RTW - Suggestions need

[Opportunity_2008]

Mum, Dad and 9 month baby.

No idea about airport codes? Depart Brisbane - London - Train Depart Rome - Vancover - Brisbane

Paying card not points.

Book with an agent or direct?

Qantas Business Amex cardholder , CBA Gold Card holder around 40,000 QFF points at present.

Not keen on economy travel.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Welcome to AFF

try www.bestflights.com.au Or a round the world fare from QF or Air NZ (with Singapore/Thai/UA etc)

This forum "Cheap International Airfares" is not the best place to ask if you don’t want economy.

 

[littl_flier]

Hi Opportunity 2008. Welcome to AFF!!!

I have to agree, bestflights is a great website for looking at the fares and getting an idea of what's available.

From having a quick look, the Qantas, Air Canada, Lufthansa fare looks pretty good and seems to meet your requirements at $6,649 + taxes. Australian Travel Agent : Best Flights - discount travel - Travel Agent Australia

I don't think you'll find much with pure oneworld travel unless you look at the Global Explorer or Oneworld Explorer. Prices on the OW Explorer in Business are ~$10.5k + taxes so quite a bit more expensive. Infants travel at 10% of adult fares without a seat.

 

[Opportunity_2008]

Thanks for the replies so far.

So booking through a site like bestflights and not a agent is the best way to go?

With Zero status on QFF the likelyhood of getting a upgrade is also? What about the timeframe for requesting an upgrade?

 

[Mwenenzi]

So booking through a site like bestflights and not a agent is the best way to go??

Bestflights are a travel agent

With Zero status on QFF the likelyhood of getting a upgrade is also??

Just may be to very very low to impossible. Depends on route and day of week. Mid week is better. Sunday departures to UK or USA --> forget about it. Its hard to BUY bus class on some routes.

What about the timeframe for requesting an upgrade?

As soon as you book. The web site tells you if upgrade requests are open

 

[DTM1]

If you've only got 40,000 points, then they're not going to be enought to do much in the way of international upgrades.

see https://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/do/dyns/upgradeCalculator to work out how many pts required for QF flights.

 

[Alanslegal]

Mum, Dad and 9 month baby.

Not keen on economy travel.

as you are travelling with an infant, the airline will pre-allocate you front bassinet row seats in Y cabin.........this should give you slightly more leg room & hence may not be as bad as a standard Y seat......

 

[JohnK]

as you are travelling with an infant, the airline will pre-allocate you front bassinet row seats in Y cabin.........this should give you slightly more leg room & hence may not be as bad as a standard Y seat......

Actually the bassinet rows have very restricted leg room due to the bulkhead. If not travelling with a baby I would avoid the centre bulkhead row at all costs. The window side bulkhead row is better for leg room expecially the aisle seat with the cutout in the bulkhead in front.

 

[Alanslegal]

Actually the bassinet rows have very restricted leg room due to the bulkhead.

I didn't realise (technically) that they were had less legroom..... when I last flew a couple of weeks ago I had to assist my niece and it seemed like there were more legroom......as I could stand up freely, stand in front of my niece and help her with no problem...........but then again, i'm a pretty short fella

 

[Opportunity_2008]

Well you're all pretty close to the mark I’m 6' 4" so I usually do get the seat on the side not in the centre and I agree it's the best place economy.

Even without any status I’m usually able to make that request and have it granted.

However its a new ball game when traveling with an infant.