1st class bucket list

[Justinf]

I've always wanted to travel long-haul international in F (who hasn't?). but, like many others, never thought I would be able to afford it.
Well, I can now afford it and was wondering if anyone could help me out in deciding which carrier etc. I'd be flying out of MEL.
The destination is not so important. I'll probably spend two days there to look around, but getting there and back is the real journey in first.
Dates are flexible. April/May maybe.
I'd like to get bang for buck - in other words 8 hours to SNG is too short. 13 hours to Dubai or LAX is about right. Multiple flights in F to arrive at destination is also no problem.
Even though I am well travelled (well, sort of) I've never been to Dubai. I have been to LA.
So what I'm asking is where can I go, who can I fly with and what airline will give me the most points and SCs for my hard earned? In your experience, which carrier offers the superior F experience?
Even though I can afford it, I'd rather not spend more than I should be. Hope that makes sense.
I'm a lowly Silver Velocity member and an even lowlier bronze Qantas member.
I would appreciate any help more than you could possibly realise.

 

[opusman]

EK F to DXB should blow you away.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Even though I can afford it, I'd rather not spend more than I should be.

If this is so then why not go F via a FFprogram that you can aquire enough points in econimcally whether by CC sign-on bonii/earn etc or buying points at Lifemiles etc.

With the first there is access to very good F, and with the later it is harder.

Buying though will however mean that you can more easily go when and where you want to.

 

[boomy]

The best F product in the world is currently EY Apartments and lucky for you they will start flying A380 to MEL in June
If you want to experience more than one product I'd recommend EK A380 F MEL-DBX, spend a day or two exploring Dubai then return AUH-MEL EY A380 Apartment. F pax get chauffeur pick up from DXB to AUH.

Alternatively, if you have more time and wanting to try even more F products in one trip you can do MEL-DXB-LHR/CDG on QF/EK then return CDG/LHR-DOH-AUH-MEL on QR/EY.

 

[JohnPhelan]

EK F to DXB should blow you away.

Yes, but book it as the QF codeshare flight to maximise SCs and points.

 

[drross]

We prefer Qantas to Dubai from Melb rather than Emirates. Dubai is worth checking out for a few days

 

[Abdul_A350]

I also pay for F but it is not good to pay any more than you need to, so sometimes I buy points. American points are particularly easy to use, because you can put bookings on hold and then buy the points. 165,000 would let you fly Japan Airlines from Sydney to Tokyo, Etihad to Abu Dhabi, and then Qantas back to Melbourne for a mix of cultures, for example. Lifemiles is also good value if you can book a double leg on ANA from Singapore to Europe or the US.

Partly it depends on what sort of experience you want to have on-board, because part of flying First is greater interaction with crew if you want that. I like the Asian airlines because the crew seem happy to be there, or at least are better at pretending they are. When I'm on a Japanese airline, I feel like I'm in Japan. The Middle Eastern airlines make me feel more like I'm in a catalog. But I'm still very happy to fly them.

 

[boomy]

We prefer Qantas to Dubai from Melb rather than Emirates. Dubai is worth checking out for a few days

We can argue about the decor but for first time F travel EK has more WOW factor than QF. After all drinks at the bar, shower in the air and sleeping in a suite is true F experience

If flying QF F for the first time I'd rather connect in SYD to QF1 due to the earlier departure time and the tasting menu service.

 

[Abdul_A350]

for first time F travel EK has more WOW factor than QF

Definitely agree about that. But if you gave me a choice tomorrow, I'd rather be on JAL talking to charming cabin crew than in a cocoon on Emirates or Etihad.

Qantas would be down the list, probably on a par with Thai.

 

[drewbles]

The best F product in the world is currently EY Apartments and lucky for you they will start flying A380 to MEL in June
If you want to experience more than one product I'd recommend EK A380 F MEL-DBX, spend a day or two exploring Dubai then return AUH-MEL EY A380 Apartment. F pax get chauffeur pick up from DXB to AUH.

Alternatively, if you have more time and wanting to try even more F products in one trip you can do MEL-DXB-LHR/CDG on QF/EK then return CDG/LHR-DOH-AUH-MEL on QR/EY.

My vote for EY F Apartments too, wipes the floor with EK F IMHO.

I really don't know why people get so worked up about EK F, it's all way too blingy and fake-wood for my liking (and EY provides you a separate bed/seat with much more understated opulence ).

 

[Justinf]

Thanks to everyone so far. I knew posting this would make my head spin, but in a good way. so much valuable advice.

 

[boomy]

Definitely agree about that. But if you gave me a choice tomorrow, I'd rather be on JAL talking to charming cabin crew than in a cocoon on Emirates or Etihad.

Qantas would be down the list, probably on a par with Thai.

Can't argue with that, I love everything about JL F and will fly them any day but with AA devaluation coming soon there is small window of opportunity left to enjoy EY apartments relatively cheap so it's also something to consider.

Generally speaking, when flying F for the first time the hard product is the most significant component of the whole experience. When flying F more often pax start paying more attention to the soft product and that's where Asian airlines usually excel.

 

[Abdul_A350]

Can't argue with that, I love everything about JL F and will fly them any day but with AA devaluation coming soon there is small window of opportunity left to enjoy EY apartments relatively cheap so it's also something to consider.

So MEL-AUH on Etihad, DXB-LHR/LGW on Emirates (somehow), and LHR-HND/NRT-SYD on JAL it is then

 

[NoName]

What about EK F to JFK (via DXB) returning on QF via LAX?

 

[boomy]

So MEL-AUH on Etihad, DXB-LHR/LGW on Emirates (somehow), and LHR-HND/NRT-SYD on JAL it is then

Good thinking Also worth to try and book flights via CDG instead of LHR to save some money on taxes.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks to everyone so far. I knew posting this would make my head spin, but in a good way. so much valuable advice.

If you are paying for First, there are sometimes some good specials from Lufthansa - flying SQ F to SIN, connecting to LH F to Europe. If you connect from FRA to Europe you can try out the LH First class terminal, with a limo ride to your plane. Along with Etihad, probably a couple of the best First classes available.

 

[Justinf]

If you are paying for First, there are sometimes some good specials from Lufthansa - flying SQ F to SIN, connecting to LH F to Europe. If you connect from FRA to Europe you can try out the LH First class terminal, with a limo ride to your plane. Along with Etihad, probably a couple of the best First classes available.

SQ in itself is 'cheap'. About $10k return whereas QF, EY and EK are around $15k return. Of course SQ is via SIN, but that doesn't bother me.
What's the hard product like in SQ compared to the rest?

 

[Abdul_A350]

If you are paying for First, there are sometimes some good specials from Lufthansa - flying SQ F to SIN, connecting to LH F to Europe.

About how much do they go for on sale?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

SQ in itself is 'cheap'. About $10k return whereas QF, EY and EK are around $15k return. Of course SQ is via SIN, but that doesn't bother me.
What's the hard product like in SQ compared to the rest?

A380 on SQ has private cabins - which were the biggest before Etihad's. You can google SQ A380 suites to get an idea.

About how much do they go for on sale?

Around $11-12K for a 'first basic' - available year round but they come with advance purchase restrictions. I think you have to book a couple months in advance.

The fare is also available for SQ/LX.

 

[exceladdict]

There was a very good TR that Boomy put together which showcased LH and EY (EDIT: and JL). Would recommend checking that out.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....p-photos/ey-apartments-vs-lh-first-72803.html