Biz Class to France

[MEL_Traveller]

You have to use a variety of sources to find availability.

Obviously the Qantas website is easiest - find it and book it.

But failing that, you can use BA's site, JAL's site, and AA's site.

Beware that the QF and BA sites sometimes show phantom availability - saying there are seats when in fact there aren't. There's no way to know if it is phantom until you actually try to book it (ie go through to payment).

It is perfectly normal for taxes, fees and Qantas imposed charges to be calculated after the itinerary has been completed. There are so many variables, it's easier to get all the flights and then let the computer work it out. You can cross reference the taxes, fees and charges on a tool like ITA matrix (google search and enter your flights and a fare (ignore) and taxes/fees will be displayed)

It is also fairly normal for agents to tell you there is no availability on a particular route because they will likely enter in the origin and destination, and wait for the system to return results. This won't always take into account all available connections. So the agent then has to do it manually just like we have to.

Is the agent gonna want to do that? Probably not. Same as we don't want to have to do it.

but at least if you do it in advance, you know you have done a proper search... not left it to the agent who might miss something.

 

[SOPOOR]

The BA flights do show up in the QF system. MH (Malaysia) and JL (JAL) are two of many that don't. Both these airlines show up in BAEC searches.

The entire reason I pointed you towards BAEC is so you can check availability yourself before calling QF, as sometimes the agents aren't very helpful. (And the agent you had is wrong, simple as that. Time to HUACA - hang up and call again)

If you've found a flight that works for you, and QF have confirmed that is available, why don't you book it?

thanks mel traveller,

so in future, for eu and usa flightsw, better to check qantas site first because it seems to have lower taxes, but poor aviaiblity and then if that fails , AA/BA/JAL website, and compare taxes and points requirements and make a decision??

as greenfish says... you can use something like BA exec club to find the availability. Once you have found flights, write them down (from A to B, airline, flight number, class of service).

When you call Qantas, you say 'I'd like to make a points booking for some partner airline flights which aren't showing on line through Qantas. These are the flights I have found'.

The agent should then prompt you, segment by segment, for the flights. And they will create a booking for you.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

thanks mel traveller,

so in future, for eu and usa flightsw, better to check qantas site first because it seems to have lower taxes, but poor aviaiblity and then if that fails , AA/BA/JAL website, and compare taxes and points requirements and make a decision??

No! 'Taxes' are not relevant when searching for availability. 'Taxes' include a whole bunch of things... actual government taxes and security/immigration fees (etc), as well as airport taxes, and finally, any fuel surcharges the various airlines want to impose.

Airlines would like you to believe fuel surcharges are 'taxes' but they're not. And not all airlines charge them, or collect them when selling award tickets.

US carriers for example rarely collect fuel surcharges (they do collect them for BA flights however). Qantas does collect them. If you book a Qantas award flight on AA.com it will be hundreds of dollars cheaper than booking it on QF.com. because AA doesn't collect QF's fuel surcharges.

So - bottom line... if you book using Qantas points, you will be subject to the fees and charges levied by Qantas. If you have found an award on the AA site that doesn't charge fuel surcharges, it is likely that Qantas will charge them anyway.

For that reason, you can't compare the price in miles, or taxes on any other site... you're only looking for availability.

Of course if you have points in BA, AA, CX and QF... that's when you compare the final price between all of them to find out who will sell it to you cheapest.

 

[SOPOOR]

and another question, I ended up payign $1100 in tax, the 2 qantas reps said $1100 is a bit higher but normally its like $800 -$1000 and that tax is the same as its per person and doesnt depend on class,

and that airlines like cathay are even higher,
however I just got a quote online and the taxes are $400 return, is this right>???

see screen shot below

 

[MEL_Traveller]

and another question, I ended up payign $1100 in tax, the 2 qantas reps said $1100 is a bit higher but normally its like $800 -$1000 and that tax is the same as its per person and doesnt depend on class,

and that airlines like cathay are even higher,
however I just got a quote online and the taxes are $400 return, is this right>???

see screen shot below

taxes are indeed the same, with the exception of flights from some European cities (London) where there is a 'luxury' tax for passengers in any class except economy.

Hong Kong has limitations (regulations) on the amount of fuel surcharge that can be levied by airlines... which probably explains why CX via hong kong is cheaper.

But $1000-$1200 is about right for a QF award to London/Europe.

However - got to say - that CX combo with those fees is a pretty good find!! I think part of that reflects the recent drop in oil prices.

 

[SOPOOR]

great, thanks

so how come my quote that I just did randomly for melb to paris was $400 return fluying cathay via awards points?

 

[greenfish]

great, thanks

so how come my quote that I just did randomly for melb to paris was $400 return fluying cathay via awards points?

As MEL_Traveller explained, taxes are lower via HKG. Also note that it costs more points on CX than on QF or EK. Taxes are pretty arbitrary on award flights. Some givens:

CX taxes are lower
Flights departing the UK have very high taxes

 

[SOPOOR]

As MEL_Traveller explained, taxes are lower via HKG. Also note that it costs more points on CX than on QF or EK. Taxes are pretty arbitrary on award flights. Some givens:

CX taxes are lower
Flights departing the UK have very high taxes

Ahh ok. Yes cx tequirs more points. But a hell of a lot less taxes

Its ironic how i have to come on to a forum to ask basic questions becayaee the customer service reps are so useless

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Ahh ok. Yes cx tequirs more points. But a hell of a lot less taxes

Its ironic how i have to come on to a forum to ask basic questions becayaee the customer service reps are so useless

Most partner airlines in the QFFF program require more points.

Overall, the QFFF program can be poor value for money. For a basic member it's harder to redeem awards in premium cabins, and the fuel surcharges are a double slug and program devaluation. Devaluation because you've already paid a fuel surcharge to earn the base points, and then pay the fuel surcharge again to redeem them.

If you book First class to Europe using AA points in the AA program, you will be up for 160K points (return) and taxes might be just a few hundred dollars. Book the same thing through Qantas and you'll be slugged upwards of 384,000 points (more for partners) and close to $1000 in fuel.

The figures can be even worse for economy redemptions... by the time you pay Qantas fuel surcharges the 10s of thousands of points you fork out for a ticket might only worth a few dollars... especially when you compare jetstar sale prices to jetstar awards.

If you have status, platinum or above... the program is your friend. You can call at any time and have seats in premium cabins released for you. Decide you want to fly at last minute for a skiing holiday in the states? You can buy a cheap economy fare and have upgrades processed for you and your whole family despite others having registered for the same upgrade seats months in advance (and missing out).

 

[SOPOOR]

Most partner airlines in the QFFF program require more points.

Overall, the QFFF program can be poor value for money. For a basic member it's harder to redeem awards in premium cabins, and the fuel surcharges are a double slug and program devaluation. Devaluation because you've already paid a fuel surcharge to earn the base points, and then pay the fuel surcharge again to redeem them.

If you book First class to Europe using AA points in the AA program, you will be up for 160K points (return) and taxes might be just a few hundred dollars. Book the same thing through Qantas and you'll be slugged upwards of 384,000 points (more for partners) and close to $1000 in fuel.

The figures can be even worse for economy redemptions... by the time you pay Qantas fuel surcharges the 10s of thousands of points you fork out for a ticket might only worth a few dollars... especially when you compare jetstar sale prices to jetstar awards.

If you have status, platinum or above... the program is your friend. You can call at any time and have seats in premium cabins released for you. Decide you want to fly at last minute for a skiing holiday in the states? You can buy a cheap economy fare and have upgrades processed for you and your whole family despite others having registered for the same upgrade seats months in advance (and missing out).

yeah ive noticed that with the qff program, I am not a regular travellor and have no status, but years ago I did a return trip to bali using points, and being newbie I didnt know about the $350 in taxes I had to pay, whilst my friend bought the flights on the same flight for $399 without using points, so my 72000 points was worth like $49

so yes lesson learnt,

maybe you guys could point me in the right direction, I earn about 100k points via my CBA amex and Visa cards,
im not loyal to any airline, and want to use my points solely on long haul flights, preferebly business or first class, depending on value

what would you guys recommned??? ive thought about converting all my poitns to flight centre gift vouchers but that only works well if im buying economy flights,

buying business class via flight cetnre wouldnt work out

thansk again for your help guys

 

[SOPOOR]

hey eveyrone,

since im still about 2 months away from my first every biz class flight via malay air

I have a stop over in KL, as well

do I get any special vip lounge acccess in melb, KL or CDG?

 

[mrdctau]

Yes. Go to oneworld.com and there will be info on all of the lounges you can use in those three airport of which there will be many.

 

[robd]

Here's the link to Oneworld Lounge Access :-

Lounge access - oneworld

 

[SOPOOR]

thanks guys, its great, looks like I get access everywhere,

however the qantas one looks pretty average,

I viistied the cairns and singapore one using Priority pass that I used to have and they came with showers and food as well

hope this is agood

 

[SOPOOR]

Airline review: Emirates A380 business class

Just curious. I know emirates has the best flights. But what will the nain differences for a mh flight and this onr?

 

[BD1959]

hey eveyrone,

since im still about 2 months away from my first every biz class flight via malay air

I have a stop over in KL, as well

do I get any special vip lounge acccess in melb, KL or CDG?

Hi SOPOOR,

MH's Lounges are probably the weakest part of its Business Class product. The Lounge in Melbourne is on the bottom floor (around from the CX and QF (Business) Lounges. It's small, there is a cafeteria-type area where you can enjoy made-to-order noodles. There are lay-flat beds behind a screen - from which copious amounts of snoring were emitting last time I was there - workstations, pretty sure I saw a shower out the back. In all honesty you'd be better using the MEL QF Business Lounge if it's open.

Onboard MEL-KUL are the angle-flat J seats. Some don't like them, I don't mind them. There's no alcohol served on MH prior to take-off. You can pre-order dishes but will still get the signature satays as entrees. I find the MH FAs really good - the washrooms tend to be kept immaculate throughout the flight.

KUL - the Golden Lounge in the Satellite Terminal (where MEL and Long Haul operate) is OK. The showers are my bug-bear: it's like they're operated by a different company, not kept too tidy (or clean). Showers unlike most J shower cubicles do not have toilets in the same compartment. There is a small CX Lounge in the same terminal (on the same level) - this is a typical small CX outpost Lounge which tends to get crowded around CX departures. As limited as the MH Lounge is, I still prefer it to the CX Lounge.

Can't comment on MH KUL-CDG-KUL.

Regards,

BD

 

[jackthomas]

Airline review: Emirates A380 business class

Just curious. I know emirates has the best flights. But what will the nain differences for a mh flight and this onr?

Everyone's opinion on a 'better' flight or service is subjective.
I know many people who absolutely love MH Business class and the food served.
Be excited for your flight, it will be fantastic I am sure.

 

[Julesmac]

Now, SOPOOR, you appreciate what a great resource AFF is - and the generosity of members who are happy to spend time to patiently share their tips and knowledge with the confused masses! A rousing thanks to them all

 

[mrdctau]

I'm doing my first J trip on MH in a couple of months time and don't have particularly high expectations other than the much talked-about satay sticks. My wife flew them last year and found the angled-lie-flat seats and the 2-2-2 configuration on the A330 a bit uncomfortable and overall cabin a bit "tired" but she said the food was quite nice. For your KUL-CDG sectors you'll have an A380 which will have fully flat seats and be a bit newer.

 

[SOPOOR]

Everyone's opinion on a 'better' flight or service is subjective.
I know many people who absolutely love MH Business class and the food served.
Be excited for your flight, it will be fantastic I am sure.

yes thank you, getting very excited,

I was disappointened when I paid for a cheap ugprade to a jetstart business class once ages ago, as my expectations were WAYYYYYYY off,

I honestly sat down and said 'whats the difference!'

just dont want that to happen again

Hi SOPOOR,

MH's Lounges are probably the weakest part of its Business Class product. The Lounge in Melbourne is on the bottom floor (around from the CX and QF (Business) Lounges. It's small, there is a cafeteria-type area where you can enjoy made-to-order noodles. There are lay-flat beds behind a screen - from which copious amounts of snoring were emitting last time I was there - workstations, pretty sure I saw a shower out the back. In all honesty you'd be better using the MEL QF Business Lounge if it's open.

Onboard MEL-KUL are the angle-flat J seats. Some don't like them, I don't mind them. There's no alcohol served on MH prior to take-off. You can pre-order dishes but will still get the signature satays as entrees. I find the MH FAs really good - the washrooms tend to be kept immaculate throughout the flight.

KUL - the Golden Lounge in the Satellite Terminal (where MEL and Long Haul operate) is OK. The showers are my bug-bear: it's like they're operated by a different company, not kept too tidy (or clean). Showers unlike most J shower cubicles do not have toilets in the same compartment. There is a small CX Lounge in the same terminal (on the same level) - this is a typical small CX outpost Lounge which tends to get crowded around CX departures. As limited as the MH Lounge is, I still prefer it to the CX Lounge.

Can't comment on MH KUL-CDG-KUL.

Regards,

BD

thanks BD, sorry for the totally hopeless que
stions but what is the generally policy for lounges,

ie if you have a business class flight with for example MH, you can go to any other Biz class lounge??

my impression of lounges, (ive only been to one, and that was the one in cairns , the reef room) and it had showers, snacks, aclohol, sandwiches, sofas, no major food, sofas, and computer desks, wasnt luxuriois, but I loved it, made a few hour stopover go from boring and tedioius to a pleasure. I actually wanted to stay longer

i would suspect the lounges in somewhere like singapore or dubai to be like a 5 star hotel