First and business class suggestions syd to Europe then Dubai to syd

[twilsoncrow]

Hi just doing some forward research and dreaming along the way.
In Oct 2018 my partner and I will be looking to go Syd to Rome then after 2 cruises (Venice to Athens then Athens to Dubai) we will be flying Dubai to Sydney.

looking for experienced flyers thoughts on which business/first class products that you would suggest I am for. Have 600,000 velocity points and about 500,000 Qantas points.

would love to know why you suggest certain airlines or products over the others

will be our first time ever in first class and would love to maximise the whole experience

Thanks

 

[BacchusMarsh]

Hi just doing some forward research and dreaming along the way.
In Oct 2018 my partner and I will be looking to go Syd to Rome then after 2 cruises (Venice to Athens then Athens to Dubai) we will be flying Dubai to Sydney.

looking for experienced flyers thoughts on which business/first class products that you would suggest I am for. Have 600,000 velocity points and about 500,000 Qantas points.

Thanks

I would suggest using your Velocity points to fly Etihad F to Rome and then your Qantas points to fly Dubai to Sydney on Emirates F.

 

[scwappy]

EY, SQ for VFF and EK for QFF. I don't think you can go too far wrong with any of these choices.

 

[ashleyn]

EY, SQ for VFF and EK for QFF. I don't think you can go too far wrong with any of these choices.

I flew Dubai to Perth in EK F for the first time last year and would highly recommend it.

 

[BCons]

Def look for EY First on the 380 from Syd and then EK or QF on the way back - afternoon flt out is better IMHO than the later eve one, because you can sample the delights of F without it being midnight.. Some will say that negates any effort to counteract bus lag by moving onto destination time, but if you are doing it up the front for the thrill then do it right !

 

[n7of9]

then after 2 cruises (Venice to Athens

Just FYI, some Greece/Italy ships aren't 'cruises', they're transport. If the ship gives you the option of purchasing a passage-only ticket (without a room), it's definitely the latter. Ships are often used as a cheaper option to flying, rather than 'cruising'

I did an overnight Patras to Bari and it was fking awful! People were literally sleeping on the floor in common areas, and generally camped out in all of the seating areas with their luggage used to create forts. Food options were limited and woeful. The pool was empty, and all common areas were generally filthy

From Venice it should take 2 nights so maybe 'passage only' isn't available, but do look out for it

 

[twilsoncrow]

I would suggest using your Velocity points to fly Etihad F to Rome and then your Qantas points to fly Dubai to Sydney on Emirates F.

EY, SQ for VFF and EK for QFF. I don't think you can go too far wrong with any of these choices.

I flew Dubai to Perth in EK F for the first time last year and would highly recommend it.

Def look for EY First on the 380 from Syd and then EK or QF on the way back - afternoon flt out is better IMHO than the later eve one, because you can sample the delights of F without it being midnight.. Some will say that negates any effort to counteract bus lag by moving onto destination time, but if you are doing it up the front for the thrill then do it right !

Tank you for your suggestions. Think we will do it right up front for our first time and maximise the whole experience

 

[twilsoncrow]

Just FYI, some Greece/Italy ships aren't 'cruises', they're transport. If the ship gives you the option of purchasing a passage-only ticket (without a room), it's definitely the latter. Ships are often used as a cheaper option to flying, rather than 'cruising'

I did an overnight Patras to Bari and it was fking awful! People were literally sleeping on the floor in common areas, and generally camped out in all of the seating areas with their luggage used to create forts. Food options were limited and woeful. The pool was empty, and all common areas were generally filthy

From Venice it should take 2 nights so maybe 'passage only' isn't available, but do look out for it

thanks for the concern. The cruise is with azamara cruises and is for 7 nights as it includes the Greek islands.

 

[Blackswan]

I have an aversion to EY. F on the A380 looks amazing (I've only flown J on it), but the ground experience at AUH leaves a lot to be desired. On the A880 you'll almost certainly avoid the bus gates, but you'll have to deal with the scrum in the narrow passageway for connecting security.

Plus, the US $300 surcharge per pax, per sector would leave a bad taste in the mouth.

 

[scwappy]

I have an aversion to EY. F on the A380 looks amazing (I've only flown J on it), but the ground experience at AUH leaves a lot to be desired. On the A880 you'll almost certainly avoid the bus gates, but you'll have to deal with the scrum in the narrow passageway for connecting security.

Plus, the US $300 surcharge per pax, per sector would leave a bad taste in the mouth.

AUH certainly is a battle to get through transit with no easy to find fast track. If you are mobile enough and go with the flow it does go pretty quickly though.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

AUH certainly is a battle to get through transit with no easy to find fast track. If you are mobile enough and go with the flow it does go pretty quickly though.

Although there were problems in early 2016 the fast track at AUH worked very well last time I was there.
If you are in F you should be met at the door when you land and escorted through anyway.
The bus gates are awful, but on an A380 you're unlikely to use one. The departures to Europe rarely use them anyway.