Choice between SYD-LAX in QF Y+ or in FJ J

[GCC]

Looking at travel to LAX for business in Feb 2015.

I was about to book QF in Y+ on a sale fare for around $3650, when I thought I'd check FJ options in J, which ends up being $3843 for SYD - NAN - SYD + NAN - LAX - NAN. 3 hour connection in NAN both outbound and return.

QF has the advantage of being direct, with F lounge access and on the A380. I would be registering for a points upgrade.

FJ has the advantage of being in J and not much else. (20 more SC's). Last time I flew FJ was J in an old 744, and I'm not sure if the hard product on this route justifies the extra time, or what the lounge options are like in LAX?

 

[aaflyer]

FJ J has the same J seat as VA have on their A330's (at present at least).

I would be taking this over the W option on QF all day (and will be doing this next year on my trip to the USA). Added benefit of more SC's as well, although you lose the F lounge, but I can cope with that.

 

[Timtammi]

What aaflyer said. If you break up the bookings for the FJ tix you should be able to get the cost down. Book SYD-NAN, NAN-LAX-NAN, and NAN-SYD as 3 separate tix direct with FJ. When checking in at SYD tell them you are going through to LAX and ask for bags to be checked through, there should be no issues.
The lounge FJ used to use in LAX was pretty bad. I believe they now have their own new one, not sure how much better it is but the biggest downside for me is no showers as its a late leaving flight. for the increased comfort on FJ I put up with it and have a shower at the small lounge at NAN on the way home.

 

[GCC]

FJ J has the same J seat as VA have on their A330's (at present at least).

Is it fully flat?

 

[Timtammi]

No, its angled.

 

[N860CR]

Are you able to book it on a QF codeshare? I've done this in the past and it solved the issue with F lounge and SCs. (Unless SCs on codeshares have changed now?)

 

[aaflyer]

Are you able to book it on a QF codeshare? I've done this in the past and it solved the issue with F lounge and SCs. (Unless SCs on codeshares have changed now?)

You can, at a very very substantial price premium (ie, in the thousands of dollars). Definitely not worth it for the F Lounge or SC's IMHO.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Were you trying to use points for an award or only retail fares?

QF partner awards on FJ have very low taxes ex LAX. Another option is a purchased Star Class fare on JQ ex HNL to SYD which is a day flight.

 

[GCC]

Wasn't particularly trying to use points, more a case of options for the same fare price.

If I'm successful in getting a Y+ - J upgrade each way I'll be paying QF $3600 + 90k points.

FJ does sound tempting, but destination is actually LAS, and when I do the sums the QF flight duration is 13.45, and the FJ option is 21 hours with a 3 hour connection.

 

[N860CR]

You can, at a very very substantial price premium (ie, in the thousands of dollars). Definitely not worth it for the F Lounge or SC's IMHO.

Ah, I see. There must have been a time when it was the same

 

[sergeyvzn]

FJ new white leather seat on A330 is actually quite fabulous. If you have flown SQ on their regional A330 metal, this is exactly the same thing. I have found it a very comfortable seat to sleep on even if it's angled.

 

[GCC]

Ah, I see. There must have been a time when it was the same

the $3843 I quoted is for FJ booked SYD-NAN -SYD & NAN- LAX - NAN. Booking the QF code share for the SYD - NAN -SYD segment came to a total $4170 so $300 difference

 

[MEL_Traveller]

the $3843 I quoted is for FJ booked SYD-NAN -SYD & NAN- LAX - NAN. Booking the QF code share for the SYD - NAN -SYD segment came to a total $4170 so $300 difference

it should work out cheaper (as pointed out above) to break down the booking even further and take advantage of the FJD for the NAN-SYD leg on the return.

Three tickets generally yields the lowest price:

SYD-NAN
NAN-LAX-NAN
NAN-SYD

Can be a couple hundred dollars cheaper that way - I was getting fares for $3700 with that combo.