Bargain Cathay Pacific Premium Economy

[IrishPete]

I was roaming around looking for flights to and from Europe in July that didn't cost a packet and also didn't take inordinate amounts of time, and settled on Cathay Pacific from Sydney to Paris. This will turn an otherwise humdrum to/from journey into a bit of an adventure, as we'll spend a couple of days in Paris, then catch Eurostar to London to spend a couple of days in England at my brother's 15th century manor house, then on to Ireland (possibly by train again, as having luggage makes budget airlines expensive...) to visit the nonagenarian mother for a week and a half. How we get back to Paris to return to Oz is not certain yet - open jaw tickets weren't competitive or available on the dates I wanted.

Cathay Pacific flights were around $2500-2700 return in Economy, and when I went to book the ones I wanted, when choosing the return leg (Paris - Sydney) I was offered Premium Economy for only about $350 more than Economy. I checked and checked and checked, but there it was. This wasn't even offered in the Cathay Pacific app, nor in any other booking engines, only on the Cathay Pacific website!

Just to make the trip even more interesting, we will arrive in Paris the day before Bastille Day, and a week after their "snap" parliamentary election. Depending on the results of that, Bastille Day could be even more interesting than usual! I don't think the Olympics will affect us - hotel prices and Eurostar prices are still reasonable.

I'm also not a fan of flying through Hong Kong, but it's difficult to be an ethical flyer from Australia to Europe these days. Etihad, my usual carrier, is probably not a whole lot better.

I've read some reviews of PE on Cathay, and am prepared to be disappointed by the lack of lounge access and not fantastic food, but the seats should be worth it. And also double the Economy luggage allowance if we can work out a way of using it!

 

[FL360]

CX J SYD to Japan can be yours for 3.5k low season, this is a bargain when compared with QF asking 2k for Japan in high seasons.
I flew PEY with CX before, the old seats could be a problem because they allow too much reclining, you sometimes cannot view your screen when the person in front does max recline. Unless you are on the bulkhead row.

for these kinds of fare searches, google flights can also be your friend.

 

[rbjhan]

I flew CX PE twice before, one was on a 350-10K (new seats), 3 hour flight. It was really good imho.

Another time was the old seats, MEL - NRT return. I slept kinda okay? Note this was many years ago....I used to be able to sleep on anything

 

[encryptededdy]

Yeah, I'm a good fan of CX PE pricing. I've paid about +$200 over economy (and ~= QF economy) for CX PE to Japan a few times.

The other benefit of CX PE over Y is that they'll always earn at "Flexible Economy" or "Premium Economy" rates to QFF, as opposed to regular CX Econ which is a coughshoot.

 

[IrishPete]

Yeah, I'm a good fan of CX PE pricing. I've paid about +$200 over economy (and ~= QF economy) for CX PE to Japan a few times.

The other benefit of CX PE over Y is that they'll always earn at "Flexible Economy" or "Premium Economy" rates to QFF, as opposed to regular CX Econ which is a coughshoot.

So is it worth attaching my Qantas FF to the return leg of the journey, the Premium Economy bit? I understand I will earn zero QFF points for the Economy Light legs.

 

[elanshin]

So is it worth attaching my Qantas FF to the return leg of the journey, the Premium Economy bit? I understand I will earn zero QFF points for the Economy Light legs.

You could possibly even switch later if you feel confident about changing around FF programs.

But ultimately as to which airline to credit, that'll depend on your overall flying and strategy.

 

[IrishPete]

So the wine points have credited, and now to book the Dublin to Paris Business Class fares, and the fates have dictated there is only one available when I need two.

There are paid Business Class seats available. Should I book one Rewards seat and gamble on another becoming available? Travel date is just under three weeks away.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Should I book one Rewards seat and gamble on another becoming available? Travel date is just under three weeks away.

High-risk strategy IMHO. I wouldn't do it.