Qantas Frequent Flyer | How much is it worth?
#46
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#49
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#50
Devil's Advocate
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Re: Qantas Frequent Flyer | How much is it worth?
Had a look at my e-ticket and the flights are into and out of Terminal 3, which is where the A380 lounge is located - caveat being that EK can change Terminals if they want
Remember reading an article when EK announced the Perth A380 service that it would be going into and out of T3
Remember reading an article when EK announced the Perth A380 service that it would be going into and out of T3
#51
Re: Qantas Frequent Flyer | How much is it worth?
I'm gold with QF and Emirates and never the twain shall meet.
QF is pretty goid for internal flights though availability is getting tougher especially at peak times. Never tried it long haul as have always used Emirates for that.
I always found EK program pretty good but this year it seems they have significant upped reward flight costs/miles needed. I wouldnt theyre a rip off but theres no such thing as a free lunch (or flight for that matter).
QF is pretty goid for internal flights though availability is getting tougher especially at peak times. Never tried it long haul as have always used Emirates for that.
I always found EK program pretty good but this year it seems they have significant upped reward flight costs/miles needed. I wouldnt theyre a rip off but theres no such thing as a free lunch (or flight for that matter).
It turns out they rarely give upgrades online right up to departure day (in case they can still sell the seats). The trick is to try at check in or even later in the lounge. We tried in the MEL EK lounge and got upgrades to Dubai; tried in Dubai and got upgrades to GLA. Staff at both lounges told us this is the only way you are guaranteed of an upgrade if they aren't fully booked. In Dubai they made it even closer to departure - they said to come back at 6.30 am and boarding the plane was at 6.50 am; couldn't sell the seats up to last minute so gave upgrade.
#52
Re: Qantas Frequent Flyer | How much is it worth?
I wouldnt bank on that. Ive flown the 380 half a dozen or more times and I have only ever transited through the new Lounge once - the trip Im currently on. I arrived from Perth onto a B gate then left for Houston from an A gate.
The A gates are the new 380 terminal (a train ride from B gates) however despite using the 380 several times to/from London and US, as I say this is the first time its been ex an A gate.
I hope you do get it though as the A gate lounge is massively better then the B one (at least in business).
The A gates are the new 380 terminal (a train ride from B gates) however despite using the 380 several times to/from London and US, as I say this is the first time its been ex an A gate.
I hope you do get it though as the A gate lounge is massively better then the B one (at least in business).
FWIW we've tried A380 twice from DXB to MEL and twice MEL to DXB and much prefer 777 ER ourselves. 13/14 hours non-stop not worth it for the extra you get and also it's cattle class business on the A380 - longer waits to get served meals. We like the 7/7/7 as we call it - breaking the journey down into 7 hours between GLA and DXB; 7 hours between DXB and KUL or SIN and 7 hours to MEL, same back the way. You also get 2 more visits to the lounges on a return trip on the 777 this way.
#53
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Re: Qantas Frequent Flyer | How much is it worth?
Small point - A gates are for A380 but not exclusively. Our last 2 trips both on 777 ER all the way; landed at a B gate, train to an A gate, into lounge, straight down to plane from the lounge that's on outward and inward legs so last 4 times at DXB (the world's largest building). Agreed on B vs A gates and the same applies to B vs A lounges - latter the best.
FWIW we've tried A380 twice from DXB to MEL and twice MEL to DXB and much prefer 777 ER ourselves. 13/14 hours non-stop not worth it for the extra you get and also it's cattle class business on the A380 - longer waits to get served meals. We like the 7/7/7 as we call it - breaking the journey down into 7 hours between GLA and DXB; 7 hours between DXB and KUL or SIN and 7 hours to MEL, same back the way. You also get 2 more visits to the lounges on a return trip on the 777 this way.
FWIW we've tried A380 twice from DXB to MEL and twice MEL to DXB and much prefer 777 ER ourselves. 13/14 hours non-stop not worth it for the extra you get and also it's cattle class business on the A380 - longer waits to get served meals. We like the 7/7/7 as we call it - breaking the journey down into 7 hours between GLA and DXB; 7 hours between DXB and KUL or SIN and 7 hours to MEL, same back the way. You also get 2 more visits to the lounges on a return trip on the 777 this way.
#54
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Re: Qantas Frequent Flyer | How much is it worth?
My favourite metal though is the 777-300ER (aka 77W). Two beasts as engines and a tried and tested plane (I don't believe this model ever had a hull loss).
#55
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2010
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Re: Qantas Frequent Flyer | How much is it worth?
I like the A380 - it truly is an engineering accomplishment of the highest calibre. The air quality onboard is much better compared to other planes (higher pressure), and it handles turbulent weather very well. Plus it's extremely quiet - in the front-most section in econ you can barely hear the engines.
My favourite metal though is the 777-300ER (aka 77W). Two beasts as engines and a tried and tested plane (I don't believe this model ever had a hull loss).
My favourite metal though is the 777-300ER (aka 77W). Two beasts as engines and a tried and tested plane (I don't believe this model ever had a hull loss).
#56
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Re: Qantas Frequent Flyer | How much is it worth?
Its in interesting the views of business on 380. Its often reported as being cattle class. I disagree, yes its big and takes longer to load and especially offload. The "delays" with meal service purely academic to me. You get served twice (or whatever) does it really matter if you have to wait? Not to me.
But....to me the product itself is better than 777. Traveling alone the A or K seats are private & spacious . I understand why some find it a bit Claustrophobic but i like that privacy. Likewise in a pair the E & F seats are good. Id hate an ailse as they are so narrow.
Plus an hour or two at the bar cab wend away time pleasantly.
So for ultra long haul like i completed last week, i deliberately choose the 380 hubs over 777. However doing east coast to UK, id be torn between 3x777 legs vs 1x380 + 1x777. I agree this can be nicer.
Only once i have not managed to get an upgrade at time of booking. I suppose that 5 out of 6 in last 3 or 4 years. The one I missed I did get at airport.
It always amazes me different peoples experiences with the same product or company.
But....to me the product itself is better than 777. Traveling alone the A or K seats are private & spacious . I understand why some find it a bit Claustrophobic but i like that privacy. Likewise in a pair the E & F seats are good. Id hate an ailse as they are so narrow.
Plus an hour or two at the bar cab wend away time pleasantly.
So for ultra long haul like i completed last week, i deliberately choose the 380 hubs over 777. However doing east coast to UK, id be torn between 3x777 legs vs 1x380 + 1x777. I agree this can be nicer.
Only once i have not managed to get an upgrade at time of booking. I suppose that 5 out of 6 in last 3 or 4 years. The one I missed I did get at airport.
It always amazes me different peoples experiences with the same product or company.
#57
Re: Qantas Frequent Flyer | How much is it worth?
Its in interesting the views of business on 380. Its often reported as being cattle class. I disagree, yes its big and takes longer to load and especially offload. The "delays" with meal service purely academic to me. You get served twice (or whatever) does it really matter if you have to wait? Not to me.
But....to me the product itself is better than 777. Traveling alone the A or K seats are private & spacious . I understand why some find it a bit Claustrophobic but i like that privacy. Likewise in a pair the E & F seats are good. Id hate an ailse as they are so narrow.
Plus an hour or two at the bar cab wend away time pleasantly.
So for ultra long haul like i completed last week, i deliberately choose the 380 hubs over 777. However doing east coast to UK, id be torn between 3x777 legs vs 1x380 + 1x777. I agree this can be nicer.
Only once i have not managed to get an upgrade at time of booking. I suppose that 5 out of 6 in last 3 or 4 years. The one I missed I did get at airport.
It always amazes me different peoples experiences with the same product or company.
But....to me the product itself is better than 777. Traveling alone the A or K seats are private & spacious . I understand why some find it a bit Claustrophobic but i like that privacy. Likewise in a pair the E & F seats are good. Id hate an ailse as they are so narrow.
Plus an hour or two at the bar cab wend away time pleasantly.
So for ultra long haul like i completed last week, i deliberately choose the 380 hubs over 777. However doing east coast to UK, id be torn between 3x777 legs vs 1x380 + 1x777. I agree this can be nicer.
Only once i have not managed to get an upgrade at time of booking. I suppose that 5 out of 6 in last 3 or 4 years. The one I missed I did get at airport.
It always amazes me different peoples experiences with the same product or company.
We are both teetotal so the bar means nothing other than you can go and get snacks, sandwiches etc on the way back from the loo! I've always found on the 777's that you can get food or drink any time if you speak nicely to your steward (J)
I didn't notice any difference in air quality to be honest but stands to reason that would be an improvement on the older Boeings.
I haven't tried for upgrade at the time of booking - only after the booking has been made or at departure airport; I'll try that next time (is that an online booking or when speaking to someone when making the booking?)
#58
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Re: Qantas Frequent Flyer | How much is it worth?
Anyway I have heard they aren't easy at first certainly cos they are so high up, same as going from a 321 to a 747, its hard to readjust the perception of how far you ( as the pilot) are from the ground.
#59
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Re: Qantas Frequent Flyer | How much is it worth?
I'm a bit of a nervous lander. Don't know why. I feel better if I'm in the groove with the plane, watching out the window at all the bits on the wings doing their things, riding with the bumps, rolls etc. Wife always wonders what I'm doing. I say 'I'm landing the plane". Weird I know but it helps with landing nerves.
#60
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Re: Qantas Frequent Flyer | How much is it worth?
I'm a bit of a nervous lander. Don't know why. I feel better if I'm in the groove with the plane, watching out the window at all the bits on the wings doing their things, riding with the bumps, rolls etc. Wife always wonders what I'm doing. I say 'I'm landing the plane". Weird I know but it helps with landing nerves.
What I have never liked though are... take-offs. I cannot stand them. Once the beast gets rolling... and continues to roll and roll... and roll and roll some more with the metres zipping by, I start thinking that we're having trouble getting up and that we will run out of tarmac and start bulldozing trees or buildings soon...