Questions and Answers

I needed to get to Geneva from Sydney in January so I had two options, via the Middle East or via Asia and Europe.

I was going to book a Business class redemption but there was absolutely no space at all (and after how many paid Z class trips I’ve taken this year, cash was not an option) None of the Middle East carriers have premium economy (and this may sound posh, but my 24hr-trip-in-economy days are over) so that left me with the Asian carriers.

I booked a changeable Cathay fare via HKG and LGW (keeping in mind that I would have lounge access as QF lifetime gold) for a reasonably low price but then I remembered that Virgin Australia (of which I am a Platnium member) operates to Abu Dhabi 3x weekly on a 3-class 777!

I searched up the prices directly from their website and bam! They had PE fares coming in at $1400 for Sydney to Geneva but with a 9 HOUR LAYOVER. But the price and seat were to good to pass up. But I can spend that 9 hours in style in the Etihad First Class lounge! (Also, did I mention I’m on standby for a Business class points upgrade!)

So at the end of the day, I will have an easily avoidable 9 hour layover but it will be in style and cheap.

However, the lounge is better and your flight only has 1 stop

By all means bring a book, a laptop just to keep you entertained while in the lounge.
Sure you have plenty of food and drinks to keep you going, just remember to set an alarm of some sort so you don’t miss the flight. 🙂

You’re never dumb for doing something you like! If you get access to Etihad’s first class lounge, curl up in this room next to the bar with a blanket that they will provide. During the day the place is empty. The seats recline. Sleeping is easy. If you want there is a transit hotel in T1, not the cubes in T3, they have[ATTACH=full]193[/ATTACH] reasonable rates for 6 hours. And good luck getting the Virgin upgrade. Their product is AMAZING!