h2oskineil

Just before you get the flights booked... and this totally off subject about the qantas club...... found this web site which appears to have good prices and checks all the airlines. www.wego.com

Not sure where in Oz you are heading but did a cost comparison to Sydney and the cheapest was Malaysia Airways at GBP 657.00 (one way) and Qantas came in at number eight at GBP 826.00 (one way)

Did a return ticket and malaysia still one of the cheapest at GBP972.00 and Qantas second at GBP 1,005.00.

One way with Air Asia to Melbourne is GBP 541.00 + food and baggage etc.

Any one seen better prices? Do you think this 'wego' web site is any good?
Cheers

lonndongeek

There's more to frequent flyer schemes than just the points though.

My backside spends enough time in Qantas seats for me to get a shiny gold card every year. For me the points are an added bonus. I try to keep my flying with Qantas as I appreciate the following:

• Access to Qantas Pubs so I can get something to eat, drink and have somewhere quiet(ish) when waiting for a flight
• Getting a seat towards the front of economy so that I can be in front of 200 other people when I'm getting off a plane (comes in very handy at LAX)
• Having my bags come out quicker (now and again) so that when I arrive in Darwin with 200 other people I'm standing closer to the front of a sweaty 1 hour taxi queue
• More luggage allowance - handy for US shopping trips

Cheers

LG

Pollyana

Very true, and its because of the bonuses like these that I stick to flying Qantas and accumulating their points. They may not always have perfect service, but generally you know what you're going to get. No hidden extras like paying for sandwiches, or bringing your own drink, no ending up with very cramped seating, and no complicated route planning. If others are happy to do all this for a trip, then thats fine, its up to them, but for me I want to get on the plane and get home with as few changes, hitches and arguments as possible

IvanM

For personal flights I will go with Sia, Malaysian, QF ba depending on who is cheapest. Normally QF is pricier. I do not fly enough for work to go gold but QF have always treated me well. If Virgin improve the seats and cleanliness I would fly with them.

Another fun part is getting around work policy to fly QF. The club is worth it if you fly domestically a lot but will not go gold.

Rudi

I've always been able to get onto the free wifi in the Qantas lounges! Brissy, Townsville Sydney, Melb. I just use my iphone and it logs into it no problem.

Love

Rudi
x

lolcat

Thanks for all the feedback guys, it's been very helpful.
I'll give membership a go for a year, as we've planned a few trips back for weddings etc. over the course of 2012.

lonndongeek

Be aware that if you have any flights leaving T5 at heathrow, you won't be able to use your Qantas club membership to get into the lounges there.

Cheers

LG

Pollyana

Thats true. They need to be Qantas sectors (T3) not BA sectors (T5), don't they?

lolcat

Cheers for the heads-up on that!

lonndongeek

Pretty much, yes.

Qantas Club membership gets you into BA Terraces lounges. All of their new lounges (and refitted ones) are Galleries lounges.

There's a big long thread about it over at Australian Frequent Flyer. I'm too lazy to copy/paste here, so apologies for the link if it's not allowed.

Cheers

LG

Wol

BA Australian flights are still using T3 - a real slum. One of the problems of getting in bed with other airlines I expect - T5 has filled up with others.

Question: if you join Qantas club can you use the lounge when flying with ,say, BA?

verystormy

As pointed out why would you fly Qantas when Emerites will give a bigger allowance as standard. I fly a "reasonable" amount - live in Oz but work in Africa and avoid them at all costs.

lonndongeek

The 'official' line is that unless you're on a Qantas flight (Qantas plane, not codeshare) you can't use BA lounges at heathrow with your Qantas Club card.

Cheers

LG

Bermudashorts

Really? BA flights to Aus are in T3? I am flying back BA first class next year and was looking forward to the Concorde lounge but that is T5.

Wol

Well, we have gone through T3 on BA between Oz and the UK half a dozen times this last year, and are due to do so again twice next month - just checked. They may of course change to T5 by the time you go otherwise brace yourself!