Award in First Class - LHR to SYD - Qantas or BA ?
Jul 3, 2015, 11:34 pm
#1
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Join Date: Jul 2015
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Award in First Class - LHR to SYD - Qantas or BA ?
Hi all, I'm looking at booking my first First Class flight from London Heathow to Sydney, and am hoping those with more experience could share some advice.
I'm booking through AA and can use either of their code share partners, BA or Qantas. The BA flight first leg is on A388 to Singapore and then on to Sydney flying on a 777. The Qantas flight stops at Dubai and is A380 all the way.
Am I right in thinking that a UK carrier might be better for flying out of Heathrow? I should be able to use BAs Conchord room, at least I'd hope to do as it's a BA operated flight even if booked through AA.
Does anyone have any insight or experience or the two first class offerings? Which option would you choose?
Thanks in advance!
I'm booking through AA and can use either of their code share partners, BA or Qantas. The BA flight first leg is on A388 to Singapore and then on to Sydney flying on a 777. The Qantas flight stops at Dubai and is A380 all the way.
Am I right in thinking that a UK carrier might be better for flying out of Heathrow? I should be able to use BAs Conchord room, at least I'd hope to do as it's a BA operated flight even if booked through AA.
Does anyone have any insight or experience or the two first class offerings? Which option would you choose?
Thanks in advance!
Jul 3, 2015, 11:58 pm
#3
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"I'm booking through AA and can use either of their code share partners, BA or Qantas."
Why are you booking through AA?
"I'm booking through AA and can use either of their code share partners, BA or Qantas."
Why are you booking through AA?
Jul 4, 2015, 12:02 am
#4
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Jul 4, 2015, 12:19 am
#5
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If it's an AA award redemption, there will be hefty surcharges on BA; none on QF. And codeshares are irrelevant for AA award redemptions: you cannot book an AA award for travel under the codeshare flight number. (I'm not even sure if AA codeshares on BA's or QF's SYD-LHR service.)
If it's an AA award redemption, there will be hefty surcharges on BA; none on QF. And codeshares are irrelevant for AA award redemptions: you cannot book an AA award for travel under the codeshare flight number. (I'm not even sure if AA codeshares on BA's or QF's SYD-LHR service.)
Jul 4, 2015, 12:47 am
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If it's an AA award redemption, there will be hefty surcharges on BA; none on QF. And codeshares are irrelevant for AA award redemptions: you cannot book an AA award for travel under the codeshare flight number. (I'm not even sure if AA codeshares on BA's or QF's SYD-LHR service.)
If it's an AA award redemption, there will be hefty surcharges on BA; none on QF. And codeshares are irrelevant for AA award redemptions: you cannot book an AA award for travel under the codeshare flight number. (I'm not even sure if AA codeshares on BA's or QF's SYD-LHR service.)
Was wondering if there's much to choose between the levels of service and cabin comfort. If I was travelling outbound I'd choose Qantas and get the benefit of their Sudney first class lounge. As I'm travelling in the operate direction thought it might be my only opportunity to check out the Concord Room, as it's only available to BA first class passengers.
Jul 4, 2015, 2:58 am
#7
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I wouldn't suggest making the Concorde Room a major factor in my decision. It's a decent lounge, but nothing really exceptional. To get there you have to go through the same security queue as everyone else, and your journey to the aircraft from there involves the same mini train as the 300 economy passengers. I have not tried the new QF first class, but I suspect that availability will be your biggest factor either way.
Jul 4, 2015, 8:48 am
#9
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First Class - LHR to SYD - Qantas or BA ?
the Concorde Room is not worth $350.
Not sure why you think it's better to fly a UK carrier out of the UK
Not sure why you think it's better to fly a UK carrier out of the UK
Jul 4, 2015, 9:02 am
#10
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"I suspect that availability will be your biggest factor either way."
Exactly.
Depending on when the OP wishes to travel, he might not have a choice between QF and BA. In fact, he might not be able to find award availability on either carrier!
"I suspect that availability will be your biggest factor either way."
Exactly.
Depending on when the OP wishes to travel, he might not have a choice between QF and BA. In fact, he might not be able to find award availability on either carrier!
Jul 4, 2015, 9:14 am
#11
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For 20K more AA miles (100K vs. 80K), the OP could also fly EY F LHR-AUH-SYD -- and even stop over at AUH, if desired. And I believe that EY F includes free limo service to and from the airports.
For 20K more AA miles (100K vs. 80K), the OP could also fly EY F LHR-AUH-SYD -- and even stop over at AUH, if desired. And I believe that EY F includes free limo service to and from the airports.
Jul 4, 2015, 9:38 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 11
I would try Qantas
I agree. I just finished my second transatlantic RT BA First to watch some tennis and was again underwhelmed by their consistency and overall service. How they fail to get the little inexpensive things right amazes me. The outbound leg was almost comical for apparent lack of effort. Return leg much better this time which indicates to me that they can do it right (almost: still no hot towel, greeting by name or showing the wine bottle prior to pouring, but a big improvement overall).
That said, I do like the CCR. And although I qualify for BAEC Silver (after only 2 RT bookings!) I could not care less.
That said, I do like the CCR. And although I qualify for BAEC Silver (after only 2 RT bookings!) I could not care less.
Last edited by AldoNOLA; Jul 4, 2015 at 9:39 am Reason: clarification: I have not flown Qantas
Jul 4, 2015, 6:30 pm
#14
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Many QF freq flyer's have trouble getting business/first awards, even at 353 days out. AA only has awards from 330 days out
Jul 4, 2015, 6:55 pm
#15
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Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 5
LHR ==> MEL was my first choice, I live in St.Kilda, but a short hop from Sydney isn't a problem as I already make that flight most weeks.
I have a reasonably wide window on return date of about 10 days and both the BA and Qantas showed some limited availability within those dates.
All booked now with Qantas and e-ticket issued!
Thanks again for people's advice and opinions.
I have a reasonably wide window on return date of about 10 days and both the BA and Qantas showed some limited availability within those dates.
All booked now with Qantas and e-ticket issued!
Thanks again for people's advice and opinions.
