First class Sydney London

[Dr Bob]

Going to UK later half of next year for extended stay so with several million points in the bank I thought I would go the full monty & travel 1st ( more luggage for the wife). Then thought - why not the 380. But alas, the best I can find is premium ec. up until Sunday 1st 2010. Is Qantas releasing 1st & business on the 380's? If so how does one get on? Luck? Or ring at the moment of release? So, if no go on the 380 who would give the best 1st experience using QFF ( one world ) points?
Thanks Dr Bob

 

[aus_flyer]

Going to UK later half of next year for extended stay so with several million points in the bank I thought I would go the full monty & travel 1st ( more luggage for the wife). Then thought - why not the 380. But alas, the best I can find is premium ec. up until Sunday 1st 2010. Is Qantas releasing 1st & business on the 380's? If so how does one get on? Luck? Or ring at the moment of release? So, if no go on the 380 who would give the best 1st experience using QFF ( one world ) points?
Thanks Dr Bob

First on the A380 to Singapore/London is very, very difficult to find.

For flights operated by 747, Qantas generally release 1 seat in F per flight - with some exceptions - peak days of the week often have no F availability.

From what I have seen, QF seem to have stopped releasing F award on the A380 to SIN/LHR, but you should be able to find some days with Business.

Unfortunately, for travel to London it's quite difficult to get two seats in F - regardless of operating aircraft.

You should be able to find F availability to London if you're happy to travel with BA.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

 

[Dave Noble]

If wanting to use QF points, then I would be trying to get seats to HKG and then using Cathay Pacific onwards; CX have the best of the products to Europe

The availability will not be shown on the QF site so you will have to phone to check for availability and book or you can sign up for an Asia Miles account and search for availability from there... ( you will still need to phone to book )

Dave

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I second the Cathay Pacific option.

Of course with several miilion points up your sleeve you might have better options with an 'anytime' reward on qantas. These can be expensive though. Maybe one classic and one aytime?

 

[Dr Bob]

Thanks people,
I think I'll give the anyseat reward a miss - these points need to last into retirement. More research shows 2 seats easy with BA out of Sydney & also 2 seats easy with QF29 out of Melbourne so for the 192,000 points could do Albury Sydney in the old Dash8, Sydney Melbourne business then Melbourne London first. And you never know this time next year it might be an A380?
Have looked at Cathay & their product does look good. So some decisions to make in the next month.
Thanks again

 

[Keith009]

Yes if you don't mind routing via Melbourne, they usually release 2 FCL award seats on QF29 via HKG. Should still be a sensational flight on QF F even if you can't get the 380.

 

[anat0l]

+1 to everyone here about A380 F classic award availability.

Rare as hen's teeth if not non-existent - even as a WP I have close to no luck in getting them. As a WP, plenty of F awards to LHR on any other equipment and especially on BA! My BNE-SYD-BKK-LHR-FRA award in November has SYD-BKK-LHR on 744 F: SYD-BKK on BA and BKK-LHR on QF. (I could have easily gotten QF1 all the way, but I wanted to try both airlines).

Not sure about CX but worth a try if you're prepared to pay a small premium in points.

 

[NM]

Interesting to compare CX F award availability to QF's. I have 2 x F awards on a CX 773 where there are only 6 seats in the cabin. So one third of the cabin was available for FF award redemption, albeit 11 months before scheduled departure.

Also had no problems with 2 x F awards on BA from BKK to SYD on a 744.

 

[anat0l]

Also had no problems with 2 x F awards on BA from BKK to SYD on a 744.

BA metal F awards are far easier to get a hold of than QF metal F awards IME.

Like hell I'd know the reason why that seems to be the case.......

 

[aus_flyer]

Like hell I'd know the reason why that seems to be the case.......

Because BA crew are horrible!!!

 

[Keith009]

Because BA crew are horrible!!!

Not always. Though inconsistent yes. Fortunately I've had more superb BA cabin crew than subpar ones.
My last flight in CW was wonderful - even though she didn't know how to pour champers properly. Well, my own technique isn't perfect but you'd have thought crew in CW would be trained in this sort of thing.

 

[opusman]

Well, my own technique isn't perfect but you'd have thought crew in CW would be trained in this sort of thing.

When you pour it, does it even make it to the glass?

 

[dede]

You use a glass?????

 

[Keith009]

When you pour it, does it even make it to the glass?

It trickles into the flute alright at least.

 

[Keith009]

You use a glass?????

Nup, but SQ apparently thinks it's acceptable.

Spotted: Business Class cabin, SQ A380. Right, i think I've been watching too much Gossip Girl... xoxo