Is a first class award really worth it?

[2infinity]

I'm in planning mode for my next holiday (contemplating Cape Town to see the great whites). I have 900K QFF points. I prefer to use my points for business class fares, I don't see economy as a good use of points as the taxes etc cost almost the same as just buying the economy ticket. Just doing ye ole check award flight availability and I see some first class flights available as well. As all experienced award redeemers know business is double the economy points and first is triple the economy points. Having said that, am I prepared to spend half again what I would normally for a business award? I'm trying to see some sort of justification in it. The first class experience sounds all well and good but as someone that normally flies economy, business is a wonderful step up already. Business usually offers lie flat beds, better food/drinks, lounge access etc. First seems to offer these too but maybe a slightly better quality. I usually don't sleep on flights so the bed size/comfort not that important. I'm not too fussy about what I eat/drink, so that's not really that important. If I want a shower, the lounges have that available. First seems to offer you more privacy, but is this a good thing when travelling with others?

I just don't think I'm really sold on First, but I may never get another chance to experience it. Just wanted to see others thoughts on it, especially those that don't use premium too often but had tried both business and first long haul.

 

[Pushka]

What airlines are you flying on? Or plane config?

 

[RooFlyer]

I think it depends if you have any other future use for the points. If you are a good points generator, or can't see any more trips in the foreseeable future (tautology, sorry), then I'd say go for it, especially if its A380.

Upside: If you are travelling with them, maximum brownie points with family, and a thoroughly enjoyable experience, especially the bed (on QF, but any of them, really).

Downside: Thereafter J will seem like economy . And 'family' may expect to fly in that style henceforth.

Which route? Consider if daytime - maximum F experience; if night time, a comfy bed, but you'll have you eyes closed for a lot of the time.

Getting more than 2 F seats difficult on long-haul, but not impossible (I think amaroo has done it, at least). Do you have status? if pat or above you can request more seats, but that's not guaranteed.

On the whole, go for it. you only live once!! BUT do not go into it thinking its complete nirvana. There are the occasional glitches in F service. If you go in expecting a very nice time, you'll get it - if you think its going to be fantastic in every respect, then you may be let down.

 

[2infinity]

What airlines are you flying on? Or plane config?

This is initial planning stage, so this is to be determined. Having said that Qantas is usually too stingy to have any award seats. Initial looks have emirates (A380 to Dubai, B777 to Cape Town). Also Cathay via Hong Kong was available through Johannesburg. At any rate it will be via Qantas Frequent Flyer network.

 

[rock86]

this is something I had recently asked the forum in your exact mindset

If it's not First, your last??

 

[juddles]

If you have the chance to do F in EK long haul, do it. Then you can spend the rest of your life contemplating such things with actual experience

 

[MEL_Traveller]

This is initial planning stage, so this is to be determined. Having said that Qantas is usually too stingy to have any award seats. Initial looks have emirates (A380 to Dubai, B777 to Cape Town). Also Cathay via Hong Kong was available through Johannesburg. At any rate it will be via Qantas Frequent Flyer network.

Or cut the difference and fly one way F and one way business. A380 F is probably worth it for a once off. On the 777 you'll be guaranteed flat beds instead of angled ones.

Overall, F is a more relaxed experience.

 

[harvyk]

I do think J is where the sweet spot is for points use. In (international on a decent airline) J you've got the personalized service, the good food, good booze, and a seat which turns into a bed.

F is just pure top the top luxury. Of course if you haven't flown F you want to try it just for the experience.

 

[drron]

It really does depend on the route and the airline.I personally don't think there is that much difference on QF to pay 50% more for F.
The Asian airlines though it can be good value.
Then there is the buying of points which can be really good value.Our last F award from the USA to SIN cost us $A1700 for points and taxes.Fares on the same airline are Y-1250,J-4200.F-7900.I consider that excellent value.

 

[Pushka]

On some flights F is spectacular if that’s an experience you want to try. But J is really nice. If you’ve never wanted to experience F then J will do just fine.

 

[Pushka]

It really does depend on the route and the airline.I personally don't think there is that much difference on QF to pay 50% more for F.
The Asian airlines though it can be good value.
Then there is the buying of points which can be really good value.Our last F award from the USA to SIN cost us $A1700 for points and taxes.Fares on the same airline are Y-1250,J-4200.F-7900.I consider that excellent value.

Which points system did you use drron? I’ve only used the AA system.

 

[drron]

Lifemiles.

 

[Matt_01]

Like other have said it all really depends on what you want to hoard your points for. EK F is good the service is good, CX is also a very good product and the taxes are cheaper, QR is also a good product but it seems to be getting harder to find rewards.

As RooFlyer stated things can go wrong and some people may set their expectation too high, after all it is still just a large commercial plane not a private plane. With EK I have flown on older metal that were a bit tired and new ones, not to be confused with the new F class.

If you get the opportunity and can live the additional outlay why not go for it.

 

[get me outta here]

I’ve been lucky to fly QF and SQ F over the years. I really like the privacy of the SQ suite and have another SQ F coming up. I enjoyed the QF F, but am quite happy to go back to J. On QF F of course is automatic access to the F lounge, etc.

 

[burmans]

Or cut the difference and fly one way F and one way business.

This advice works for me. I don't see the value of F a lot, in my view I am quite happy with J for most flights despite the views of some here . In my view F is best for special occasions when you can really leverage the experience, usually day flights and you need to be in the mood to really take advantage of the whole experience, that means the food, the wine etc.

 

[kpc]

F in A380 on Sq, Oz, Ek, Ey are fantastic....on Qf, meh....

 

[kamchatsky]

F Awards is worth it if you cannot get J Awards on the dates you want.

 

[Deleted member]

I'm in planning mode for my next holiday (contemplating Cape Town to see the great whites). I have 900K QFF points. I prefer to use my points for business class fares, I don't see economy as a good use of points as the taxes etc cost almost the same as just buying the economy ticket. Just doing ye ole check award flight availability and I see some first class flights available as well. As all experienced award redeemers know business is double the economy points and first is triple the economy points. Having said that, am I prepared to spend half again what I would normally for a business award? I'm trying to see some sort of justification in it. The first class experience sounds all well and good but as someone that normally flies economy, business is a wonderful step up already. Business usually offers lie flat beds, better food/drinks, lounge access etc. First seems to offer these too but maybe a slightly better quality. I usually don't sleep on flights so the bed size/comfort not that important. I'm not too fussy about what I eat/drink, so that's not really that important. If I want a shower, the lounges have that available. First seems to offer you more privacy, but is this a good thing when travelling with others?

I just don't think I'm really sold on First, but I may never get another chance to experience it. Just wanted to see others thoughts on it, especially those that don't use premium too often but had tried both business and first long haul.

Only you can truly answer this question. Personally, having done QF1 return in F. It’s pretty amazing. That said the gap between J and F for me isn’t big enough to justify the additional expense. Horses for courses.

 

[2infinity]

So ex-Cairns it will cost 280000 points J or 408000 F. 344000 with 1 way in J and 1 in F (obviously domestic J). Curiously though if I do both A380 legs in F with the rest in J, it still costs 408000.

Now if I tried to keep the point costs down a bit, I can go ex-Brisbane for 384000 in F or 320000 1 way in J and 1 in F.

Another dilemma. 280000 is a RTW J ticket and 420000 for F RTW. Seems like sacrilege to use the same points for one destination rather than around the whole world. Sigh.

 

[RooFlyer]

Yep; there's a thread on AFF about planning the RTW trips on points.

Curiously though if I do both A380 legs in F with the rest in J, it still costs 408000.

That's not the half of it. Qantas points redemption site has the charming habit of points pricing multi-sector trips, say CNS-BNE-DXB-LHR (not sure if you can do that), with your request for, say, J, BUT you might see a "!" against one or more sectors,(usually the long haul ones) saying "Your BNE-DXB flight will be in economy" and/or "Your DXB-LHR flight will be in economy". Meaning, there are no J seats available on those sectors, so they bump you down - but still charge the full J points!!