Qantas Prem Ecom v's Sthn China Business Class

[erina143]

Travelling SYD - YVR rtn in June 2014 and tossing up between the airlines. Costs about the same but would have a 9 hour stop over in Guangzhou with China Sthn.

Which would you choose?

 

[ftm]

CZ business is a good substitute for QF Premium Economy. You'll probably also get their A380 out of Sydney in 2014. The extended transit in Guangzhou is a bit of a downside, and the lounge isn't great (adequate, but not QF standard).

What's the total journey time of the two options? You'll have the enjoyable LAX experience with QF, followed by the even more enjoyable AA Economy experience ! Is the return with CZ got a similar transit?

You'll definitely get a better rest in the CZ Business Seat.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Travelling SYD - YVR rtn in June 2014 and tossing up between the airlines. Costs about the same but would have a 9 hour stop over in Guangzhou with China Sthn.

Which would you choose?

depending on the cost of the premium economy ticket - maybe consider Air Pacific (Fiji Airlines) to LAX for ~$3000 in business class and connect from there?

 

[BensAdventures]

depending on the cost of the premium economy ticket - maybe consider Air Pacific (Fiji Airlines) to LAX for ~$3000 in business class and connect from there?

Agreed about Air Pacific, but if it was just between the first two options, I'd probably book China Southern, at least you'll get better rest on the long haul flights!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Agreed about Air Pacific, but if it was just between the first two options, I'd probably book China Southern, at least you'll get better rest on the long haul flights!

I have no doubt the level of service (food, wines and inflight entertainment) will be superior on QF premium economy compared to china southern business.

i would be tempted to take china southern... but have to recognise that if this go wrong (missed connection. for example) then English speaking pax can be left high and dry at CAN airport without assistance.

secondly... is it worth 22 hours to lie flat vs 14 hours of reclined seat? it's a tough one!

 

[boomy]

I would go for QF to avoid the long stopover in Guangzhou.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

erina just ask yourself - 'Do I want an adventure or do I just want a boring flight'? Adventure = CZ / boring flight = QF - obviously everyone will have their own view on this.

IMHO it's a no brainer - but then again I have done a lot of flying on the Chinese carriers. If you are travelling on any Chinese carrier remember the golden rule - always expect the unexpected!

Either way it really is a decision that you have to make.

 

[erina143]

Thankyou for the replies.
I dont feel adventurous and the thought of 9 hours in transit, even in an "ok" lounge is not good. So I will go Qantas and suffer the PE seats.
Will also rejoin the QC via AFF and at least the shorter layover in LA will be comfortable. Who knows, I might even snag an upgrade on one leg.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thankyou for the replies.
I dont feel adventurous and the thought of 9 hours in transit, even in an "ok" lounge is not good. So I will go Qantas and suffer the PE seats.
Will also rejoin the QC via AFF and at least the shorter layover in LA will be comfortable. Who knows, I might even snag an upgrade on one leg.

how much is the QF PE fare? how does it compare to full business class on Air Pacific?

you may wish to purchase an American Airlines 30 day pass which will give you full access to all qantas and American Airlines clubs for just $99 (including the ability to bring a guest for free). it will work out much cheaper than qantas club.

 

[erina143]

how much is the QF PE fare? how does it compare to full business class on Air Pacific?

you may wish to purchase an American Airlines 30 day pass which will give you full access to all qantas and American Airlines clubs for just $99 (including the ability to bring a guest for free). it will work out much cheaper than qantas club.

Qantas PE is approx $2500 pp each way. From what I can see, the FijiAir price for Business starts at $3500pp each way.

I did SYD / UK return 4 years ago and joined the Qantas Club to get the lounge. We got upgraded on 2 of the 4 legs ( I suspect the second upgrade was an apology as our bags did not stop with us at Singapore on the way back ) and generally had an enjoyable experience.
Full Business Class with Qantas is $1500 extra per leg which adds $6000 to the overall trip. Just that stretch too far this time. Might look at doing the return in Business to get the overnight sleep. Will also look at booking soon but reading the terms first to see the latest I can upgrade if I find some extra scratch.

I did not know about the AA 30 day pass. Is there a link to a thread that discusses this? I will also go searching. Thanks for the tip.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Qantas PE is approx $2500 pp each way. From what I can see, the FijiAir price for Business starts at $3500pp each way.

I did SYD / UK return 4 years ago and joined the Qantas Club to get the lounge. We got upgraded on 2 of the 4 legs ( I suspect the second upgrade was an apology as our bags did not stop with us at Singapore on the way back ) and generally had an enjoyable experience.
Full Business Class with Qantas is $1500 extra per leg which adds $6000 to the overall trip. Just that stretch too far this time. Might look at doing the return in Business to get the overnight sleep. Will also look at booking soon but reading the terms first to see the latest I can upgrade if I find some extra scratch.

I did not know about the AA 30 day pass. Is there a link to a thread that discusses this? I will also go searching. Thanks for the tip.

air pacific busienss class RETURN including all taxes to lax is just $3000!

that would shave $2000 off the qantas PE fare per passenger.

the only downside is a three hour wait each way in nadi.. but of course full lounge access.

 

[erina143]

air pacific busienss class RETURN including all taxes to lax is just $3000!

that would shave $2000 off the qantas PE fare per passenger.

the only downside is a three hour wait each way in nadi.. but of course full lounge access.

It Is??? There is a noob mistake for you . I will go back and do more reviewing. Thanks again.

 

[erina143]

I don't think ( and I may well be wrong ) that Air Pacific price of $3000 return is correct. Just been on the AP site and for June 2014 their SYD-LAX price for business class starts at $3577 pp one way.

Guess I am back to Qantas again. Not really a hardship - I have always preferred Qantas for me not so frequent flights.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It Is??? There is a noob mistake for you . I will go back and do more reviewing. Thanks again.

the trick to getting the $3000 is that the total itinerary needs to be booked as three separate tickets. this is so you can take advantage of the very low Fiji dollar.

the total itinerary can all be booked on line via the Fiji airways website... a friend of mine did it last year (a total novice traveller) and completed the entire booking process in about 30 minutes.

the tickets are booked as this:

ticket 1: Australia to Fiji, business class ONE WAY. this is paid in AUD, can't do much about it.
ticket 2: Fiji to usa RETURN, this is in Fiji dollars on the wwebsite
ticket 3: Fiji back to Australia ONE WAY, also in Fiji dollars.

you'll get full points etc and lounge access with all flights on Fiji airways.

 

[erina143]

the trick to getting the $3000 is that the total itinerary needs to be booked as three separate tickets. this is so you can take advantage of the very low Fiji dollar.

the total itinerary can all be booked on line via the Fiji airways website... a friend of mine did it last year (a total novice traveller) and completed the entire booking process in about 30 minutes.

the tickets are booked as this:

ticket 1: Australia to Fiji, business class ONE WAY. this is paid in AUD, can't do much about it.
ticket 2: Fiji to usa RETURN, this is in Fiji dollars on the wwebsite
ticket 3: Fiji back to Australia ONE WAY, also in Fiji dollars.

you'll get full points etc and lounge access with all flights on Fiji airways.

Hmmm. I will also need LA to YVR so must research that. Very interesting and this is why I am on this forum - just for this sort of tip.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Question for Admin - if you like a post so much is it possible to add an elephant stamp and a big tick as well to the LIKE?

I REALLY like MEL-Travellers post #14 in this thread.

 

[knasty]

Review of Fiji business class on smh today

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hmmm. I will also need LA to YVR so must research that. Very interesting and this is why I am on this forum - just for this sort of tip.

should come in for under the $ savings over QF

just looked at the Fiji airways review... looks cool!

 

[erina143]

should come in for under the $ savings over QF

just looked at the Fiji airways review... looks cool!

It does look good.
AP lands in LAX at 13:25 and I am looking at an Alaska Air flight to YVR at 14:55. Is 90 minutes enough time to grab the bags and checkin ? Have never been thru LAX and have no idea of the time required for transit.

Another noob question - if I am not leaving the airport at LA do I go through customs to get the bags and then check back in ? Or does LA have some intransit system to get the bags without going thru customs?

 

[knasty]

No transit. Best to search other threads on Lax connections. If you provide dates a nice AFFer may be able to help a bit more specifically.