MEL-AKL in F, worth it?

[ExcuseMyFrench]

Hi

So Mr EMF has 120k EK miles to spend. I stupidly enough arranged an Emirates CC for his business spend with the aim of getting us a J flight back to FRA.
That was before I realised how expensive the fuel charge and fees were...

We have now moved all our expenses to QF.

I just don't know what to do with these EK miles. The Emirates high street seems pretty poor value and there's nothing we'd have a need for. Then I thought that I could buy J flights to DXB with my QF miles and then use Mr EMF EK miles to take us to FRA. However this would still mean pricey fees so I'd rather use the QF miles on a CX flight.

Then I thought why not burn the EK miles on a F flight AKL-MEL. We'd buy a cheap Y MEL-AKL in the morning and come back at night. Never flown J let alone F, so I'd tend to think the experience itself would be worth it?!
We have nothing to do in AKL and couldn't stay for long as we have 2 kids and no family to mind them.

Would appreciate anyone weighing in with ideas or telling me I'm crazy for considering this!

 

[Pushka]

Not crazy at all in this forum! Others might have a better idea for you.

 

[Mattg]

A number of people on this forum have been to Auckland for the day in order to try out Emirates First class. If you have enough points, then honestly I don't think you'll regret it!

 

[JessicaTam]

Just for clarity -

EY is the airline code for Etihad. EK is for Emirates.

And FF is Airshop in the Netherlands. Do you mean QF (Qantas)?

 

[Steady]

I have used QFF points to fly EK F across the ditch and back in the same day and loved the experience - crazy, depends on who you ask

 

[cjd600]

Put the kids on the flights,and you guys stay home?

 

[ExcuseMyFrench]

Just for clarity -

EY is the airline code for Etihad. EK is for Emirates.

And FF is Airshop in the Netherlands. Do you mean QF (Qantas)?

Thanks! Fixed my OP

Put the kids on the flights,and you guys stay home?

Very tempting!! :mrgreen:

 

[incumbent]

I'd consider doing the F leg from MEL because (1) the lounges are nicer (I'm assuming you don't have the status to get into the F lounges otherwise) and (2) the Y fare might be a bit cheaper from NZ.

The downside is of course that Y would feel like such a letdown after F, whereas you could easily manage it on the way over if you know you have F to look forward to.

 

[Pushka]

Tempting. That EK F is nice. And a bucket list shower.

 

[ExcuseMyFrench]

I'd consider doing the F leg from MEL because (1) the lounges are nicer (I'm assuming you don't have the status to get into the F lounges otherwise) and (2) the Y fare might be a bit cheaper from NZ.

The downside is of course that Y would feel like such a letdown after F, whereas you could easily manage it on the way over if you know you have F to look forward to.

Very true about the lounge. I was thinking it would be better to fly F on the way back as it's an evening flight. Diner menu would be nicer than breakfast?
Also because of the kids we wouldn't be able to go to the lounge super early in the morning anyway. Whereas in AKL we'd have nothing else to do

 

[incumbent]

I was thinking it would be better to fly F on the way back as it's an evening flight.

I reckon that's probably what I'd end up doing too given the time constraints. Flying Y would perhaps feel even worse if you were gorged on great food and drink

 

[lovetravellingoz]

That was before I realised how expensive the fuel charge and fees were...

We have now moved all our expenses to QF.

Aren't you just moving from the frying pan to the fire if fuel fines and charges are you main concern.

Then there is the lack of availbilty of Premium Cabin Awards...point cost etc.

I don't know your circumstances but you may find it of benefit to cast the net wider. Best think I did many years back was jump from having QFF as my program of choice to Krisflyer. But everyone's circumstances and desired burn is different.

PS: I actually use a number of FF programs, including QFF when it makes sense to put points there (sometimes there is no choice) or where the award is good (ie J back from South Africa where it is more direct than *A options, and the availibility is excellent).

 

[jackthomas]

On a little side note, the Emirates lounge in Auckland is still fantastic

 

[Pushka]

The Emirates Lounge in Auckland



The entree

Sorry no main pix.

 

[russ]

F is on sale at NZD$900 at the moment so perhaps there are better ways to use your points

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

F is on sale at NZD$900 at the moment so perhaps there are better ways to use your points

Picked up one of those for next month. Not a bad way to earn 120 SCs...

 

[Altair]

QF First Lounge will be serving fro the breakfast menu which IMO is much better than the EK Lounge. EK breakfast in First is not worth it. Flying AKL-MEL will be slightly longer due to headwinds which is more time to enjoy the First experience.
Just remember EK First Trans Tasman is not their full service, eg. no caviar but plenty of DP.
Due to arrival and departure time that is a long time to spend in the lounges, QF and EK.....I did it a few months ago, but flew up from WLG and 5 hours in the lounge, and unless you have work to keep you occupied I would not recommend it. I do not rate the EK lounge food, looks nice but quite bland, food on the plane is generally better but if it is not good I recommend you return it ASAP and ask for another dish, if you wait for the FA you may not get another one.
In answer to your question about doing it just to burn the points....no I would not do it, save the points for a better destination and maybe combine with a family holiday. If you really want to fly EK First then buy a one way fare exNZ when there is a sale on, I have only flown EK on the QF codes to get fast SC to maintain status after flying in J and feeling so underwhelmed it took 9 years before I flew them again.
About dumping EK Skywards for QFFP is there that much difference between them after fees etc that they get you to pay?

 

[ExcuseMyFrench]

About dumping EK Skywards for QFFP is there that much difference between them after fees etc that they get you to pay?

For our family of 4, EK fees are $1,892 extra compared to CX's on a one way xAUS to Europe.

 

[cove]

We have a freight bill that takes Amex for 2% so I guess we could use Amex ANZ Black for 1.5 points per dollar seeing the idea of flying to NZ on points in first class suites would be 108,000 multiplied by 1.333 which is about $700 each way.
Not sure what the cash price is.
Many months that freight bill would provide 60,000 points.

 

[pomkiwi]

Aren't you just moving from the frying pan to the fire if fuel fines and charges are you main concern.

Skywards offer the option of paying most of the charges with points - I think you can elect just to pay the tax with cash.