Sydney to Shanghai 1st class

[Limewood]

Looking at using Qantas points to book 2 China Eastern Airline seats MU562 SYD/PVG in 1st class, says available but but aircraft is A330-200 not 777, thought A330 does not have 1st.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

72k one way in J
114k one way in F

Oh ok - well that's a tad better - as a comparison SQ 98K in R/F - 76K in J - just paid S$92.80 for SQ F/R MEL-SIN-PVG Mar 21

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You got the A350 in Feb?
The changeover date seemed to be April 1st for the A350 or am I missing something?

No. The a350 is showing on one of the daily flights to MEL already in Feb. The other daily is showing as a 777, except IIRC in March some flights were also showing as a 332 rather than 777.

 

[jase05]

No. The a350 is showing on one of the daily flights to MEL already in Feb. The other daily is showing as a 777, except IIRC in March some flights were also showing as a 332 rather than 777.

MEL MU738 has got the B789 starting Feb 1st not the A350.
It appears that occasionally it is substituted with an A330.
MEL MU740 will remain as the 777.
Interesting for 1 week in Feb MU are only running 5 flights for the week ( 5 x 1 flight per day and 2 days with no service )
They are selling F on the 789 service and it is apparently the first row of J and is the same as their seating on their A350

 

[Limewood]

What aircraft shows on the MU website if booking directly?

Shows A330, on Q site for Aug. shows same but with F. its odd. Ive sent MU an email see if we can get to bottom of this mystery as Qantas do not know.

 

[jase05]

Shows A330, on Q site for Aug. shows same but with F. its odd. Ive sent MU an email see if we can get to bottom of this mystery as Qantas do not know.

Please let us know how you get on.
Sounds to me like QF isn’t up to speed with MU’s aircraft upgrades just yet

 

[Limewood]

Yes think your right there. hope MU respond soon.

Looks like A350 is true here.

 

[love_the_life]

Yes think your right there. hope MU respond soon.

Looks like A350 is true here.

But then will the 350s definitely be delivered? I remember the snafu with Thai Airways a couple of years back - the delivery date was put off several times, even my booking originally showed A350 (that's why I chose it) and then it just seem to change to an old 747 (I think it was at the time)

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Yes think your right there. hope MU respond soon.

Looks like A350 is true here.

Suites look good and I wouldn't mind trying them - but 2 significant problems I see:
1. It's China Eastern
2. Transferring that mongrel dogs breakfast SYD Dom-Int
3. It's China Eastern

 

[Limewood]

Confirmed to me by MU past hour:

The aircraft for MU562 from 01Apr would be changing to A350.

 

[jase05]

Confirmed to me by MU past hour:

The aircraft for MU562 from 01Apr would be changing to A350.

Did they elaborate on the F and J classes?

 

[terryn]

sorry first post but:
* is it worth the points grabbing a first class frequent flyer seat on this service?
* does anyone know is it just the seat thats a little different? or it it also service, food, drink?
* would a first ticket get me Qantas First Class lounge access?
would appreciate feedback not sure if i should use the extra points or not
cheers!
Terry

 

[jase05]

sorry first post but:
* is it worth the points grabbing a first class frequent flyer seat on this service?
* does anyone know is it just the seat thats a little different? or it it also service, food, drink?
* would a first ticket get me Qantas First Class lounge access?
would appreciate feedback not sure if i should use the extra points or not
cheers!
Terry

I think a few of us would like to know the answers to these questions. The new product is starting on the FRA flight shortly aswell as the MEL flight so hopefully we can start seeing some trip reports on the product.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

sorry first post but:
* is it worth the points grabbing a first class frequent flyer seat on this service?

Terry

There doesn't seem to be any business class availability. So if you have points to spare, I'd secure the first class award now and apply for a points refund (difference between F and J) once the change of aircraft is confirmed.

 

[Limewood]

Just booked us two in F on MU - SYD/PVG one way (as we're cruising back to OZ August 2019), the QF award tickets show F but unable to book seats as current A330-200 has none. As I understand it there are just 6 F seats on this A350 (MU call it Business Premium) will be able to select them as of 1st April when the new A350 commences this sector. Was 228K QFF points and a mere $193 in fees for two, very reasonable.

Pity free limo service from PVG airport to Shanghai city not available due to code share conditions set by MU. However, hoping to use Qantas 1st lounge on departure, not been in there for a long time since moving down the status ladder past few years.

 

[Limewood]

The cruse is here, absolute bargain for balcony, in case anyone wants to join us . We disembark cruise in Brisbane but there is another (same cruise) that continues on to Sydney. Cheapest Balcony cabins we've come across, we chose unobstructed view cabin. Its no 5 star ship the Majestic Princess but only 2 years old, the majority of reviews seem quite good and with an over 50 crowd suits us.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Just booked us two in F on MU - SYD/PVG one way (as we're cruising back to OZ August 2019), the QF award tickets show F but unable to book seats as current A330-200 has none. As I understand it there are just 6 F seats on this A350 (MU call it Business Premium) will be able to select them as of 1st April when the new A350 commences this sector. Was 228K QFF points and a mere $193 in fees for two, very reasonable.

I wonder what the service actually is? The 'premium business' is really just a longer suite, which results from the front (4) seats being at the bulkhead without an enclosed footwell. Larger TV screen. But is there a service differential (food and amenities?)

 

[Limewood]

I wonder what the service actually is? The 'premium business' is really just a longer suite, which results from the front (4) seats being at the bulkhead without an enclosed footwell. Larger TV screen. But is there a service differential (food and amenities?)

Not much difference I think, more room, no J available, and calling this F on Q Award site a bit cheeky, I doubt the food is any better or different, of course 1st lounge Sydney is nice, maybe better check in with F service, but gee the award points and minimal fees are OK with us.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not much difference I think, more room, no J available, and calling this F on Q Award site a bit cheeky, I doubt the food is any better or different, of course 1st lounge Sydney is nice, maybe better check in with F service, but gee the award points and minimal fees are OK with us.

It wil be interesting to see what comes up on the boarding pass. If it comes up as 'business' it might be worth doing a retrospective claim for the points difference back (114->72)

 

[Limewood]

I like your thinking, will certainly keep that in mind, even if we've received any additional perks

 

[terryn]

thanks for the feedback. I booked the first ticket, not sure if that was a mistake but didnt want to miss the opportunity. i have never been to the qantas first class lounge! any tips?

I still thought it was dodgy that qantas was selling this as a "first" ticket, but then I went to the china eastern website and was shocked not only they are too but its more than 3 times the price of the business. how long earth could they do this if its just a slightly bigger seat? Am I missing something??