Departing Melbourne for Los Angeles and have two options to consider. Would love to hear thoughts on service/ cabin/ upgrade likelihood. Please note, I am platinum QF. Note: very aware how ‘first world problem’ this may sound, I am more so curious as to what others would do, as it’s a special occasion.
Option 1: A Monday evening departure out of Melbourne direct to LAX on QF93 paid premium economy ticket with upgrade request in early.
Option 2: Classic Business Reward seat on American Airlines metal the following day. This means 6:00am economy flight from Melb to Sydney, then 2 hours to change terminals, and get on AA72 9:20am departure, business cabin.
Would you take the risk for the Dreamliner business/ Qantas service and hope for upgrade knowing you could end up in premium if the upgrade doesn’t come through? Or take the sure bet business on American Airlines metal (which I’ve never actually flown)? Even if that involves an early domestic flight and 2 hour connection in Sydney.
With option 2 I wouldn't risk the on-time departure of MEL-SYD as well as a prompt transfer between terminals. I'd go to Sydney the afternoon before, relax overnight and have a pleasant breakfast in the QF First Lounge.
I would definitely choose option 1: the QF evening departure. This is because you can sleep in, enjoy dinner in the First lounge and then potentially fly lie flat to the States.
I would absolutely chose the option with guaranteed business.
The AA mattress they provide in Business is hands down one of the best in the sky for J, making the bed extremely comfortable. The seats are also the same as Cathay J seats.
The food is ok, nothing to write home about, but they also provide PJs and slippers which i think is a win.
Absolute no brainer to take the second option in my opinion. It’s often difficult to find reward seats between Melb and LAX, I’d snatch them up before they disappear.
Agree with Phil though - I’d head up to Sydney the evening prior for peace of mind.
Re Qf10s comment: the evening dreamliner service is one of the hardest to clear upgrades on. This is according to both staff at the lounge and Hobart call centre. You may have better luck with the AM departure A380 flights though.
Luke Hines
Luke Hines
Member since 27 Nov 2018
Total posts 10
Departing Melbourne for Los Angeles and have two options to consider. Would love to hear thoughts on service/ cabin/ upgrade likelihood. Please note, I am platinum QF. Note: very aware how ‘first world problem’ this may sound, I am more so curious as to what others would do, as it’s a special occasion.
Option 1: A Monday evening departure out of Melbourne direct to LAX on QF93 paid premium economy ticket with upgrade request in early.
Option 2: Classic Business Reward seat on American Airlines metal the following day. This means 6:00am economy flight from Melb to Sydney, then 2 hours to change terminals, and get on AA72 9:20am departure, business cabin.
Would you take the risk for the Dreamliner business/ Qantas service and hope for upgrade knowing you could end up in premium if the upgrade doesn’t come through? Or take the sure bet business on American Airlines metal (which I’ve never actually flown)? Even if that involves an early domestic flight and 2 hour connection in Sydney.
thelongroad
thelongroad
Member since 14 Nov 2015
Total posts 54
I’d take the sure bet business, provided you can book the domestic sector on the same ticket, covering you if your MEL-SYD sector is delayed.
Phil Young
Phil Young
Qantas
Member since 22 Oct 2012
Total posts 259
With option 2 I wouldn't risk the on-time departure of MEL-SYD as well as a prompt transfer between terminals. I'd go to Sydney the afternoon before, relax overnight and have a pleasant breakfast in the QF First Lounge.
QFflyer_10
QFflyer_10
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 25 Aug 2022
Total posts 42
Hi @LukeHines,
I would definitely choose option 1: the QF evening departure. This is because you can sleep in, enjoy dinner in the First lounge and then potentially fly lie flat to the States.
Cheers,
QFflyer_10
pab2025
pab2025
Member since 25 Jun 2012
Total posts 133
I would absolutely chose the option with guaranteed business.
The AA mattress they provide in Business is hands down one of the best in the sky for J, making the bed extremely comfortable. The seats are also the same as Cathay J seats.
The food is ok, nothing to write home about, but they also provide PJs and slippers which i think is a win.
FrequentFlyer
FrequentFlyer
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 20 Mar 2012
Total posts 198
Absolute no brainer to take the second option in my opinion. It’s often difficult to find reward seats between Melb and LAX, I’d snatch them up before they disappear.
Agree with Phil though - I’d head up to Sydney the evening prior for peace of mind.
Re Qf10s comment: the evening dreamliner service is one of the hardest to clear upgrades on. This is according to both staff at the lounge and Hobart call centre. You may have better luck with the AM departure A380 flights though.
mspcooper
mspcooper
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 May 2013
Total posts 457
Business option on AA is a no brainer IMHO.
Joe
Joe
Member since 03 May 2013
Total posts 190
The early departure from MEL is pretty safe and that aircraft is already at the gate.
sydney slug
sydney slug
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
Member since 27 Feb 2015
Total posts 13
AA is a great J hard product. You will be very sad if it is foggy in Sydney or Melbourne, night before departure seems sensible…