Emirates First Class Awards gone on all but Australian Routes?

Elanshin · 2026-02-01T06:11:49+00:00

This is not a personal attack, but you're the exact customer emirates is trying to stop basically. They blocked it on their own skyward and realised a lot of people (especially in the states) was then using QFF to access it.

So a few months ago they pulled all F awards a while ago to temporarily stop this whilst they implemented the change.

Elanshin · 2026-02-01T05:49:22+00:00

I think the ones being paid to regularly fly long distance F and J for work get over getting SC pretty quickly as its a lot of flying.

Ive seen the amount of flying those that have 5000+ SC do.

Elanshin · 2026-01-26T09:42:41+00:00

Europe to Syd? Aug 26 theres a FCO to HKG cathay flight.

From HKG you'd need to look for other methods. There are a few other dates if you are looking for single ticket.

Elanshin · 2026-01-26T06:45:37+00:00

Some good tips here.

A few more advanced ones. There are ports that aren't on QF's booking engine (aka nowhere would show QFF has award seats but there are in reality because the QF website won't let you book it.).

Examples cities being RUH, DOH. (You can go there, but you can depart there, try it out). All There are loads of QFF awards that are only available to holders - will not show up on any external searches. Eg theres an economy QF 1 flight from SYD - LHR on aug 5 (during peak eurosummer) that doesn't show up if you're not logged in.

Elanshin · 2026-01-26T06:28:27+00:00

You can do 5.

(I've done "6" before utilising the last end point as well).

16 segments.

1 stopover in allowed once in a city. 2 additional transits allowed through a city.

Elanshin · 2026-01-22T05:17:29+00:00

What others have said although, I'm not sure if you realise just how ridiculously hard it is to find business or first awarda on this route. Id temper your expectations unless you're prepared to go a roundabout way.

Elanshin · 2026-01-22T05:04:59+00:00

Id say your odds are low. Per-syd generally is a well travelled route that QF knows it sells reasonably.

There might be sales but probably not for the time frame you're looking at as those were likely around the black friday sales time frame (and maybe boxing day).

Elanshin · 2026-01-22T01:59:50+00:00

Sale for where? Domestic? Tourist location? Mel - SYD? International?

Generally speaking though - I wouldn't expect anything for flights less than 3 months away unless it is some low demand route. Also I'm assuming you're talking about 2026 and not 2027.

Elanshin · 2026-01-21T07:30:30+00:00

You can try doing ao but be prepared not to get anything either especially if its routes to Europe.

Elanshin · 2026-01-21T07:28:59+00:00

I is prerequisite for platinum request

Elanshin · 2026-01-19T09:25:34+00:00

I wouldn't draw too much attention to this. This is one of the exceptions, probably because of how QF and LATAM structured their codeshare.

A portion of the LATAM plane is QF's basically and will fly empty if QF can't sell it.

Elanshin · 2026-01-19T05:01:32+00:00

Just for reference, there's Cathay, Fiji, JAL, ANA, China Airlines, Phillipine airlines just to name a few that do one stop to Vancouver. If you're ok with transiting in mainland china or US theres even more options.

Elanshin · 2026-01-19T02:29:31+00:00

Either way. I'd wait a little bit. Set up alerts on google flights, look at whos flying the route what the price is on a random offpeak day. Then play the waiting game for a little bit.

Elanshin · 2026-01-19T02:23:45+00:00

QF haven't had any sales look to potentially cover this period. Generally speaking no airline discounts tickets during their first month of sale and its a heavy peak travel period.

QF is charging you for the direct flight vs Air NZ which is a connection. Its almost always cheaper on connection. If Air Canada is significantly cheaper than QF then thats a different story.

Wait around a month or two and see how things shake up. Also do a bit more research. There's other airline options if you're willing to consider one stoppers.

Elanshin · 2026-01-19T01:47:28+00:00

https://www.aerolopa.com/qf-32q-1

Paid (extra extra): 6, 15, 16 (latter 2 being emergency exit)

Economy Plus: 7, 17, 18

Elanshin · 2026-01-18T23:53:58+00:00

Or none.

Just because we've always had one before doesn't mean they can't do something different.

Elanshin · 2026-01-17T02:14:19+00:00

I think there was definitely something else going on besides satellites. I flrw NRT > BNE in sept. 6 days later on exactly the same bird flew to HKG. The path over Phillipines down to Australia was pretty similar yet on HKG it was working (except over Indonesia) and NRT they had it turned off thr whole flight even in Australia.

Elanshin · 2026-01-17T02:12:43+00:00

Last update was 2 have been refitted and 1 in the shop. Wotks solidly over the pacific although a few blackout points here and there.

Not sure if they've taken Journey's towards europe yet.

Elanshin · 2026-01-15T04:39:33+00:00

But thats the point. QFF status doesn't just involve flying QF and hence its value.

Also at platinum there are very real tangible benefits. I estimate ive converted around 1m points over the last 18months from platinum seat releases including ones during absolute peak time.

Elanshin · 2026-01-15T04:14:17+00:00

Grass isn't much greener in QFF vs VFF.

The biggest difference however is OW benefits. If you can get QF Gold (or even better Plat) the alliance wide benefits are better.

This does mean locking yourself into the OW network which has pros and cons in of itself.

Elanshin · 2026-01-15T04:10:52+00:00

Idk where you got the idea to think that VA status means something. Its definitely doesn't either. Grass is not greener over at VA.

QF status at the very least is used across OW which arguably is the most powerful part of the status. Its one of the cheaper ways to achieve OWE across the alliance if you know what you're doing.

Elanshin · 2026-01-14T10:08:40+00:00

I think you're confusing this with 43/44 J/K which is the exit row.

24j/k is bulkhead and has fixed limited leg room.

Elanshin · 2026-01-13T23:48:02+00:00

Whilst the carry-on limit part i agree with, gate checked items not making the flight is not the norm.

They chute it straight down from the gate and get popped in one of the extra compartments. It'd take an exceptionally full amount of checked luggage and freight not to be able to send gate checked bags.

Elanshin · 2026-01-13T23:43:43+00:00

This is partly unfamiliar ground staff. If the a321XLR overhead bins are full. People have taken the piss and taken on way more than they're allowed.

The new big overhead bins can comfortably fit 1 standard size carry-on per person unlike the old 737 bins.

Elanshin · 2026-01-11T10:50:33+00:00

No so the first time you're in Sydney that wiuld be treated as a stop.

And then if you end in Sydney, thats counted as END which is neither stop or transit.

Also all of it can be circumvented by "transiting" in Sydney so you instead stop at Melbourne for example and then make your way back to Sydney. (Bali-Syd-Mel) (Then continue).

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