Qantas and Bali/Denpasar

[RooFlyer]

Rooey if it is OK for the Ette and myself to fly JQ J on daytime flts both ways to/fro DPS I am sure you would survive it - or not.

Listen - don't tell anyone; just between me and you, OK? But I am contemplating doing JQ for the return trip. I just have to find out how to disconnect the thing that is set up to give me an electric shock whenever I type in the JQ URL.

Coming home we always either head to another port such as SIN, KUL or CGK and get a flatbed home or fly GA from DPS back to Australia. It’s not everyones cup of tea but I don’t mind the GA J seats to sleep in and the food is normally ok.

I've been wanting to try GA but alas, again, extra cost not appealing to my fellow-travellers.

 

[SYD]

The daytime JQ flight from DPS to ADL is actually quite good, not too early out of DPS, I did it back in June, got in early, and it was easy to clear immigration in Adelaide. Try and get the Max bundle, you get a meal included which isn't too bad. I had a tablet with me, slid the cover into the literature pocket and made my own IFE screen.

Oh, if I find myself going back to Indonesia for cheapy J tix to the rest of the world, I will look for that - although that later departure still means getting back to SYD around 10pm (although you might take your chances with an earlier connection out of ADL).

 

[Mr H]

DPS is one of the rare situations where JQ is actually the best option - daytime flights on a short enough route that deep discount Y is acceptable.

 

[jase05]

DPS is one of the rare situations where JQ is actually the best option - daytime flights on a short enough route that deep discount Y is acceptable.

VA DPS-MEL is an arvo flight that gets in around midnight and if you can select Economy X that wouldn’t be too bad

 

[Harrison_133]

* Any gossip or announcements even for either of the above in the foreseeable future (ie not "when the new fleet arrives" ).

Well that didn’t take long…

The A330 is taking over SYD-DPS from October 2023, so there will be a lie-flat J option on QF for you.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-adds-more-than-250000-international-seats-as-aircraft-return/

 

[SYD]

Well that didn’t take long…

The A330 is taking over SYD-DPS from October 2023, so there will be a lie-flat J option on QF for you.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-adds-more-than-250000-international-seats-as-aircraft-return/

Wow, OT but A380 to JNB!

 

[RooFlyer]

Well that didn’t take long…

The A330 is taking over SYD-DPS from October 2023, so there will be a lie-flat J option on QF for you.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-adds-more-than-250000-international-seats-as-aircraft-return/

Thanks. TKWIA.

 

[JasonK]

OP must have wished very hard for this! Glad the A330 is back. Even in economy it's good to have the 2 seats for couples and feels more comfy and spacious than a 737, having done this route pre-COVID in economy.

 

[RooFlyer]

Hmmm ... friends now very enamoured of a daytime cheap-ish flight with JQ. And the new QF flights start date is uncertain and probably too late for us. Never mind, good to see.

Here's the AFF Gazette story:

https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-a330-sydney-bali/?utm_source=Gazette&utm_medium=email&utm_id=21_08_2023

 

[RooFlyer]

As this seems to have a number of Bali 'old hands' on it, can I turn to accommodation. I've asked a few people about this and the replies have been diverse as the choices. Seminyak, Nusa Dua, etc etc.

What we are looking at is 'far from the madding crowds' (we hope), quiet, relaxing, birdsong etc - for instance, up in the Ubud area. We aren't interested in beaches (or not much), or glam dining.



For example Five-Star Ubud Boutique Retreat within Payangan Rainforest, Ubud, Bali (ignore the LE frame - we may or may not get that).

Anyone stayed up that way? Heard of drawbacks (we don't think distance to good restaurants would be a deal breaker)? Yes, it'll be a long drive.

 

[bcworld]

As this seems to have a number of Bali 'old hands' on it, can I turn to accommodation. I've asked a few people about this and the replies have been diverse as the choices. Seminyak, Nusa Dua, etc etc.

What we are looking at is 'far from the madding crowds' (we hope), quiet, relaxing, birdsong etc - for instance, up in the Ubud area. We aren't interested in beaches (or not much), or glam dining.

View attachment 339891

For example Five-Star Ubud Boutique Retreat within Payangan Rainforest, Ubud, Bali (ignore the LE frame - we may or may not get that).

Anyone stayed up that way? Heard of drawbacks (we don't think distance to good restaurants would be a deal breaker)? Yes, it'll be a long drive.

It will be a long drive...Google maps suggests (16km) 45mins+ currently. So ultimately, I think it depends on how prepared you are to be confined to a resort like that? Ubud Centre is of course just as 'madding crowds' as anywhere else in Bali so there's a trade off. But you could probably find a similar experience a bit closer to town if you do want to get in for dinners etc.

 

[RnD]

A work colleague just came back from Bali and said Ubud was crazy. Roads were jammed and there was nothing relaxing about it. Sounds like a nice resort and short walks would be the way to go.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks - 'Ubud' seems a pretty general term for where we are looking at!! But interesting to hear about the busy 'vibe' of places well out of the Denpasar area.

 

[bcworld]

Thanks - 'Ubud' seems a pretty general term for where we are looking at!! But interesting to hear about the busy 'vibe' of places well out of the Denpasar area.

Ubud is hectic! Getting around can be an absolute nightmare.

 

[Daver6]

As this seems to have a number of Bali 'old hands' on it, can I turn to accommodation. I've asked a few people about this and the replies have been diverse as the choices. Seminyak, Nusa Dua, etc etc.

What we are looking at is 'far from the madding crowds' (we hope), quiet, relaxing, birdsong etc - for instance, up in the Ubud area. We aren't interested in beaches (or not much), or glam dining.

View attachment 339891

For example Five-Star Ubud Boutique Retreat within Payangan Rainforest, Ubud, Bali (ignore the LE frame - we may or may not get that).

Anyone stayed up that way? Heard of drawbacks (we don't think distance to good restaurants would be a deal breaker)? Yes, it'll be a long drive.

MrsDaver6 and I stayed at the Four Seasons Sayan (we were actually reminisicing about that during dinner this evening) about 13 years or so ago. We thoroughly enjoyed it. If you can wait a few more nights, I'll be able to answer all your questions over a drink and dinner.

 

[Gold Member]

Great to have a wide body back to DPS, albeit via Sydney, again.

@Mattg, in your article you mentioned that seats (including awards presumably) would be updated to reflect A330 service from today. It’s just gone 10am and we are sans business rewards on Qantas.com for November onwards. Any insights?

 

[Gold Member]

To answer my own question, I can confirm that as of yesterday afternoon the SYD-DPS A330 service is now available for Business class classic award redemption.

Unfortunately it appears Qantas is playing funny buggers with married segment logic so you may struggle to book from connecting cities like MEL. You’ll need to make separate bookings to connect the two flights and this will cost more points unfortunately. An alternative is to book a paid fare during their current Red Tail sale.

I also searched partner airlines like BA and AA but they’re not seeing anything. So this appears an exclusive release to Qantas members only, so far.

 

[tassie6]

To answer my own question, I can confirm that as of yesterday afternoon the SYD-DPS A330 service is now available for Business class classic award redemption.

Unfortunately it appears Qantas is playing funny buggers with married segment logic so you may struggle to book from connecting cities like MEL. You’ll need to make separate bookings to connect the two flights and this will cost more points unfortunately. An alternative is to book a paid fare during their current Red Tail sale.

I also searched partner airlines like BA and AA but they’re not seeing anything. So this appears an exclusive release to Qantas members only, so far.

What month did you find availability? I’ve been looking for May next year and can’t find anything (looking both from SYD and other city through SYD)

Have J* J seats booked but trying to find the better alternative…

 

[Gold Member]

What month did you find availability? I’ve been looking for May next year and can’t find anything (looking both from SYD and other city through SYD)

Have J* J seats booked but trying to find the better alternative…

IME, you’ll struggle to find anything originating from another city and connecting via SYD - married segment logic is preventing availability.

I was searching October through to December this year.

 

[MikeG]

I’m hoping to book J reward return flights from CBR-DPS for late May/early June 2024.

10 days duration.

Can anyone assist with availability of J flights? I have ~210,000 QFF points and have access to 90,000 velocity + 200,000 flybuys that can be converted to velocity points. What would you recommend?

Prefer either lay flat or daytime flights.

Happy to consider stopover in SIN on the way home…