F to SIN BA ex SYD or Emirates ex MEL

[RisingPhoenix]

Since Emirates cancelled their 5th Freedom BNE-SIN route I had to make a couple of changes to an upcoming holiday. At the time the only other F redemption option available was with BA ex SYD.
Since then, some F award availability has opened up on the Emirates MEL-SIN route, however the timings are similarly awful to the old Brisbane route these days.
My confirmed BA F flight departs SYD-SIN 14:50 which I understand ties in well with being able to use the SYD F Lounge (Which from what I hear is spectacular?) the available flight MEL-SIN in EK F departs 02:25 which I think counts out the MEL F Lounge?
The bigger question is though, Will the experience on Emirates be that far superior to BA with the flight departure time, or is it a minimal service flight due to departure time anyway, and is it really worth the potential change fees associated (not really familiar with QF charges, though the outside of points expenses compared to SQ were ridiculous) The BA flight does seem far more of a civilised hour. And the Sydney F Lounge does sound like it's worth a visit, or is it just another lounge?
It's the first F experience for myself and Mrs Phoenix, though we've been lucky enough to get SQ Suites SIN to Europe and all the way back, so I'm still expecting some amazing experiences to come regardless.
I need a positioning flight regardless so SYD or MEL isn't an issue.

 

[Mattg]

Normally I would say that Emirates F is a far better experience than BA F. However, I think in your case I would stick with BA.

The costs aside, that Emirates flight will soon be departing around 2am. Which likely means a supper (read: light meal) service after departure from Melbourne and full breakfast before arrival (if you don't sleep through it). And as this is a 777 flight, no showers or bar.

BA F is not the greatest of products, but at least you'll get to fly at a civilised hour and use the Qantas First Lounge beforehand, which is excellent. The EK MEL lounge is also good, but not as good as QF F (and the QF Flounge in MEL will be closed at 2am).