. Take a cheapie Tiger Air to Perth)

Any A380 will have suites (not the brand new ones brought out late last year though).

The taxes fees and charges are about right. That's just the way the QFF program functions.

The alternative is getting yourself to SIN - take scoot or something. From there to Europe First class is 126K QFFF points in F each way to AMS/FRA/CDG - london is just too far and takes you to the next band)

You are free to leave the airport in Dubai. You can build a transit of up to 23hrs59min into your ticket without changing the points required. (In fact you can do this at each point along the way, for for the 192K points one way you could fly MEL-SIN - stay for 20 hours, then to Dubai, stay for 20 hours, then on to Europe).

 

[CaptJCool]

The $168 k point option also runs out of Adelaide to Vienna or Rome....

The $$ is high but it is as is...(around $600 each way)

But the Perth option is even cheaper to Vienna and Rome, and Helsinki and Warsaw

 

[Smithy789]

- there are options to stay in dubai for 2 hours, 14 hrs, 18 hrs, for someone whose never been to dubai, do you recommend I stay for 2 hrs in the lounge (ie the shorter the better) or 14-18 hours in the lounge and make myself comfortable, or can I/should I visit the city for half a day

The first class lounge in Dubai is amazing. I had only 2 hours there (on the direct QF flight). It certainly wasn't long enough to enjoy the a la carte dining. I had time enough to have a shower and freshen up.
So if you have the time, I'd suggest slowing down and stopping over for 14 hours.
Make sure you don't eat too much before the flight - so you can enjoy the in-flight food and service. Food 'on the ground' will still be better though.
I haven't explored beyond the airport precinct but I am sure there is plenty you can do - and probably free chauffeur taxis to enjoy wherever you want to explore.
Good luck!

 

[davidj]

Take a cheapie Tiger Air to Perth

The alternative is getting yourself to SIN - take scoot or something.

OMG are you suggesting that someone take Scoot or Tiger to connect to a first class flight

You do realise the OP is probably better to fly SIA or Emirates economy the whole way through for a better overall experience? Let alone hoping their LCC flight is not canned or delayed last minute.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

OMG are you suggesting that someone take Scoot or Tiger to connect to a first class flight

You do realise the OP is probably better to fly SIA or Emirates economy the whole way through for a better overall experience? Let alone hoping their LCC flight is not canned or delayed last minute.

Given the SIN-AU leg is so short it's a potential option. Scoot biz has fares around $480. 24 hours of no sleep compared to 14 hours of a full flat bed, arriving refreshed in SIN and connecting to a short flight home might suit some depending on their bank of miles.

I used this as an option for someone the other day... splitting their points total allowed them to fly AU-USA in QF business class followed by first class Europe to SIN (own way TATL). Without scoot they only had enough miles for Europe to AU in First one way and they'd have had to make their own way to LAX.

 

[opusman]

OMG are you suggesting that someone take Scoot or Tiger to connect to a first class flight

I took Skybus once to MEL when I was flying F!

 

[travelnutjohn]

thanks folks for your replies, been a great help

from what I can see, emirates flights is quite poor value due to the high number of points along with high surhcarges etc,

so I probably wouldnt try and fly this carrier unless its on my bucket list as first class suites looks to be the best in the world,
so I will keep on accumulating points,

just for my education is earning points on amex ascent program and then converting it to skyawards points the most cost effective way to get points through shopping ? Obviously paying for flights on the airline itself and accumulating would be the best but thats not an option for me

 

[serfty]

I took Skybus once to MEL when I was flying F!

I've taken the 901 bus from Broadie before flying F.

 

[serfty]

thanks folks for your replies, been a great help

from what I can see, emirates flights is quite poor value due to the high number of points along with high surhcarges etc,

so I probably wouldnt try and fly this carrier unless its on my bucket list as first class suites looks to be the best in the world,
so I will keep on accumulating points,

just for my education is earning points on amex ascent program and then converting it to skyawards points the most cost effective way to get points through shopping ? Obviously paying for flights on the airline itself and accumulating would be the best but thats not an option for me

Given it's amex may there's other programs you can transfer to such s SQ.

There are a lot f options.

 

[travelnutjohn]

Given it's amex may there's other programs you can transfer to such s SQ.

There are a lot f options.

thanks, I probably was unclear but I was looking at the cheapest credit card/airline program + taxes to get into F EK

for a random flight I got F 384k points + $1373 in taxes

I checked virign and it was something like 406k points plus similar taxes,v due to the introduction of the sector surcharges last year,

is this the most or only cost effective way to get into EK F?

 

[CaptJCool]

Givem you're probably doing that on Aus to USA or Europe

The charges are the similar.
If you look at earlier posts, the points spend depends on city of origin and arrival

 

[davidj]

I've taken the 901 bus from Broadie before flying F.

Wow each to their own!

Personally, I'm happy to shell out a few extra dollars to complement the experience.

 

[serfty]

Wow each to their own!

Personally, I'm happy to shell out a few extra dollars to complement the experience.

Obviously YMMV.

After over 1800 RPT flights (some 100s in First class) the experience wanes.

With 2000+ taxi/limo/hire car trips, I'll do almost anything to avoid a cab.