Sydney/Melbourne to Amsterdam First Class - any difference between 300 and the ER?

[moffat39]

I currently have a J redemption booking BNE to AMS in November this year. Due to work changes I can now bring forward my flight by a few days but there are no J Saver fares available from BNE, SYD or MEL on the date I want.

There are however First class redemptions for Saver fares for the date I want ex SYD or MEL and the difference is only 31,875 points.

The SYD flight is SQ 212 which I understand is the old 777-300 and I don't know what to expect on this flight. MEL has two flights on the day I want being SQ 218 which leaves at 01:05 and is a 777-300ER and SQ 238 which leaves at 11.30 and is a 777-300.

What I don't know is what is the difference in first class between the 777-300 and 777-300ER. Is any one able to say what the differences would be for first class?

Would love to experience caviar and Dom/Krug in first class and my understanding is that the caviar may not be served on the SQ 218 as it leaves at 01:05. Is this correct?

Finally if I miss the caviar on SQ 218 is caviar served in TPR?

Many thanks for any comments or suggestions in advance.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Re: Sydney/Melbourne to Amsterdam First Class - any difference between 300 and the ER

Moffat you are correct - no caviar in supper served on 218 and no caviar in TPR.

773 and 77W have identical hard product in F - only diff is 773 slightly bigger cabin and has o/h bins. 77WN is new F and is superior to other 2 - but exactly which 777 will be used that day can vary.

IMHO it's a no brainer to upgrade to F if you have the pts - just do it - if you can get a day flt go with that and enjoy the full F experience - no point in sleeping in F if you don't have to.

 

[moffat39]

Re: Sydney/Melbourne to Amsterdam First Class - any difference between 300 and the ER

Cruiser thanks for the quick response. I agree it is a no brainer but I have to convince the better half for me to do it.

My wife flies out two weeks earlier on MH in J to London (she now has to go via Sydney) and we are meeting up in Amsterdam.

You can imagine the reaction I got when I said I can go a few days earlier but the only saver redemptions were in First Class! And I thought she would have been pleased to see me a few days earlier after two weeks apart.

I will be on my best behaviour in next few days (that will mean no football on the tv and having to put up with lifestyle channels) so I can get her support.

 

[Pointcollector]

Re: Sydney/Melbourne to Amsterdam First Class - any difference between 300 and the ER

If you take the 1.05, book the cook and have the Lobster Thermidor with your Krug instead of the caviar. With any luck F will be empty and the lovely Singapore girls will convert a nearby vacant seat into your own private bedroom where you can drift off to sleep PS don't tell the Mrs!!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Sydney/Melbourne to Amsterdam First Class - any difference between 300 and the ER

On SQ First class is First class. People pay big money for it, and the differences between aircraft are minor. Sure with the A380 you get a suite... but you know, the novelty factor has kinda worn off with that a little. Across the whole fleet you get an ok bed, great service, and ok food.

Take the flight that suits you schedule wise, and if you are 'allowed' to take a seat in F take it! There is no comparison between First and business class. First is a marked step up in every aspect.

 

[moffat39]

Re: Sydney/Melbourne to Amsterdam First Class - any difference between 300 and the ER

Will need to take home roses/chocolates, watch lifestyle channels/reality shows and then tell the wife how much better it will be to see me a few days earlier and me travelling first class on my own is a small price to pay but I am prepared to make the sacrifice! I have told her before that I would even be prepared to travel domestic by Tiger and stay at the Ibis Budget overnight if that makes her feel better.


Only choice will then be MEL at 01:05 or SYD at 11.30. A positive of the 01:05 is that I get about a 17 hour stopover in Singapore with time in TPR and the city. Don't know if I could pass away 17 hours in TPR!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Sydney/Melbourne to Amsterdam First Class - any difference between 300 and the ER

Only choice will then be MEL at 01:05 or SYD at 11.30. A positive of the 01:05 is that I get about a 17 hour stopover in Singapore with time in TPR and the city. Don't know if I could pass away 17 hours in TPR!

The lounge is good for about two hours max. There's absolutely nothing there... it's not like QF/LH/TG/CX with all sorts of amenities (or even a view). Even the somewhat dire OZ F lounge at ICN beats the TPR because at least it has a view!

 

[moffat39]

Re: Sydney/Melbourne to Amsterdam First Class - any difference between 300 and the ER

Have now booked the First Class saver redemption MEL to AMS on 26 November on SQ238 which leaves at 11.30. Have a 7h 45m layover in Singapore.

Could not book on line as my departure was from a different city and phoned the Krisflyer call centre and they were very helpful. I asked if I could get the 15% on line discount and no problems there so difference was only 31,875 points. The taxes paid by me for the first booking BNE to AMS in J were $488 and the taxes for new booking in First were $465 so a saving of $23!

Can not wait for my first experience First Class! Booked the 11.30 departure so I can have the caviar.

Interestingly most days that week there were First Class saver redemptions available on all three flights ex Melbourne (with less availability ex Sydney) with no J saver redemptions from Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne available.

Had to promise the wife that on our next trip together on SQ that she will get First Class whilst I have to suffer J!

 

[AviatorPJ]

Re: Sydney/Melbourne to Amsterdam First Class - any difference between 300 and the ER

Had to promise the wife that on our next trip together on SQ that she will get First Class whilst I have to suffer J!

Shrewdy dudey!... and your off then?

 

[moffat39]

Re: Sydney/Melbourne to Amsterdam First Class - any difference between 300 and the ER

Hopefully she would have forgotten by the next trip which will be for our 30th wedding anniversary in 2107. If she has not will say how nice will it be to travel in suites together!


As an aside my booking is now showing up online and went into book my seat and I am the only passenger so far in First Class for both flights.

 

[bbqwer]

Re: Sydney/Melbourne to Amsterdam First Class - any difference between 300 and the ER

Just Wondering is SQ238 first class going to be 4x seats or 8x seats ?

 

[moffat39]

Re: Sydney/Melbourne to Amsterdam First Class - any difference between 300 and the ER

bbqwer when logging in to book my seats it was showing it to be 8x seats

 

[bbqwer]

Re: Sydney/Melbourne to Amsterdam First Class - any difference between 300 and the ER

bbqwer when logging in to book my seats it was showing it to be 8x seats

Correct me, if im wrong. SQ238 with 300 ? I love those 300ER - sadly it will change from 8x to 4x

 

[moffat39]

Re: Sydney/Melbourne to Amsterdam First Class - any difference between 300 and the ER

bbqwer thanks for the photos! As it is my first time in First Class either would be good. When checking on line as to availability for saver bookings SQ228 and SQ218 were showing 777-300ER and SQ238 the 777-300. I chose SQ238 as it departs at 11.30 which I think is a civilised time to leave!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Re: Sydney/Melbourne to Amsterdam First Class - any difference between 300 and the ER

bbqwer's 1st pic is actually refitted 773 - see the space in front of Row 1 seat - you can actually walk across here instead going round from aisle to aisle via galley - there is similar space behind Row 2.

The second pic is new F or 77WN - the other SQ F is the 77W which is identical hard product to 773 but slightly shorter cabin with no space fore or aft rows.

Other main diff is that 773 has o/h bins whereas 77W and 77WN do not - you are required to place your carry on under ottoman / seat bench in front of you - bloody rediculous - SQ claim that feedback they had from pax was that pax wanted easy access to carry on - bah humbug - no idea which pax hold this view - clearly they are on the shorter side.

 

[bbqwer]

Re: Sydney/Melbourne to Amsterdam First Class - any difference between 300 and the ER

Thank You CE....

Do you know which product will have the first class reduced from 8 to 4 ? only 77WN ? or all SQ flight ?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Sydney/Melbourne to Amsterdam First Class - any difference between 300 and the ER

SQ claim that feedback they had from pax was that pax wanted easy access to carry on - bah humbug - no idea which pax hold this view - clearly they are on the shorter side.

It's the secret society that airlines employ to get the survey results they want.

This same group voted for Simpler and Fairer, Cafe Breakfasts, no overhead air vents, no overhead bins on SQ, restricting any time lounge access, and increasing award point levels.

As passengers we (you and me) are never likely to meet any of this secret bunch. They never fly. That much is obvious otherwise they'd never 'vote' the way the do!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Re: Sydney/Melbourne to Amsterdam First Class - any difference between 300 and the ER

Thank You CE....

Do you know which product will have the first class reduced from 8 to 4 ? only 77WN ? or all SQ flight ?

No I don't know but I will find out and post the info - TBH I thought it was only going to be new deliveries but I must admit I have not been paying much attention.

 

[Kangol]

Re: Sydney/Melbourne to Amsterdam First Class - any difference between 300 and the ER

No I don't know but I will find out and post the info - TBH I thought it was only going to be new deliveries but I must admit I have not been paying much attention.

This might help:
Singapore Airlines Cutting Size Of First Class Cabins In Half - One Mile at a Time

77W is having going from 8 to 4 F seats.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Re: Sydney/Melbourne to Amsterdam First Class - any difference between 300 and the ER

This might help:
Singapore Airlines Cutting Size Of First Class Cabins In Half - One Mile at a Time

77W is having going from 8 to 4 F seats.

Yes read that but are they cutting 4 F seats from existing 77W? New deliveries only? I am awaiting a response from SQ Feedback - I will post when I receive it.