Europe Flight Redepmtion with QFF Points

chillybags on 06/03/2018 - 15:14
Last edited 06/03/2018 - 15:35

Hi All,

Currently looking at flights to get to europe (one way as return flight is already sorted). Currently in a bit of an argument with the GF about best way to use our points. We have just under 300k qantas points between the two of us. Neither of us have flown business or first class.

The aim was to start our trip in Paris we would then head south after a few days down towards italy.

After extensive research I have narrowed it down to two different options which are identical in terms of routes connections and timings, just the cost and end destination differ:

Route 1: Brussels
- Sydney to Hong Kong with Qantas Economy 28k Points $175 in fees
- Hong Kong to Brussels (via dubai) with Emirates Business 84k points and $75 fees
- Would then take our chauffer drive into brussels spend a night or two in brussels and catch the train into paris (2hrs on the train)
Total: 112K points and $250 in cash

Route 2: Dusseldorf
- Sydney to Hong Kong with Qantas Economy 0 Points $440 fare.
- Hong Kong to Dusseldorf (via dubai) with Emirates first class 126k points and $75 fees.
- Would then take our chauffer drive into Cologne and either spend a night there then train into Paris (3.5hrs on the train) or train straight into brussels (1.5
hours on the train and make our way to paris a couple days later as per route 1).
Total: 126K points and $515 in cash

My preference is route 2, we get to fly first class which is a once in a lifetime experience and personally something on my bucket list that I've always wanted to try. Of course I would never pay the $9k that first class costs, but at ~$250 extra and 2 hours on the train I believe its worthwhile to experience emirates first class. Train travel is easy in europe and its not like we are coming off 30+ hours cramped in economy, we will be nice and relaxed coming off the flights and a short train ride is very do-able.

The GF her preference is route 1, takes us closer to where we want to go and costs less money and less time. Business gives you approx 90% of what first class offers but is a lot cheaper.

In the scheme of things for our ~$250 each extra on flights is not going to break the bank and is something we can afford especially since are getting to europe and back for approx $500.

In my head if somebody says you can fly first class for only $250 extra then you would jump on it! No brainer to me. But wanted to get other peoples thoughts on this scneario. If you have flown on emirates in business or first please let me know what you thought!

Poll Options

  • 5
    Route 1: Business to Brussels - 112k points and $250
  • 20
    Route 2: First Class to Dusseldorf - 126k points and $515
Travel

Comments

  • Donaldhump on 06/03/2018 - 15:51
    +1

    Can u not do ur own flights and meet in Paris, you would be apart 3 days

    I'd go for Brussels

    • chillybags on 06/03/2018 - 15:59
      +1

      Thanks for the input - Deffinetly not worth 3 days apart but its an interesting thought!

  • Foxtail on 06/03/2018 - 15:54
    +2

    Have been on Emirates J (Bus.) a few times, loved their lounges and limo service and more so the fantastic bar at rear of cabin for J/F passengers, great service too. We usually get to HKG anyway we can even in paying Y upgradable, as QF award flights out of OZ long haul fees are outrageous and award seats for 2 in J/F hard to find, out of HGK low fees and award flights plentiful.

    We are planing an around the world trip using QFF points in J mid year, HKG/BOS/JFK/LHR/DOH/SYD/CNS want to try out QR "Q" seats. Its 58K in points and around a grand in fees, if departing OZ its about double dollars. We have enough points for F on way home might?.

    • chillybags on 06/03/2018 - 15:58

      Thanks for the input! Yes heard the bar is great, but just seems silly to pay all that money for a seat and not sit in it haha. We ar flying singapore to syd on the way back in Business which should be great too!

      I have no doubts that either flight option is going to be amazing, just feels like its worth putitng in a few extra $$ and get to the very front of the plane!

  • donbot on 06/03/2018 - 16:36
    +2

    My experience with J flights is sometimes you need to make eye contact to get a top up of champagne. In F, your glass never has the opportunity to be even slightly empty. Or stomach slightly rumbly.

    Go F. You'll not regret it, but already I read in your post regret if you only go J. You only live once - and if you've got the points and a few hours to spare, in the long term - whats it matter? You wont remember what you did with $265 more cash, or 2hrs more time in Paris, but you'll remember the experience in F.

    I've never done EK F, but difference between SQ F and SQ J was enough to make F worthwhile if you've never tried it before. I'd be perfectly happy if I only ever flew J again as it is more than enough jump from Y… but F is F. You gotta do it!

    • carwashhair on 08/03/2018 - 07:28
      +1

      ^This. All of this.

      I had to fly to Singapore last year, and one flight option that came up with points was SYD-BKK(F)-HKG(F)-SIN(J). Those three legs cost me a total of $1100 as I bought points outright. My overriding memory (apart from riding golf buggies in Bangkok thru the business lounge to get to the First Lounge for a massage) was constant, unasked-for refills of Dom Perignon on my morning flight to Hong Kong. Pissed before midday!!

  • jjjaar on 06/03/2018 - 17:21

    I really like Cologne. It's a lovely city. I'd say the extra cost and time is worth it just to get to Cologne, without even factoring in the first v economy. That's an amazing added bonus!

    Cologne is in a region that you may not get back to quickly if you only do Brussels. So to do them both in the one trip makes sense.

  • knobbs on 06/03/2018 - 22:29

    Not to hijack the thread but is there somewhere I can read up on all this flight jargon people are talking in? F, J, Y, EK F class.

    Also is there a quick/better way to do as the OP has done and work out best way/cost effective to use points/upgrades for less tax and such. Or is this all something that is just learned upon the way?

    Mrs and I are heading to USA later this year and I have quite a few QFF points we could use.

    • jjjaar on 07/03/2018 - 08:44
      +1

      Here
      https://thepointsguy.com/2015/05/what-airline-fare-classes-t…

      I just googled "flight fare classes" and posted the first result, so it might not answer all your questions, but if not you can run the same search and check the other results.

    • Foxtail on 07/03/2018 - 09:33
      +2

      Yes fly out of any country other than OZ to USA/Europe to save big QF fees, finding 2 award seats in J is hard unless you have Qantas status like Gold/Plat or book a year out. Yet out of say HKG plenty.

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