First business class flight

[MEL_Traveller]

OK so we made a booking for later next year. Business class from Sydney through to coughet with a 21hr layover in Singapore so we can sleep in a hotel, have a lunch maybe even hit up the gardens before going back for an early evening flight the next day.

Received a confirmation email straight away with booking reference and attachments starting with "eticket". No SMS received. Assume this is about as confirmed as it gets? We should pick our seats and cross our fingers?

No need to cross fingers! All good with your e-ticket. Select seats, and start to have a look at ‘book the cook’ options to see if there’s anything you fancy.

You’ll want to decide whether to take two windows, or sit in the centre together. The windows are more fun, and you get a greater sense of space. Plus control the blinds. The middle seats will give you the opportunity to chat. But you won’t be chatting the whole flight… need to weigh that up against no views.

 

[Xizor]

OK so i may have backed myself into a corner here... or at the very least, need some more collective wisdom to uncover better options. Looking at how we'll get out of Koh Samui back to Sydney around August 19ish 2023... it seems only Jetstar have flights direct coughet to Sydney at the moment? Economy $500pp and seemingly not showing up for me to redeem via Qantas points?

Alternate options being via Singapore with Singapore/Scoot, Thai Airways from Bangkok, or Qantas via Bankok & KL via coughpy airlines. All seemingly bad options.

FWIW I have 83K velocity points (we could try to bump this up with new credit cards), but Virgin seem to not fly to/from Thailand. We also have adequate Qantas points for multiple classic rewards bookings but there just doesnt seem to be anything but bad routes with poor airlines available.

At the moment it seems im better off just waiting for a jetstar price to drop and rough it out in economy, or hope that airlines expand their routes with a deal / points eligibility? Hope im overlooking something...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

OK so i may have backed myself into a corner here... or at the very least, need some more collective wisdom to uncover better options. Looking at how we'll get out of Koh Samui back to Sydney around August 19ish 2023... it seems only Jetstar have flights direct coughet to Sydney at the moment? Economy $500pp and seemingly not showing up for me to redeem via Qantas points?

Alternate options being via Singapore with Singapore/Scoot, Thai Airways from Bangkok, or Qantas via Bankok & KL via coughpy airlines. All seemingly bad options.

FWIW I have 83K velocity points (we could try to bump this up with new credit cards), but Virgin seem to not fly to/from Thailand. We also have adequate Qantas points for multiple classic rewards bookings but there just doesnt seem to be anything but bad routes with poor airlines available.

At the moment it seems im better off just waiting for a jetstar price to drop and rough it out in economy, or hope that airlines expand their routes with a deal / points eligibility? Hope im overlooking something...

Thai Airways had temporary service SYD-HKT during the covid sandbox. But other than that I think Jetstar is the only carrier on the route.

We got home from HKT by buying a ticket to Singapore on SQ ($117), and then an award SIN-CNS-MEL/SYD using a combination of SQ and VA in business. Availability was good on the SIN-CNS, not sure if that’s still the case now people are aware the service is up and running.

 

[Xizor]

We got home from HKT by buying a ticket to Singapore on SQ ($117), and then an award SIN-CNS-MEL/SYD using a combination of SQ and VA in business. Availability was good on the SIN-CNS, not sure if that’s still the case now people are aware the service is up and running.

Looks like i might need to scramble for more Virgin points if i want to avoid Jetstar, but seeing as Virgin does not even allow you to select any thai or singapore airports when searching a booking, I would then need to transfer to KF again right?

 

[HeavyElectricity]

Virgin does not even allow you to select any thai or singapore airports when searching a booking

It does, here's a link. Just make sure you select "Use Velocity Points" before selecting airports.




Although I only see business redemption options on 17th and 22nd August.

 

[Xizor]

It does, here's a link. Just make sure you select "Use Velocity Points" before selecting airports.

Thanks Sludge, must of missed that when searching on the phone. Seems via that route points + pay is better than forking out the extra points to avoid or transferring to KF? Bit shocked the options are still so few.

 

[MathNerd]

OK so we made a booking for later next year. Business class from Sydney through to coughet with a 21hr layover in Singapore so we can sleep in a hotel, have a lunch maybe even hit up the gardens before going back for an early evening flight the next day.

Received a confirmation email straight away with booking reference and attachments starting with "eticket". No SMS received. Assume this is about as confirmed as it gets? We should pick our seats and cross our fingers?

Well done. Now the countdown begins.

Yes - first thing to do is go into "Manage my Booking" and select seats - given you're travelling as a couple you definitely want to select seats in advance as you won't want to be separated for your flights.

If you want any advice about seats etc, just post screenshots of the seatmaps here and we'll all pitch in and help out.

 

[Xizor]

If you want any advice about seats etc, just post screenshots of the seatmaps here and we'll all pitch in and help out.

Thanks mate. Our Syd to SIN most of the business class seats appear available right now and its supposed to be an A380. Do all the middle ones turn into this psuedo double-bed, or only the first row per section (which seems to be greyed out anyway)? I was just going to pick any random middle row nearer to the front. Whats your opinion?

At the moment im trying to find a family member 60K VA points to lend me so i can book the return leg in business too but no luck so far. Alas, plenty of QFF points but they are of no use (best of bad options is business with Malaysian airlines via KL.... hard pass!).

 

[MathNerd]

Thanks mate. Our Syd to SIN most of the business class seats appear available right now and its supposed to be an A380. Do all the middle ones turn into this psuedo double-bed, or only the first row per section (which seems to be greyed out anyway)? I was just going to pick any random middle row nearer to the front. Whats your opinion?

No, not all the middle seats turn into a double bed. Only 11D/F, 91D/F and 96D/F. SQ unfortunately seems to have implemented a policy within the last 2 years where award redemptions don't get immediate access to these bulkhead seats (or they may sporadically appear at random times). I believe if you try right at the opening of OLCI you may have luck snagging the double bed.
In reality, all the middle seats are effectively double beds, albeit with a slight divider between the two seats (which the bulkhead seats don't have).

At the moment im trying to find a family member 60K VA points to lend me so i can book the return leg in business too but no luck so far. Alas, plenty of QFF points but they are of no use (best of bad options is business with Malaysian airlines via KL.... hard pass!).

If you're desperate for points and want to snag the tickets/seats before they get snapped up by someone else, I'd much rather just buy the 60k VA points (for $1404 when I just checked).

I'd rather have an immediate $1.4k outlay right now (and have guaranteed J seat(s)) rather than dilly dallying, losing the seats and then hate my life all for the sake of a measly $1.4k (when purchasing J seats outright could be 4, 5, or 6k upwards). Another point is that the purchase cpp price is the same (2.34c/pt) for 60,000 all the way to 250,000 points so you're not forced into a larger outlay to try and get a better cpp. YMMV and what you value most!

 

[Xizor]

Thanks MathNerd!

What is the optimal way to wait list? I have read around that you need the points in your KF account then can wait list for as many flights as are suitable hoping one becomes available (or in our case, 2)? But to make sure you wait list anything suitable before actually booking an available flight on a less suitable date/class as backup as that will use the points. Is this correct? And do you wait list separately for each person?

And then if they become available you can call up and re-book you onto the newly available wait listed flight free or charge (unless there is a class change of course). Is that also correct?

It's a shame the premium economy 3/4 the points as business else id happily settle for it, but not at that rate.

 

[BriarFlyer]

Waitlisting doesn't "tie up" your points as you aren't charged the points, although you do need to hold them in your account (when doing this online.) So you can waitlist a preferable flight on one day, and another for the next day, and on a third day if you want, before then booking the less-preferable flight (or cabin) that is available.

 

[Xizor]

Thanks Briarflyer.

Positive update, we got more velocity points and have now booked the return leg in business also with Virgin on Singapore airlines. So the same route back. To make this work we had to however change the dates on our original Sydney-Singapore-coughet, a350 instead of a380, out and pay the change fee but alls well that ends well. Super excited even though its ages away.

Next question if i may.. am i right which airport lounges we should go to?

Sydney - SilverKris?
Singapore - SilverKris?
coughet (domestic) - Using priority pass with a Citi credit card (or other means?) to access Royal orchid lounge?
Samui (domestic) - Using priority pass with a Citi credit card (or other means?) to access Blue ribbon club lounge?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks Briarflyer.

Positive update, we got more velocity points and have now booked the return leg in business also with Virgin on Singapore airlines. So the same route back. To make this work we had to however change the dates on our original Sydney-Singapore-coughet, a350 instead of a380, out and pay the change fee but alls well that ends well. Super excited even though its ages away.

Next question if i may.. am i right which airport lounges we should go to?

Sydney - SilverKris?
Singapore - SilverKris?
coughet (domestic) - Using priority pass with a Citi credit card (or other means?) to access Royal orchid lounge?
Samui (domestic) - Using priority pass with a Citi credit card (or other means?) to access Blue ribbon club lounge?

The SYD and SIN silverkris lounges are probably the best there are, of any lounges.

If you are flying PG you get free lounge access to their basic lounges anyway… tea, coffee, water and snacks. Domestic lounges in Thailand are very basic anyway, even the TG or PP offerings. If you get the lounges totally free it’s sort of almost worth a visit. If you have to pay for a guest it’s certainly not worth it.

 

[Xizor]

The SYD and SIN silverkris lounges are probably the best there are, of any lounges.

If you are flying PG you get free lounge access to their basic lounges anyway… tea, coffee, water and snacks. Domestic lounges in Thailand are very basic anyway, even the TG or PP offerings. If you get the lounges totally free it’s sort of almost worth a visit. If you have to pay for a guest it’s certainly not worth it.

PG is Bangkok Airways? Yeah we would be, but economy only.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

PG is Bangkok Airways? Yeah we would be, but economy only.

Yeah… PG = Bangkok Airways. Lounge access is provided for every passenger, even in economy. They have two lounges… their basic offering with tea/coffee/juice/water and their ‘Blue Ribbon’ which was/is for their business class, which is being reintroduced across more of their network post covid.

The domestic PP lounges we used at BKK were nothing remarkable… basically a place to hang out with a coffee or get a bottle of water. The international PP offering at coughet was only marginally above that.

 

[Xizor]

The domestic PP lounges we used at BKK were nothing remarkable… basically a place to hang out with a coffee or get a bottle of water. The international PP offering at coughet was only marginally above that.

OK thanks, that'll do, a comfy seat and a drink will do if its better than sitting elsewhere or at the gate. I guess i'll just try and work out whats where and see if they let me in if not with the airline ticket then as priority pass.

 

[Xizor]

Just thought i'd share a follow up since our trip in August.

I think i am ruined. How i will fly economy long haul ever again...!

First we hit up the Krisflyer lounge in Sydney airport. It was OK but felt dated. Food was limited but tasty. There was an annoying person on the phone with the volume so loud it defied belief so we quickly exited and went to the Air NZ lounge which was much nicer on the eyes and much larger. More variety of food there but much of it was carb heavy finger food, quite dull and boring/safe taste wise so we didn't eat much. Wrong time of day for coughtails apparently too. Nevermind.

Sydney-->Singapore was on the A350 and went as scheduled. It was a nice flight, book the cook was good, comfort, wifi, service, all pleasant. I am not a good sleeper at home let alone ever get more than a few minutes on planes... but i did manage some 30min naps with the seat in lay flat configuration listening to music/pod casts. For me, that's a big improvement.

Going through immigration to clear Singapore airport to get to the Crown Plaza hotel was a dogs breakfast. Half the automatic machines were not working on foreign passports, the staff were incompetent telling people to go to already long lines where the machines would randomly not work etc. and generally seemed disinterested. Eventually all us foreigners seemed to find 2 machines that worked. Took about an hour to get to the Crown Plaza to which we then discover was under heavy works so no sleep in for us. Ah well.

Next day kill some time at the Crown Jewell before heading to the T3 SilverKris lounge. Superb. Great good and drinks. Then off for our next flight.

Singapore-->coughet and on to the 737. Seat seemed same as Jetstar & Scoot Biz so fine for short haul. Flight was just long enough for another book the cook. Before we know it, touchdown in coughet. Due to poor planning on my part we have a layover day again so booked a pool access room near the airport which was fine. Headed out for dinner by the beach. Decent food. Got smashed by *rain and half soaked trying to walk back to hotel. Happy days.

coughet -->Koh Samui economy on Bangkok Airways. Lucky to nab the tickets a week out from our trip else it would of been an awful drive and ferry journey, but all ended well.

Spent 7 nights in Koh Samui spread across 3 resorts. Buri Rasa Village Samui (bit disappointing), Karma Resort (nice but construction works and a bit isolated), and finally the 5 star Centara Reserve Samui (very good but overly pricey). All in all it was a good time, some fun activities like UTVs, Zip lines, Cooking classes etc but one of the few places in Thailand i would not return to.

Our next 24hrs was jam packed with 3 back to back flights home.

Koh Samui-->coughet 4hr~ layover. Get a transfer to a nearby day spa and get 2 hr massages. Shower, transfer back to airport.

coughet-->Singapore 737 again. No book the cook. Arrive in Singapore with 90min layover. Easy terminal switch. Bit of a circus at the Gate with it changing from one end of the terminal then immediately back again. Just what folks want to do be doing at 11PM. Congo line of comically annoyed mostly aussies ploughing through the terminal.

Singapore-->Sydney approx 12:45am flight on A380, recently re-fitted. Flight was late but still managed to arrive in Sydney early, less than 7hr flight time. Plane looked fantastic. Everything almost the same as the A350 just newer, some different colours, refinement etc. Had a lobster thermador at 2am followed by a night cap then some broken slumber. Only 1 meal service which was disappointing but asked and got some warm cashews and a drink before we landed.


My only critique of SQ was we were never really offered any extra food/snacks outside of the allotted meals. A small matter. Staff were otherwise great. We both were very happy with our flights.

We still have plenty of Velocity and QFF points so looking forward to flying business again! Need to plan something for 2024. Maybe back to Europe, Texas/Florida, not sure... may need some inspiration.

 

[AIRwin]

Got smashed by train

You must have ended up a train wreck!

 

[luckypierre]

This. SIN to SYD overnight is underwhelming.

Yes the SIN to Oz overnight flights are underwhelming from a catering perspective. With these “sleeper service “ flights you only get a choice of one meal (admittedly in J you can use BTC) i.e. dinner or breakfast but not both.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes the SIN to Oz overnight flights are underwhelming from a catering perspective. With these “sleeper service “ flights you only get a choice of one meal (admittedly in J you can use BTC) i.e. dinner or breakfast but not both.

The menu does say you can have both… ‘dine after take off or before landing, or both’. Which I’ve always taken to mean you could have something at both ends of the flight. But I’ve never gone for that option given the extremely limited flight/sleep time.