MEL-LHR business class

[Slats7]

Hey everyone, this is my first post!!

My sister & I are looking at going to London in the middle of next year. Last time I went overseas in January I flew business class and I had the best flights of my life so i'd love to travel business once again.

The problem is I will only have enough frequent flyer points by the middle of next year for one return ticket business class (MEL-LHR return is 256,000 points).

I've looked at buying two economy return tickets and requesting an upgrade to business class (60,000 points) but only being a bronze member i'm not sure what my chances are of getting an upgrade?

Any feedback and ideas would be much appreciated.

Cheers!

[NM]

Middle of next year is still a long way ahead and its very difficult to predict how the economic climate at the time will affect loadings in the business class cabin or the deals that may be available for business class travel at that time.

Several airlines have offered very good deals in recent times for business class travel, including 2-for-1 deals and heavily discounted fares. Such deals may or may not be offered again for travel at the time you want to go.

If choosing to use QF FF points for upgrades then I suggest you plan and expect to be travelling in the cabin for which you have purchased the fare (i.e. economy) and if an upgrade happens to eventuate then that is a bonus. As a Bronze status FF member you are well down the status chain for securing an upgrade, let alone two. Remember that Qantas now offers Premium Economy on most flights to London so that give you two upgrade options - Discount Economy to Premium Economy (60,000 points per person each way), or Discount Economy to Business Class (96,000 points per person each way).

Note that the 60,000 points you mention for an upgrade to business class is for an upgrade from Full Economy to Business Class. The only fares that quality as Full Economy are those that book into the Y fare booking class and that means an expensive fare. The cheapest Qantas Y fare return to the UK at the moment is QHEE1Y which costs $4615. You can purchase a Premium Economy fare for around $4200 (TPX1Y2).

If you want to be guaranteed to travel in a premium cabin, I suggest looking for a good deal in paid premium economy cabin.

Frequent Flyer redemption seats to Europe in business class during the peak travel periods such as June-September are scarce and need to be booked about 350 days ahead or you will miss out.

[Slats7]

Middle of next year is still a long way ahead and its very difficult to predict how the economic climate at the time will affect loadings in the business class cabin or the deals that may be available for business class travel at that time.

Several airlines have offered very good deals in recent times for business class travel, including 2-for-1 deals and heavily discounted fares. Such deals may or may not be offered again for travel at the time you want to go.

If choosing to use QF FF points for upgrades then I suggest you plan and expect to be travelling in the cabin for which you have purchased the fare (i.e. economy) and if an upgrade happens to eventuate then that is a bonus. As a Bronze status FF member you are well down the status chain for securing an upgrade, let alone two. Remember that Qantas now offers Premium Economy on most flights to London so that give you two upgrade options - Discount Economy to Premium Economy (60,000 points per person each way), or Discount Economy to Business Class (96,000 points per person each way).

Note that the 60,000 points you mention for an upgrade to business class is for an upgrade from Full Economy to Business Class. The only fares that quality as Full Economy are those that book into the Y fare booking class and that means an expensive fare. The cheapest Qantas Y fare return to the UK at the moment is QHEE1Y which costs $4615. You can purchase a Premium Economy fare for around $4200 (TPX1Y2).

If you want to be guaranteed to travel in a premium cabin, I suggest looking for a good deal in paid premium economy cabin.

Frequent Flyer redemption seats to Europe in business class during the peak travel periods such as June-September are scarce and need to be booked about 350 days ahead or you will miss out.

Thanks for your feedback mate, that gives me a few things to think about.

[Evan]

I would also watch out for 2-for-1 business fares if you can afford it, there are some with BA ex-Europe at the moment that are really cheap, maybe you will also see some ex-AU.
Once you have flown business or first it is a bug ! you want it all the time.
E

[Slats7]

I would also watch out for 2-for-1 business fares if you can afford it, there are some with BA ex-Europe at the moment that are really cheap, maybe you will also see some ex-AU.
Once you have flown business or first it is a bug ! you want it all the time.
E

I'd be able to afford the 2 for 1 deal so hopefully there might be another deal out down the track.

You're right about flying business or first

[freofan]

How many points will you have by then?

Another option would be to buy two economy MELSIN return fares with cash and use points for two return SINLHR award tickets.

Can be hard to co-ordinate, however I managed such a thing recently from Perth.

In that case you only need 180,000 points return in J SINLHR per person

[Slats7]

How many points will you have by then?

Another option would be to buy two economy MELSIN return fares with cash and use points for two return SINLHR award tickets.

Can be hard to co-ordinate, however I managed such a thing recently from Perth.

In that case you only need 180,000 points return in J SINLHR per person

I am thinking around 400,000 points.

Yeah that is something I have thought about, i'll see what I can work out!

[JohnK]

Once you have flown business or first it is a bug ! you want it all the time.

Not quite. The money saved is way more important than a few hours in a business class or first class seat....

[Evan]

Not quite. The money saved is way more important than a few hours in a business class or first class seat....

I said want it all the time, not willing to pay for it all the time... witness my trip this weekend, once again whY. Not able or willing to pay for J, but sure i have treated myself to a xONEx and loved it. Of course cannot afford to do it that often.

[Slats7]

Not quite. The money saved is way more important than a few hours in a business class or first class seat....

There is a lot more to business/first class then just the seat