Thai First Class or Singapore Business using Lifemiles (LM)

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I am planning a trip to Europe from BNE using LM since they are running a promotion now. The destination can be LHR/CDG/FRA, don't really care, just depend on availability. For *A to Europe, at the moment the real choice is only between SQ and TG. I've tried SQ business class and am very happy with it but would like to try first class as well.

So here is the dilemma. To fly F the only option out of Australia is TG, and must be from SYD since LM doesn't allow mixed cabin. It will cost 115K miles each way and require connecting flights BNE-SYD. To fly SQ J I can leave BNE but its only available T-14 and very often, the flight ex-SIN is unavailable by T-14. So it is only practical to book SIN-LHR/CDG/FRA in advance and book BNE-SIN at T-14. This will cost 78000 + 40000 = 118K miles, which is about the same as F, but I don't have to transit in SYD.

What are your thoughts, especially those who have travelled on TG first class and SQ business? Is it worth the hassle to go to SYD to try TG first class? Or is SQ J as good as TG F so no point waste time to go to SYD?.
 
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Any mainstream F would out do mainstream J. Mind you SQ J is awesome but in this case I would take TG F without hesitation
 
I'm happy to transit in SYD to fly TG F.
Small cabin and personalised service beats any J cabin IMO.
 
In Sep/Oct I did SYD - BKK - HKG - BKK - SYD on the old 747 F on TG (SYD-BKK-SYD). I got into the SQ SYD lounge by pointing out the huge 'F' on the BP, that is much better than the NZ lounge. I liked the lobster and the caviar out of SYD.

There were 2 of us in F so we had a sorta ensuite.

I think it may be even better on your routing.
 
In Sep/Oct I did SYD - BKK - HKG - BKK - SYD on the old 747 F on TG (SYD-BKK-SYD). I got into the SQ SYD lounge by pointing out the huge 'F' on the BP, that is much better than the NZ lounge. I liked the lobster and the caviar out of SYD.

There were 2 of us in F so we had a sorta ensuite.

I think it may be even better on your routing.
Good to hear ,my wife & I are doing TG476 in F on Jan 26th ,unfortunately at 10am .
 
Wow, looks like it's unanimously one way recommending TG F class! Thanks for the advice, I think I know which one I'll pick.

I guess the question now is, which plane offers better F product? The 747 (LHR) or A380 (CDG/FRA)?
 
I have done both TG F (on 747 & 340) & SQ J on the 380 and 777. I would certainly be recommending the TG option. The smaller numbers is a huge advantage in my eyes
 
Well we will be doing TG F out of SYD on Dec.8 and flying back into BNE on SQ J.SQ booked with KF miles.Just remember SQ into BNE is regional J and getting a bit tired.
 
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I was on TG476. I stayed o/n at Rydges right at the international terminal. I got a room on the top floor at the back and it was just fine. Chk-in around 0800-0830 as an hour in the lounge is about right. It is between SQ flts, so it was empty and they had just replenished the brekky which was good, getting seats looking over the tarmac.

QUOTE=Austff;1155390]Good to hear ,my wife & I are doing TG476 in F on Jan 26th ,unfortunately at 10am .[/QUOTE]
 
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Wow, looks like it's unanimously one way recommending TG F class! Thanks for the advice, I think I know which one I'll pick.

I guess the question now is, which plane offers better F product? The 747 (LHR) or A380 (CDG/FRA)?

Just remember that long haul F always beats long haul J :)

Flown the 388, 346, 744 (old and refurbished) and always try to fly the 388's. I prefer the Airbus A380 over any Boeing.

That said if you were comparing J to J , SQ J beats TG J quite comfortably however I am not a fan of SQ's fold down bed as I like to laze around, recline a little, maybe sleep a little, then watch tv and having those fold down beds don't really work it for me.
 
Good to hear ,my wife & I are doing TG476 in F on Jan 26th ,unfortunately at 10am .

10am is a good departure time that allows you to fully enjoy everything F has to offer.
You don't need to spend too much time in the SQ F lounge in SYD, it's not that special.
 
I guess the question now is, which plane offers better F product? The 747 (LHR) or A380 (CDG/FRA)?

A380 is a safe bet. The biggest issue with B747 is that you never know if you will get the refurbished F until you actually board the plane. It's an unnecessary risk to take if you have a choice.
 
Another recommendation for TG F.
We have done it on numbers occasions in the last couple of years in different aircraft. Also enjoyed SG J from SIN to SYD.
Like the poster above, we like staying at the Rydges SYD before a morning flight. Short stroll front he hotel to check-in then off to the SIN F lounge for made to order brekkie.
 
A380 is a safe bet. The biggest issue with B747 is that you never know if you will get the refurbished F until you actually board the plane. It's an unnecessary risk to take if you have a choice.

How many of TG's 747 are equipped with the suites? From One Mile at a Time it sounds like there is only one, HS-TGY. But that article was written in 2012. From the latest AUSBT article, it sounds like all LHR bound 747 will be equipped with the suite. (Thai Airways upgrades London flights to Boeing 747, new first class - Australian Business Traveller) So I would assume that there are more 747's equipped with suites and the chances of getting coughpy F on 747 to LHR is small? But nice to know how many in their fleet still has old F product and how many has suites (so we know the chances of getting old products). If anyone knows, please enlighten me.

I agree I should get A380 if possible. But it all really depends on how my itinerary work out. Also TG is notoriously known to swap the aircraft on the last minute, there is no guarantee that CDG/FRA will be A380.
 
How many of TG's 747 are equipped with the suites? From One Mile at a Time it sounds like there is only one, HS-TGY. But that article was written in 2012. From the latest AUSBT article, it sounds like all LHR bound 747 will be equipped with the suite. (Thai Airways upgrades London flights to Boeing 747, new first class - Australian Business Traveller) So I would assume that there are more 747's equipped with suites and the chances of getting coughpy F on 747 to LHR is small? But nice to know how many in their fleet still has old F product and how many has suites (so we know the chances of getting old products). If anyone knows, please enlighten me.

I agree I should get A380 if possible. But it all really depends on how my itinerary work out. Also TG is notoriously known to swap the aircraft on the last minute, there is no guarantee that CDG/FRA will be A380.

Tis is pretty up to date off FT
Thai Airways International Seat Configuration Overview - FlyerTalk Forums
 
How many of TG's 747 are equipped with the suites?

About 50% of them.
The old F is still better then any J, just not as private as the mini suites.

I agree I should get A380 if possible. But it all really depends on how my itinerary work out. Also TG is notoriously known to swap the aircraft on the last minute, there is no guarantee that CDG/FRA will be A380.

I don't think they are swapping the A380 out of CDG/FRA very often.
 
Just remember that long haul F always beats long haul J :)

Flown the 388, 346, 744 (old and refurbished) and always try to fly the 388's. I prefer the Airbus A380 over any Boeing.

That said if you were comparing J to J , SQ J beats TG J quite comfortably however I am not a fan of SQ's fold down bed as I like to laze around, recline a little, maybe sleep a little, then watch tv and having those fold down beds don't really work it for me.

I wouldn't agree with that. Out of Brisbane TG J beats SQ J. TG is full flat beds in business class in 1-2-1 where SQ is angled flats in 2-2-2. Could you do BNE-BKK-BNE in business on TG. Then BKK-CDG-BKK in first on two separate tickets would be my recommendation.
 
I wouldn't agree with that. Out of Brisbane TG J beats SQ J. TG is full flat beds in business class in 1-2-1 where SQ is angled flats in 2-2-2. Could you do BNE-BKK-BNE in business on TG. Then BKK-CDG-BKK in first on two separate tickets would be my recommendation.

I've thought of that, except the miles needed will be quite expensive at 142000 miles! Of course, if I wanted to do that, the best option would be TG J BNE-CDG/LHR as I can get all in one ticket for 85000 miles only. Then on the return leg, since the layover time is too long that I have to get 2 tickets anyway, then getting CDG-BKK in F, and BKK-BNE in J. But total miles will still be 227000 miles, which is almost as expensive all the way in F from SYD.
 
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