When flying to Asia, Qantas offers a Premium Economy cabin on flights to Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Qantas has a very good Premium Economy product, so redeeming your Qantas Frequent Flyer points for a seat can be very good value. But redeeming Cathay Pacific Asia Miles for Qantas Premium Economy awards is even better value.
In Premium Economy, you’ll receive a wider seat with significantly more legroom and recline. You’ll also get a pre-departure drink, better meals and more personalised service, as well as an increased baggage allowance and priority check-in and boarding. You don’t get a lie-flat bed, as you would in Business. But it’s a significantly better all-round experience than flying Economy.
Qantas only offers a Premium Economy product on some of its aircraft. Most Qantas flights to Asia are on Airbus A330s which have only Economy and Business seating. But the airline’s Boeing 787s, Boeing 747s and Airbus A380s do have Premium Economy.
Qantas’ Boeing 787s have the newer-style Premium Economy seats…
The Boeing 747s have the older-style seats, but these are just as (if not more) comfortable…
Qantas’ Airbus A380s currently have the same Premium Economy seats found on the Boeing 747, but will be gradually refurbished with the newer Boeing 787 seats from September this year.
Premium Economy is currently found on the following Qantas routes between Australia and Asia:
- Sydney-Singapore (QF1/2 operated by Airbus A380)
- Melbourne-Singapore (QF35/36 operated by Airbus A380)
- Sydney-Tokyo Haneda (QF25/26 operated by Boeing 747)
- Sydney-Hong Kong (QF127/128 only)
- Brisbane-Hong Kong (1x weekly Boeing 787 service)
Qantas charges 45,000 points one-way, plus taxes and airline-imposed carrier charges, for a Premium Economy seat from Sydney or Melbourne to Singapore or Hong Kong. Sydney-Tokyo falls into a higher zone, so the price is 54,000 Qantas points. Bookings can be made on the Qantas website.
Qantas’ carrier charges range from $98 for a one-way Premium Economy flight to Hong Kong, to $195 one-way on flights to Singapore. The carrier charges on a Sydney-Tokyo flight in Premium Economy are $165.
Qantas award availability in Premium Economy is generally OK. If you have Gold or higher status, you can book up to 353 days in advance. For Bronze and Silver members – and those using miles with a Oneworld partner airline – you’ll need to wait until 297 days before departure to book.
Speaking of partner airlines, Qantas Premium Economy awards are particularly excellent value when redeeming Cathay Pacific Asia Miles. According to the Asia Miles partner award chart, Qantas reward flights in Premium Economy to Singapore, Hong Kong or Tokyo all cost 35,000 Asia Miles one-way. It’s possible to redeem Cathay Pacific Asia Miles for Qantas flights on the Asia Miles website.
You can transfer credit card points to Asia Miles from Amex Membership Rewards, Westpac Altitude, NAB Rewards, ANZ Rewards, CommBank Awards, HSBC Rewards Plus and Diners Club Rewards. Citi Prestige cardholders can also transfer their points to Asia Miles.
Would you like help using your frequent flyer points?
AFF’s Frequent Flyer Concierge service to take the hard work out of redeeming your frequent flyer points!
Our experts can help you to find the perfect flights using your points. Just let the team know how many points you have, where you’d like to go and when you’d like to travel. They’ll work their magic to find the best available reward flights for you.
