Hi, I’m Tash, a 31-year-old, Brisbane-based points amateur. Over the course of a year and a bit, I accumulated enough Qantas Points to book myself a one-way First Class ticket from Brisbane to Amsterdam.
The trip in brief
- Brisbane to Amsterdam
- 192,000 Qantas Points (jumping to 216,900 from 18 September 2019)
- $667 AUD in taxes
The route and products looked like this:
- Brisbane to Perth in Qantas 737 Business Class
- Perth to Dubai in Emirates A380 First Class
- Dubai to Amsterdam in Emirates A380 First Class
Earning the points
Amassing the points wasn’t as hard as you’d think.
The way I did it was to apply for the ANZ Frequent Flyer Black to earn the 75,000-point sign-up bonus, book work flights through Qantas Business Rewards, and click through the Qantas website to make restaurant and accommodation bookings.
On average, I flew once a month with Qantas on a domestic trip and did three long-haul trips (all on a sale Economy fares) to top up my points, with the bulk coming from my Qantas-linked credit card.
Why I chose First Class
I usually fly Economy and originally I was looking for a Business Class seat, however, no award seats were available on the A380 when I looked. As I don’t sleep well on planes and had just come home from a weekend wedding in Fiji, I assumed I would be able to sleep in First Class—little did I know.
Due to the wedding overlap, I literally need to walk off the plane and onto a trade stand in Amsterdam, being lucid enough to smash out one of the largest marine trade shows.
The Emirates First Class seat was only an extra 65,000 Qantas Points than Business would have been and commanded the same amount of cash outlay for taxes. Considering I wanted to sleep and get ready before I landed, I decided to splurge.
You can read our guide to using Qantas Points for Emirates flights here.
Brisbane to Perth in Qantas 737 Business Class
I used the complimentary driver to the airport. Come on Brisbane—a Statesman Commodore is nothing on the Mercedes S Class I had at the other end but convenient nonetheless.
In Brisbane, I used the separate premium entrance at Brisbane’s domestic terminal that takes you straight into the Qantas Domestic Business Lounge.
At the gate, I was told off by a grumpy employee for having too much carry-on. Ironically no one cares in First Class how much hand luggage you have with you, however, if you are like me and have a domestic leg, keep it in mind because it was a little embarrassing to be told off like a naughty school kid.
This flight was, unfortunately, on an old 737 instead of the more modern A330s with lie-flat seats that tend to ply East-to-West-Coast routes.
I picked the aisle seat in Row 2 after reading some reviews but ended up switching with my seatmate as he was six-foot tall.
When I arrived at the Emirates Lounge in Perth, I found a decent selection of fresh hot and cold food like lamb cutlets, salmon and cheese. I boarded the plane directly from the lounge, which was such a nice touch.
Perth to Dubai in Emirates A380 First Class
Once onboard, I treated myself to a glass of Dom Pérignon 2009 champagne.
Where to sit in the cabin? Thanks to a write-up from Points Hacks, I knew that Row 2 was a good choice (rather than Row 1) to avoid the people walking by to the shower and mini-bar.
My additional tip is to choose the side of the plane suited to how you write—I found that the easiest way to use the inflight entertainment system was when the iPad controls were on my right, as I’m a righty.
Unlike most flights I take on which I always feel cold, with the long-sleeved moisturising pyjamas provided I felt too warm. I wish I’d had packed a t-shirt or singlet to sleep in instead.
Trying to sleep? I liked the 10k Tracks of Asian Meditation track and a nip of Hennessy from the self-service bar near the showers.
I booked the shower straight after my meal hoping it would help me sleep. The shower pack comes with slippers, sleeping mask, pyjamas and a toiletry kit from Bulgari.
Inside the shower, you have shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face cleanser, body lotion, toothbrush and toothpaste, disposable razors, a nail file, brush and comb, soap, a shower cap and hair tie, exfoliation mitt and cotton tips.
I was pretty disappointed with the showers at the First Class Lounge in Dubai—they were old and quite rundown and I wasn’t even offered a shower cap. All that was provided was a towel, bathmat, toothbrush, slippers and a razor.
So, I was happy that I had pinched the things I needed from the plane. On the plane, the attendant throws away what you’ve used and re-stocks the bathroom for the next guest, so it’s all yours.
Dubai to Amsterdam on Emirates A380 First Class
Transiting through Dubai, definitely book in for your 15-minute complimentary treatment at the Timeless Spa—I opted for the neck and back massage. You can request a female or male therapist but for the massage, you stay clothed, so it didn’t matter to me. I was pretty tense and this definitely helped me relax.
I had breakfast in the fine dining area but the food was disappointing. The lounge only serves Moët, not the Dom I’d come to like (sounding like a real snob now!) and since I couldn’t stomach spirits at 6am, I skipped the booze for a green smoothie. I showered, then checked out the sleeping room before boarding.
The final leg started with champagne again, of course. This time I asked the attendant to book me a shower 90 minutes before landing as I was literally going straight to my trade show from the airport.
I ordered the caviar again and tried to sleep. I got about two hours then had some lunch and got ready for the shower.
I did my make-up in the bathroom and settled back into my seat in my power suit ready to do business.
My advice is to not be afraid to ask. Because it was a morning flight, they didn’t volunteer the pyjamas and amenity kit, so I had to ask. A few times they forgot some of my drink orders but all-in-all, the service level was welcoming and personal.
You can go back to the Business Class bar area for a drink and to socialise if you wish, however, they won’t be able to serve you the fancy champagne from back there.
When I landed in Amsterdam, there wasn’t a fast-track lane but customs control was efficient and promptly checked my luggage when I arrived. My wonderful driver was waiting for me as I exited. He took my bags and within a few steps, we were in the Mercedes parked out the front.
I only slept four fours in total, so by the time I got to my trade show, I was swaying like I’d been at sea for months.
My take on the flight
I can honestly say it was great to see how the elite lives but I would never give up the $10,000+ cash for the experience.
Tips and useful information
- Check if the cash outlay for the Emirates reward seat is the same regardless of the class you’re travelling—if so, treat yourself and slurge the extra points on First!
- Book your complimentary spa treatment in advance via email if you are transiting through Dubai
- Choose your seat depending on whether you are a lefty or righty
- Take (advantage of) the toiletries from the onboard shower
- Eat and drink onboard instead of in the lounge—it’s better, believe me
- If they don’t give it to you, ask for it! Two serves of caviar, more chocolates—whatever it might be!
Our other case studies
- How Bevan hit Europe, Japan and Hong Kong using 280,000 Qantas Points
- How Martina used points to go backpacking in Latin America
- How Matt booked a trip around The Pacific for 200,000 points
Thanks for the very helpful info, just wondering if you tipped the chauffeur in Amsterdam?
Cheers
Kaye
I don’t think tipping is expected however my driver was exceptional and I happened to have some Euros on hand, so I did.
a great read.
Well done , very informative & newsy review
Being PER based I’ve found Award-space for F on the B772 easier to come by than A380.
Also Found the F+B service much better on the B772 if I’m honest. The daily runs from PER to DXB are EK425 on the 772 (no shower) departing 06:00 and EK421 on the B380 departing 22:20
I was fortunate to have entire F cabin to myself and it was amazing value when redeeming points
Cheers for the heads up on the spa treatment and keep up the Luxo-traveling ! best wishes
This may come across as a little sexist but as the flight attendants set the temperature (I was one on QF international for 10 years), and most of them are females (who tend to feel the cold more than males) I think that often the temperature is set too hot.
They don’t put themselves in the position of the passengers regarding temperature, and it’s not pleasant (and this is not unique to QF).
Would love to hear of any other tips you have gained from the other side.
On the 747, the temperature is set for the whole plane at the CSM station under the stairs but you can do it by zones. However you generally ask the boss first ( especially some of the control freaks I worked for…)
What I found was I’d turn it down by a degree for the area I was working in (from the default 22 centigrade) because I was frying and come back a half hour later, and a member of the fairer sex had turned it up to 24 or 25. Grrrr.
The A380 on the other hand was much more easy to deal with (and is by miles the better aircraft, even than the 787 – it’s simply a matter of background noise, or the blissful lack of it on the A380).
Each micro zone had adjustable temperatures, and by half degrees, e.g. for the last two rows of business I could set it for 20.5 or whatever.
The only bugbear was crew rest where I got in trouble once for sleeping in my undies (the beds do have curtains I might add) because one of the ladies had turned it up to 23.5. Grrr again!
Happy travels!
Just wondering how you booked the flights? Did you book the entire trip (Brisbane to Amsterdam), or did you have to split it up into segments and use points for each segment?
I booked via the Qantas website using the Classic Flight Rewards option. The entire trip was booked as one leg. If I’d been more flexible with my dates and booked earlier, I may have been able to find a more direct flight path.
Stephen
You’re experience if similar to my first and you’re VERY right about the Pajamas. I woke up a sweaty mess and had to ask for a second shower! As I was 1 of 3 in the cabin, they were very accommodating.
As for the bar, the staff where more than happy to bring the Dom, Burn Cottage and 2nd Growth to the bar for me when I wanted a different environment. In fact, I’ve flown 6-7 times in first with Emirates and each time every attendant was able to address me by name. I was very happy with the service.
Thanks for the tip about taking the top shelf to the Business Class bar, I’ll definitely ask for that next time.