Qantas v BA Mel- BKK

[Ben174]

Hi All,

I have a few hundred thousand points and was planning on booking Prem Econ fares to BKK from melb return for me plus 1 and going in the upgrade lottery for J (i know its probably rare on this route). When i had looked in the past i think sale fares were around $2100 each return, but now they are around $3,000.

BA flies this route for around 2k premium econ (however i know thats pretty much fake premium econ lol) and Business for 4odd k.

Ideally i dont want to pay the 4k for BA business, but the fact its only 1k extra than QF Premium would it be worth it? Or do you think its best to wait it out a bit (not wanting to travel til oct/nov as its a holiday and can take whenever) and hope for a sale ? Surely Prem Econ couldnt go up any further on Qantas could it? Anyone have any idea how often asia sales occur?

Thanks for your help!

 

[TonyHancock]

Hi All,

I have a few hundred thousand points and was planning on booking Prem Econ fares to BKK from melb return for me plus 1 and going in the upgrade lottery for J (i know its probably rare on this route). When i had looked in the past i think sale fares were around $2100 each return, but now they are around $3,000.

BA flies this route for around 2k premium econ (however i know thats pretty much fake premium econ lol) and Business for 4odd k.

Ideally i dont want to pay the 4k for BA business, but the fact its only 1k extra than QF Premium would it be worth it? Or do you think its best to wait it out a bit (not wanting to travel til oct/nov as its a holiday and can take whenever) and hope for a sale ? Surely Prem Econ couldnt go up any further on Qantas could it? Anyone have any idea how often asia sales occur?

Thanks for your help!

I don't believe BA flies direct to BKK from MEL, you'll finish up with a Y flight to Sydney. BA Y+ is pretty poor, although it is better than Y on BA or QF. October/November is not far away though.

If you have QF points you won't be able to upgrade on BA metal.

Are there any QF J flights available as classic awards for the dates you would like?

 

[ajw373]

BA codeshares with Qantas into Melbourne, however this is through Singapore, not Bangkok. Also the only direct 'Qantas' flight from Bangkok to Melbourne is also a code share but on Jetstar metal.

 

[TonyHancock]

BA codeshares with Qantas into Melbourne, however this is through Singapore, not Bangkok. Also the only direct 'Qantas' flight from Bangkok to Melbourne is also a code share but on Jetstar metal.

I didn't realise JQ flew direct MEL-BKK, mind you I don't try and think of JQ!!

 

[serfty]

I didn't realise JQ flew direct MEL-BKK, mind you I don't try and think of JQ!!

It was one of the original JQi routes.

 

[connieguy]

I didn't realise JQ flew direct MEL-BKK, mind you I don't try and think of JQ!!

I get interesting looks when changed into the QF PJs on JQ30 Bkk/Mel. JQ *Class is better than QF domestic J by a long way.

 

[dajop]

I didn't realise JQ flew direct MEL-BKK, mind you I don't try and think of JQ!!

Don't completely discount it. It's "business" class is overselling it, as it is really a premium economy product, but for $1300 return (without FF points/SC) or $1700 return (with FF points/SC) is competitively priced with QF Y+.

 

[Ben174]

Oh never even considered JQ, but with the Business SC for less than the cost a Prem Y qantas product, maybe i could be tempted! What is the leg room like? Is it still ok if you didnt get a bulk head seat?

Those J SC's would put me within 40 SC's of Platinum meaning i may have just been sold onJQ! lol

 

[mannej]

The JetStar Source - Airbus A330-200 Seat Map and http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/9/2/1/1230129.jpg

The seat pitch is 38 inches from memory, but there is one special seat in the cabin that is worth the $3 for the privilege of selecting it.
Not to give it away can you guess what seat it is

 

[connieguy]

Oh never even considered JQ, but with the Business SC for less than the cost a Prem Y qantas product, maybe i could be tempted! What is the leg room like? Is it still ok if you didnt get a bulk head seat?

Those J SC's would put me within 40 SC's of Platinum meaning i may have just been sold onJQ! lol

I'm 1.9 mtrs tall and find the JQ Business leg room OK. I do prefer to get the bulkhead seats. Food and wine is to a Business standard, with a good sweets trolley, but in a good Y+ class seat with a 38 inch pitch. I have flown JQ 29/30 Mel/Bkk/Mel many times. Only had one delay, blown engine, which meant I had to stay in the Mel QF Flounge for 6 extra hours. Tough duty. And yes the SC earn at 120 SCs per sector is good.

 

[connieguy]

The JetStar Source - Airbus A330-200 Seat Map and http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/9/2/1/1230129.jpg

The seat pitch is 38 inches from memory, but there is one special seat in the cabin that is worth the $3 for the privilege of selecting it.
Not to give it away can you guess what seat it is

Sat there once. Felt very exposed. Prefer 1A/K.

 

[serfty]

... The seat pitch is 38 inches from memory, but there is one special seat in the cabin that is worth the $3 for the privilege of selecting it.
Not to give it away can you guess what seat it is

You don't pay for selecting a seat in */Business Class on JQi.

Also, 1E/F are good seats for this 183cm PAX - in fact I prefer 1E for overnight flights over any other seat in the cabin.

 

[Ben174]

I think JQ it is then!

Out of curiosity though, i am going to be flying to London next year and my company will pay for J on QF or BA for me and my partner. I have travelled J on QF A380 and loved it, have you guys experienced BA's? I read some reviews theres like more private seats if you travel as couples or something?

 

[connieguy]

I think JQ it is then!

Out of curiosity though, i am going to be flying to London next year and my company will pay for J on QF or BA for me and my partner. I have travelled J on QF A380 and loved it, have you guys experienced BA's? I read some reviews theres like more private seats if you travel as couples or something?

If you can swing it, fly with Emirates A380 J. You and your partner will love it. Should be lower cost than either QF or BA plus you can get a overnight hotel stay in Dubai.

 

[mannej]

You don't pay for selecting a seat in */Business Class on JQi.

Also, 1E/F are good seats for this 183cm PAX - in fact I prefer 1E for overnight flights over any other seat in the cabin.

They must have changed that, as it was definitely $3 in April this year. You are probably right about the privacy of 2D, but heck the legroom makes up for it.

 

[ajw373]

I think JQ it is then!

Out of curiosity though, i am going to be flying to London next year and my company will pay for J on QF or BA for me and my partner. I have travelled J on QF A380 and loved it, have you guys experienced BA's? I read some reviews theres like more private seats if you travel as couples or something?

The BA seats face in opposite directions. So for example the window seat faces backwards and the isle forwards. So if traveling together it gives the chance to look face to face with your partner. If however your traveling alone there is an electronic privacy screen (on the old product this was a manual fan thingy) to hide their ugly mug. For the middle seats again the isle faces forward then you have two side by side rearwards facing seats followed by the other isle.

 

[ozmille]

For the middle seats again the isle faces forward then you have two side by side rearwards facing seats followed by the other isle.

SMBO and I really like the two backwards facing seats on BA a lot. Very private mini cabin feel.

 

[connieguy]

BA J seats as discussed

 

[Ben174]

Thanks Guys!

Curious to know, if i flew Star Class along with someone else and i purchased the business max for points etc but they didnt, can they still come in to the lounge with me? (Im gold QFF)

 

[dajop]

Curious to know, if i flew Star Class along with someone else and i purchased the business max for points etc but they didnt, can they still come in to the lounge with me? (Im gold QFF)

As a QFF gold member, class of travel or type of fare is irrelevant, as your gold membership will allow access for you and one guest travelling with you, the website indicates that access to QF international business lounge is granted providing you meet the conditions:

Next onward flight that day must be a Qantas or Jetstar Airlines[SUP]+[/SUP] flight number or a oneworld operated and marketed flight[SUP]#[/SUP].
One guest allowed and must be travelling with the member.

If you were not gold then it appears you would not be allowed to bring in a guest.