EK413 CHC-SYD - refurbed A380s?

[Springthing]

Am booked in F class on this route in a few weeks.

Does EK ever put their recently refurbished A380s on their EK412/EK413 (DXB-SYD-CHC-SYD-DXB) routes? Obviously, it's always going to be luck of the draw anyway. But are any of the refurbished aircraft being used in/out of anywhere in AU?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Am booked in F class on this route in a few weeks.

Does EK ever put their recently refurbished A380s on their EK412/EK413 (DXB-SYD-CHC-SYD-DXB) routes? Obviously, it's always going to be luck of the draw anyway. But are any of the refurbished aircraft being used in/out of anywhere in AU?

You might want to check if premium economy is for sale on your flight? I’m not 100% sure but would that indicate if it’s refurbished?

 

[Springthing]

You might want to check if premium economy is for sale on your flight? I’m not 100% sure but would that indicate if it’s refurbished?

Great tip, thanks. Didnt think to check the PY config.

 

[MathNerd]

Sorry to resurface an old thread, but rather than creating a new one for this route:

A mate (fellow avgeek) of mine really wants to try EK J, and the only way this will happen is a cash booking.

I've zeroed in on the SYD-CHC 5th freedom, usually going for approx 2k AUD (return, which from my POV is actually a pretty damn good deal, given I'm used to 5k-6k SQ J fares).

Does it ever get lower or is this the best possible?

 

[MELso]

Sorry to resurface an old thread, but rather than creating a new one for this route:

A mate (fellow avgeek) of mine really wants to try EK J, and the only way this will happen is a cash booking.

I've zeroed in on the SYD-CHC 5th freedom, usually going for approx 2k AUD.

Does it ever get lower or is this the best possible?

If they're at least silver, I'd suggest your mate goes to Qantas Wine and buys four cases of wine. That should generate the 78,400 points needed for an F award for about the same price as a cash fare (and is far more fun than J). Enjoy the SYD Flounge. Enjoy the Dom. Enjoy the shower. Enjoy the caviar.

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Otherwise, go F one way cash and back in whY.

 

[MathNerd]

If they're at least silver, I'd suggest your mate goes to Qantas Wine and buys four cases of wine. That should generate the 78,400 points needed for an F award for about the same price as a cash fare (and is far more fun than J). Enjoy the SYD Flounge. Enjoy the Dom. Enjoy the shower. Enjoy the caviar.

Qantas Wine Tracker (QF Wine Tracker) – 125 Active Offers | Reflyable

Browse 125 active Qantas Wine bonus points offers with Reflyable’s Qantas Wine tracker (QF wine tracker). Compare deals and maximise your Qantas Frequent Flyer (QFF) points.

www.reflyable.com.au

Otherwise, go F one way cash and back in whY.

No status unfortunately, which is why a cash fare seems to be the only way to do this. Also, doesn't EK have insane $$$$ carrier (fuel) surcharges which basically amount to the cash fare anyway?
Sorry still a bit of a noob in the QF/EK ecosystem, I'm a VA/SQ guy haha.
We were floating this idea recently and the return fare seems to be stuck at $2k and I might just chuck a Google Flights track price feature on a random date selection and see the price fluctuations.

 

[MELso]

No status unfortunately, which is why a cash fare seems to be the only way to do this. Also, doesn't EK have insane $$$$ carrier (fuel) surcharges which basically amount to the cash fare anyway?
Sorry still a bit of a noob in the QF/EK ecosystem, I'm a VA/SQ guy haha.
We were floating this idea recently and the return fare seems to be stuck at $2k and I might just chuck a Google Flights track price feature on a random date selection and see the price fluctuations.

If you (or someone else he knows) has status, they can book on his behalf.

Also, SYD-CHC is an exception to the EK crazy carrier charges. It's $A234 over, and $NZ204 back (plus 78.4K points each way).

Personally, I'd look to go one way in F and back in Y if you want a truly OTT experience (rather than J return). It's about $1.85k one way SYD-CHC in F (which yields 120SCs FWIW) vs $450 in Y, $1.2K in PE and, slightly weirdly, $1.1K in J.

 

[Mwenenzi]

No status unfortunately, which is why a cash fare seems to be the only way to do this. Also, doesn't EK have insane $$$$ carrier (fuel) surcharges which basically amount to the cash fare anyway?
Sorry still a bit of a noob in the QF/EK ecosystem, I'm a VA/SQ guy haha.
We were floating this idea recently and the return fare seems to be stuck at $2k and I might just chuck a Google Flights track price feature on a random date selection and see the price fluctuations.

Very broadly with price fluctuations ~ fare buckets ~ sales

• economy - very large % variations common
• premium economy - can have noticeable variations
• business - some variations
• first - little if any variations

But airfares can vary a lot. Often not logical.

Part of a business and first c;lass flight experience is the preflight lounge. At SYD will be far better than the CHC 3rd party lounge.
But the EK timings are not good for extended SYD lounge visit
SYD CHC 07:50 12:55
CHC SYD 17:20 18:40
QF have other flights from CHC. Could stay ovenight at Christchurch.
If a 1 day trip CHC does not have air side transit, so need to formally enter NZ. Check the visa - passport requirements.

For trans Tasman flights at times booking as one ways can be price advantagous compared to a return. Check.
Real govt & regulatory fees from AU are ~AU$150 and from NZ are ~NZ$80 [have not checked in detail recently]