My first business class experience

[pn1]

At the age of 66, I've finally booked my first business class flight.

It's coming up next month from Melbourne to Hong Kong on CX134.

I booked a reward flight with my Qantas frequent flyer points. The booking shows class "U".

Since I've never done business class before, I'm not sure what I'm in for.

Will I be able to use the CX business class lounge at Tullamarine before my flight?

From a passenger point of view, is there any difference between a rewards flight (class U?) and a fully paid flight?

Sorry if these questions seem a little naive but although I'm a seasoned traveller I'm a new kid on the block regarding business class.

 

[blackcat20]

Yes you will have access to the lounge at Melbourne.
Reward flights dont earn points and status credits, while paid flights do.

 

[Denali]

Congrats on your first J flight! Very exciting for you.

 

[cmon0005]

You cab also access the QF intl business lounge as well in addition to the CX lounge. I would suggest the QF lounge over the mel cx one, however the qf one can get crowded at times. Enjoy!

 

[opusman]

If you get to the airport with enough time you can try both lounges, no need to commit yourself to one.

 

[Buzzard]

Well done pn1, enjoy the flight. CX J has a fabulous reputation.

 

[pn1]

If you get to the airport with enough time you can try both lounges, no need to commit yourself to one.

I'm staying near the airport to give me plenty of time prior to the flight.

Beats taking the 901 bus from near my home at Ringwood eh? (The 901 wouldn't make it in time, anyway).

 

[Spongbob]

Well done! Enjoy the lounge and the flight.

 

[bam71]

At the age of 66, I've finally booked my first business class flight.





From a passenger point of view, is there any difference between a rewards flight (class U?) and a fully paid flight?

Sorry if these questions seem a little naive but although I'm a seasoned traveller I'm a new kid on the block regarding business class.

Not naive at all! There is no difference between a rewards flight and a fully paid flight. Service is the same.

 

[Melburnian1]

Try to check in online 24 hours prior, and to be at the airport checkin counter for bag drop three hours or a bit more before the flight time (yes, that's early given that the flight departs at 0850 hours.)

That way you can have up to two and a half hours, give or take a few minutes, in the lounges. I never find the brekky menus as satisfying as lunch or dinner but that's a reflection of how many of us in the West regard the later two meals as 'more important' (against doctors' advice.) If the flight is late (as it was today) you'll have even more time.

The night before, to get a bit more excited, you could check the Cathay website to see if the flight forming yours was predicted to be on time into MEL, or late. Cathay has a lot of problems with late connecting flights ex mainland China, and HKG is busy so don't bet on being on time, although there's no way for us to predict that in advance.

As a side note, the Transdev 901 bus trips closer to the airport begin very early so that they can start forming return trips from the airport. However the only way from Ringwood to Melbourne Airport early in the morning (say 0500 ex Ringwood) is to catch two Metro trains and change at Broadmeadows, which in any case is faster than the slow 901 bus from Ringwood.

Have a wonderful and enjoyable flight.

 

[Jonova]

Nice one! All your questions have been answered above. All I can add is that if you don't have somewhere to be straight away when you land in Hong Kong there is a Cathay Pacific arrival's lounge where you can grab a shower and a hot meal before you head into the city. Some directions on how to get there: Review: Cathay Pacific Arrivals Lounge Hong Kong Airport - One Mile at a Time

Enjoy the flight!

 

[pn1]

What a great idea about when I arrive in Hong Kong; I have a hotel booked but no firm plans for the evening. Might as well enjoy the CX lounge - perhaps a once in a lifetime experience for me?

As mentioned earlier, I am a regular traveller but this is my first business class experience and perhaps with >300,000 QF points available I might be tempted to try it again? Although the 140,000 point oneworld reward flights are always tempting.

I appreciate the comment about the 901 bus; still one of Melbourne's best kept secrets. I've ridden it from the end of my street at Ringwood to Melbourne Airport several times. Sure; a leisurely trip but with luggage easily stowed on the bus one can sit back and enjoy (?) the ride. I've noticed a few people do make the connection from the train at Broadmeadows especially those arriving from the Albury or Shepparton by V/Line.

But this time I've booked a motel near the airport for the "early" start. My partner (constrained by school term work) follows on a QF economy reward two days later. Thence a cruise to Singapore on the QM2 and a train ride to Kuala Lumpur.

Home from KL on Air Asia; sublime to ridiculous after my CX experience? But one should always be flexible and adaptable?

Thanks again for the tips and suggestions - and any more that may come my way after this.

Paul in Melbourne

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I would NOT recommend getting to the airport early to enjoy the Melbourne lounge offerings... they are pretty dire. Qantas lounge offerings are (at best) level with macdonalds for breakfast... hash browns, sausage links and scrambled eggs. None of which looked or tasted fresh. The CX lounge at MEL is equally as bad, but not as dark as the QF lounge. (That being said, MEL airport can be pretty busy at that time, so aim to arrive about 2 hours, max, before departure. That will give you plenty of time in the lounge.)

Cathay's service is less doting than other carriers... they'll serve you a quick meal and then leave you alone. They expect passengers to use the call bell if they need anything.. so don't be afraid to use it.

Select a a window seat mid cabin for the best seat, and take your own relax-wear. CX don't provide PJs (nor do QF on day flights to Asia it seems).

If you're on the 0850 from Melbourne CX doesn't offer champagne before takeoff. Dunno why, they do on all their other flights. But it's freely available after takeoff.

The CX arrivals lounge in HK is nothing to write home about... fits about 20 people and is windowless. Good for a shower, and a bite to eat... Althought CX gives two full meals (compared to only one meal on Qantas), so you're unlikely to need to eat. I'd head straight for the airport express train rather than hang around at the airport. Getting to Hong Kong early, before rush hour, should be a priority rather than using the arrivals lounge.

 

[juddles]

.....From a passenger point of view, is there any difference between a rewards flight (class U?) and a fully paid flight?....

Zero, zilch, nada, nothing

I have flown J as a nobody on a points ticket, and as a P1 with Qantas as their elite on a full-fare ticket. There can be some absolutely teensy details like getting specially greeted etc, but the reality is that you get the same seats, the same food, the same drinks, and the same staff. It is the absolute same. Don't "feel" you are on a rewards flight! You are a passenger with as much valid reason for being there as anyone else on the flight. If anything, let the staff know you are on a new experience and on a points ticket. The people that have the greatest power to make you feel special are those staff - and they will probably get more self-satisfaction giving you a good experience than they get from the DYKWIA usual travellers

 

[TomVexille]

Some really good advice here. I don't have much to add other then enjoy it!

 

[Matt_01]

As mentioned earlier, I am a regular traveller but this is my first business class experience and perhaps with >300,000 QF points available I might be tempted to try it again? Although the 140,000 point oneworld reward flights are always tempting.

Once you start to fly at the pointy end it can be difficult to to go back to Y. Also I would suggest that you check the lounge meet-up thread for the day you are travelling, you may find someone who will guest you into QF F lounge. Have a nice trip

 

[pn1]

Thanks for the tip about the QF lounge meet up.

A further question about the arrival lounge at Hong Kong; I used my QF FF points to book (via Qantas) CX business class Melbourne to Hong Kong. I looked at the CX web site and am a little confused. Will I be considered a CX passenger and therefore eligible to use the arrival lounge at HKG? (Presumably boarding pass confirms entry eligibility?). Or am I considered a QF passenger and not eligible?

Again apologies for sounding naive but this IS a first time experience for me.

 

[Jonova]

Thanks for the tip about the QF lounge meet up.

A further question about the arrival lounge at Hong Kong; I used my QF FF points to book (via Qantas) CX business class Melbourne to Hong Kong. I looked at the CX web site and am a little confused. Will I be considered a CX passenger and therefore eligible to use the arrival lounge at HKG? (Presumably boarding pass confirms entry eligibility?). Or am I considered a QF passenger and not eligible?

Again apologies for sounding naive but this IS a first time experience for me.

Yes you will be considered a CX passenger since you arrived on a CX flight, they normally only request to view your boarding pass from your flight. I have used the lounge quite a few times when I have booked the flight with QFF points.

 

[opusman]

As long as your flight number has a CX code you'll be fine.

 

[mannej]

As long as your flight number has a CX code you'll be fine.

QF and CX don't codeshare on this route AFAIK