Advice – Maximising First Class Experience Melbourne to Dubai

[coyote25]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking to book my first ever first class flight using QFF points from MEL to DXB next year. The award seats will be opening up in the next 3 weeks so starting to think about maximising the experience.

Previously AFF members provided advice for me to aim for an Emirates F experience on an A380 which is currently my first preference but this might be difficult to book. Still EK405, which stops in Singapore, is my first preference, leaving 18.45 this flight also makes visits to both the Emirates and QANTAS first class lounges by getting to the airport earlier than say the 6.00 option (EK409).

As a backup plan I was looking at going via Sydney on QF1 which leaves at 16.45. The same number of QFF points and includes a business class flight to Sydney which allows me to use the QF Sydney First Lounge which I have never used despite being a WP now and in the past.

So assuming I’m flying EK405 on an A380, what should I look forward to and make sure I experience i.e. spa treatment in the lounge, shower on the plane etc. I’m expecting I’ll have a chance to visit Singapore lounges as well while the plane refuels.

If anyone has flown this route or has experience in using QANTAS and Emirates F Lounges in Melbourne and Singapore, how to use the Chauffeur service (I believe it is for arrivals as well), and other services I use try to use I’d really appreciate your insights.

This is likely to be a once in a lifetime experience, I’ve flown J but I couldn’t help but wonder what the F experience is really like as I find it hard to imagine it being so much better than J to justify the fare differences.

Thanks everyone.

 

[mviy]

QF9 from MEL is likely easier to get onto than QF1 from SYD.

As a WP you may be able to get a seat released on QF1/QF9 if none are available and you call, but best to grab the seat when it's released rather than trying to ring up to get one released once someone else has grabbed it.

Definitely try the spa treatment. If flying out of MEL international book Chauffeur Drive so you get to the airport around 3 hours before the flight to maximise your time in the lounge.

If via SYD book to arrive in SYD as early as you can whilst having a business flight MEL to SYD. There is a transfer desk and an airside bus to take you between domestic and international.

On QF at least you should get a call the day before the flight to arrange a spa treatment booking.

I hope to fly F myself someday and this is what I would probably do.

 

[RichardMEL]

tbh the only thing going for the SYD option (imho) is the view from the Flounge and the nicer area (green wall etc) of the SYD lounge but it's also bigger and busier.

Plus you can have delays on MEL-SYD which could cut time and frankly the short hop in J is more of a PITA imho then it's worth.

QF9 is an option, and it's a great one for sleep to DXB with a lovely supper in the lounge works perfectly(I have done this before).

you've nailed most of the points of EK onboard, and the lounges in SIN.

if it was me I'd do something like this:

- book CD (you do this online, it's easy once the booking is made) to arrive say 3:30pm (much later you hit peak time). You don't need HEAPS of time in the lounge, but long enough for spa treatment and a nice meal.

if departure is still 1845(flights can change schedule but we'll go with this) then they'll board 1800ish, but you can wait a little specially if boarding gate 9 or 11, which is right under the F lounge at MEL.

- I'd prob visit the EK lounge first then head to QF as EK is nice but not a patch on the QF F imho.

note in SIN the QF lounge may be closed for that transit as EK arrive ~2330 iirc local. EK may be the only option but you will prob be stuffed from food etc so not worrying so much

one thing to keep in mind re MEL-SIN-DXB - EK only recently upgraded this to a 380 from a 777. It may depend on how loads work out for them - there's always a chance of a a/c downgrade in a year. It may not be likely, but something that is always possible. Less so on (AKL-MEL)-DXB.

On the 380 you have the bar at the back which can be fun specially on a sector like MEL-SIN where it's sort of after dinner time perfect for a few drinks before a few hours nap. the 777's do not have this.

EK is also set to unveil a new F for sometime in 2017 which may or may not be available on lfights by the end of the year.

QF is a fine F product, but lacks some of the more fun options of EK like the guaranteed Dom, the shower and bar.. the product is still very good and you can enjoy all other aspects.

I hope you can find a seat when you want to fly

 

[kermatu]

My 2 cents -- I would fly MEL-SIN-DXB on EK. Departure time out of MEL is better, the food on EK is far superior, you'll have chance to stretch legs in SIN and you'll get the benefits of an F experience on 2 flights!

Only downside is the spa will not be open in MEL prior to that flight (last two visits to MEL in the past 6 weeks I have had the first spa bookings at 8pm). Chances of the EK flight being delayed are slim as the plane arrives in the morning so it's rarely delayed.

The EK lounge in SIN is better than QF's in my opinion (and closer to the usual Gate) so no loss there.

Good luck!

 

[Kangol]

How about the later departing nonstop MEL-DXB on EK407? The spa is open then - there is an overlap with the QF9 departure. If you can't get EK405, that is.
Looks like you will be looking at travelling in December 2017, a time where there potentially could be less availability. So this could be a huge factor, even if you are WP.
If you know your dates, I'd suggest getting QF9 or an earlier MEL-SYD connection to QF1 (if available) at T-353 and then change the booking to EK if/when it opens up. The 5k point change fee (from 15 Dec 2016) is nothing compared to the overall outlay. You might even save on surcharges (someone else can confirm).
QF availability for award seats comes up before EK (T-340), so a bird in the hand and all...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Maximising the experience also means being awake to enjoy it! A long non-stop gives you time to get on, enjoy, have a shower and a sleep, wake up and enjoy some more. Flying via SIN is a long day, can't really sleep due to short flight times, you could end up missing a chunk of 'experience' on the second flight because you're feeling out of whack.

Nothing 'happens' outside of meal times... there isn't constant entertainment provided by the crew. There isn't a cabaret show. On a 7 hour flight to Singapore you get your meal and have just a couple hours sitting which is not enough time to properly snooze. Then you repeat the same on the second leg. With a non-stop, you can put the 'down time' to good use with a single block of 6 hours or more to sleep and really wake up refreshed to enjoy the second meal service. But YMMV

 

[TheBOSman]

This is likely to be a once in a lifetime experience, I’ve flown J but I couldn’t help but wonder what the F experience is really like as I find it hard to imagine it being so much better than J to justify the fare differences.

Thanks everyone.

If a once in a lifetime experience, and not flying F on the return, is Dubai your final destination? Or does it no While Dubai has more to do, I would attempt to book a further, even if short, leg on EK to DOH or MCT or AMM or similar. This will allow you to use the EK F lounge at Dubai, which is top class, particularly if using the Concourse A EK F lounge.

 

[coyote25]

If a once in a lifetime experience, and not flying F on the return, is Dubai your final destination? Or does it no While Dubai has more to do, I would attempt to book a further, even if short, leg on EK to DOH or MCT or AMM or similar. This will allow you to use the EK F lounge at Dubai, which is top class, particularly if using the Concourse A EK F lounge.

Well Dubai is just for a few days I'm then moving into NBO to start an African adventure. I might even use first Class Flight to Kenya as well.

The focus has been on finding best F experience from Australia using QF points but downgrading straight back to Y might be too much ðŸ

 

[eminere]

Maximising the experience also means being awake to enjoy it! A long non-stop gives you time to get on, enjoy, have a shower and a sleep, wake up and enjoy some more. Flying via SIN is a long day, can't really sleep due to short flight times, you could end up missing a chunk of 'experience' on the second flight because you're feeling out of whack.

Nothing 'happens' outside of meal times... there isn't constant entertainment provided by the crew. There isn't a cabaret show. On a 7 hour flight to Singapore you get your meal and have just a couple hours sitting which is not enough time to properly snooze. Then you repeat the same on the second leg. With a non-stop, you can put the 'down time' to good use with a single block of 6 hours or more to sleep and really wake up refreshed to enjoy the second meal service. But YMMV

Agreed! I'd go for the non-stop.

 

[coyote25]

Okay now I'm starting to think non-stop might be the go, thanks.

I'm looking for dates around 21-25 November 2017. I'll definitely need Emirates or QATAR for the DXB-NBO leg. Right now it appears Emirates have only released seats up to 3 November 2017 and that's been the same for at least 6 days.

Does Emirates do weekly releases of award seats instead of daily releases like QF appears to do?

BTW while I don't think it would make any difference on seeing seats on another airline but I'm WP status.

I might end up having to book last leg with QATAR who appear to release award seats when QF does.

 

[coyote25]

Well I just booked my F flights being EK405 (MEL-SIN-DXB) and EK721 (DXB-NBO) costing 168k points and $628.12 in fees.

Ended up with these flights as they match the date I wanted while Still being on Emirates A380.

So now for the fun part, seat selection. On the EK405 (A380-800) I currently have 1K and on the EK721 (777-300ER) I currently have 1A.

Any recommendations for the best Emirates First Class seats? First and maybe only time on international flight in F so want to maximise experience.

 

[kermatu]

Well I just booked my F flights being EK405 (MEL-SIN-DXB) and EK721 (DXB-NBO) costing 168k points and $628.12 in fees.

Ended up with these flights as they match the date I wanted while Still being on Emirates A380.

So now for the fun part, seat selection. On the EK405 (A380-800) I currently have 1K and on the EK721 (777-300ER) I currently have 1A.

Any recommendations for the best Emirates First Class seats? First and maybe only time on international flight in F so want to maximise experience.

Well done! I'm sure you will enjoy.

I've only flown F on EK on the 777 and I sat in 1A and it was fine. Bit of disturbance from the galley in front but it is such a small F cabin that it will happen anywhere. Have a good read of the many threads on AFF that go into seat selection. Read up well - all part of the anticipation and enjoyment I reckon.

 

[KitKat]

After a few glasses of DP and DP Rose, the disturbance while seated in 1A will be a distant memory.....

 

[TheBOSman]

Well I just booked my F flights being EK405 (MEL-SIN-DXB) and EK721 (DXB-NBO) costing 168k points and $628.12 in fees.

Ended up with these flights as they match the date I wanted while Still being on Emirates A380.

So now for the fun part, seat selection. On the EK405 (A380-800) I currently have 1K and on the EK721 (777-300ER) I currently have 1A.

Any recommendations for the best Emirates First Class seats? First and maybe only time on international flight in F so want to maximise experience.

Congrats and hoping you have three fantastic flights!

As for seats, I've only flown the A380 in F, and had 3K and then 2K. Really, with the suite doors closed, there isn't much of a difference. Food service should come from the galleys behind the cabin, but the bathrooms are ahead of the cabin, so total foot traffic is a wash so tough to use that to decide. I'd personally say to just make sure you have a window seat, which you already do .

Of course, don't forget the A380 onboard shower. Otherwise, enjoy the lounges along the way and have some great flights!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Personally I would take row 2, the first 2 are night flights so no outside view.
Row 1 is nice but I prefer row 2.
Why? Cant really say.
And yes I have flown these 2 types of EK planes.

 

[coyote25]

Personally I would take row 2, the first 2 are night flights so no outside view.
Row 1 is nice but I prefer row 2.
Why? Cant really say.
And yes I have flown these 2 types of EK planes.

Okay thanks for the recommendation moved the EK405 flight to seat 2K (window). Left shorter flight as 1A for now since it's a day flight and I like the idea of 1A on an international flight

 

[coyote25]

Okay something I haven't considered as at one point I was going to stay in Dubai for a few days but since camping / safari in Africa is point of this trip and not stopping over saved 30k+ points in the end I went with the transit option (I'm sure future QF flights will give me option to visit DXB!).

Anyway I got and email from QF offering the Dubai Connect service. I arrive 04.30 on EK405 and leave at 16.10 on EK721 so 11 hours 40 minute transit.

QF email wasn't clear on which hotel they would book me into for this free service but there website lists the following possible hotels;
Copthorne Hotel Dubai,
Le Meridien Airport Hotel Dubai,
the Arabian Park Hotel Dubai

I'm interested if anyone has used this service and your experiences?

Looks like as a F Class PAX I get a car ride to the hotel, not sure if I get to set time for airport return but given want to experience Lounge I was thi king only staying say 5-6 hours at hour and then returning to EK F Lounge.

Opinions?

Btw there is an earlier EK flight to NBO but no award availability I assume this is why I'm eligible for Connect service a rules seem to indicate you have to take the next available flight.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

DIY leaving Au procedure ABF seems to now let technology take over.
Place passport on plexiglass, it takes it in a bit, you walk forward... look at green hourglass sign, and that it. Gate opens.
((OT: if you are coming to NZ one day, its the same.
No more small Smartgate
cardboardy card for NZ now.))
Easy now.
At MEL int security screening still prior to passport control.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

As the MEL - SIN is a full dinner flight, dont eat too much in QF F and EK lounges.
They are certainly worth a first visit, but the plane food is worth it more.
My first J dinner on the 380 will be tonight.
My flight on Sat was classed as a refreshment flight, (EK412 8.45am to 1.55pm SYD - CHC) on the 380 so no lunch.

 

[kermatu]

My flight on Sat was classed as a refreshment flight, (EK412 8.45am to 1.55pm SYD - CHC) on the 380 so no lunch.

Were you in J AP? To not get breakfast or lunch on that flight is pretty poor.