Originally Posted by robynj

Hiya. I'm new here and looking for a bit of help. Traveling to Australia in the fall and with the goals of avoiding a 12K fare, but not flying coach, it seems I have two options:

• CZ biz through CAN for $5K
• Virgin Australia prem econ through LAX for $3K

Earning the MQMs is also important as this trip likely kicks me over to PM. BUT I want to travel in some level of comfort without any worries so am willing to pay a bit more (and sacrifice an MQM or two if necessary) to get that. My concern is that I've heard prem econ is just coach in a different dress and even worse things about CZ and CAN (where I'll spend a good chunk of layover time).

FWIW, I have about 168K pesos, and 180K AMEX membership rewards but there is no upgrade inventory in Sept or Oct.

Any and all advice would be awesome.

I should also mention that I would be booked in coach on the JFK/LAX leg (ugh to the max) if on prem econ with VA.