Traveling MEL/MLE - SriLankan or Qantas?

[Jester38]

Doing a Maldives trip and looking at best way to get there. As an option, Qantas were throwing up UL flights direct MEL/CMB a few weeks ago online but since have shifted to via SIN. Was going to ring Qantas and see if the direct options are available still but has anyone recently had any experience with Bus Class in UL? How does it compare to QF? Also, UL talk on their website about organising transit accommodation for flights with a stopover of more than 8 hours which applies to the outbound connection I am looking at - assume it is included in price (or is this just UL and not for codeshare customers), but again, has anyone used this?
Natural instinct is to use QF where possible but prefer one stopover rather than two each way. Appreciate any feedback.

 

[jase05]

Doing a Maldives trip and looking at best way to get there. As an option, Qantas were throwing up UL flights direct MEL/CMB a few weeks ago online but since have shifted to via SIN. Was going to ring Qantas and see if the direct options are available still but has anyone recently had any experience with Bus Class in UL? How does it compare to QF? Also, UL talk on their website about organising transit accommodation for flights with a stopover of more than 8 hours which applies to the outbound connection I am looking at - assume it is included in price (or is this just UL and not for codeshare customers), but again, has anyone used this?
Natural instinct is to use QF where possible but prefer one stopover rather than two each way. Appreciate any feedback.

Personally I think their J product is pretty good on their A330. Seats were comfortably, food was delicious and the service can be patchy but overall it’s a decent product without being outstanding. You should get the A330 on all legs MEL-CMB and CMB-MLE. Lounge in CMB wasn’t the greatest but could have improved?
Sorry I can’t help you with the transit accomodation but maybe others on here can.
Be aware that that the earn on UL for the MEL-CMB leg is absolutely woeful if you plan on crediting it to QF. If you are chasing SC’s and points you would be better taking the QF option

 

[Jester38]

Personally I think their J product is pretty good on their A330. Seats were comfortably, food was delicious and the service can be patchy but overall it’s a decent product without being outstanding. You should get the A330 on all legs MEL-CMB and CMB-MLE. Lounge in CMB wasn’t the greatest but could have improved?
Sorry I can’t help you with the transit accomodation but maybe others on here can.
Be aware that that the earn on UL for the MEL-CMB leg is absolutely woeful if you plan on crediting it to QF. If you are chasing SC’s and points you would be better taking the QF option

Really appreciated feedback - very helpful. And good point on the SC. With the max rollover of 500 SC for Platinum renewal, carry forward of status into the next year from the Qantas special offer and doing trip before renewal, one of the few times the earn rate is not critical