Uk To Australia - Economy, Premium Or Business?

[funkylad20]

Hi, we are looking at going to Australia in November and wondered if anybody had any experience or views on whether Premium Economy is worth it over Economy, or if it really is worth spending the extra to go Business Class?

Also, would it be worth getting a Credit Card that gives you air miles to buy the tickets with? Or just a normal credit card?

[Tilly2]

If I could afford to travel business class, then I would.

[boxtops]

I wouldn't go economy for long-haul.

Only you can decide about the credit card. If it has a better rate of interest than others, and still gives flight points, it's worth considering.

[boxtops]

...and bear in mind that if you buy the tickets with the card which gives you air miles, you won't get a reduction on these tickets, you have to save up the points and use them for future travel.

[funkylad20]

Yes, thank you. We are thinking of getting tickets on a credit card and paying them back over a few months after, so hopefully no interest!

[kjn2]

What airline are you thinking of using,?? in my opinion it makes a difference. Recently flew to Toronto Premium Economy by BA , going out plane was a 777 and not worth the upgrade coming back it was the new 787 and was well worth the upgrade to Premium Economy. The only way I would travel Business class is if it was a reasonable amount over economy plus but its not, its too much of a gap . ( in my opinion) . Oh yes and if somebody else paid haha.

[funkylad20]

Well yes, unfortunately this is a leaisure trip so I'll be paying! I think SIngapore Airlines, Emirates, BA/Qantas are the shortlisted ones so far...
I'm really eager to go on an A380 too.

[Brinjal]

Singapore or emirates would be my choice. Qantas is very average don't know about BA.

[237SJ]

I would definitely go Business if you can afford it. Having a flat bed makes all the difference. It`s a long old way to Australia.

[vodkancoke]

There isn't much difference between Economy and Premium Economy. If it were me, it would be Business. The flat bed makes all the difference.

[jakep]

I went to New Zealand many years ago in Economy. I would never repeat the experience and would pay the extra to upgrade.

[saintpeter48]

Without sounding rude, I think it depends how large you are! If, like me, you are average build, 5' 9" and 12 stone, then economy is fine, I always make sure I have an aisle seat so that standing up and walking around the aircraft is easy, I make my way to the back of the plane and do regular stretching excercises. I travel a lot of long haul in economy and find it not a problem, I'm 66 btw, but a friend of mine who often travels with me is 'larger'than me and he upgrades to Premium Economy, I have travelled by premium economy before and thought that there wasn't much difference, apart from the price, Its worth thinking about. :)

[boxtops]

I don't understand your point about the credit card. If you are buying the tickets on a card then paying back over several months, you WILL be charged interest on the outstanding balance each month?

[jaynethepain]

Spend as much as you can it's worth it. We went upper class with virgin to Australia and I had the most horrendous cold on departure and spent the majority of the flight laid down flat, in a duvet asleep and felt totally normal on arrival. Can not recommend it enough.

[237SJ]

Be careful about paying for the tickets with a credit card. Many airlines and travel companies charge and excess for paying with a CC. You would be better off paying via a debit card.

[Jennykenny]

Get a Tesco credit card and you can convert the points to airmiles.

[Cathyhuns]

I'd go business if I could afford it for any long haul flight.

But watch out for what you get - not every company operates flat beds or has them on each flight. If you find what looks like a cheap / good value business class fare it's probabaly not got flat beds.

Also, check when you want to go. The cost of flights from UK to Australia goes up significantly at the beginning of November so if your schedule is flexible you could get something cheaper if you went at the end of October.

FInally, flights with stopovers are often cheaper than direct flghts.