I know that it can happen with any airline, I was just saying that was my friend's latest experience with Qantas. I have no idea what happened to her bags but she was told straight away that they were gone and they weren't able to find them, it was not until after she rang every day for a week and threatened to ring a lawyer that it was taken seriously and the day after her bags turned up. What I meant was that they obviously gave up on the search until they realised she wasn't giving up.

I think it's fair to say that generally you will have a pleasant flight regardless of which airline you are on (assuming they have AVOD). However, the chances/frequency of an unpleasant flight are greater on some than others - so more people report an unhappy experience on (say) BA than SQ.

In general I think it is fair to say that you have a greater chance of an unpleasant flight on QF than on CX or SQ. CX and SQ themselves are similar - perhaps SQ just a small degree better.

Singapore every time.

Deffo.

hi if your going one way, air newzealand are good we had 32kgs each bag and had four bags

....only if you're going via LA...not Hong Kong where they also now fly.

Qantas whatever their failings may be will give you the advantage of a fistful of QFF points for that journey.

Of course other airlines have their loyalty schemes too - but QFF points are the ones you're more likely to be able to accrue via hotels, hire-cars, business trips, domestic flights and supermarket shopping etc etc in Australia.

The right credit card can see you getting a return trip to the UK every few years (assuming you put every cent you spend through the CC and spend enough). QFF redememptions however, can be a bit of an art and require either precision planning and booking 330 days before you want to fly, or extreme flexibility in terms of schedules! (and QFF redemptions are 'free' you still pay taxes so a UK return costs something in the region of $400)

True. Although strangely I have found Virgin Atlantics Flying Club to be OK because it collects on Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Blue domestically, Singapore Airlines and most Star Alliance Carriers. VS themselves only fly ex SYD internationally for a redemption flight but in a comparison they are a lot less points for an award than QF.

My wife recently used her VS status to get priority waitlisted on a Virgin Blue plane after the entire last flight bar one for the night was leaving SYD to BNE. Suffice to say about 180 other people were not so fortunate that evening.

There is indeed an art to frequent flyer programs and I would agree with marrying up to a credit card of choice to maximise points amongst other things. The only thing I can't do is double dip on the Woolworths Reward points but I get 1.5 points per dollar on Amex.

I'm going to stop rambling now before I sound too much like the frequent flyer nerd that I am.

my mum has just booked to visit us here in oz through quantas, can she get these frequent flyer points and what can we use them for?

Yes she can get them - she will need to sign up and add her frequent flyer number to the booking. Should earn about 20000 pts - roughly enough for one Brisbane - Sydney return. There are many other things the points can be used for other than flights so best to sign up and take a look.

do you mean the card that you get in woolies, can she get one even though she lives in ireland? sorry bit slow on it lol

Used Cathay on our reccie ok - much more prefered Qantas and route, we booked through the people on the visa, then you get 40kg each hold luggage if it's your migration one way trip, they were cheaper than booking direct. It's payable in US dollars so if dollar is week you win there as well.

No she can go to the qantas website and sign up - if using an overseas address joining is free - for some reason they charge Aussie residents (not if done through the woolies card though). Once signed up the booking can also be accessed online and the frequent flyer number added.

We flew PE with BA and it was pretty bad. There is extra legroom but beyond that, I didn't think there was enough to justify the substantial increase in fare from economy. Very disappointed.

WTP offers wider seat and more legroom than economy...that is all...oh and 46kg baggage allowance. Cabin service is the same as down the back...same food etc.

You could pay for exit row seating in economy & an extra bag and get essentially the same thing at a fraction of the cost!

Qantas PE is more like an old style business class service.