Trapped by QANTAS Club XMAS present

[extracta]

I have been given the QC membership as a Xmas present and now find myself trying to extract some value out of it. I am QFF NB.

I am looking at flying BNE-BKK-BNE

If I book a discount economy flight with QF I get to use the lounges, 5684 points/miles and 40 SC's each way.

I have noticed that CX has a flight BNE - BKK via HKG at a slightly cheaper price.

If I fly CX do I get to use the lounges?

How do I work out the points and SC's when flying this route with CX?

Which do you think is better value and are there other options?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Blackadder]

The only lounges you could use as QP member would be Qantas,British Airway (Terrace lounges) or American Airlines (Admiral Club)

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Double check what fare bucket CX drops you in (in Y).
Not all CX fares earn QF points and some that do, earn 0.5 points per mile flown.

Some more info here;
http://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/partners/airline/cathay-pacific

 

[samh004]

As a QP member you can't use any lounges flying CX in Y.


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[extracta]

Thanks for that, a couple of traps that I probably would have fallen into.

 

[NM]

The only lounges you could use as QP member would be Qantas,British Airway (Terrace lounges) or American Airlines (Admiral Club)

And to use those lounges, you must be travelling with that airline on that day.

 

[JohnK]

How do I work out the points and SC's when flying this route with CX?

Which do you think is better value and are there other options?

It is one of the drawbacks of flying CX economy and crediting to QF. Some economy booking classes on CX do not earn any QFF points while some earn at 0.5 QFF points per mile flown and only full economy earns 1 QFF point per miles flown.

Unless there is a significant saving to be had purchasing CX flights then best to travel on QF flights. Even more so if one is Platinum and receiving 100% bonus. The difference in earning is significant for a trip say SYD-BKK where one would earn ~18,000 QFF points on QF flights or ~5,500 QFF points on CX flights.

 

[Storyteller]

I have been given the QC membership as a Xmas present and now find myself trying to extract some value out of it. I am QFF NB.

Snip

Enjoy the extra luggage allowance. Look around for the domestic sales & travel a bit more. Enjoy the QC before and after each flight. Plan the flights so that you can have a nice relaxed meal & drink. Nothing better than feeling like you're traveling in style... travel with the person who bought it for you, invite them & others into the lounge. Tell them every time you use the lounge /extra luggage / QC checking counter ... By the end of the year they will be delighted you used it so much. Good gift coming your way next Christmas!!!

Read the things the membership gives you, so that you can try out everything at least once! And also if you know the rules, you won't have expectations that don't come with the membership, so won't have any bad stories to tell your gifter, only good.

One of the things that does come with it is partner membership rates which are cheaper than normal. Also here on AFF you can renew next year for a lower rate.

I can remember my first time in the lounge after I bought QC membership. Enjoy!

 

[scheps]

Enjoy the QC before and after each flight.

Thought you had to be departing, or you mean when you are connecting?

 

[Alanslegal]

and there really isnt anything special at the BKK qantas club lounge.

 

[Moopere]

Enjoy the extra luggage allowance. Look around for the domestic sales & travel a bit more.

This indeed does seem to be where the value of QP really lies. Domestic Y travel. The problem is that DJ is offering such tasty domestic fares, particularly with points+pay options in J.

My QP year ends in March and I'll probably break a record on the most expensive per visit cost to the QP based upon my useage so far. I'd planned on using QF almost exclusively in the first half of 2012 when I bought the membership, then Virgin Australia had its transformation mid last year which I miscalculated as I didn't think it would amount to much ... how wrong could I be?

Enjoy the QC before and after each flight. Plan the flights so that you can have a nice relaxed meal & drink.

I wasn't aware I could use the QP after a flight. I'll look into that, thanks.

As for a meal. Yes, I 'd hoped this would be the case when I joined, but alas, in SYD, MEL and PER I've never seen anything more than soup. I've not even seen the pancake makers that others report make an appearance from time to time. I must fly at the wrong times of the day or something.

Nothing better than feeling like you're traveling in style...

Absolutely right.

 

[Hvr]

Enjoy the QC before and after each flight. Plan the flights so that you can have a nice relaxed meal & drink. <snip>

I can remember my first time in the lounge after I bought QC membership. Enjoy!

I wasn't aware I could use the QP after a flight. I'll look into that, thanks.

You can't unless you're WP or connecting, i.e. you are still flying that day on a QF flight.

and there really isnt anything special at the BKK qantas club lounge.

Agree, it is a basic lounge.

 

[Kangol]

You can't unless you're WP or connecting, i.e. you are still flying that day on a QF flight.

WP have access to the QP as an arrivals lounge?

Oh, wait.. here it is:
Eligibility and Access to The Qantas Club lounges

Must be travelling on any flight the same day that shows Qantas, Jetstar Airlines[SUP]+[/SUP] or a oneworld flight number on your ticket.
Two guests allowed and do not need to be travelling.

 

[aliens]

CX economy seats are pretty bad as well. Quite hard cushions and annoying airbag on seat belt. Have funky sliding seats but not very comfortable

 

[Storyteller]

Thought you had to be departing, or you mean when you are connecting?

Sorry, I wasn't clear - plan travel to have a leisurely day of it, with lounge visits between connections. Sort of how we did on the recent trip to ADL. Need ongoing flight for access if QF NB.

I enjoy flying, & try to enjoy the whole day, with lots of connections & lots of meal / snack breaks. The soup is usually nice to me, love the salads as small plate nibbles, glass of mocha or wine, sweet slice to finish or some cheese.

Back when I first joined the QC in the mid 90s we used to go in for a snack on arrival as well. Little meat pie, red sauce, glass of champagne..

 

[samh004]

CX economy seats are pretty bad as well. Quite hard cushions and annoying airbag on seat belt. Have funky sliding seats but not very comfortable

Best way to describe them to a seasoned Qantas traveller is that they're similar to the A380 seats, which recline a little and slide forward a little... Except that the CX seats just slide forward and give the illusion of reclining. Not overly comfortable.


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