Biz Class to France

[SOPOOR]

THanks for you comments everyone, apprecaite it

its for a wedding that ive just found out about , and to be honest, teh details are a bitsketchy , im not even sure whetther CDG airport is going to be the closest aiport for me.
hopefully I will find oiut very quickly

Indeed... if you want a guaranteed full flat bed, CX is the way to go. QF can't offer that. (But BYO PJs for CX.)

so QF doesnt come with the full flat bed? ideally for me thats the point of business class! to be able to lie down and not have to get DVT sitting in cramped economy

Your chances are far better on CX due to the number of flights they have ... you may need to leave from SYD/BNE. BA is another option if required. Have plenty experience securing CX/BA within a couple of weeks of departure.

thats good to hear, You look for CX flights from teh QFF site, within the frequent flyer program section right???

Since you are starting your journey from Melb Australia, have you thought about travelling from Adel and take a EK 777 from there around 9.50pm each night?

Which part of France do you wish to land?
for example, Barcelona is really close to the French border, as is Brussels Thaly service in 1 and half hours, (Amsterdam 3 hours Thaly) to Paris & London's just a Eurostar away in 2 hours, and Zurich is just by the French Alps border.
Ex Adelaide looks like a fair swag of tickets (EK first class return is 384,000 points per head) (some of the routing is quite exotic 2 or more stops along the way)
The return trip is problematic (there's very little availability) except London Heathrow with CX to Adel looks very good, and perhaps Amsterdam.
Melbourne looks like no availability either way (QF have that thing that they stick the trip in the BUS column and then you are actually flying Economy?)
remember too, the Chauffeured drive on EK is included in the Bus/First fares so its a free car ride to the train station

not even sure which city im going to at this stage thanky you

I'm afraid you have left it a bit late for good choices but you could do:
AUG17 MEL-PER (QF475);PER-DXB (EK421)
AUG18 DXB-LHR-CDG (QF9,BA322)
That will cost you 146,000 points and $742.25. Not ideal but it is all in J and you will get a taste of the A380. Other choices available on EK/RJ and other dates available via a multi-city search. Don't wait too much longer before you book!

um..thats a lot of stop over s isnt it, wouldnt that mean it will become like a 40 hr flight with all the stop oversa nd transits etc??

Also EK F often opens up within 2-3 weeks of departure if you are flexible enough.
CX J tends to open up within 7 days of departure.
But also for CX just keep looking. What's not available today may open up tomorrow and alot of options due to their sheer number of flights, you could go via ADL, BNE or even CNS.

opens up as in? starts to free up?? 7 days is leaving it very fine for me unfortunately, is this common for most airlines or frequent flyer rpgorams?

 

[DC3]

SOPOOR, QF J has a flat bed. It may be horizontal or it may be slightly angled, but it is pretty flat (i.e., straight). If droop is of concern, placing the carry-on underneath is a good fix.

 

[SOPOOR]

Thanks for your help everyone

Well. I only found out about this event i had to attend a month ago. And it took me a while to confirm dates

From when i looked at classic award avaialbilrt from day one it was bascially zerO

I checked again today and avaialbukty was also basically zero

I called up on the phone and the lady looked for me and it took her literaly 15 mins and she could onky find one flight which didnt really suit. As it was a bit tight on dates. Whad a 18 hr stop over in hk which i dont really mind and was malaysian air (not sure if malay air is a decent biz class)

I have to get to marseille and would prefer to fly into nice

Online its 242k points. Via the phone she said minimum was 256k points (not sure what that means)

But have i simply missed the boat? I dont mind flying into oaris and catching a train but nice would be better

Or should i just oay cash for a low cost carreir for about 1500 and suffee in econoky and save my points for another day?

I really would loke to do business class and since im travelling alone it would be a good chance as if i wqs travelling with a partner its hard fork out two lots of busirnss class points


Thansk everyone

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Or should i just oay cash for a low cost carreir for about 1500 and suffee in econoky and save my points for another day?

I really would loke to do business class and since im travelling alone it would be a good chance as if i wqs travelling with a partner its hard fork out two lots of busirnss class points


Thansk everyone

CX will probably open up - but not until very close to departure.

otherwise, I think Sri Lankan is offering full flat bed business class ex SIN to CDG for around AUD2100 return at the moment. Maybe use points to get to SIN?

 

[greenfish]

If you need to get to Marseille, look at connecting flights into Marseille from other European destinations. This will give you a better chance of finding a J points tickets.

It looks like you can fly to Marseille from:
Amsterdam
Paris CDG
Brussels
Munich
Frankfurt
London LHR

And many other destinations. So if you look for some of these other destinations then pay for the connecting flights, you'll maximise your chance of finding a points ticket.

There's also the option of trains to Marseille too, from various airports.

Europe is quite small really, most flights within the EU are short (less than 2 hours)

In other words, be flexible with your destination and you'll have much more chance of finding flights on the dates you're looking.
l
Also, sign up for a BAEC account - it will help you search some of the airlines that don't show up on the QF site. If you find something on BA it should be available over the phone with QFF.

Finally, CX will usually cost more points than QF / EK, but will have lower taxes, which may influence your choice, depending on how many points you have. From memory, it is usually around 250,000 points return on QF / EK. Something like 270,000 points return on CX.

 

[SOPOOR]

thanks again eveyrone,

It looks like when I called up qantas about a week ago, that I have very little choice for business class, they only found 1 via malaysia air that didnt suit very well, Im not sure if malay business class is worht it or not,
it seems that it doesnt really matter for me to fly into nice or paris, prices seem the same so I might as well fly into paris,
as for flying from Amsterdam, brusells, munich frankfurt or london, I cant do that with cash as it will be stupid expensive, points I havent investgated



anyway,
im back to looking at economy flights via cash or poitns, and it seems that I can fly finnish air for $1500 return economy melbourne,
or 144,000 points plus $600 tax via cathay/emirates/qantas (not sure wehter 144k points is worth the $900 difference)
or I can keep on trying business class which I am furiously looking

im also exploring this one
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/189488
(however, a bit confused by whether its possible for me, or viable since Im travelling from melb)

soooo frustrating

 

[MEL_Traveller]

im also exploring this one
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/189488
(however, a bit confused by whether its possible for me, or viable since Im travelling from melb)

soooo frustrating

the fare is based on Scoot which flies from SYD atm. I think they are flying from MEL at the end of 2015?

 

[SOPOOR]

Also, sign up for a BAEC account - it will help you search some of the airlines that don't show up on the QF site. If you find something on BA it should be available over the phone with QFF.

Finally, CX will usually cost more points than QF / EK, but will have lower taxes, which may influence your choice, depending on how many points you have. From memory, it is usually around 250,000 points return on QF / EK. Something like 270,000 points return on CX.

hey greenfish, ive never booked via phone before, literally a 10 second search on BA website comes up with this business class flight which is perfect

[TABLE="class: connectingFlights"]
[TR]
[TD="class: departuretrue"]11:45 19 AugMelbourne[/TD]
[TD="class: arrivaltrue"]17:55 19 AugSingapore[/TD]
[TD="class: operatortrue"]Qantas Airways LtdMEL-SINBA7403Business

[/TD]
[TD="class: connecttrue large"]

[/TD]
[TD="class: priceselecter price-C ch2 col1 priceSelectorConnect"]Lowest3788 AUD[/TD]
[TD="class: priceselecter price-F ch2 col2 priceSelectorConnect"]5416 AUD[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: btmBorder departuretrue"]23:15 19 AugSingapore
[/TD]
[TD="class: btmBorder arrivaltrue"]05:30 20 AugHeathrow (London)
[/TD]
[TD="class: btmBorder operatortrue"]British AirwaysSIN-LHRBA0016Business

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: btmBorder departuretrue"]07:25 20 AugHeathrow (London)[/TD]
[TD="class: btmBorder arrivaltrue"]09:40 20 AugCharles de Gaulle (Paris)
[/TD]
[TD="class: btmBorder operatortrue"]British AirwaysLHR-CDGBA0304Business

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

does this mean that I can use QFF points auttomatically? or is it like winning lotto,

im just a bit confused why the QFF website wouldnt show it

 

[MEL_Traveller]

hey greenfish, ive never booked via phone before, literally a 10 second search on BA website comes up with this business class flight which is perfect

[TABLE="class: connectingFlights"]
[TR]
[TD="class: departuretrue"]11:45 19 AugMelbourne[/TD]
[TD="class: arrivaltrue"]17:55 19 AugSingapore[/TD]
[TD="class: operatortrue"]Qantas Airways LtdMEL-SINBA7403Business
[/TD]
[TD="class: connecttrue large"]

[/TD]
[TD="class: priceselecter price-C ch2 col1 priceSelectorConnect"]Lowest3788 AUD[/TD]
[TD="class: priceselecter price-F ch2 col2 priceSelectorConnect"]5416 AUD[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: btmBorder departuretrue"]23:15 19 AugSingapore[/TD]
[TD="class: btmBorder arrivaltrue"]05:30 20 AugHeathrow (London)[/TD]
[TD="class: btmBorder operatortrue"]British AirwaysSIN-LHRBA0016Business
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: btmBorder departuretrue"]07:25 20 AugHeathrow (London)[/TD]
[TD="class: btmBorder arrivaltrue"]09:40 20 AugCharles de Gaulle (Paris)[/TD]
[TD="class: btmBorder operatortrue"]British AirwaysLHR-CDGBA0304Business
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

does this mean that I can use QFF points auttomatically? or is it like winning lotto,

im just a bit confused why the QFF website wouldnt show it

You have searched for a revenue fare, not an award ticket.

You require a British Airways Executive Club (BAEC) membership to search for award space on the BA site.

 

[SOPOOR]

You have searched for a revenue fare, not an award ticket.

You require a British Airways Executive Club (BAEC) membership to search for award space on the BA site.

oh I see, I just registered, it didnt let me register from aus, so I put in a different country,

im in now but cant find award space, it seems to be full tier bookings only.

sorry to be a pain

 

[MEL_Traveller]

oh I see, I just registered, it didnt let me register from aus, so I put in a different country,

im in now but cant find award space, it seems to be full tier bookings only.

sorry to be a pain

on the main BA page, once you have logged in, or alternatively through the 'executive club' tab on the drop down menu, you select 'book with Avios'... that will give you award space.

break your journey... australia to europe might not give results, but australia-Hong Kong, followed by Hong Kong-europe will probably give you available flights for each sector, plus connections.

 

[SOPOOR]

on the main BA page, once you have logged in, or alternatively through the 'executive club' tab on the drop down menu, you select 'book with Avios'... that will give you award space.

break your journey... australia to europe might not give results, but australia-Hong Kong, followed by Hong Kong-europe will probably give you available flights for each sector, plus connections.

thanks mel travellere for that, just managed to log in, seems I was doing it the right way but this time its filtered on ly reward flights

and by damn you are right, so few flights,

however I seem to have found this, only one left though

[TABLE="class: flightListTable tblLyOut"]
[TR]
[TD="class: flightDetail departure"]14:0521 AugMEL[/TD]
[TD="class: flightDetail arrival"]20:4021 AugKUL[/TD]
[TD="class: flightDetail operator"]Malaysia AirlinesMEL - KULMH0148


[/TD]
[TD="class: flightCabin3 colmn1 arrowClass"]Cabin not operated on this flight




[/TD]
[TD="class: flightCabin3 colmn2"]Available



Only 1 reward seat(s) left

[/TD]
[TD="class: flightCabin3 colmn3"]Available



Only 1 reward seat(s) left

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: flightDetail departure flightDetailTopBorderClass"]23:4021 AugKUL[/TD]
[TD="class: flightDetail arrival flightDetailTopBorderClass"]06:4022 AugCDG[/TD]
[TD="class: flightDetail operator flightDetailTopBorderClass"]Malaysia AirlinesKUL - CDGMH0020


[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

1 Connection;
Total journey time: 24 hours 25 minutes


RETURN
[TABLE="class: flightListTable tblLyOut"]
[TR]
[TD="class: flightDetail departure"]12:003 SepCDG[/TD]
[TD="class: flightDetail arrival"]06:254 SepKUL[/TD]
[TD="class: flightDetail operator"]Malaysia AirlinesCDG - KULMH0021


[/TD]
[TD="class: flightCabin3 colmn1 arrowClass"]Cabin not operated on this flight




[/TD]
[TD="class: flightCabin3 colmn2"]Available



Only 1 reward seat(s) left

[/TD]
[TD="class: flightCabin3 colmn3"]Available



Only 1 reward seat(s) left

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: flightDetail departure flightDetailTopBorderClass"]10:304 SepKUL[/TD]
[TD="class: flightDetail arrival flightDetailTopBorderClass"]20:254 SepMEL[/TD]
[TD="class: flightDetail operator flightDetailTopBorderClass"]Malaysia AirlinesKUL - MELMH0129


[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

1 Connection;
Total journey time: 24 hours 25 minutes




its only tenantive but is Malaysia airlines good? I know emirates/SG airlines are the best but how do these compare?

I assume that I call qnatas and say Ive found these flights, can you book them for me??? as the last time I called, teh woman did find a similar flight however the stop over was 12 -16 hours but in HK. this one seems to be only a few

 

[SOPOOR]

Ps does anybody know if malay air business class is compared to the top airlines?

just dont want to end up forking out points for business class and getting jetstar quality business class which is essentailly the same as economy but 1inch wider seats and same average food included.....

sorry to be a pain

 

[mannej]

Ps does anybody know if malay air business class is compared to the top airlines?

just dont want to end up forking out points for business class and getting jetstar quality business class which is essentailly the same as economy but 1inch wider seats and same average food included.....

sorry to be a pain

Whilst the debate of the quality of MH can be found on various forums and threads, you will have either an angled lie flat bed (on the 330 and 777 products) and a fully flat bed on the 380.

 

[SOPOOR]

apologies for the dumb questions, but a google search reveals thats malay business class,

are they flat beds or angled seats?

 

[Cynicor]

MH business is real business class, much better than jetstar. Maybe do a quick search too (forum and Google), as many of your questions will be readily answered and you can get some pictures etc. I prefer MH metal to the other angled products that depart Perth as many of their seats are newer on that route (though TG now use 787).

I've only been in first on their 380 to Europe but I think J is full flat still.

 

[Cynicor]

Well there you go, beat me to it. Top is angled, bottom is full flat it appears.

 

[SOPOOR]

thank you everyone, Ive never taravelled malay air and my first impression was that it might not be the best, im happy to get reasonalbe business class, and for me that would mean angled seating, great great food, top drinks, exceptional service, just not the jetstar types of business where the difference is basically included food and 1inch wider upright seats

 

[SOPOOR]

this is ridiclut,

I tired to book the above flights, and it wa $278k points +$1138 in tax!

the last time I checked it was about $225k points plus 587 in tax,

am I doing this wrong?

 

[Cynicor]

Taxes sound about right. Points probably not far off as a partner award. Better off going for a one world award in J at 280 if that's the case, get in many more flights and a few stops too