GodAtum

I have about 70,000 Avios. I'd like to try MAS new A350 in F (from LHR-KUL) but is there any way to use my points to make it cheaper?

UKtravelbear

No. Part pay with avios isn't available on partner flights.

Prospero

Actually, pricing options are available on partner awards, including MH.

UKtravelbear

I misread the part pay section in the spending avios wiki as it being only available on BA&AA flights

GodAtum

is MAS F worth spending a bit more then BA F? The seats do look more private but hows the service/food? Noticed their food service doesn't include cheese + chocolates.

tinkicker

our_kid

Don’t know about F but the satay in J is lush!

ppp909

The satay in F is the same as in J. It's available on most J flights, including a short hop between KUL and Langkawi I did earlier this year.

The only time I've flown in F on MH was the A380 and while the seats were a bit worn and tired, they were huge and comfortable. The service was easily better than BA in my limited experience; there were only two cabin crew for the cabin, but there were only 5 of us in there.

The food in general is pretty much the same in F as in J. The Malaysian dishes are better than the western ones.

You might also want to check out the MH forum, not just for this, but because AFAIK they are refurbishing the lounges at KUL.

LordBuckethead

You weren't misreading but are confused. You're talking about 'cash & avios', whereas this is 'miles & money'. The latter requires redemption availability, whereas the former does not, i.e. it's just a discount on a cash fare, and as such is limited to certain tickets where BA chooses to offer it. In this case, BA offers the ability to pay slightly fewer avios for a redemption in return for voluntarily paying additional 'charges'.

subject2load

Howard Long

I’ve had six recent F segments on MH, all on the A380, and all on Avios plus payment. I quite like it. The crews are very friendly, and the cabins reasonable. The seat is a good size, but is not especially private. The two loos are small, and look like a bit of a prefab afterthought from the outside!

The food’s OK but not really that special, but I do give extra points for caviar, but one point off for not providing a caviar spoon! It’s dine anytime, The wine selection is quite limited, with Comtes de Champagne Champagne, two whites, two reds and port. The wines tends to be old world. You get a large red bag with bits and pieces for your journey on boarding. No booze on the aircraft while on the ground :-(

The lounge at T4 is OK but small and a little tatty. It’s split into biz and F lounges but share the same bar, and both overlook the apron. You can usually see the awaiting MH A380 from the J lounge and the bar. The staff there are friendly and attentive. Cocktails are a bit of a crap shoot, while they do them you’re never quite sure what you’re going to get. There is a small buffet in the F section, with some a la carte options too.

Some good news: there’s hardly any walking to do between the lounge and the plane. They do manage boarding reasonably well at LHR, with F typically having its own jetway. One one occasion when I have been the only pax in F, that jetway turned out to be just for me (oh and the ground staff, Grrrr!). At KUL boarding’s not so great as there is an uncontrolled free-for-all security check at the gate followed by another wait.

There is/was an F lounge at KUL, but the main MH satellite lounge complex at KUL is being refurbed at the moment, I don’t know if that includes the F platinum lounge, or what alternatives are being offered. There is a CX lounge in the satellite but it’s not going to be big enough!

Howard Long

I willl also add that if it fits the way you roll, availability in F quite often opens up in the last few days prior to the flight departure. It is a very risky strategy, of course, but all of my F trips were done last minute in this way.

Greenpen

I wine t to KUL on the MH A380 and it was great. Sadly, on the way back I was Ill (nothing to do with MH) so could not enjoy the KUL lounge very much or the flight. At least if you don’t feel well it’s so much better in F!

arkellvspressdram

I last did MAS F a couple of years back, on the A380 from KUL to LHR. The food was virtually identical to biz class and was ok, nothing special. Seat was good, I was the only person in F and had a window seat made up as my sleeping seat while I ate, drank and watched movies in the seat next to it. KUL F lounge was nothing special to me but I am not a lounge conisseur I try to arrive at the airport as late as possible. I did note there was a smoking section in there and the staff were super great about keeping me informed when the flight had a minor delay.

ppp909

I hadn't really thought about that, but now you mention it, I do remember having to deal with it with a fork. How unrefined :-)

If you're in J or F you can use the QR lounge. To be honest I've never used the MH lounge, because I knew this and I've used the QR lounge plenty of times. I won't be he only person on this board to recommend it - great food, good wine, small and comfortable. Not too blingy. It's right next to the A380 gates too.

One other thing I'd say about the A380 is the F seats feel like you're in a bed when they're flat. The J seats feel like a flat aircraft seat, and not a particularly comfortable one. More space than BA J but less comfortable. BA F also feels like a flat aircraft seat, albeit with more space. The MH A380 F seats are a big step up.

The A350 seats look like a J seat with a big shelf alongside. Personally I see that as a waste of space. Unless there's a mattress stowed under that shelf.