Syd > Milan 21/9/19-27/9/19 classic flight rewards business class help

[Jarrard Scott]

Looking to fly to Milan for my wedding in Tuscany next year. Anytime arriving between 22/9/19 and 27/9/19 is fine.

Wanting to redeem points using classic flight rewards to fly there business class for my fiance and I.

We have 416,000 points so more than enough.

Was planning on going Emirates as they're a nicer business class AND they're also cheaper on the points to get there compared to other airlines but noticed recently that it seems to have changed a bit and emirates stuff isn't really coming up.

I've also noticed Qatar started doing that trip. Has anything changed with this? Have emirates pulled out as they're only code share and qatar started flying it?

I understand emirates usually isn't available till 330 days in advance but, am I risking it if they dont seem to be coming up now?

Haven't actually found anything available in business with qatar to check their point cost but if its around 128,000 per ticket (1 way, which is emirates cost) i'd be happy to fly with them.

Any help?

 

[sudoer]

its around 128,000 per ticket (1 way, which is emirates cost)

We have 416,000 points so more than enough.

So if it's 128k per person each way, you'll need 512k points total for 2 x return tickets. 416k won't be enough?

 

[Jarrard Scott]

So if it's 128k per person each way, you'll need 512k points total for 2 x return tickets. 416k won't be enough?

Only need one way.

 

[kelvedon]

IME only EK and QF is 128k in J ( one way) All partner airlines are 139K

 

[Jarrard Scott]

IME only EK and QF is 128k in J ( one way) All partner airlines are 139K

in english? haha. Sorry, i'm new to all of this. Only started getting points in like April.

 

[perthjay85]

in english? haha.

Emirates and Qantas points required is 128,000 in business class.
All other airlines will cost 139,000 points in business class.

For example Cathay pacific are available on the 24/09/19 for 139,000 points on business class.

 

[kelvedon]

Sorry. EK Emirates QF Qantas J business. You’ll get the hang of the gibberish!!

 

[sudoer]

For example Cathay pacific are available on the 24/09/19 for 139,000 points on business class.

If you can find availability before 1 November, fuel taxes on CX via HKG may be much cheaper than QF/EK and make it worth spending the extra points.

After 1 November fuel taxes will probably increase as HKG regulators remove restrictions.

 

[Jarrard Scott]

If you can find availability before 1 November, fuel taxes on CX via HKG may be much cheaper than QF/EK and make it worth spending the extra points.

After 1 November fuel taxes will probably increase as HKG regulators remove restrictions.

thanks for the tip. Unfortunately cathays business class looks incredibly drab.

 

[sudoer]

Unfortunately cathays business class looks incredibly drab.

Each to their own I guess - EK's is the opposite end of the spectrum and incredibly gaudy. Cathay has better seats with more privacy and direct aisle access for all, whereas EK uses a 2-3-2 config.

Before you book, it's worth reading up on the recent EK aircraft changes which mean you may no longer have an inflight bar.

 

[kelvedon]

Each to their own I guess - EK's is the opposite end of the spectrum and incredibly gaudy. Cathay has better seats with more privacy and direct aisle access for all, whereas EK uses a 2-3-2 config.

Before you book, it's worth reading up on the recent EK aircraft changes which mean you may no longer have an inflight bar.

I agree, Cathay's seating is miles better than Emirates 777 or Qantas A380, but Emirates A380 trumps them all.

 

[Franky]

Sorry. EK Emirates QF Qantas J business. You’ll get the hang of the gibberish!!

And IME is In My Experience..

 

[rock86]

I agree, Cathay's seating is miles better than Emirates 777 or Qantas A380, but Emirates A380 trumps them all.

Best of both worlds (before 2 November)??

Need to book as 2 trips and save considerable amount on EK fuel surcharges (obviously the below are on different days but it gives you an idea). Approximately 10K extra points each, but a saving of around $360 per passenger.

 

[hopefulQFF]

I would personally fly Qatar over Emirates any day - their Business class product is excellent. Best of luck.

 

[Jarrard Scott]

qatar's seem to never have business available. Do you have to book it at midnight or something

edit: turns out it was because gold/platinum members get to book earlier but i realised if you find a date that doesn't have availability and it takes you to the calendar, you can actually book those days further in advance which is normally locked off to silver/bronze.

 

[Jarrard Scott]

Just snapped up some qatar business flights The 15 1/2 hour flight from Syd > DOH is with QSuite too so we can get the double bed suite. Great start to our wedding trip

 

[rock86]

Just snapped up some qatar business flights The 15 1/2 hour flight from Syd > DOH is with QSuite too so we can get the double bed suite. Great start to our wedding trip

Good work, finding QR availability is sometimes like finding hens teeth - well done!

 

[mannej]

Make sure the QR flights get ticketed ASAP - you don’t want them to lapse

 

[RichardMEL]

re EK Business Class (J) seating... be mindful of the coughpy 777 old style 2-3-2 seating.
I also personally find the "boxy" J seats on the 380's to be narrow and not that comfy.. but the bar is quite fun.

Also the J lavs are ridiculously small imho.

 

[Jarrard Scott]

yeah the tickets are all booked and seats selected. Got confirmation emails etc.

Got q-suite for the 15 1/2 hour leg from SYD>DOH, chose the 2 middle seats that basically give you a double bed.

DOH>MIL is on the 2-2-2 horizontally aligned configuration so chose a couple window seats next to each other.

was $1000 in tax for the 2 tickets which is a bit but I figured, I only just started saving up points in april, I was going to be buying economy flights anyway so this is a huge bump up in value.

the q-suite is really top notch though.