First class Rewards points flight to Helsinki

[PLANT]

Hi all,

Bronze member with points to burn....well only 250K(missed the FREE ANZ QFF 75K CC offer grrrr)
Looking at getting to Helsinki on points in first class.
Trying to find flights in First class:
1. Only Business Class icon showing as Reward option on trolling every month including into next year!
2. Then the only First Class flight available is the middle flight ie. Home To Sydney is Economy, Sydney to London is First class A380, London to Helsinki is Business on BA.
For the above option they want 218K in points and $743 cash!

Anyone find a reward flight in First all the way(Qantas don't have First internally anymore?)
Is the above the best I could hope for?
Any other routes on QFF points to get First all the way?

Can I get home on Virgin FF points?
How and how many?
Figure would need to be on Etihad metal?

Edit: Actually found from Melbourne to London in First QF and then Business on BA to Helsinki 218K and $709!
I note I can fly out of London on Virgin points that is via Singapore metal for 198500 points or 139K and $387
I note that I have to organise flight to London......better to fly to which airport from Helsinki to reduce Virgin points or taxes?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

you could also try Emirates, BA in F ex SYD, CX via HKG (business to HKG, then F onwards), or JAL F all the way from SYD to Europe connecting from there to HEL.

 

[junbugging]

The most pleasant overall option I could find when planning this trip myself was SYD-NRT-HEL on JL F and AY J. Had to ring to get the latter, though, as the QFF engine wasn't showing it as available.

I was also interested to learn that SYD-NRT and NRT-HEL are almost the same distance to within a mile or two.

For the way back I got HEL-FRA-HND-SYD (LH-NH-NH, J-F-J) using Lifemiles, it came up as a "standard" (non-screenshot) option. I'll probably try to change the middle flight to LH F within 14 days just to experience the F terminal in FRA again.

 

[drron]

If I were doing it it would be JAL F SYD-NRT-CDG on JAL then on to HEL on AY-no F only regional J but a short flight and avoid LHR taxes.Need to ring though.

 

[PLANT]

So to get access to QFF F REWARD seat on JAL....you need to ring Qantas Frequent Flyer?
They only fly from Sydney and not Melbourne?

So this is done via a multi-city book correct?
Do I go to the JAL website and look for availability there?
How Many QFF points in JAL F to get to Helsinki?

Edit:

• "The booking system is temporarily unavailable. Please try again. (# 4000)" WTF???????????????????
• Then I get QF and Jetstar flight?

 

[drron]

Only SYD but they do have F.
Depends when you are going but reasonable F availability looking at my JMB account Feb-May next year.A bit limited NRT-CDG.
You can join up JAL Mileage bank for free to check availability.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I have never seen a JAL plane at Tulla.
Been flying with QF since 1997 and AN since about 1995, never seen the JAL plane at MEL airport.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I have never seen a JAL plane at Tulla.
Been flying with QF since 1997 and AN since about 1995, never seen the JAL plane at MEL airport.

If you're lucky, there is a quirk in the system that means JAL passengers ex-MEL receive some mighty fine benefits.

 

[junbugging]

If you're lucky, there is a quirk in the system that means JAL passengers ex-MEL receive some mighty fine benefits.

Could you please elaborate? How does one get "lucky" on a QFF award booking on JAL out of Melbourne?