Travelling Sydney to Hong Kong

[Zippy7]

Hi guys,

This is my first post - been lurking around for some time and just reading!

I should point out that I have gold status (managed to do 2 business trips last year before being pointed your way by a friend). Qantas managed to stuff me around :evil: (I had to ring twice to get them to finally send me out a Gold QFF card - and I wasn't given luggage tags either!!:evil: ). The 4 sector policy screwed me over and made me miss out on Silver after the first extended trip (so no silver tags, and no complimentary pass, and no bonus points!):evil: :evil:

I wanted to ask for your opinions. I've got to fly Sydney to HK for work (business) next month. I'm only a member of QFF. I think the flight will be booked on Cathay (it's ~$800 cheaper than the Qantas fare).

I would have expected Qantas to be cheaper, but (work) travel agent says no. Does it make any difference to me in the longer term? I presume status credits and points are all equal anyway? I only expect one business class fare per quarter, and some will just be Syd-HK returns, where others might include a side trip to Tokyo or Singapore.

Should I sign up for Asia Miles or try to credit these points to another programme? My Qantas year starts on 1 April, so this coming flight is wasted (no way I can get Platinum). Or should I just credit points to QFF since it's the easiest...

Cheers

ps. Does anyone know if the refurb at Sydney airport has been completed? Last time I had to go downstairs to that mini-lounge...

 

[simongr]

Ahoy and welcome to AFF.

First thing if crediting to QF (Qantas) you wont get status bonus miles flying on CX (Cathay). Similarly you wont be bale to use points to upgrade to First (if you were so inclined).

Four returns to NHK would get you 960 SCs - not enough to hit Platinum but would be enough to make American Airlines Platinum - which is equivalent to QF Gold but gets you a 100% status bonus rather than 50% as QF Gold. You still get the same benefits pretty much - lounge access, business class check in and the redemption rates for premium award flights are generally cheaper - so that is worth considering.

I wouldnt consider asia miles and the marco polo club (CX program as status is much harder to earn in that program).

If you are thinking of side trips then I would suggest the DAS13 Circle Asia fare. If you wanted to you could throw in some mileage runs to bump up those SCs. For example if you flew the following you would earn a few more SCs - up 1260 - so only a little short of WP without really trying...

syd-sin-hkg-nrt-syd - 420
syd-hkg-syd - 240
syd-hkd-syd - 240
syd-sin-hkg-nrt-syd - 420

Each for aropund $5000 per trip - not sure how much you are paying for your straight return to HKG but that should be cheaper?

 

[NM]

Status Credit earning is the same for business class fare on QF and CX. Cabin bonus is the same (25%) for QF and CX business class. The Status Bonus (25% for Silver, 50% for Gold and 100% for Platinum) is paid for QF flight but not for CX flight.

So if you hold no FF status with QFF, then there is no difference in the earning. If you hold Silver or above status then you earn more QF FF points flying with QF than with CX.

 

[Zippy7]

syd-sin-hkg-nrt-syd - 420

Thanks. I did that in reverse last year and from memory, I think that ticket was around $8k. I did the in/outbound legs in QF and the 2 Asia legs in CX. This time around the company agent has quoted $5k for CX return to HK (business class) and $800 more for Qantas... Company policy says to go with the cheapest - I'd actually expected Qantas to show a bigger discount.
Do you expect the detoured flights to cost the same?

This trip will be the first time I actually have any status (last 2 were bronze). I presume these status credits from a CX flight would count towards lifetime silver? The mileage is not so important (I had debated taking a quick return flight to get silver before the last trip and that was shot down by the wife).

 

[Zippy7]

Status Credit earning is the same for business class fare on QF and CX.

I think that makes more difference to me than mileage points?

Do you think the CX flight is better than QF? (Airbus 333/33B vs 747)
Is the seating on the plane okay? (are they comfy?)
Is the service better with CX on that route? (Seems that they are nicer in Asia, but never caught a flight to/from Aus)

Cheers.

 

[NM]

I think that makes more difference to me than mileage points?

Do you think the CX flight is better than QF? (Airbus 333/33B vs 747)
Is the seating on the plane okay? (are they comfy?)
Is the service better with CX on that route? (Seems that they are nicer in Asia, but never caught a flight to/from Aus)

Cheers.

CX has two different J products in operation to SYD at the moment. They have their older business class sloping seats that are similar to Qantas Skybeds (the 333 config) and they have teir new J product which is fully flat in herringbone config.

In J, I find the food is similar in quality and quantity. CX bring the meal selection around on a trolley and you can look at the options before deciding. On QF you order from the menu and they bring you your choice from the galley.

CX has better scotch (JW Gold in business vs Chivas Regal or The Glenlivet on QF). Wines are probably similar quality (but I am not a wine buff).

When flying in J you can use either the QF or CX lounges at HKG. CX is best lounge there.

I would be happy flying either CX or QF in J to HKG.

 

[Zippy7]

CX has two different J products in operation to SYD at the moment. They have their older business class sloping seats that are similar to Qantas Skybeds (the 333 config) and they have teir new J product which is fully flat in herringbone config.

When flying in J you can use either the QF or CX lounges at HKG. CX is best lounge there.

I would be happy flying either CX or QF in J to HKG.

I didn't know that QF had a lounge in HK - I went to the Wing and the Pier once each. They were nice and had free wifi.

So I need to make sure I am booked on a flight designated as 33B Aircraft to get this new herringbone config?? (I'm presuming that means a newer, fresher interior)

 

[NM]

I didn't know that QF had a lounge in HK - I went to the Wing and the Pier once each. They were nice and had free wifi.

QF lounge is on the mezzanine level to the right as you enter through immigration and security screening. Its signed as a BA/QF lounge. It overlooks the gates most commonly used by QF and BA. Its ok, but there are better food options in The Wing and The Pier (such as the noodle bar).

So I need to make sure I am booked on a flight designated as 33B Aircraft to get this new herringbone config?? (I'm presuming that means a newer, fresher interior)

Of course there is always the chance of an aircraft substitution.

 

[DTM1]

First thing if crediting to QF (Qantas) you wont get status bonus miles flying on CX (Cathay). Similarly you wont be bale to use points to upgrade to First (if you were so inclined).

Checks to read the fine print.

I assume this can be avoided where a codeshare is available ?

I am booked on CX883 from LAX to HKG in a couple of weeks. I assume that by switching to the AA codeshare AA6121, I will be eligible for my 100% bonus ?

This is on the basis that the QF web site states that all that is needed for the status bonus is a QF, BA or AA flight number on the ticket.

Can anyone confirm this ?

 

[serfty]

YES! example to follow ....

15-Jun-06 AA6123 NEWYORK(JFK)/HONGKONG 8,070 2,018 8,070 18,158 180

 

[Shano]

I have done this for my NRT-ORD flight next week. Flight is operated by JL, however I booked the AA codeshare to get the status bonus.

The difference though is only 3,137 miles in L class , but I guess it all adds up.

 

[simongr]

Thanks. I did that in reverse last year and from memory, I think that ticket was around $8k. I did the in/outbound legs in QF and the 2 Asia legs in CX. This time around the company agent has quoted $5k for CX return to HK (business class) and $800 more for Qantas... Company policy says to go with the cheapest - I'd actually expected Qantas to show a bigger discount.
Do you expect the detoured flights to cost the same?

Thats a great price to HKG from SYD!

On a DAS13 fare (a circle asia) within certain limits you can fly around for up to 13,000KM - very handy if you need to visit NRT and HKG. There are a bunch of rules and limits and best to book ahead. I have used about 5 of these now and think they are great - although tomorrow I would rather be flying PVG-SYD than PVG-NRT-SYD...

 

[DTM1]

Thanks guys, although I wish I had known earlier (or that the TA had known). Apparently, the flight is now booked solid (at least in J) and the waiting list has even been closed off, so if I try to switch to the codeshare, I risk losing my seat - not worth the risk IMO.

Hopefully things will lighten up and I can make the switch.

 

[Zippy7]

This is on the basis that the QF web site states that all that is needed for the status bonus is a QF, BA or AA flight number on the ticket.

I'm guessing that even if I could get a codeshare flight to HK, it wouldn't be the same price as the CX flight?

 

[Zippy7]

Of course there is always the chance of an aircraft substitution.

Doh! Wouldn't want that to happen !

I was just chatting to the corp travel agent this afternoon, and she offered to get me a quote for Virgin Atlantic... Should I even consider it?:?: The return leg is an overnight flight (which I'm really not keen on, as I found I couldn't sleep in those Qantas business grey-shells).

 

[HardieBoys]

Check the times for the Virgin Atlantic flights, as they're not particularly great if you want to maximise your day at either end.

Also, if you take the late CX flight out of Sydney to HKG, you'll get in before the Airport Express has commenced service for the day, so you'll have to get a taxi. Taxis are much quicker and a bit cheaper at that time of day.

 

[NM]

Doh! Wouldn't want that to happen !

I was just chatting to the corp travel agent this afternoon, and she offered to get me a quote for Virgin Atlantic... Should I even consider it?:?: The return leg is an overnight flight (which I'm really not keen on, as I found I couldn't sleep in those Qantas business grey-shells).

CX and QF have the frequency of flights between SYD and HKG to offer daytime services in both directions. VS will mean one way is overnight.

 

[Zippy7]

VS will mean one way is overnight.

yeah - got that info in my quote this morning.
I'm now booked into the early flight to HK on Sun with the 1,1,1 config (hope thats the right herringbone plane!)

If I did go Qan, I guess they wouldn't welcome me at The Pier or The Wing? Or could I get in with my Oneworld Sapphire?

 

[Shano]

yeah - got that info in my quote this morning.
I'm now booked into the early flight to HK on Sun with the 1,1,1 config (hope thats the right herringbone plane!)

If I did go Qan, I guess they wouldn't welcome me at The Pier or The Wing? Or could I get in with my Oneworld Sapphire?

OW Sapphire (such as QF SG ) will get you entry to CX's Wing / Pier J lounges when flying a OW carrier that day. Certainly a better option than the QF lounge

 

[NM]

yeah - got that info in my quote this morning.
I'm now booked into the early flight to HK on Sun with the 1,1,1 config (hope thats the right herringbone plane!)

If I did go Qan, I guess they wouldn't welcome me at The Pier or The Wing? Or could I get in with my Oneworld Sapphire?

If flying in J on a OneWorld carrier, you will be welcome at The Wing or The Pier.