Business and First Class Products Master Thread

[Yehoshua]

Which of the following three options is the best booking with AA:



Option 1 CPT-DOH-AUH-LAX.

CPT-DOH on QR 787 in J (available now) +
DOH-AUH  is 45k/person

AUH-LAX on EY 77W is 90k in F or 67.5k J (right now only J is available)

This would price as 2 awards for a total of 112.5k/person in J the whole way and 135k J/F.

Option 2 CPT-DOH-JFK/PHL/BOS-LAX

CPT-DOH on QR 787 in J (available now) +
    DOH-JFK on QR A350 in J (not available now)+
    JFK-LAX on AA A321 in J (also not available now, so may require routing with a stop)
       or
    DOH-PHL or BOS on QR A250 in J (not available now)+
    PHL or BOS-LAX on AA J (recliner)

This would price as one award of 75k/person

Option 3 CPT-DOH-AUH-JFK-LAX

CPT-DOH on QR 787 in J (available now) +
DOH-AUH  is 45k/person

AUH-JFK on EY A380 in J or F (only J available now) +
JFK-LAX on AA A321 in J or F (neither available now)

This would price as 2 awards for a total of 112.5k/person in J the whole way and 135k J/F.


Pros/Cons I've thought of so far:

Option 1: It's one less stop from AUH, flying straight to LAX, but the only seats available now are J on the 77W which isn't that nice.

Option 2: It's one award, so fewest miles used, and J on A350 is nicer than QR 77W DOH-LAX

Option 3: It's on the EY A380, which as better J seats than the 77W, but is an extra stop and still prices as 2 awards.

If I book it as 2 awards, which route is the best to reserve in J? The EY J on the A380 or on 77W? Do I wait to book it as one award, hoping QR will open up seats to JFK/PHL/BOS? What's your opinion and why?

[AJK]

Goodness that a loaded question.

Only a few comments:

First, it's gonna be tough to beat the value of 75K for CPT to LAX in brand new QR J. Second, the likelihood of J opening up on JFK-LAX is far from certain. Third, if you take option 1 or 3 you'd get access to the new Al Safwa First Class QR lounge IIRC. Fourth, if you're considering option 3, you may as well consider: CPT-DOH-AUH-LHR-LAX to knock out new QR J, Al Safwa, EY Apts, and non-stop to LAX.

At this time in my life, even though 75k is a relative steal, it's all about F for me. If you haven't flown EY F at all, I think #1 is your best bet.

My personal pick would be #3 to knock off Al Safwa + EY Apts + F is more likely to open on JFK-LAX than J.

[Yehoshua]

Goodness that a loaded question.

Only a few comments:

First, it's gonna be tough to beat the value of 75K for CPT to LAX in brand new QR J. Second, the likelihood of J opening up on JFK-LAX is far from certain. Third, if you take option 1 or 3 you'd get access to the new Al Safwa First Class QR lounge IIRC. Fourth, if you're considering option 3, you may as well consider: CPT-DOH-AUH-LHR-LAX to knock out new QR J, Al Safwa, EY Apts, and non-stop to LAX.

At this time in my life, even though 75k is a relative steal, it's all about F for me. If you haven't flown EY F at all, I think #1 is your best bet.

My personal pick would be #3 to knock off Al Safwa + EY Apts + F is more likely to open on JFK-LAX than J.

Wow, thanks. I know, it's tough. 1 and 3 do get Al Safwa access, which is where I'd spend the night since they have those great private rooms. I haven't been in EY F at all. I did think of AUH-LHR-LAX, but wouldn't that be a lot of YQ on either BA or AA? Also isn't it more likely that AA F will open on JFK-LAX as opposed to LHR-LAX? As of now the only things available on LHR-LAX are flights that stop in PHX (F) or IAD (J), which would make it CPT-DOH-AUH-LHR-PHX-LAX which is a bit long.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, it'll be with a baby, so the cost of the lap child will also factor into it. As it is the lap child will cost us about $1400 LAX-DXB-JNB in F.

[D93]

I did think of AUH-LHR-LAX, but wouldn't that be a lot of YQ on either BA or AA?

No YQ on AA

[Yehoshua]

No YQ on AA

I know, but BA is all that's available. At the same time, AA allows free routing changes, no? If I decide to go with 1 or 3, can't I just book J on what's available now and then change it later?

[D93]

I know, but BA is all that's available. At the same time, AA allows free routing changes, no? If I decide to go with 1 or 3, can't I just book J on what's available now and then change it later?

Yes

[Yehoshua]

Yes

So then the question is which is the best to book in case nothing opens in F? Also if I book QR the whole way in J with an earlier date than I want (that's available now), is it possible to switch it to F and split it into a separate award later since the origin and destination remain the same?

[rileywiles23]

Is there any difference between the BA premium cabins, on BA's 777, or 747 ?

[Marco Polo]

Is there any difference between the BA premium cabins, on BA's 777, or 747 ?

IIRC I flew both in F and the only noticeable difference was that there was a little more privacy on the 777 (I believe) with a mini wall by the foot-well.

[LoLo]

IIRC I flew both in F and the only noticeable difference was that there was a little more privacy on the 777 (I believe) with a mini wall by the foot-well.

The IFE on 777 isn't better? and aren't seats 1/2 A/K on 747 more private?

[blue eyes]

Does BA have a menu choice for kosher food?
Also, How do I request kosher food on a BA flight operated by AA?

[D93]

Does BA have a menu choice for kosher food?

No

Also, How do I request kosher food on a BA flight operated by AA?

PUTPAC AA

[Hershelsdeals]

QF bed > CX bed.

Travelsort disagrees with you Re QF bed comfort.

http://travelsort.com/blog/review-qantas-first-class-a380-london-to-dubai

[Dan]

The CX bed and seat comfort are hard to top.

[chucksterace]

The CX bed and seat comfort are hard to top.

I think LY with their pleather Friday seats might come close.

[AJK]

Travelsort disagrees with you Re QF bed comfort.

http://travelsort.com/blog/review-qantas-first-class-a380-london-to-dubai

1) AJK and Mrs. AJK > whoever/whatever travelsorter is

2) "The bedding was also the best in the sky, bar none. I literally thought I was in my comfortable bed at home." -- Lucky, on QF bedding.

3) where again did travelsorter or whatever say CX > QF?

[rileywiles23]

British Airways Boeing 777, vs Airbus A340-600 any specific seats to look out for in j class ?

[benjie1305]

Travelsort disagrees with you Re QF bed comfort.

3) where again did travelsorter or whatever say CX > QF?

She does say this which is the only thing I really see coming close to a comment about CX.

The seat is comfortably padded, though at 22 inches across, not as wide of course as Cathay Pacific First Class

The real comment she seems to make about a bed is here.

The seat was comfortable, both as a seat, in the recline position and as a bed (although not as comfortable as Singapore Suites or JAL First Class)

[elya]

British Airways Boeing 777, vs Airbus A340-600 any specific seats to look out for in j class ?

If your flying solo, VS seat 8g is a bulkhead, although they usually reserve it for bassinets.

[rileywiles23]

How is lufthansa Airbus A330-300 f class from dus to ewr ?