Would you rather: QF PE on 747 or Y on A380

[uzza]

Hi Everyone!

First off, I have sufficient points for either scenario, and I've flown Y on both the A380 and 747 on QF. I was waiting to confirm my need to travel in November (the week of the 4th) , if I was a couple of days quicker I could have snavelled a F seat on Melbourne Cup day on QF93, now either booked or taken down (que sera I suppose!).

I have a decision: I need to get from HBA to LAX and I plan on using points.

Option 1: HBA-BNE (via MEL/SYD) - LAX in PE on the 747. It would require a night in BNE (I'd prefer to overnight to reduce the chance of missing the flight), so far as I can tell the hotels near BNE don't seem great (if you have any suggestions I'm all ears!).

or

Option 2: HBA-MEL-LAX. I can do this all in one day, its the easiest method but would only be in Y on the A380 from MEL.

I know the seats are the same on both A/C, but when you add in the convenience plus enhanced A/C (lower cabin pressure?), do you think that its worth the extra points to go over in PE? I have QC so I'll have lounge access, what's the QF intl lounge like at BNE? Hopefully less of a dungeon than MEL!

Ultimately it's what I think, but if you were in my shoes, objectively which would you choose?

I looked at doing some wild routes: SYD-NRT-LAX , MEL-LHR-LAX , or SYD-HNL-LAX but the points outlay (plus the two days of flying) doesn't really stack up. Again, any suggestions I'm all ears

Cheers

Uzza

 

[harvyk]

PE on a 747... Y is why no matter what aircraft you are on...

 

[Spongbob]

PE is always better than Y (even if only for the seat); just as a 3rd class ride is better than a 1st class walk.

And PE in the QF 747 is pretty good!

 

[RooFlyer]

A consideration might be points outlaid Vs the additional cash payments you have to make on an Award flight ('fuel surcharges & carrier fees'). I don't know the values, but check them before you decide.

But other than that, I agree with harvyk, PE will be better in the long haul, and a night in Brisvegas a good step-off, rather than risking the HBA-out lottery (although in Nov it should be OK.

 

[Dmac6345]

No comparison. PE for sure.
I have only flown PE to HKG return on both aircraft (744 and A380) and it is a big step up from Y. Food is slightly better but the service in PE is great. Don't like the seats, and that's only doing 9 hours.
I don't think you will be disappointed in PE. Try and get seats close to the front of the cabin though.
J lounge in BNE is reasonable. Never used MEL.
Safe Travels.

 

[madrooster]

The MEL intl J lounge is better than the BNE intl J lounge in every way possible...

 

[Bundy Bear]

Y to America with a connection in Melbourne would be the easiest, PE is nice but connecting in Brisbane is a hassle for an overnight. Coming back from the US different story PE is the important part.

 

[uzza]

Thanks everyone, once again you've all outdone yourselves!

When you spell it out like that, I think a night in Brisvegas and a PE seat will be worth it! And totally agree on the HBA lottery, generally November should be fine, but it is still a lottery - already been burnt twice this year due to fog/network issues/just because delays.

Taxes wise: For HBA-LAX-LAS, LAX-HBA its ~$950 regardless of the class (more or less), and points wise I've got plenty so not too fussed about outlay (within some reason though).

Does anyone have a BNE hotel suggestion? I saw there's a Ibis budget near the airport, looks pretty basic. I've stayed at the Medina near the bridge before and that's about it.

 

[Mr_Orange]

PE all the way. It is so much better than whY. Besides the 747 is the Queen of the Skies so why would you want to fly on the ugly duckling double decker bus?

 

[davec]

If you are spending $950 ish on 'taxes' I would think about just spending a bit more and buying the cheapest upgradable Y fare and taking a punt on burning some points getting an upgrade to J?

 

[Pushka]

Chiming in here. Slightly on topic. We have 2 PE seats on Syd-HKG 747 and have the bulkhead. We have enough points to request upgrade to J but given it's a day flight is it worth it?

 

[Dmac6345]

Chiming in here. Slightly on topic. We have 2 PE seats on Syd-HKG 747 and have the bulkhead. We have enough points to request upgrade to J but given it's a day flight is it worth it?

Absolutely- this is probably the best way to use your points to their potential. I love flying J to HKG on a 747.
Question is: Why would you?

 

[BAM1748]

PE on the 747 is a no brainer.


Matt

 

[puppysparkes]

The Notvotel is close to the airport. They charge $5 each way for the shuttle transfer which is much cheaper getting the train or a taxi into the city. http://www.novotelbrisbaneairport.com.au/brisbane-airport-hotel/

 

[uzza]

Thanks again everyone!

Bit of an update, by some kind of miracle (or Red Roo Angel intervention...), an F seat showed up again on the 4th!

Suffice to say I booked it right away!

So I'm now J: HBA-MEL

Overnight in MEL (I've got some meetings in MEL so that works well).

QF93 F class

Then Y LAX-LAS 2 days later to meet up with someone, and LAX-MEL-HBA a few weeks later.

Blew pretty much all my points, but given it's for 14hrs in F and I've never flown it before, I'm pretty excited!

I've booked seat 3K at present, only seat unavailable was 3A. I don't suppose anyone has some insight into the best F seats on QF A380's

Cheers
Uzza

 

[Pushka]

Given its a "free seat" I reckon any F seat on an A380 is nirvana.

 

[BAM1748]

Once you are in your F seat, you won't notice where it is.

 

[uzza]

Given its a "free seat" I reckon any F seat on an A380 is nirvana.

I'm with you 100% - definitely can't be picky! Its a window seat which is my main requirement.

I'll take a few photos, I think it might warrant a TR on my behalf: "F class for the uninitiated"

 

[uzza]

Chiming in here. Slightly on topic. We have 2 PE seats on Syd-HKG 747 and have the bulkhead. We have enough points to request upgrade to J but given it's a day flight is it worth it?

I'd say so, the closest I've had was an upgrade I bought from Y to PE on JAL from SYD-NRT for a day flight.

Now JL PE is nowhere near as good as QF PE - based on nothing other than observation, if you assume the PE seat for QF is close to the newer J dom seats. The reason I say this is mainly because the seats are still very narrow, the soft service on JL was still good. But as an increase from Y it was worth every cent.

The step then from PE to J for a ~9hr flight would certainly be worth it. One way to think about it: would you rather spend a full day at work in your office seat, or in your bed

 

[Buzzard]

I would certainly take PE over Y any day