Biz Class to France

[SOPOOR]

COmplete EU newbie here, apologies

in Aug I may have to visit a good friends friends wedding in France

ive never been to EU, I have heaps of points,

I know to get from Melb to France is a pain, Im wanting to get the best bang for buck biz class arrangment for about 2 weeks,

I doubt ill be going to any other country for various reasons, so 2 weeks in france,

what would people recommend I do to utilising my points the best way,

I d rather not go down the upgrade to business class class waiting list approach in case it doesnt pan out,

ive been saving points up for 15+ years and wanted to wait until I do a long haul,

so now my time has come!!

 

[equus]

I would be looking to see if you can get a partner award booking on CX via HKG. No idea what connections are available, but single connection, and great J product all the way.

 

[SOPOOR]

I would be looking to see if you can get a partner award booking on CX via HKG. No idea what connections are available, but single connection, and great J product all the way.

thank you equus

I just had a look at the qantas FF site,

and yes, I have the option of going Cathay,

how is cathay in terms of rank say comopared to the high quality emirates for example

I assume CX is far better then the qantas business class, its interesting to note that points required was 230k return vs 217k return for CX vs Qantas for the pretty much same flight

 

[MEL_Traveller]

thank you equus

I just had a look at the qantas FF site,

and yes, I have the option of going Cathay,

how is cathay in terms of rank say comopared to the high quality emirates for example

I assume CX is far better then the qantas business class, its interesting to note that points required was 230k return vs 217k return for CX vs Qantas for the pretty much same flight

CX and QF are pretty much equal all things considered. Neither is perfect. I prefer CX because their IFE is better, and their meal service is done and over in less than an hour. And they serve two full meals on all their flights. But QF has better food and wine.

EK is in the same league if all your flights are on the A380. If you swap to a 777 they have angled beds in business class, so they slip below CX/QF.

 

[robd]

If you've found Classic Award flights through QF for the time that you want to fly, I'd be snaffling them up quick smart. You can always cancel if need be (I think it's 5,000 point penalty).

I've got a redemption on CX to EU thru QF in May this year and am really looking forward to the flights. CX J product (the full lay flat seat) comes very highly recommended from my research.

 

[knasty]

CX business is excellent. Take it if you have the option.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

CX J product (the full lay flat seat) comes very highly recommended from my research.

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.)

 

[SOPOOR]

wow you guys are right,
just chekced and there is like 2 flights via business class avaiable for the entire month!!!,

return isnt much better,

thats amazing how booked out or unavaiable it is for points people

 

[SOPOOR]

omg, I thought I found a few flights an hour ago business class, and now when I look up, there is NONE,

si that normal?

btw. travel approx Aug mid to late aug to first week of sep

am I boned??

 

[robd]

omg, I thought I found a few flights an hour ago business class, and now when I look up, there is NONE,

si that normal?

btw. travel approx Aug mid to late aug to first week of sep

am I boned??

You can try phoning QF who may be able to find another carrier to get you there, but it will cost 5,000? points for them to book for you.

 

[SOPOOR]

You can try phoning QF who may be able to find another carrier to get you there, but it will cost 5,000? points for them to book for you.

thank you, is it better now or a bit later or last minute?

 

[amaroo]

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.

 

[CaptJCool]

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

 

[grussellt]

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!

 

[Limewood]

A good idea is to overnight in HKG to break the long haul journey, stay at Regal Airport hotel it attached to international terminal.

Can hop into town on fast train too if you want about 25mins.

Also check in early and sample all the OneWorld J lounges.

 

[grussellt]

A few more options, SOPOOR:

MEL-KUL-CDG on AUG 17/19/21 on MH146/MH20. You can't see this online but you can join Awardnexus and do some searches for free.

There is a 9h 40m layover in KUL but it's only 2 legs and MH20 is the A380

 

[Nizar]

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.

 

[blu]

Try Qatar with an A380 from DOH-CDG
Business class (A380) has a 1-2-1 configuration, 17" screen & an excellent bar/lounge area (had Krug on my flight).
Qatar A380 first business class seats bar cabins seatmap - Australian Business Traveller

 

[Isochronous]

Big fan of Qatar, though their taxes are higher.

 

[Limewood]

omg, I thought I found a few flights an hour ago business class, and now when I look up, there is NONE,

si that normal?

Yes, when you see them book them there and then if possible.