Melbourne to Christchurch return

[Imw]

Thanks in advance for any help. We have to fly Melbourne to Christchurch Friday 14th October 2016 returning Monday 17th October.
Preference is Qantas for Ff points and SC for retaining gold for DH. But apart from going via sydney and then 737 only, have to do melbourne auckland (would use emirates) then auckland - christchurch on jetstar or ANZ.

Alternative is to do whole way direct flights with ANZ and not gain QF ff but will save quite a bit of $$$$ plus direct, on A320.

Any recommendations?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

There is jq with plus bundle direct flights, earns 25SC each way, but it is a redeye there (leave 00.15 fri) and a late flight home

 

[Imw]

There is jq with plus bundle direct flights, earns 25SC each way, but it is a redeye there (leave 00.15 fri) and a late flight home

Thanks. Saw that one but didnt realise it was 25SC each way.
Will check again.

 

[Mattg]

While you can get SCs on JQ, I would probably avoid that flight at all costs. If you don't want to take the Qantas 737 via Sydney, there's also an Emirates 777 on the SYD-CHC route. Or, as you said, you could take the Emirates A380 to AKL and then add on a flight to CHC on Jetstar. You can get 10 SCs on the AKL-CHC JQ flight by buying the Plus bundle.

 

[Imw]

Thanks. Will check that. Is the JS recommendation ew avoiding because of the times or other "stuff".

 

[Mattg]

Thanks. Will check that. Is the JS recommendation ew avoiding because of the times or other "stuff".

I would avoid JQ for two reasons. Firstly, it's an overnight flight from MEL. Secondly, the seats are very uncomfortable and legroom very poor (unless you pay for an exit row).

 

[blu]

I'd consider codeshare on Emirates.

 

[Andyzx]

Pity you miss by a couple of weeks, from Ausbt.

Emirates is ramping up its Airbus A380 roster with Sydney and Christchurch coming under the wing of a new superjumbo flight.The Sydney-Christchurch route is the second leg of Emirates' Dubai-Sydney service and currently flown by Emirates' Boeing 777-300ER – yes, the one with the unloved middle seat and angled beds in business class.
But from October 31 the Gulf colossus and Qantas partner will swing another of its 75-strong A380 fleet onto the daily Dubai-Sydney-Christchurch service, although that flight's current stopover in Bangkok will be dropped.

 

[Imw]

Thanks. For the yosate

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I actually just did the MEL-WLG redeye on JQ, look its 3 hours and if you buy row 1 or exit row you will be perfectly comfortable. The times suited me and it all worked out ok. I've had worse flights. I earn more SC and points on them than I do on QF as its considered economy not discount economy. You get a toasty and a bottle of water if you buy the plus bundle, or a sandwich.

 

[Imw]

Were you going to accommodation? Family? If not how did you handle early arrival? I think we would get lounge access on way out. Hubby is QF gold and its international flight? But getting there 5.35am, thought could even book hotel? Fare is $700 cheaper than other QF options with more SC as you said

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Were you going to accommodation? Family? If not how did you handle early arrival? I think we would get lounge access on way out. Hubby is QF gold and its international flight? But getting there 5.35am, thought could even book hotel? Fare is $700 cheaper than other QF options with more SC as you said

Got the bus into town, went out for a long breakfast and wandered around. The sofitel let me check in at 9am which was handy

 

[Imw]

Thanks that's helpful. Did you pre book hotel re time or just turn up?