Making the most out of the whole glorious Qantas First Class Experience

[wanderer_au]

At the end of the day it's just a seat. I don't quite understand the hype. It's nice but it's not glorious.

I think there's a few reasons. First, I think those that chase a seat in F here, do so for the experience in itself. It has novelty value as it is a form of transport that very few people could ordinarily afford themselves. Playing "the game" and scoring a ticket in F to somewhere must feel like a super-charged life hack. "I can pretend I'm in the 1% for a while!" Second, there's a sense of accomplishment at achieving a goal you've set for yourself.

In the end, most of us are pretty unremarkable and lead regular, unexciting, dull lives. I don't have limousines picking me up to take me somewhere - if someone else drives me, it's usually a cabbie. At home we drink (decent but domestic) Croser or Arras, not Dom Perignon. And many of us have spent our twenties travelling around Europe, and these trips were bookended by the usual cramped seats in Y out of LHR, either heading to or from home. I imagine F is seen as sort of like a day-long pampering exercise, where are there are no kids or partners wanting something, and at the other end, you're in another COUNTRY! You're seeing the world, not just sleepy set of shops down the road at home. What's not to like?

Personally, I've never flown F and I'm not likely to on my own money. Corporates aren't flying many people F much now either. Sir Peter Cosgrove made a deliberate choice for J flights over F when travelling overseas in his official capacity, showing commendable vice-regal thrift. And I'm much more about the destination than the journey myself. But we're all different.


Which is a good thing.

 

[ChasingDaylight]

Semi-related to the thread - at SYD, does BA have it's own F checking area, or does the Qantas First Class check in (is there something akin to the one at MEL?) process BA also?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Semi-related to the thread - at SYD, does BA have it's own F checking area, or does the Qantas First Class check in (is there something akin to the one at MEL?) process BA also?

BA has its own check-in at SYD, it doesn't even come close to the QF F check-in at SYD/MEL.

 

[pagingjoan]

After flying QF 9 just last week, I can tell you that you get supper and full breakfast on the MEL-DXB sector and lunch only on the DXB-LHR sector. The Tasting Menu is not offered MEL-LHR.

I cannot comment on QF 10 as I took QF 2 back to Australia.

My QF 9, a few days ago, was also missing the tasting menu, which was a little disappointing. But when I made a mild comment on the absence, the immediate response was that a tasting menu could be provided, if I wanted it.
So not all is lost!

One feature that has disappeared though is the complimentary hair shampoo in the DXB F spa. Now that is a loss. It was such an indulgence, especially in the wee small hours, during a transit. If you are desperate, the service is still available - but at a price: $US58, to be precise. [h=2][/h]

 

[anna2103]

My QF 9, a few days ago, was also missing the tasting menu, which was a little disappointing. But when I made a mild comment on the absence, the immediate response was that a tasting menu could be provided, if I wanted it.
So not all is lost!

One feature that has disappeared though is the complimentary hair shampoo in the DXB F spa. Now that is a loss. It was such an indulgence, especially in the wee small hours, during a transit. If you are desperate, the service is still available - but at a price: $US58, to be precise.

Is there a list of what spa treatments are available in Dubai F lounge that are free.

 

[get me outta here]

As my F on QF 11 departs at 0950, I'm wondering how best to use the relatively little time available.

I also have to stop by the GST dept to get some money back.

 

[Princess Fiona]

My QF 9, a few days ago, was also missing the tasting menu, which was a little disappointing. But when I made a mild comment on the absence, the immediate response was that a tasting menu could be provided, if I wanted it.
So not all is lost!

One feature that has disappeared though is the complimentary hair shampoo in the DXB F spa. Now that is a loss. It was such an indulgence, especially in the wee small hours, during a transit. If you are desperate, the service is still available - but at a price: $US58, to be precise. [h=2][/h]

That is a shame. I've had a blow wave done a couple of times in the DXB Spa. It was a bit of a treat.

 

[Alanslegal]

I think there's a few reasons. First, I think those that chase a seat in F here, do so for the experience in itself. It has novelty value as it is a form of transport that very few people could ordinarily afford themselves. Playing "the game" and scoring a ticket in F to somewhere must feel like a super-charged life hack. "I can pretend I'm in the 1% for a while!" Second, there's a sense of accomplishment at achieving a goal you've set for yourself.

In the end, most of us are pretty unremarkable and lead regular, unexciting, dull lives. I don't have limousines picking me up to take me somewhere - if someone else drives me, it's usually a cabbie. At home we drink (decent but domestic) Croser or Arras, not Dom Perignon. And many of us have spent our twenties travelling around Europe, and these trips were bookended by the usual cramped seats in Y out of LHR, either heading to or from home. I imagine F is seen as sort of like a day-long pampering exercise, where are there are no kids or partners wanting something, and at the other end, you're in another COUNTRY! You're seeing the world, not just sleepy set of shops down the road at home. What's not to like?

Personally, I've never flown F and I'm not likely to on my own money. Corporates aren't flying many people F much now either. Sir Peter Cosgrove made a deliberate choice for J flights over F when travelling overseas in his official capacity, showing commendable vice-regal thrift. And I'm much more about the destination than the journey myself. But we're all different.


Which is a good thing.

A very good summation

Flying F is a big novelty for me There is no way I would pay hard cold cash for F so when I am able to walk into the F lounge (or terminal such as LH's or EK's) I do feel a sense of achievement, that is being able to fly in premium cabins for least amount of money and effort. I have paid cash for J in the past but would probably not do so again, now knowing what can be achieved with a bit of creativity and diligence - and much less money than cash outright!

The entire novelty is true, First class is indeed over the top indulgence for public transportation, and the most comfortable way if one needs to fly publicly .... yes the destination is the most important thing here but if one is able to fly F, I'd say go for it - even if it's just the once. Sadly (or maybe positively too), that that one time F experience could distort your future idea and desires of flying and prompting you to seek more F travels.

Alot of travellers dread the flying part of the trip/holiday/vacation and if one is able to fly F (or even J) and make it into a fun novelty to experience things they normally don't experience in their daily life, then that is only a positive change from focusing/worrying about the next 14 hours stuck in Y. I look forward to the three hour dinner service; the caviar, the vintage champagnes, food served on fine china and crisp white table linen - and at least now I don't dread the flying part of my holiday anymore

 

[pagingjoan]

Is there a list of what spa treatments are available in Dubai F lounge that are free.

Hope this works. Currently working mobile - and battling the vagaries of a recent systems upgrade.
I tried the De-stress Back Massage. Quite a workout - and actually lasted around 25 minutes. Very good, in my opinion. (But no substitute for that early morning shampoo and blow dry! )

Edit: And it seems the pic did not post. Sorry about that. In brief, the options are back massage, hand and arm massage, foot treatment, head massage, and a body stretch treatment. All quoted as 15 minute sessions. Hope this helps. Someone else may be able to post the Timeless brochure pic to give the detail.

 

[pagingjoan]

That is a shame. I've had a blow wave done a couple of times in the DXB Spa. It was a bit of a treat.

Yes, a shame indeed, PF. (I thought you may have been a "fellow traveller" on this one. )

 

[daturtle]

As my F on QF 11 departs at 0950, I'm wondering how best to use the relatively little time available.

I also have to stop by the GST dept to get some money back.

I also had the same flight in my one F experience. I stayed right at the airport at the Rydges, and got there pretty much as checkin opened, was whisked through customs in about 15 minutes. Spa treatment plus cooked breakfast and bubbles.

Have to check on what times the GST counter is open, if worse comes to worse, you can duck out back among the unwashed to go there, line isn't usually too long in my experience.

 

[pplion]

A heads up for those departing SYD in the morning and wishing to avoid disappointment: the spa doesn't open until 0800. With a QF11 departure at 0950, even 'mere' P1s travelling in F to LAX are not necessarily able to make spa bookings...

 

[daturtle]

A heads up for those departing SYD in the morning and wishing to avoid disappointment: the spa doesn't open until 0800. With a QF11 departure at 0950, even 'mere' P1s travelling in F to LAX are not necessarily able to make spa bookings, despite the departure time and the fact that are 14 F seats being common knowledge to the entire universe for a very long time. Must be CLs getting priority. Perhaps more staff or an earlier opening time might be given some thought/money ?!

I got a call the day prior to my flight and organised an 8am massage, was WP on a FASA. Was the Thursday flight though.

 

[get me outta here]

Yes, I'll be at Rydges too. How early can I check in? Actually, I may be able to check in the day before as the first flight to SYD is at 1700 and hopefully I'll have my boarding pass and the case will stay at the a/port. isn't that so?

I also had the same flight in my one F experience. I stayed right at the airport at the Rydges, and got there pretty much as checkin opened, was whisked through customs in about 15 minutes. Spa treatment plus cooked breakfast and bubbles.

Have to check on what times the GST counter is open, if worse comes to worse, you can duck out back among the unwashed to go there, line isn't usually too long in my experience.

 

[get me outta here]

I'm lowly a LTS, so wont have much status.

I got a call the day prior to my flight and organised an 8am massage, was WP on a FASA. Was the Thursday flight though.

 

[daturtle]

Yes, I'll be at Rydges too. How early can I check in? Actually, I may be able to check in the day before as the first flight to SYD is at 1700 and hopefully I'll have my boarding pass and the case will stay at the a/port. isn't that so?

They were doing all day check in when I went through and a quick check of the website doesn't say this has changed so if you're really keen you can check in at 5.30am when it opens. You can confirm with the first host when they call (F lounge opesn at 5am).

And as for the spa treatment, just ask the host when you get a call. Even though you're PS you should get priority over and higher status pax who aren't in the first cabin.

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks daturtle.

 

[daturtle]

Thanks daturtle.

Main thing is enjoy yourself. I'm allergic to egg so was curtailed in terms of the restaurant so you'll have to make up for my lack of effort in that respect.

 

[muliama]

Having accumulated 2 million QF points over the working years with no redemptions, now it is my turn to blow them in retirement. Living in Kuala Lumpur, I am booked MAS J (OMG "J") to BKK, then EK F to HGK and CX F to SFO. AA F to Tacoma, Alaskan cruise disembarking in Vancouver. YVR-SFO on AA F, then SFO-DBX on EK F(I think 2 showers on board over 15 hours will make me squeaky clean! Two nights in Burj El Arab before returning home on EK F to KUL. Total cold hard cash for the flights amounts to Au$1140 and a few hundred thousand QF points. I shall return home with 4 sets of Jarmies, cirrhosis of the liver, an extra 6 kg body weight overload, and glorious wonderful memories...why not? I am 70 years old and hope to blow a few more points before the wheelchair!!!!!

Growing old disgracefully has always been my aim!

 

[Melburnian1]

muliama, that was a very funny post but I'm sure that many of us want to wish you an enjoyable journey, particularly since not everyone with whom I speak is confident that they will make it to 70. I don't see the attraction of visiting DXB but apart from that it sounds great. Be sure to have your full five minutes each time luxuriating in the shower onboard. Still not likely to be as good as a shower in a railway sleeper, though.