Why do people fly QF J-Class?
Mar 30, 2011, 8:41 pm
#1
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Brisbane Australia
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Why do people fly QF J-Class?
As much as I'd like to be a patriotic Aussie, it's been two years since I last flew QF internationally because every time I go to book a QF flight anywhere (I go to Asia and the US frequently), the prices are 20-40% higher than comparable carriers (like SQ into Asia and VA or NZ into the US). I'm lucky I work for a company with a J-Class travel policy, but they won't swallow QF prices.
Mar 30, 2011, 9:07 pm
#4
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Or their organisation has negotiated a wonderful discount for Business Class fares.
However it must be said, most airlines charge more in their home markets than they do for their destination market. I can obtain a more competitive QF or ow fare from NZ than from Australia.
However it must be said, most airlines charge more in their home markets than they do for their destination market. I can obtain a more competitive QF or ow fare from NZ than from Australia.
Mar 30, 2011, 9:11 pm
#5
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Mar 30, 2011, 10:16 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Sydney, AU.
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If you are paying out of your own pocket or budget and you are paying retail fares for QF J then yes, there are much cheaper & better carriers than QF to fly. With that said I am about to fly QF to AMS and back in paid J and QF actually was significantly cheaper than EK, EY, SQ and CX for the travel dates.
For trans-pacific flying then DL and UA are far cheaper and close enough in product, food and service to QF to pay significantly less if booking at 50+ days. Any less than that and again at retail QF is actually cheaper.
For trans-tasman, over on NZ works + and back in QF J is the best value.
For trans-pacific flying then DL and UA are far cheaper and close enough in product, food and service to QF to pay significantly less if booking at 50+ days. Any less than that and again at retail QF is actually cheaper.
For trans-tasman, over on NZ works + and back in QF J is the best value.
Mar 30, 2011, 11:22 pm
#9
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If you are paying out of your own pocket or budget and you are paying retail fares for QF J then yes, there are much cheaper & better carriers than QF to fly. With that said I am about to fly QF to AMS and back in paid J and QF actually was significantly cheaper than EK, EY, SQ and CX for the travel dates.
For trans-pacific flying then DL and UA are far cheaper and close enough in product, food and service to QF to pay significantly less if booking at 50+ days. Any less than that and again at retail QF is actually cheaper.
For trans-tasman, over on NZ works + and back in QF J is the best value.
For trans-pacific flying then DL and UA are far cheaper and close enough in product, food and service to QF to pay significantly less if booking at 50+ days. Any less than that and again at retail QF is actually cheaper.
For trans-tasman, over on NZ works + and back in QF J is the best value.
My last J-Class MEL<>ORD trip was $8k on NZ (which I flew) against a quoted $9k on UA and $12k on QF!
Mar 31, 2011, 1:17 am
#10
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SIN / SYD
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Airlines tend to be more expensive out of their "home" country - probably because they have more market power in those countries.
Compare a QF J SYD-LAX-SYD vs LAX-SYD-LAX ticket, or SYD-SIN-SYD vs SIN-SYD-SIN ticket. The ex-SYD prices are much higher.
Compare a QF J SYD-LAX-SYD vs LAX-SYD-LAX ticket, or SYD-SIN-SYD vs SIN-SYD-SIN ticket. The ex-SYD prices are much higher.
Mar 31, 2011, 1:34 am
#11
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,706
I find EK J good value for trans tasman from NZ
I wouldn't pay QF business fares generally on long haul since they tend to be a lot more expensive for a lesser (imo) product. ex AU, I do think that there are numerous ppl blinkered into just thinking QF so QF is able to keep fares high plus I suspect that some major agencies are encouraged to push QF for kickbacks
Dave
I wouldn't pay QF business fares generally on long haul since they tend to be a lot more expensive for a lesser (imo) product. ex AU, I do think that there are numerous ppl blinkered into just thinking QF so QF is able to keep fares high plus I suspect that some major agencies are encouraged to push QF for kickbacks
Dave
Mar 31, 2011, 1:50 am
#12
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That theory probably holds for Y passengers...where QF's pricing is competitive anyway...but I'd bet that the majority of passengers in J (me included) have had their tickets paid for by their employer. There, the bottom-line is the bottom-line.
Mar 31, 2011, 2:05 am
#13
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True and true.
Mar 31, 2011, 2:13 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Also, they know to charge what the market will bear.
QF charges on AU - SIN routes basically what SQ charges.
QF charges on AU - HKG routes basically what CX charges.
What you need to do is turn the tables, eg. Originate your flight with QF out of HK - then you'll see a big price difference. Well, that used to be the case.
One thing nobody mentioned: Why do people fly QF J-Class? A380
OK - SIA flies them, but not many others.
One other thing: Two of the best airline lounges in the world. Qantas First in MEL & SYD
OK, straight J won't get you access, but if you do it often enough, you'll soon make it to Platinum
Last edited by Princi; Mar 31, 2011 at 2:18 am Reason: forgot something
Mar 31, 2011, 2:49 am
#15
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Very true.
Also, they know to charge what the market will bear.
QF charges on AU - SIN routes basically what SQ charges.
QF charges on AU - HKG routes basically what CX charges.
What you need to do is turn the tables, eg. Originate your flight with QF out of HK - then you'll see a big price difference. Well, that used to be the case.
One thing nobody mentioned: Why do people fly QF J-Class? A380
OK - SIA flies them, but not many others.
One other thing: Two of the best airline lounges in the world. Qantas First in MEL & SYD
OK, straight J won't get you access, but if you do it often enough, you'll soon make it to Platinum
Also, they know to charge what the market will bear.
QF charges on AU - SIN routes basically what SQ charges.
QF charges on AU - HKG routes basically what CX charges.
What you need to do is turn the tables, eg. Originate your flight with QF out of HK - then you'll see a big price difference. Well, that used to be the case.
One thing nobody mentioned: Why do people fly QF J-Class? A380
OK - SIA flies them, but not many others.
One other thing: Two of the best airline lounges in the world. Qantas First in MEL & SYD
OK, straight J won't get you access, but if you do it often enough, you'll soon make it to Platinum
In my experience QF J-Class pricing never matches SQ to SIN or CX to HKG. They didn't this week either.
A380? So? It's quiet. What else? (Sure QF's A380 product is ITS best).
My employer who (like...I suspect...the majority of most other J-Class passengers) is paying for my J ticket couldn't give a toss that QF's First Lounges are the best in Aus. Besides...an hour in the lounge...hours on the plane.