Sanity Check my 110K decision (F Award on QF) (to merge)
May 21, 2019, 6:06 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
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May 22, 2019, 12:33 pm
#19
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
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You’ll be happy to know Fiji Airways’ coming A350-900 aircraft will sport the same Rockwell Collins (nee B/E Aerospace) Super Diamond seats you can find on the AA 787-9 and most 772s.
May 22, 2019, 1:04 pm
#20
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,592
LOL, Nantucket!
Once the Australia itinerary is nailed down, (working on that now, 10-12 days on Southern coast), will pick up a 25K AA Business Award on Qantas from SYD or MEL to AKL, for a second 10-12 days in New Zealand. Then toying with picking up a 35K Business Award to NAN from AKL. There's a lot of business award availability, at least right now, on both those routes. But as it could be pulled anytime trying to work it quickly.
Will probably end up buying a ticket back from AKL or NAN back to the states, unless something terrific opens up in next few months for an Award inbound.
I'm pretty much sold on the 110K Award Qantas to MEL! :-) :-) The feedback here, and also checking out the Qantas LAX departure lounge online, makes this a pretty easy decision after all. Thanks All!
Once the Australia itinerary is nailed down, (working on that now, 10-12 days on Southern coast), will pick up a 25K AA Business Award on Qantas from SYD or MEL to AKL, for a second 10-12 days in New Zealand. Then toying with picking up a 35K Business Award to NAN from AKL. There's a lot of business award availability, at least right now, on both those routes. But as it could be pulled anytime trying to work it quickly.
Will probably end up buying a ticket back from AKL or NAN back to the states, unless something terrific opens up in next few months for an Award inbound.
I'm pretty much sold on the 110K Award Qantas to MEL! :-) :-) The feedback here, and also checking out the Qantas LAX departure lounge online, makes this a pretty easy decision after all. Thanks All!
It is about 2 hrs 40 flight from SYD-AKL ; Fares (in USD) in economy start at $151 on Virgin and USD183 on Qantas. The taxes component is $84.80 with fate (on VA) being $64.40
Paying 25k plus $84.80 in taxes for such a route seems poor value
If wanting business class , Virgin offers business class at US$258.18 plus $84.80 and Qantas offers it as US$299.49 plus taxes
25,000 miles to save $300 fares, seems a poor value use of miles
May 22, 2019, 1:41 pm
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: DCA/IAD & BUF
Posts: 1,400
Dave, thanks for this info. I had put in some sample dates initially and was coming up with business class fares $700-800. I'll re-look at this when I get the number of Australia days nailed down. You're completely right --- 25K miles would not be a good value if $300 seats are available in Business.
SF077 --- loved your report of this flight and what to expect. (Did a double take at the KitKat bar though --- never seen one of them offered in a snack basket. lol.)
SF077 --- loved your report of this flight and what to expect. (Did a double take at the KitKat bar though --- never seen one of them offered in a snack basket. lol.)
May 22, 2019, 3:53 pm
#22
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: BOS
Programs: Free Agent! B6 Mosaic, AA 5MM LT Plat (EXP gone), SPG LT Plat, WN APlus, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 325
A bit late since you've already booked, but definitely a good call to go with Qantas, the A380 F product is pretty amazing (done A380 F, A380 J and 747 J several times), and the F lounge in LAX is pretty decent as well, nice meal service if you'd rather sleep for the first part of the flight. Enjoy the trip!
May 22, 2019, 4:11 pm
#23
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,018
Dave, thanks for this info. I had put in some sample dates initially and was coming up with business class fares $700-800. I'll re-look at this when I get the number of Australia days nailed down. You're completely right --- 25K miles would not be a good value if $300 seats are available in Business.