Travelling to the US end of Dec -Would appreciate your advice

[bagman]

Hi there

Our family of 4 ( including 2 "kids" 24 and 20 ) are planning a trip to the US end of Dec for 1 month.
Whilst travelling on business with my employer I travel International Business Class, so have been spoilt in the last few years.
My last family trip to the US was economy and I just can't see myself going that way again.
The "kids" can put up with economy ( seeing Dad's paying !! ) but my wife and I need some more leg room.
Have been hanging out for Qantas Premium Economy to go on sale, but must confess I'm concerned that if I leave it too late I might miss out on my dates ( Lv Sydney Dec 27 arrive back Jan 28).
Would prefer Qantas to retain FF status and clock up some more miles. I must confess that I balk at paying $14,000 Business return to the US, hence the attraction of Premium Economy.

Do you think it should be safe for me 1 wait out a few more months and see if Qantas announce their Premium Economy service to the US ?
Another alternative I was thinking of was buying 3 seats for my wife and I in economy. That way, assuming I can get a window combination, we get 3 seats between 2. Any opinions on that option ?

I also recall seeing a web-based Cathy Pacific Business class fare Syd/SFO return for approx $9300 which is another possibility.

Would greatly appreciate your advice on what steps I should take. As I said my first preference is to stick with the Qantas option, more for FF Status retention etc, but flying these days you need to keep an open mind.

Many thanks in advance

 

[NM]

Rather than paying $14K for a business class ticket, you may like to consider if there is value in a Business Class Circle Pacific fare compared with a Premium Economy point-to-point fare. The DCIR22 fare might give you some extra options for travel in the US. The kids can always take the direct route in the other direction.

 

[Travel Guru]

It's not OW obviously, but Air NZ offer a very well priced Y+ which i've had excellent feedback on.

TG

 

[bagman]

Rather than paying $14K for a business class ticket, you may like to consider if there is value in a Business Class Circle Pacific fare compared with a Premium Economy point-to-point fare. The DCIR22 fare might give you some extra options for travel in the US. The kids can always take the direct route in the other direction.

Thanks for the tip.

Just made an enquiry with Qantas and was told a oneworld circle the pacific fare that covered 22,000 miles stopping in HK/SFO/LA/HNL would cost approx $7600 + taxes of $500. Does that sound about right from your experience ?

If that is correct a total fare of $8100 vs ( say ) $6000 for Economy Plus Syd/LA return seems pretty good value.

Am I losing the plot ?

cheers

 

[Dave Noble]

Thanks for the tip.

Just made an enquiry with Qantas and was told a oneworld circle the pacific fare that covered 22,000 miles stopping in HK/SFO/LA/HNL would cost approx $7600 + taxes of $500. Does that sound about right from your experience ?

If that is correct a total fare of $8100 vs ( say ) $6000 for Economy Plus Syd/LA return seems pretty good value.

Am I losing the plot ?

cheers

The DCIR22 fare is $7599 plus taxes. You can bring the taxes down by booking it through AA rather than QF , so you are not losing the plot at all

Dave

 

[simongr]

Don't forget you cant compare a flexible ticket in whY+ with a restricted ticket in D/J - well obviously you can make any comparison you like - just be careful comparing apples with oranges.

It is pretty good value though - and not something I have mentioned to my boss given it is cheaper than using a DONE4 to get to JFK

 

[stuartfaz]

Thanks for the tip.

Just made an enquiry with Qantas and was told a oneworld circle the pacific fare that covered 22,000 miles stopping in HK/SFO/LA/HNL would cost approx $7600 + taxes of $500. Does that sound about right from your experience ?

If that is correct a total fare of $8100 vs ( say ) $6000 for Economy Plus Syd/LA return seems pretty good value.

Am I losing the plot ?

cheers

Considering its their day today, might as well throw up the option of V Australia.

SYD-LAX premium economy with them is pricing for mid december at just under $3500 per person return, which is a fair deal.

No pictures yet of the seat but here's their marketing spiel.

Features:

• More room to relax in your 50.8 cm (20 inches) wide all-leather seat with generous 22.9cm (9 inches) recline and adjustable head and foot rest.
• More space to stretch with a seat pitch of 96.5 cm (38-inches).
• More freedom to move with a spacious seating layout.
• Panasonic eX2 Audio and Video on demand in-flight entertainment system with 26.9cm (10.6 inches) screen, complete with noise cancelling headsets.
• Keep in touch and up to date during your flight with our revolutionary email, PDA and mobile phone text message connectivity technologies.
• Mood lighting throughout your cabin to create an ambience to match the different phases of your flight.

Benefits:

• Delicious, all-inclusive food and beverage service with extra touches to savour.
• Wind down with a welcome drink upon boarding and after your meal, choose from our tempting selection of after dinner liqueurs.
• Dedicated cabin for International Premium Economy Guests with fabulous, friendly and personalised service from dedicated Cabin Crew.

I'd take a guess that it's similar to Virgin Atlantic's Premium Economy, so if you want a vague idea of what it'd be like, head to their site.

If you're willing to have an open (QF-less ) mind then it seems like a pretty good option.

Their flights start 15 Dec however, so that eliminates half the month.