Emirates’ first-class flight you can take for just 62,200 Qantas points

If flying first class sounds like just a dream, think again. Because getting this sneaky access to your own cabin is much easier than you think.

If Emirates first class seems out of reach, think again.

Just imagine. Your very own private suite in the sky, the finest wines and a chance to shower at 11,000 metres. Maybe even the whole cabin to yourself. It sounds like a dream, and while a journey in the Emirates first class cabin might seem inaccessible, it’s actually much easier than you think.

Right now, there’s an opportunity for Qantas frequent flyers to try this exceptional product for a very low number of points – with at least two award seats on this route available to book across most of the next year.

And, if you play your cards right, you might even score the Emirates first-class cabin all to yourself, just as I did when I enjoyed this incredible redemption recently.

It works like this: A one-way first-class jaunt on the Emirates A380 between Sydney and Christchurch can be yours for just 62,200 Qantas points and about $120 in carrier fees.

How to get an Emirates first-class ticket for just 62,000 points.

Alternatively, if you’re a member of Emirates Skywards, you could lock in an award ticket for an even lower outlay. You’ll need to fork out just 54,000 Skywards miles plus carrier charges. Emirates’ Skywards miles can be earned through selected loyalty schemes in Australia, including the popular American Express membership rewards program.

Is it worth redeeming points or miles for three hours in Emirates first class?

In short, absolutely! This short but sweet taste of the pointy end has earned its reputation as one of the best first-class experiences in the sky. Here’s why.

VISIT THE FLAGSHIP QANTAS FIRST LOUNGE IN SYDNEY

When you travel the Sydney to Christchurch leg, you’ll score pre-flight access to the amazing Qantas international first-class lounge at Sydney Airport.

Once ensconced in this private space, you can enjoy Neil Perry-inspired a la carte dining and bottomless champagne. And while the Emirates service is a morning departure, there’s still more than enough time to indulge in breakfast, a glass of Mumm rosé NV and perhaps a quick spa treatment.

How to use your Qantas frequent flyer points to get a lush upgrade.

SCORE AN ACCIDENTAL EMIRATES FIRST-CLASS VIP EXPERIENCE

Once you step on-board the Emirates A380, that’s when the magic starts. And what could be more magical than having first class all to yourself?

This is something I was able to experience when I flew this redemption just a few months back. Emirates often flies an empty first-class cabin on this route, so the chance of scoring the pointy-end all to yourself is a very real possibility.

Nabbing one of the best first-class products in the sky for a small number of Qantas points is unquestionably a steal. But scoring the entire Emirates A380 first-class cabin to yourself? Priceless!

STRETCH BACK IN YOUR VERY OWN ENCLOSED PRIVATE SUITE

Either way, a private enclosed suite is yours to stretch out in for the duration of your flight – and it’s a stylish way to travel indeed. The Emirates first-class suite on the A380 features closeable doors, mood lighting and soft leather seating.

Sip wines worth up to $450 or more (and a cognac worth an eye-watering $950 a bottle).

If you’re a wine lover, you’ll take heart from Emirates first class boasting one of the finest wine lists in the air.

First up, you’ll have the chance to enjoy excellent vintage champagne. When I flew this route just a few months back, I was excited to find not one but two Dom Perignon vintage offerings available in the first-class cabin.

You’ll have the chance to enjoy excellent vintage champagne.

Dom Perignon rosé, in particular, is a very special drop and one you likely won’t get the chance to try every day. At the time of writing, it retails for a cool $450 at Dan Murphy’s. At around $250 per bottle, Dom Perignon 2009 vintage is no slouch either. Why not try both?

Emirates offers rare first growth Bordeaux in first class. Some of the bottles I spied on the wine list last time I flew this route commanded retail prices of up to $400 or more per bottle.

If wine isn’t your thing, you may even find one of the most prestigious cognacs available to try. Hennessy Paradis retails for an incredible $950 a bottle, and it’s served on a range of Emirates routes.

Here at The Champagne Mile, we’re firmly in favour of responsible drinking. That being said, with beverage offerings like these, it’s not hard to see how you could easily drink back the cost of your Emirates first-class ticket!

TAKE A SHOWER AT 11,000 METRES

If you’ve always wanted to shower in the sky, this could be your chance.

The Emirates A30 boats a shower suite that is exclusively available for use by first-class passengers. It’s bookable for one 30-minute slot during the flight. During this time, five minutes of water can be used. A dedicated shower attendant is on hand to maintain the suite between passengers.

The Emirates A380 shower in the First Class suite.

CONNECT FROM SELECTED CITIES AT NO EXTRA POINTS COST

Travelling from Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra or Hobart? You can tag on a connecting domestic Qantas business-class flight to or from Sydney at no extra points cost. You’ll simply need to pay extra carrier fees of around $40, which are levied for the additional flight.

Plus, right now, there are at least two first-class award seats available to book across most of the year.

While Emirates’ first-class space can be notoriously difficult to come by, there are plenty of classic reward seats available to book on this route.

Right now, the Qantas website is showing at least two first-class classic reward seats on most days from now through to the end of September 2020, excluding a Christmas holiday blackout period from mid-December to early January.

This represents a compelling opportunity to tick one of the world’s top first-class products off your bucket list – with a very low outlay of points or miles. Why not give it a try?

Adele Eliseo is a professional luxury traveller and Qantas points collector. Whether it’s tales from first class or the latest travel hacks, Adele shares her frequent flyer wisdom on her website The Champagne Mile