Qantas Boeing 787 premium economy - worth spending points?

12 replies

PG44

Member since 28 Feb 2018

Total posts 36

Hi there,

Has anyone flown to the USA (or elsewhere) in qantas 787 premium economy?

Did it feel worth spending points on it, via classic reward?


I'm trying to book return classic award in J, and each option seems to always come up with premium economy on one of the legs.


The one way fares are basically the same price as return fares , so there doesn't seem to be much point in booking a reward one way and trying to save points on the way back via cash fare.


Any opinions would be welcome. Most of the reviews online seem to say the 787 premium economy seat is not worth the cash price... Doesn't seem to be many opinions re the points value, which seems to be set at roughly 70-75% of J points cost.


Thanks

SimonFrost

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 10 Jul 2013

Total posts 70

IMHO - PE is/was a much better experience than Economy. It’s not as good as biz (of course). Depends on how many points you’ve got to burn, and how keen you are to get out of economy...

patrickk

Qantas

Member since 19 Apr 2012

Total posts 736

I buy PE sale seats when on offer and they just had one. I do upgrades to it but be wary of points cost. Buy a flexible economy fare and you earn more points as well as fewer points for upgrade and you are higher up the queue but really need to be gold to have a real upgrade chance.

patrickk

Qantas

Member since 19 Apr 2012

Total posts 736

By the way PE is quite comfy on the 787 but not worth the full price.

David

Member since 24 Oct 2010

Total posts 1,021

FYI: AusBT reviews of Qantas' Boeing 787 premium economy:


Is it worth it? Depends on the number fo points, the length of the flight, and if the flight is largely daytime vs overnight, for starters.

OttoV

Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 24 Aug 2018

Total posts 36

To maximise your PE experience, try and book a forward bulkhead seat in the PE cabin. In full recline and with FA staff providing ottomans, you will be able to fully stretch your legs ( unless 2 m+) Currently it seems near impossible to get an upgrade to J on the B787 if in silver given the dearth of J class seats on that type ( unlike the good old A380)

PG44

Member since 28 Feb 2018

Total posts 36

To maximise your PE experience, try and book a forward bulkhead seat in the PE cabin. In full recline and with FA staff providing ottomans, you will be able to fully stretch your legs ( unless 2 m+) Currently it seems near impossible to get an upgrade to J on the B787 if in silver given the dearth of J class seats on that type ( unlike the good old A380)

Yes the lack of seats on 787 routes (such as MEL - SFO) is a real drawback when trying to book rewards. Still, better than a 737 I guess. A380 is definitely my favourite... If only they had the same oxygen as 787s...

Last editedby PG44 at Mar 25, 2019, 10:48 PM.

TheCelt

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 08 Jul 2017

Total posts 8

I recently flew virgin to lax and lhr, booked ecomony and upgraded the flights with cash to premium on all sectors. Huge difference and not crazy dear per sector Economy x might be an option if you just want extra legroom. Have done QF business 787, not a huge amount of room for your feet when laying down.

David Mikardo

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 01 Apr 2018

Total posts 2

Recently flew PE on LHR- PER , bid for an upgrade from Y and got the bulkhead seat . Definitely worth points upgrade , only 20,000 points . Crew were excellent as well , very good service Business cabin was full , PE had a few crew deadheading or on staff travel. Much better seats than old PE on A380 / 747 .

Aidan

Member since 05 Dec 2018

Total posts 95

Recently flew PE on LHR- PER , bid for an upgrade from Y and got the bulkhead seat . Definitely worth points upgrade , only 20,000 points . Crew were excellent as well , very good service Business cabin was full , PE had a few crew deadheading or on staff travel. Much better seats than old PE on A380 / 747 .

Wow that is a great deal, for such a long flight.

ptcruiser

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 14 Jan 2015

Total posts 9

Hi there,

Yes we actually paid for Premium Economy on the Qantas 787 leg from Perth to London (hoping to get a points upgrade to Business which we didn't ) and it was excellent ! I'd read so many negative reviews I really was very apprehensive but couldn't face sitting in economy - and honestly it was the best flight I'd ever taken not in Business Class. Although the seat initially looks small it was so, so comfortable to sleep in - and once you recline and the seat base cradles upwards and you put your legs "over" the leg rest and down into the net you are totally supported and feel like you are in some sort of cloud like hammock - I slept for 8hrs ......! Even with the person in front fully reclined it made no difference and you can walk around a bit and use the self service bar and business class toilets also.. The seat itself feels very business like with the materials used and the service and the crew made it feel like business class anyway - so I would totally upgrade with points from economy or pay for it again next time - no question - enjoy !

Richard W

Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer

Member since 12 Apr 2017

Total posts 88

My last 2 flights I have tried to upgrade from Flexible economy to Business (I'm Gold) but have only managed to get into Premium Economy due to full flights. I have to say I have been very impressed. Sure it is not business class standard but for a small use of points, very comfortable with better service, well worth it.

adethyasjce

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 03 Jul 2018

Total posts 66

Recent flight from SIN to MEL on QF A380 PE - very good experience. The seats were comfortable and I slept like a log. Really nice food, wine and very attentive FA's. They made sure that everyone in PE were taken care off.


On this specific flight, PE was half full and so I was able to move to the exit row seat in PE, so additional leg room

I had a very busy business + personal trip in India and couldn't get afford the price difference to upgrade to premium on MAA - SIN leg w/ Jet Airways (9W), however, used 35000 QF points to upgrade from Y to PE (I booked the cheapest Y fare and hence 35000 to upgrade to PE) and it was worth it. After the busy run around in India, I could finally put my feet up and rest for 8 hours

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