First reward flight SYD-LHR. Are my expectations too high?

[smckay]

Tomorrow, we take our first ever First flight on QF1 doing both legs.
Excitement has been building with reviews read, menu's perused and seeing the Singapore First lounge.

Knowing that it is typical to receive a call from the First crew arranging spa treatments and hopefully some sort of kerbside meeting and personal escort to the lounge and arranging what type of spa treatment One would like, my hopes and dreams have been somewhat shattered.
At 0707 this morning an email was sent by the Sudney First team (my italics):

We look forward to welcoming you to Qantas First on your upcoming journey to London.
As a Qantas First customer, your journey with us begins from the moment you arrive at Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport - starting with experiencing our First Lounge dining and spa, then once onboard, stretch out in the spacious surrounds of your individual suite.

Details of your Qantas First Journey
QF1 Sydney to London
10 August 2025 at 14:50
Seats 2K and 3K

Important information: As you’re arriving into Sydney on a Qantas domestic flight, please proceed to the International Terminal (T1) transfer area at Gate 15, within the Qantas Domestic Terminal (T3) for your complimentary transfer to T1. The Qantas Sydney First Lounge (T1) is located beyond security on the mezzanine level via the escalators.

Explore your exclusive First benefits

• First Lounge Spa

The Qantas x LaGaia Spa offers a range of treatments and massages designed for the frequent flyer with the change in atmosphere and altitude in mind. You can enquire about booking availability upon arrival into the lounge, or alternatively, please email [email protected] to arrange an appointment.

• Travel Documents

Before departure, it’s important to consider the travel documents you need including your valid passport and visas. Visit our travel documents and passport page for the latest information.

Thank you for choosing to fly with us, we look forward to welcoming you to Qantas First.

Warm Regards,

Sydney Qantas First Host Team
Huh? Get your sorry a**off the domestic flight (it's actually Jetstar ex-HBA) , onto a bus on then through security? Where's the dedicated First hosts? What about that fancy marble-walled check-in area I had access to as a Plat? What do you mean I have to see if I can get a spa booking? Didn't I pay for one?

So I respond; Thanks, I'll take 2 x spa bookings (I'll play your silly game and not nominate a time) and BTW we are actually flying Jetstarso how do we manage the cabin baggage issue? We'll have 2 cabin bags each and NoStar does not aprove of this misconduct.

Answer? 1.30pm booking and In regards to your Jetstar flight, you will be governed by Jetstar’s policy regarding your cabin bags.

So to this point QF has not impressed. TBH after looking at multiple reviews, video's and comments I am thinking our First journey is going to be more Business Plus than First Class.

In case you are wondering, we are on JQ because at the time of booking QF did not fly HBA-SYD on a Sunday and once they did start I had fallen from WP to SG and therefore my worth to QF was nothing and despite literally 30 calls to the call centre I have been told too bad, no QF flights available, can I help you with anything else.

 

[AIRwin]

In case you are wondering, we are on JQ because at the time of booking QF did not fly HBA-SYD on a Sunday and once they did start I had fallen from WP to SG and therefore my worth to QF was nothing and despite literally 30 calls to the call centre I have been told too bad, no QF flights available, can I help you with anything else.

At least you'll arrive in SYD earlier on JQ?

 

[smckay]

At least you'll arrive in SYD earlier on JQ?

That is the one saving grace. More Squid and Champers.

 

[ANstar]

Spoiler alert - if you are on JQ718 HBA-SYD tomorrow there will be an angry man yelling at gate staff with 4 carry on bags.

If you are going to carry on by getting angry and yelling at Jetstar staff for doing their job, chances are you won't even be allowed to fly for being abusive.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I think your expectations are way too high sadly.
QF hasn’t been phoning F customers the day prior for maybe a year or so.
It’s the email only and first in best dressed for the appointments.

JQ is a separate airline and of course you will be bound by their carry on policy. Unsure why you thought QF First Host would have any influence on this. Yelling at the gate staff will only increase your chances of getting offloaded.
JQ won’t care and shouldn’t care that you are going on QF F from SYD.

 

[smckay]

Folks - 'yelling' was a tongue in cheek comment.

As for the JQ carry on issue - this is all booked on one ticket as QF didn't fly on Sundays. I did not choose to fly JQ , Qantas only gave me this option - like why in the world would I pay QF first rewards points to fly Jetstar!
I'll see what happens tomorrow.

 

[blackcat20]

I think your expectations are way too high sadly.
QF hasn’t been phoning F customers the day prior for maybe a year or so.
It’s the email only and first in best dressed for the appointments.

JQ is a separate airline and of course you will be bound by their carry on policy. Unsure why you thought QF First Host would have any influence on this. Yelling at the gate staff will only increase your chances of getting offloaded.
JQ won’t care and shouldn’t care that you are going on QF F from SYD.

Even longer, we got the email three years ago. And they wouldn't even book the spa appointment for us.

 

[lovestotravel]

It's a solid business class experience with a First class lounge, that's it

 

[jase05]

Best of luck with everything. Personally I wouldn’t fly the JQ leg and I would have booked the HBA-SYD leg seperately with another airline even if that involved going up a day earlier but that’s just me.
QF F should still be a very good experience and if you have time maybe duck into the QR lounge which i personally think is equal and in some areas better than the F lounge. All dependant on time of course.
I’m sure you will still have a blast

 

[smckay]

It's a solid business class experience with a First class lounge, that's it

That is fast becoming our reality.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

@smakey - I should be the last to contribute to this thread bit FWIIW make sure you enjoy every minute.

Milk the QF F exp for everything it has to offer - many Pats / exp pax here have way forgotten what your virgin exp will be like - best advice I can ever give is make a full list of what you would like to exp and ask ask ask - a ‘no’ has never killed anybody - in your seat that ‘call button’ has been installed for a reason - enjoy the whole exp

 

[smckay]

@smakey - I should be the last to contribute to this thread bit FWIIW make sure yoj
Milk the QF F exp for everything it has to offer - many Pkats / exp pax here have way forgotten what your virgin exp will be like - best advice I can ever give is make a full list of what you would like to exp and ask ask ask - a ‘no’ has never killed anybody - in your seat that ‘call button’ has been installed for a reason - enjoy the whole exp

I fully intend to take everything and more on offer. I'll have 2 of everything.

 

[lovestotravel]

Nice Mustang in your profile pic as well I think ?

 

[offshore171]

Huh? Get your sorry a**off the domestic flight (it's actually Jetstar ex-HBA) , onto a bus on then through security? Where's the dedicated First hosts? What about that fancy marble-walled check-in area I had access to as a Plat? What do you mean I have to see if I can get a spa booking? Didn't I pay for one?

Perfect is the enemy of good.

If you’ve already worked yourself up to this level of butthurt, over what should still be a very, very good flight experience, you’re setting yourself up for a dreadful trip. And you’re going to absolutely hate London on the “expectations vs reality” aspect.

 

[smckay]

Personally I wouldn’t fly the JQ leg and I would have booked the HBA-SYD leg seperately with another airline even if that involved going up a day earlier but that’s just me.

As soon as I found out QF were flying Sundays I tried to get the booking changed.
What rankles me is when I booked it I was WP and this was a request reward flight (QF1).
But after I dropped back to Gold there was no way in the world QF would even entertain any changes. They wouldn't even look at economy seats on the QF flight.
I literally would have made 30 calls, the majority of which were HUCA. Hobart was just out of reach.

So this is why I am peeved, we are entitled to a heap of luggae on QF but due to NoStar being involved I have had to put $10,000+ of samera gear in checked bags, And I don't know at this point if JQ will check it through to London or we collect at Sydney.
No mention of the touted First Hosts to greet us.

Pretty poor for a premium cabin experience, even if it is a rewards flight.

 

[smckay]

Perfect is the enemy of good.

If you’ve already worked yourself up to this level of butthurt, over what should still be a very, very good flight experience, you’re setting yourself up for a dreadful trip. And you’re going to absolutely hate London.

No. I am simply a person who gives excellent service and in turn expect it. The flight experience may be the best out there but the lead up is poor.
But I realise I am being a Karen in expecting a level of service that is somewhat above and beyond.

 

[offshore171]

But I realise I am being a K

At the very least can you refrain from being abusive to staff as you have foreshadowed.

Maybe it’s the way you’ve written the first post, but it comes across as a potential passenger from hell scenario. If you’re this worked up now, how are things gonna go once the journey is actually underway and something is different to what you expected?

If something doesn’t go exactly as you had envisioned it in your mind, keep a record and make a complaint later if you feel it’s justified. Getting angry and yelling at staff isn’t the way to go.

 

[smckay]

At the very least can you refrain from being abusive to staff as you have foreshadowed.

Maybe it’s the way you’ve written the first post, but it comes across as a potential passenger from hell scenario. If you’re this worked up now, how are things gonna go once the journey is actually underway and something is different to what you expected?

If something doesn’t go exactly as you had envisioned it in your mind, keep a record and make a complaint later if you feel it’s justified. Getting angry and yelling at staff isn’t the way to go.

The yelling was a joke. I stated that earlier. In fact I am going to delete that line.

And I restate - I know what QF is like, I am aware of their service so nothing that happens will make me upset. However, if as people say it will be fantastic then that's great. But today I expect Business class service with a bigger seat.

 

[serfty]

hopefully some sort of kerbside meeting and personal escort to the lounge

So this is why I am peeved, we are entitled to a heap of luggae on QF but due to NoStar being involved I have had to put $10,000+ of samera gear in checked bags, And I don't know at this point if JQ will check it through to London or we collect at Sydney.
No mention of the touted First Hosts to greet us.

You may indeed get to greet the First Hosts at T1 International then as Jetstar publish that they will not through check luggage on domestic flights connecting with international even on the same booking.

https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/help/baggage-transfers

If that happens then you'd need to collect bags at T2 on arrival into SYD and take them yourself to T1 (Free transfer bus, train, Taxi, etc.).

At which point you can make your way to First check in.

(If you taxi / uber it, you may be able to use kerbside valet.)

 

[flyingfan]

Have a great trip, it's worth trying once so you don't die wondering and can speak from experience.

You might have a fantastic experience (hopefully things will get better after you get off JQ - for a short initial leg it's not that bad), but you already know to go in with low expectations. It shouldn't be this way I know.

Do post your impressions. If you haven't yet, do EK and SQ F next to compare. And have a great trip when you get there with your +1