Qantas Premium Economy MEL to LAX return - Aug 2016

[JB expat]

Very much related to my post of yesterday (re: best time to buy tickets for the above), I am now thinking about booking the return (overnight) in Premium Economy and the outbound in Economy and in both cases, applying for an upgrade. If it doesn't come through for the return, we still have an OK seat for the overnight long haul. Opinions on whether this is worth it? Do Premium Economy tickets ever go on sale in a meaningful way (like saving $200-500 per ticket)? I get all of QF's automatic FF emails re: Specials/Sales but have never looked into signing up for route specific emails (is this possible). First world problem, but all of my recent long haul travel (as in for the past 3 years) has been on the Company (or I've had upgrades come through). I haven't done a long haul in economy class in years.

 

[bsb]

Their big sale is post Xmas. PE that far out will be fine unless it's school holidays and yes, you'll save that much. JQ biz to HNL then AA from there will net a lot more status credits...if that matters to you. Post Xmas for them too but I think I saw they had one on now, but why give them your $$$'s for that long?

 

[JB expat]

Their big sale is post Xmas. PE that far out will be fine unless it's school holidays and yes, you'll save that much. JQ biz to HNL then AA from there will net a lot more status credits...if that matters to you. Post Xmas for them too but I think I saw they had one on now, but why give them your $$$'s for that long?

Thanks - very helpful - will keep an eye out post Xmas. Not sure what "PE" means (I assume something like seat availability), but I am certain the dates are NOT school holidays here (although US summer holidays) as this was a factor in picking the dates that we now need to go.

Would love to go via HNL for many reasons, including status credits, but unfortunately, we need to do the trip in the quickest way possible for the short amount of time we need to spend in US (5 nights).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not sure what "PE" means (I assume something like seat availability)

PE = Premium Economy

 

[JB expat]

PE = Premium Economy

Ha - obviously (I'm tired)

 

[smckay]

Qantas have a route alert which send you an email when your route and price is met. Not seen it before so unsure if it is new.
FWIW we did exactly what you are planning and the Premium Economy return leg is better but not fantastic. Wider seat, addressed by 'Mr' and makes you feel special. Although that was 5 years ago, QF may have reduced services since then

 

[GCC]

There are PE sale fares that are very significantly discounted. I recently booked a SYD - LAX return through the 50th anniversary of Disney celebration sale for around $2,700. That's as low a fare on this route as I've seen in recent years, a saving of at least $1000 on the regular PE.

I think your strategy is pretty sound, although I stay way from Y, I have flown in PE on QF and it is an acceptable option for the overnight flight home. There are however many views on whether PE is "worth it" - depends a lot on the price you pay.

 

[Deleted member]

There are PE sale fares that are very significantly discounted. I recently booked a SYD - LAX return through the 50th anniversary of Disney celebration sale for around $2,700. That's as low a fare on this route as I've seen in recent years, a saving of at least $1000 on the regular PE.

Do the sale fares preclude you from say a points upgrade to J?

 

[Katie]

Do the sale fares preclude you from say a points upgrade to J?

AFAIK, all PE/Y+ fares are eligible for points upgrades to J. I've had good luck with Y+ to J upgrades as a WP. We three did miss out on SYD-LAX in Sept, but that's a day flight, so it was fine. Chockers QF11 just before Sept school hols.

 

[JB expat]

There are PE sale fares that are very significantly discounted. I recently booked a SYD - LAX return through the 50th anniversary of Disney celebration sale for around $2,700. That's as low a fare on this route as I've seen in recent years, a saving of at least $1000 on the regular PE.

Wow - I would do that - not too far off (in my mind) from an upgradeable economy - worth it not to gamble paying for the chance to upgrade but not having it come through! I will keep an eye out.

 

[GCC]

Sale fares are eligible for an upgrade, 45,000 points each way Syd - lax. You should be higher up the upgrade queue with a PE fare compared to Y as well. And yes, if you don't get the upgrade PE is much easier to bear as a fallback on the A380.