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Hello! Long time lurker here 🙂
I have: 430k BA Avios; 210k Amex; 800k Virgin Red.
I’ve been saving up my points to hopefully take my Mum on a First Class “once in a lifetime” brief trip from London to Dubai (or somewhere similar).
However, now I’ve finally earned the points (mainly BA and Amex; I’m aware Virgin don’t fly DXB) … I’ve been told that First seats rarely come up, and that two seats almost never comes up. I was told by a points concierge the best bet is to book business and pray for an upgrade opportunity, but that’s not really the kind of experience I’ve been saving up for!
Anyone have any suggestions at all?
Thank you very much!
A few things ….
Virgin DOES fly to Dubai, albeit with the 787 with the crappy 21-year old Upper Class seat
BA doesn’t have First Class on many of its Dubai flights, hence the lack of seats. The A380s, when used, do have it and there is generally availability because its a 14 seat cabin. A380 F arguably isn’t better than Club Suite on a standard 777 though.
Emirates F is available but it requires an Amex transfer. When I did the 77W a few years ago seats only opened 2 days before departure so I had to fly to Dubai with no return and cross my fingers! Not sure what the current position is.
Arguably Etihad F on the A380 is the best experience (given that only Stansted has the decent Emirates F seat) into Abu Dhabi.
Or do Qatar Qsuite to Doha – technically Business Class but better than First Class on most airlines including BA, and indeed a better seat than Emirates F unless you do the 77W. And I DON’T recommend the 77W with Mum because it is full height suites so you won’t see her for the entire flight, even when you are walking around the cabin.
So … quick summary …. take her to Doha a long weekend on a Qsuite-equipped Qatar Airways flight booked with Avios.
If it’s a special trip for mum then don’t forget about the ground experience and different styles of in-flight service.
Many on this site fly a lot for work and/or leisure so can have different priorities or preferences.
If mum has never flown first class then things like the BA Concorde room or Virgin Clubhouse can add to the special trip feeling. Unfortunately these days in-flight standards can be a bit variable but if you let the crew know then usually BA and Virgin are pretty good and making things special where they can
Also something like seatspy could help the search for first seats
I did a first First trip for someone to New York on BA (that’s where they wanted to go) and it went down a treat even though it was an old 380 and we were in the middle seats (you can see the other person with the divider down which could be nice for mum) the lounge experience and crew all added to the experienceVirgin flights to Dubai are a mix of 787 and the new A330-900 with a modern competitive seat. It is still subject to aircraft changes closer to the date but my Virgin staff contact tells me that they intend the route to be solely A330-900 once resilience is added to the fleet
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts!
She has flown business before with Virgin, but never anything truly “glamorous”, like the Emirates First.
I just wanted to give her a nice treat 🙂
Rob: I tried the Qatar Qsuite to Doha, but again, can never find availability. I do use Seatspy, but it doesn’t cover Q. Any tips for finding availability? I always feel I’m missing something.
I’ve finally got myself a boat-load of miles, but there’s nothing I can find to spend it on!
Neil: Great point about the lounge. She has been to the Virgin Clubhouse and LOVES it. I’m based in Manchester, but it makes travelling from London worth it.
Blair: Thank you!
PS. Etihad souds great but with my ponits, I don’t think I can use any on that airline :/ and it’s something like £15k otherwise – eek!
I’ve seen Emirates F availability at 102K points (one way), but you’ll have to transfer from Amex MR at rate of 4:3, so you’ll be short of the required points (if you can find availability for 2).
Virgin does fly to DXB, but it’s a winter route only. I’ve seen that they now also have the A330-neo on the route, but they also have the 787 operating, and there’s a risk you’ll have a plane swap, even if you originally book the neo.
How flexibile are you on dates? There’s a few dates in June and July with 2x F availability on BA.
@aq: I’m very flexible but we were trying for winter, which apparently ends early February. (It’s still up to 26c apparently… And I’m just a pasty guy).
Is there a tool anyone else is using to get Emirates / Etihad ticket availability?
I only know to check date by date.
Is there flexibility on the destination?
Singapore airlines first class is one of the best. Availability on their fifth freedom flights is good.
Though poor transfer rate from Amex. Marriott points sale currently can help for topping up.Has Emirates stopped flying A380s from Heathrow? I’d prefer that over the so-called game changer (777) without a shower. That one is only interesting to frequent fliers.
If you can find it, you might be able to use Avios for JAL F or even Virgin points for ANA business or F to Tokyo, although that’s not a brief trip.
@aq: I’m very flexible but we were trying for winter, which apparently ends early February. (It’s still up to 26c apparently… And I’m just a pasty guy).
Is there a tool anyone else is using to get Emirates / Etihad ticket availability?
I only know to check date by date.
Im not sure how to search Emirates save for day-by-day either.
A bit of a left-field idea if you are keen on Winter/Feb and to Dubai. You could fly to Jeddah in F on BA. It’s one of the shortest routes that has an F cabin, so only 42.5k avios off-peak.
Then on a separate ticket booking Jeddah to Dubai on Saudia, using Virgin points. You’ll have to collect and re-check your luggage, and be sure to check the visa requirements for your dates.
Then on return, book direct from Dubai on Virgin in UC if you can find a ‘saver’ fare on the A330-neo (on the understanding aircraft swaps may happen), as the points and cash are very reasonable now if you get a saver flight. Otherwise, book business on BA.
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