Making the most out of the whole glorious Qantas First Class Experience

[Flying mermaid]

This is what I'm keen to know as well as I'm toying with the idea of booking EK F (on QF code) to SIN...

Just be aware if on EK metal, even if a QF code, you won't get a First host as they regard you as Emirates, not Qantas.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I'm watching this thread intently as I'm hoping to make my first first booking soon. I'm looking at an F award redemption through AA (PER-LHR via SYD or MEL); does this lead to a reduction in services offered?
Also, if I leave via Melb, is there as much to be excited about?

I have never travelled on an F award, but from what I have heard no difference at all. Many people on here feel Mel is superior as it has a more intimate feel - offers all the same things as Syd.

 

[eminere]

Just be aware if on EK metal, even if a QF code, you won't get a First host as they regard you as Emirates, not Qantas.

Thanks, I am also assuming a spa appointment is on a first in, first served basis on arrival at the lounge?

 

[Flying mermaid]

Thanks, I am also assuming a spa appointment is on a first in, first served basis on arrival at the lounge?

Yes - although you could chance your arm and phone the day before and say you are on a code share in F and can you book. The one time I did it, I was on an EK flight late evening and the spa was closed anyway, so it made no difference. I was really cranky about it (I sometimes get a bit pedantic about these things) and had a huge whine to Lesley Grant at a Qantas coughtail party last year. She took it quite seriously and there was a discussion about what they should do in these cases, but the final decision was it was too hard to offer First Host to codeshares, so they needed to manage expectations, by putting on the website that it wasn't offered when booking F with Qantas but flying on a codeshare. I don't believe the website has been updated though - I am sure that will not surprise anyone.

 

[RichardMEL]

re awards in F and service... given the question was about an AA award I believe perhaps CD is not offered to oneworld award pax in F? or am I wrong on that? (I hope not!).

other than that possible omission, service on board and in the lounge etc is the same. The MEL lounge is quite nice and if flying PER-MEL-LHR, you could leave PER in the morning/lunchtime, connect to the evening QF9 and arrive LHR lunchtime which seems like a nice schedule to me, specially if you can get business suites on PER-MEL. Making connection via SYD would be harder given QF1's departure time meaning a early morning in PER (or perhaps leave the day before).

is it worth it over EY PER-AUH-LHR? only you can decide that I guess.

imho

 

[Hvr]

re awards in F and service... given the question was about an AA award I believe perhaps CD is not offered to oneworld award pax in F? or am I wrong on that? (I hope not!).

<snip>

The T&Cs say no CD for tickets not booked through Qantas but sometimes the system allows you to book CD. YMMV.

 

[amaroo]

Total opposite here. Always a call for F, but nothing for CD for either F or J from a number of ports.

Will have an opportunity to test both again in a few days for our BNE-SYD-LHR and the return a few weeks later.

Edit - we didn't get a call for F or CD when the four of us won the upgrade lottery on QF11 a year or so ago For the record - on this occasion it didn't bother me.

First time for everything ... CD has called and confirmed booking for Tuesday

Well played QF!

 

[Princess Fiona]

I'd temper that advice with the potential need for an emergency evacuation where the flimsy PJs are considered undesirable ..... by none other than professional pilots such as JB.

I'd listen to JB's advice ... all day.

On SQ F FAs give out PJs with the specific advice 'put them on after takeoff'.

In the event of an emergency evacuation the PJ's are not likely any better or worse than the clothing worn onboard by the majority of passengers IMO. The likelihood of such an evacuation isn't something I'd consider at all when deciding when to get changed into my PJ's.
I'm more likely to decide based on what I want to do post take-off. If it's a night flight/ short flight or I want to go to sleep quickly then I will change prior to departure. Otherwise I will get changed after lunch/dinner.

 

[Alanslegal]

A bit off tangent here... If I book syd-xmel-dxb where mel is a long transit (13hrs) and I intend to go into the city for the day, would I be eligible for CD to pick me up in the CBD to take me to the airport?

 

[TheRealTMA]

A bit off tangent here... If I book syd-xmel-dxb where mel is a long transit (13hrs) and I intend to go into the city for the day, would I be eligible for CD to pick me up in the CBD to take me to the airport?

No. CD only applies at start and end points, not intermediates.

 

[Kangol]

I'm watching this thread intently as I'm hoping to make my first first booking soon. I'm looking at an F award redemption through AA (PER-LHR via SYD or MEL); does this lead to a reduction in services offered?
Also, if I leave via Melb, is there as much to be excited about?

This may or may not be of significance to you, but the advantage of MEL is you don't have to take a transfer bus between dom and int terminals like in SYD. In MEL, T1 and T2 are under the same roof and only a couple of mins walk away, pending time waiting in security/customs/immigration.
The other thing is timing and award availability. Out of MEL availability tends to be better, but YMMV. Also the late night MEL QF9 departure may be more convenient for some, as opposed to the late afternoon QF1 SYD departure.
The MEL lounge is smaller which some find to be more intimate. You may also be subject to RSA laws
I haven't flown out of MEL for a year and a half so maybe things have changed. I will be there in a few months though...

 

[Kangol]

No. CD only applies at start and end points, not intermediates.

I have a LHR-xMEL-SYD booked and due to the late arrival into MEL, the connection to SYD has to be the next day and I am offered CD for both intermediates (to and from MEL) during my overnight connection. As well as the start and end points - to LHR and from SYD.

I'm guessing it's because it's overnight and accommodation is my responsibility.

So if you get the only SYD-MEL the day before which gives you an overnight connection that is < 24 hours (QF497, 2340 arrival !) then you may be in with a chance. Depends what you value more - free CD or convenience/overnight accom.

 

[ChasingDaylight]

Similar to Kangol - I have BLQ-LHR-DXB-xMEL-WLG booking coming up. (BLQ-LHR leg with BA, the rest QF with LHR->MEL in J and the WLG leg in Y) I am eligible for CD pickup TO the airport in LHR, uplift and drop off again at MEL as my WLG flight is the following day - due to arriving in MEL at 2055.

 

[trixydoza]

SIN-BNE-CBR with maybe a nine-hour transit on EK-QF using QFF points... I have two CDs booked for BNE, to and from an Ibis.

 

[get me outta here]

Do they have chauffeurs available in CBR? Of course, the CBR - SYD is only J, F starts in SYD. If not, perhaps I could get one from Rydges SYD airport where I am overnight, to the terminal.

 

[amaroo]

I really like these lovely calls - two spa bookings confirmed for tomorrow :mrgreen:

Nice touch sending a text with the contact details for the F host team

 

[get me outta here]

I'm flying into LAX F terminal 4 and onto AA 6 hours later in their 'F' from Terminal 8. Is there an arrival lounge, or will I get in anywhere else?

 

[anna2103]

Can I just confirm that you can use the gates in the F lounge to board your flight if you are on a QF flight.

I thought saw a trip report on it but can't find it

 

[kevrosmith]

I'm flying into LAX F terminal 4 and onto AA 6 hours later in their 'F' from Terminal 8. Is there an arrival lounge, or will I get in anywhere else?

Are you sure it's T8 for AA? T7/T8 is United and United Express at LAX (http://www.lawa.org/uploadedFiles/LAX/pdf/LAX Airline Location Map.pdf)

 

[get me outta here]

Yes, thanks you are right, AA4 departs from T4 and arrives into T8 at JFK. Will I get into any lounge, or maybe I could go to another terminal at LAX to have a nicer experience.

I think it was Serfty who suggested that, but I cant find that reference.

Are you sure it's T8 for AA? T7/T8 is United and United Express at LAX (http://www.lawa.org/uploadedFiles/LAX/pdf/LAX Airline Location Map.pdf)