The Qantas Newbie Questions Thread

[SYD]

Got questions re: EK F using QF points. Planning a trip either ex-MAA or ex-DXB on EK F (solely for experiencing F on EK). I will be HLO. Looking for some insights please.

Numbers:

• MAA-xDXB-MEL on EK F, 227000 QF points plus $1800 in taxes
• DXB-MEL on EK F, 195000 QF points plus $1200 in taxes

Questions:

1. Given the $600 difference in taxes, would it better do MAA-DXB separately (different booking) and then start the F journey in DXB? Commercial fares MAA-DXB are around the $300 mark.
2. ex-DXB the flight departs approx 0100 - what service can I expect on this - a supper, brekkie, lunch and then dinner? Looking to maximise flying F, so the more the merrier Also, I'm a vego, so would be looking at pre-ordering vego meals ...
3. Commencing the trip in DXB, won't have time to enter DXB and do check-in - would it be possible to collect BP at MAA or collect BP at DXB transfer desk (or similar) ?

Step 1: is there any F award seat availability??

There are some F/J seats back on Oz <-> DXB but finding F beyond DXB is problematic. Which might force you to fly J xyz-DXB-MEL (or SYD, which was seeing better seat availability last time I looked).

 

[Ade]

Step 1: is there any F award seat availability??

There are some F/J seats back on Oz <-> DXB but finding F beyond DXB is problematic. Which might force you to fly J xyz-DXB-MEL (or SYD, which was seeing better seat availability last time I looked).

Should have mentioned, I'm able to see CR F availability on QF website for the date range that I'm after. There is F from MAA/BLR/DEL-DXB-MEL/SYD.

I have done HLO on 2 different bookings via SIN - as in fly AUS-SIN on QF, then do SIN-IND on SQ, checking in and getting BP at transfer desk. Not sure if this is doable at DXB.

 

[fkn_ace]

The flight is in early March so definitely not high season however I noticed under Departure Lounge Location BNE doesn't come up doesn't matter what flight date I enter... so perhaps it is indeed due to the fact it's high season (school holidays) ATM therefore it prevents linking the lounge invitation even if the flight is for a future date...

I'll try the Qantas Call Centre tomorrow, hopefully better luck

As a data point, I'm seeing the exact same thing: I'm also trying to link some complimentary lounge passes for an upcoming JQ flight out of BNE in a few months time, and I notice the exact same issue:

It doesn't matter what date of travel you choose, it does not recognise/give you the choice, of choosing brisbane.
I assume its a school holiday/capacity thing, but it would be nice if it just said that, instead of making me think that I've spelt brisbane wrong, so I'll try again later in January to see if the restriction has been lifted.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I rang yesterday and after putting me on hold the agent announced that the lounge had ‘already reached capacity in march’ and that’s why I can’t link my pass

 

[Nic O]

This thread is specifically for new members to ask questions relating to Qantas and the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. Our more experienced members will be then be able to answer your questions.

Please note that this thread is specifically for new and/or inexperienced members, so please keep this in mind when replying to posts in this thread. In particular, please minimise the use of acronyms and explain the concepts in a way that a novice can easily understand. And please be gentle

P.S. If you're a newbie to frequent flyer programs in Australia, check out our guide

This thread is specifically for new members to ask questions relating to Qantas and the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. Our more experienced members will be then be able to answer your questions.

Please note that this thread is specifically for new and/or inexperienced members, so please keep this in mind when replying to posts in this thread. In particular, please minimise the use of acronyms and explain the concepts in a way that a novice can easily understand. And please be gentle

P.S. If you're a newbie to frequent flyer programs in Australia, check out our guide

This thread is specifically for new members to ask questions relating to Qantas and the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. Our more experienced members will be then be able to answer your questions.

Please note that this thread is specifically for new and/or inexperienced members, so please keep this in mind when replying to posts in this thread. In particular, please minimise the use of acronyms and explain the concepts in a way that a novice can easily understand. And please be gentle

P.S. If you're a newbie to frequent flyer programs in Australia, check out our guide

Hi. I have booked Classic rewards J flights Perth to Milan via Concierge for Sept.
Schedule is PER-KUL KUL-MCT MCT-MXP
My question is, should there be availability open up 1-2 months prior with Qantas (more direct), would you call call centre to change the booking (with the 6000 pts each) or would you need to cancel current booking and then re-book new route? And if cancelling, are the points re-credited straight away to use immediately?

 

[J-P]

Hi Nic, welcome to AFF.

My question is, should there be availability open up 1-2 months prior with Qantas (more direct)

Almost definitely not, extremely rare on that route (and all Qantas PER-Europe in J)

would you call call centre to change the booking (with the 6000 pts each)

Yes

or would you need to cancel current booking and then re-book new route?

You can definitely do this but better to change as I said above, so you keep your existing booking in case something goes wrong. You pay the points fee either way if cancelling.

are the points re-credited straight away to use immediately?

Maybe not quite immediately but very quickly

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Also worth noting that the change fee is 5000 points. To cancel is 6000. So better to change.

 

[Nic O]

Hi Nic, welcome to AFF.



Almost definitely not, extremely rare on that route (and all Qantas PER-Europe in J)


Yes


You can definitely do this but better to change as I said above, so you keep your existing booking in case something goes wrong. You pay the points fee either way if cancelling.


Maybe not quite immediately but very quickly

Thanks very much , first time we are using our points internationally.
We were happy enough with our booking, except the first leg Malaysian Airlines, changed our plane yesterday and subsequently now don’t have flatbed - with a 2am departure. Not a deal breaker but not what we hoped for to start the journey. Thanks for the advice

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Sorry if this question has been asked and answered before, but want to be sure before making my booking. I'm planning on travelling back to Sydney later this year from my new home in Frankfurt. Checking online I see that can travel Emirates (via Dubai) with all flights carrying a QF code and the tickets bookable via QF's website:

1) Would each of the Emirates operated (QF marketed) flights count towards the four ticks I need to maintain Qantas status this year?

2) Would I have access to the Emirates lounges in Frankfurt, Dubai, and Sydney?

3) For those who have made the trek between Australia and Europe with Emirates, which flights make the most sense? Would a 6 AM flight out of Sydney arriving into Frankfurt at 8 PM sound reasonable or would it make sense to break up the trip in Dubai? If the latter, does Dubai have a good transit hotel (ideally Accor branded)?

 

[vbroucek]

3) For those who have made the trek between Australia and Europe with Emirates, which flights make the most sense? Would a 6 AM flight out of Sydney arriving into Frankfurt at 8 PM sound reasonable or would it make sense to break up the trip in Dubai? If the latter, does Dubai have a good transit hotel (ideally Accor branded)?

I would take it - my "jet lag beating" method would work perfectly. What I would do:

• 6AM in SYD is 10PM in FRA, so I'd have a meal after take-off and then try to get as many hours of sleep as possible before landing in DXB
• I would then stay awake for the reminder of SYD-DXB and whole of DXB-FRA flight
• Would go to sleep as soon as possible in FRA

This method of behaving as if on the destination time immediately after take-off works for me 100% - I have no or almost no jet lag afterwards.

 

[SYD]

Sorry if this question has been asked and answered before, but want to be sure before making my booking. I'm planning on travelling back to Sydney later this year from my new home in Frankfurt. Checking online I see that can travel Emirates (via Dubai) with all flights carrying a QF code and the tickets bookable via QF's website:

1) Would each of the Emirates operated (QF marketed) flights count towards the four ticks I need to maintain Qantas status this year?

Yes

2) Would I have access to the Emirates lounges in Frankfurt, Dubai, and Sydney?

As QF Gold you get access. I assume you’re travelling in whY is asking?

I don’t know the specific EK arrangements in FRA however.

3) For those who have made the trek between Australia and Europe with Emirates, which flights make the most sense? Would a 6 AM flight out of Sydney arriving into Frankfurt at 8 PM sound reasonable or would it make sense to break up the trip in Dubai? If the latter, does Dubai have a good transit hotel (ideally Accor branded)?

I personally loathe those early morning “sparrow fart” departures - horrible - but usually the cheapest.

If you can get the evening departure out of SYD and try and rest for the long leg. The onward connection should have you back in FRA mid/late arvo.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Sorry if this question has been asked and answered before, but want to be sure before making my booking. I'm planning on travelling back to Sydney later this year from my new home in Frankfurt. Checking online I see that can travel Emirates (via Dubai) with all flights carrying a QF code and the tickets bookable via QF's website:
<snip>
2) Would I have access to the Emirates lounges in Frankfurt, Dubai, and Sydney?
<snip>

Will not be able to use the EK (or QF) SYD lounge on arrival
If a return trip will be able to use on departure.

AF/KLM is also a ff partner of QF.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I would take it - my "jet lag beating" method would work perfectly. What I would do:

• 6AM in SYD is 10PM in FRA, so I'd have a meal after take-off and then try to get as many hours of sleep as possible before landing in DXB
• I would then stay awake for the reminder of SYD-DXB and whole of DXB-FRA flight
• Would go to sleep as soon as possible in FRA

This method of behaving as if on the destination time immediately after take-off works for me 100% - I have no or almost no jet lag afterwards.

Yes

Good to hear those Emirates operated Qantas marketed flights do qualify. It certainly makes my choices a lot easier now.

As QF Gold you get access. I assume you’re travelling in whY is asking?

Correct, whY. I'm guessing I cannot upgrade EK operated, QF marketed flights using points? Are cash upgrades a possibility?

I don’t know the specific EK arrangements in FRA however.

There is an EK lounge at FRA, so presumably that would be the lounge I have access to.

I personally loathe those early morning “sparrow fart” departures - horrible - but usually the cheapest.

The pricing for the evening or the early morning departure are about the same. I do wonder whether it would make sense to break up the journey so I can sleep at Dubai (provided there is a transit hotel there).

If you can get the evening departure out of SYD and try and rest for the long leg. The onward connection should have you back in FRA mid/late arvo.

Good to know.

Will not be able to use the EK (or QF) SYD lounge on arrival

I'm guessing I could use the QF domestic lounges on arrival though for a shower?

If a return trip will be able to use on departure.

Good to know

AF/KLM is also a ff partner of QF.

I was looking at AF/KLM but there does not seem to be any options that ticket into a QF flight number. Also, I think Emirates offers the most direct routing.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Will not be able to use the EK (or QF) SYD lounge on arrival

I'm guessing I could use the QF domestic lounges on arrival though for a shower?

No. Traveling in Y QF Gold does not give anytime or arrival lounge access. QF lounges are departure lounges (limited exceptions)

 

[SYD]

I'm guessing I could use the QF domestic lounges on arrival though for a shower?

Why would you need that?

Looking at the FRA-DXB-SYD schedule, there’s a terribly civilised mid morning departure that gets you into SYD in the arvo - straight off to wherever you’re staying.

Academic, but getting across to SYD T3 with luggage and no onward connection would be a PITA anyway.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

No. Traveling in Y QF Gold does not give anytime or arrival lounge access. QF lounges are departure lounges (limited exceptions)

You’re right. I forgot, that is a Platinum benefit

 

[Mwenenzi]

You’re right. I forgot, that is a Platinum benefit

At SYD a fee of access arrival lounge is available landside after immigration & customs. PP or some credit cards may give access at no cost.

Plaza Premium Lounge (International Arrivals)

Book your Sydney Airport lounge access and enjoy instant confirmation. Plaza Premium Lounge (International Arrivals) is conveniently located at Arrivals B on the Ground Floor

www.plazapremiumlounge.com

Plaza Premium Lounge (International Arrivals) SYD AIRPORT Terminal 1 Sydney Kingsford Smith | Priority Pass

Plaza Premium Lounge (International Arrivals) Sydney Kingsford Smith Terminal 1. All the info about the lounge: location, opening hours, conditions and facilities.

my.prioritypass.com

 

[kangarooflyer88]

At SYD a fee of access arrival lounge is available landside after immigration & customs. PP or some credit cards may give access at no cost.

Plaza Premium Lounge (International Arrivals)

Book your Sydney Airport lounge access and enjoy instant confirmation. Plaza Premium Lounge (International Arrivals) is conveniently located at Arrivals B on the Ground Floor

www.plazapremiumlounge.com

That's also a possibility as well. Back when I held my Canadian AmEx Platinum card I would often visit that lounge as my Platinum card got me access not just to the lounge but the shower, which after some of the flights I had (e.g., LAX > SYD) were warranted.

-RooFlyer88

 

[kangarooflyer88]

One other question I have, when is membership year end calculated for Qantas status? I know it has something to do with when you sign up for QFF but would love clarification here. For instance, if I were to sign my partner up for QFF on January 15th would that mean that their membership year began on January 1 (so program year ends on December 31st) or February 1 (so program year ends on January 31st)? Also how does status credit accrual count towards a program year in such an instance. For instance, if they were to sign up on the 15th and fly on the 16th (for the sake of argument) how would that be counted? I ask all these questions as there is a very real possibility that my partner and I could both earn Gold status this year (I'm planning on flying back to AU on QF EMEA (aka EK) for graduation, plus we got some biz trips planned on IB).

And yes, I know QFF is free to sign up for since she's based in Germany with me.

Apologies in advance for such a n00b question, but it has been nearly 15 years since I signed up for QFF and back then I wasn't thinking about program year dates as I wasn't even in Australia at the time.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Mwenenzi]

Sign up 01 Jan to 31 Jan anniversary month is January. From 01 Feb to 31 Jan is the membership year earning period.
Sign up 01 Feb to 28 Feb anniversary month is February.
So the first year is a little less than 365 days. Next year is full 365 days (ignoring leap years)

'Anniversary Month' is the month during which a Member joined Qantas Frequent Flyer, irrespective of the year:
Membership Year' commences on the first day of the month following a Member's Anniversary Month and concludes on the last day of the Member's Anniversary Month the following year;