Changes To Star Alliance First Class To Sydney

Ouch. I have a reservation in 1st class on Thai from SYD to BKK in January. Guess I'm screwed on that one. It's part of a RTW award made using USair points way back when they were in Star Alliance. One of the other legs (CDG-IAD) looks like it has also been downgraded from 1st to business/first. I wonder if enough of these downgrades happen USAir will let me redeposit the miles without a charge, and try to find something in the new alliance.

It's also worth noting, as a positive aside, that Air China has a terrific fully-flat business hard product, even on its A330s, with a ton of award space to Australia. On any premium award from North America to Australia, it's the final leg that's tricky to find. Be sure to search ex-PVG/PEK if you're having trouble finding biz space to Aust.

Ben, the info in your post is not quite right. TG has a thrice weekly TG472/471 daytime service, which is being donwsized to a 773. However, their daily TG476/475 service will still be served by a 747, so First class is still available on TG to SYD.

I think your article is not properly researched - you don't even mention Singapore Airlines (SQ). Agreed there is poor direct award availability on premium between west coast US to Australia, but SQ offers better options - LAX/SFO to SIN and then connections to all ports in Australia. These are daily connections ex-west coast and there are multiple daily connections from SIN to Australia.

@ elteetrav -- Even with just one downgrade you can absolutely redeposit your award for free and start over if you'd like.

@ KG -- This contradicts my information. They haven't totally updated the schedule yet, but they have stopped selling first class on the 747 frequency, which suggests an aircraft swap.

@ GBC -- Right, but that's only bookable with KrisFlyer miles. A vast majority of people have miles in other currencies, which can't be redeemed for first class on Singapore Airlines.

Since you're talking Australia, given a choice would you fly Qantas 747 or A380 in business. Syd>Lax

@ Charlie - the 747s have all been retrofitted now to have the same business seats as the A380. Some people like the novelty of the A380 but frankly the upper deck and the nose of the 747 are hard to beat for privacy, exclusivity, quiet & comfort.

Crazy Suites Class availability on aeroplan from SIN-DEL. Up to 8 Passengers! Don't know if you knew this, but just putting that out there.

Second time this year that I have been "TG'ed" (downgraded).

Thai Airways will use the 787 on flights to Perth.

I hold an itinerary for November booked with UA miles. What happens now? Will I get downgrade compensation and refund of miles?

Having just flown multiple flights between Asia and Oceania...just a reminder that if you're flying F from SYD on Star you've gotta use the SQ F lounge...miles above all the other Star Alliance lounge options there...and newly refurbished.

@ Charlie -- I'd say A380 business class. In theory I'd prefer the 747 since business class is the top cabin on that plane, but at the same time the A380 is a substantially more comfortable ride.

@ Alex -- You can redeposit the award for free, or if you want to keep it you should get the difference in miles between first and business class.

Lucky, do all Air China operated 777-300ER J and F cabin interiors have the same outfit?

@ Wolfgang -- As far as I know, yes.

Planning a trip NYC>Australia (all over the place) Aug-Sep 2015. Was thinking JFK>PER inbound, and SYD>JFK eventual return. Any suggestions on preferred flights or routing? Have enough AA for first/biz one way and will soon have enough MP for roundtrip biz/first.

Thanks!

@ Matthew -- Assuming you can find availability, I think it's tough to beat Qantas direct to Australia. You'll want to plan right as the schedule opens, though.

@lucky - Yeah, my goal was the JFK>SYD thru LAX QF 107 (?) on the 747, but I'm hoping their updated routing to/from JFK will still allow that to happen. Best to keep checking availability on the AA website, or is there a sneakier way?

@ Matthew -- The American website would be your best place to search. Good luck!

@GBC/@Lucky:

From an editorial standpoint, the title of the post is *changes* to *A F products. Since there aren't any changes to SQ, I don't see Lucky as remiss for not mentioning them.

This is pretty frustrating that they have done this but thank you for pointing it out. I have a pre-devaluation United award booked on TG476 for next April in F. Since the Air China flight isn't operating later than March, are there any first class options for me to get to Asia using United miles?

Apparently TG has discovered that a business model predicated on every Australian frequent flyer with two working brain cells and a membership on a frequent flyer discussion board buying bmi, er, I mean US Airw- actually, I mean Avianca miles to fly F class for Y prices isn't a viable model for F class service. SHOCKING!

😉

@lucky:

I had a reservation on TG SYD-BKK in F (but already switched to CA SYD-PEK in F), and was wondering would you have switched from TG in J on their 777-300ER or fly Air China in F on their 777-300ER? I know TG has better service and food, but the F product is much better on CA. Just wondering if I made the right choice.

@ Jeremy -- I would have definitely done Air China first class. Much better hard product.

Lucky, i see Thai first seats avail on their 747 for March.... just to be clear, if I made a res on that flight it would definitely be downgraded correct?

Thanks!

@ stacey -- No, they changed their mind (for now) on cutting first class to Australia:
https://onemileatatime.com/thai-airways-aircraft-changes/

What you are saying about Thai Airways not flying First Class to Sydney is simply untrue. I have just booked two First Class flights Bangkok -Sydney-Bangkok departing 15th October 2015 returning 28 October 2015.

How is Thai on releasing First class space last minute? There are 5 of 9 seats available for sale on SYD to BKK, but no more for points redemption. If I book business, is there a likely chance of switching the award to first closer to the date? Surrounding dates do have first availability, but don't work as well schedule wise.