Ask any avid points enthusiast about their best redemptions, and they’ll likely gush about a spacious premium cabin seat complete with multi-course meals, free-flowing Champagne, post-dinner drinks, and a cosy selection of movies to indulge in – all for a few hundred dollars in fees and taxes.
Ask a romantic-at-heart about their idea of a perfect date, and you’ll likely receive a similar vision, albeit with a hefty price tag.
So what if we could mirror all the hallmarks of a romantic night out in the sky for less than half the price? All you need are some Qantas Points up your sleeve – and not as many as you’d think!
We sent two couples on identical dates to see who could do it cheaper. Point Hacks video producer Tobias and his partner Kristina enjoy a night out in Sydney, while Victoria and Stephen take to the skies in Emirates’ lavish Airbus A380 First Class from Christchurch to Sydney.
Each couple will enjoy:
- A multi-course Middle Eastern dinner
- A premium movie experience
- Glasses of Dom Pérignon Champagne
- Caviar
- A shot of Hennessy Paradis (RRP ~$1,400 per bottle)
So, is it cheaper for a couple to fly in First Class or go on a date in Sydney? We put it to the test so you don’t have to.
Date in Emirates First Class – Victoria
Going on a date anywhere is fun. But this one’s extra special as it’s Stephen’s first time flying in a premium cabin. For me, a seasoned pointy-end flyer, there’s a vicarious joy of watching my partner experience the thrill of it all for the first time. I watch with an amused grin as he tinkers with the controls, quickly discovering the seat’s massage function. There’s lots more to sift through in the suite: the mirror that hides the luxury amenities, the notebook drawer, the pop-up minibar filled with drinks and snacks and the touchscreen that controls the giant inflight entertainment screen. With the onboard shower, we can even freshen up before our date truly begins.
It’s only a three-hour evening flight, but the cabin crew still offer us pyjamas and slippers in an Emirates tote bag. The cabin lights dim, and the suite doors can be shut for maximum privacy. With this level of cosiness, it’s starting to feel like a date night at home.
Our three course dinner is swiftly served after departure. For our appetiser, we both choose the Arabic mezze, a colourful array of savoury bites that brought the flavours of the Middle East onboard. The lamb is a particular standout: tender, fragrant, and full of spice.
We both select the seared beef tenderloin for our main course, served with a creamy sweet potato mash. The steak is surprisingly tender and rich for something served in the air, and the mash added just the right touch of buttery comfort. Dessert is a chocolate feuilletine – layered, rich, and incredibly sweet.
Of course, it wouldn’t be an Emirates Airbus A380 First Class experience without a visit to the iconic onboard bar. At this point, we’re definitely trying to squeeze out every drop of value. So, we ordered two glasses of Hennessy Paradis. At $1,400 a bottle, one glass of this Cognac offsets the fees and taxes for the entire flight.
Not pictured is the selection of luxury chocolates that the cabin crew offer shortly before landing. I’ve already devoured my ‘big dessert’, but I can still stomach six or so said chocolates. Honestly, I’m probably saving Stephen’s money at this point as he doesn’t have to fund my excessive sweet tooth. It’s all included in the ticket.
Date in Sydney – Tobias
Having flown Emirates First Class before, Kristina and I know what to expect. This may just be the most expensive date we’ll ever have. I’m slightly terrified of what’s to come. Kristina is ecstatic.
For dinner, we book a table at AALIA, one of Sydney’s premier Middle Eastern restaurants. Their four course premium banquet menu offers first class flavours minus the boarding pass. At $140 per person, it certainly delivered on indulgence and is well worth it.
AALIA also serves two other Emirates First Class mainstays – $99 glasses of Dom Pérignon and 30 gram serves of caviar. I grit my teeth as I order two glasses of the Champagne. Halfway through dinner, Vic sends us a text informing us they’ve had two glasses each already. That brings our drinks total to $396 and we haven’t even finished dinner! The same unlimited caviar Vic and Stephen are savouring on Emirates is priced at $280 per serve here, so I elect to give myself one free pass. I believe some experiences should stay First Class exclusives.
While the First Class duo watched The Lion King in the sky, we head to Sydney’s outdoor Moonlight Cinema to watch the newly released prequel, Mufasa. Turns out Singapore Airlines sponsors the ‘Gold Grass’ experience here, so of course we have to splurge the $57 each for tickets. This gets us plush beanbags, food delivered to our seats, and a movie under the stars. Not a bad match for an inflight entertainment system.
To round out the evening, we make our way to Aster Rooftop Bar at the InterContinental Sydney for one final drink with stunning views over Circular Quay. Having already used my free pass on the caviar, I have to match Vic’s splurge at the Emirates onboard bar. We ordered the same: Hennessy Paradis. Price? $230 each.
At that point, our “date night” started feeling more like a luxury tax.
The verdict
So, is it cheaper for a couple to enjoy a date night on the ground in Sydney, or some 40,000 feet in the air flying in a First Class suite? Here’s what we spent.
| Item | Sydney | Emirates First |
| Shower | 1 night in a CBD located hotel $314 | Included |
| Caviar | $280 per 30g serve | Included – 50g each (more available on request) |
| Multi-course dinner | $140 per person 2 purchased | Included |
| Movie with food and drink delivery | $57 each 2 purchased | Included |
| Movie snacks | $48 | Included |
| Glasses of Dom Pérignon Champagne | $99 each 4 purchased | Unlimited |
| Glasses of Hennessy Paradis | $230 each 2 purchased | Included |
| Total spent | $1,612 ($1,892 including caviar) | $228 + 129,000 Qantas Points |
The results speak for themselves. With a little bit of Point Hacking and creativity, a First Class date can provide more value than a conventional date on the ground. We’ll let you decide if it’s actually practical or convenient but it’s certainly a date you’ll never forget. Stephen is still going on about it.
How to book Emirates First with points
Despite Emirates being based in Dubai, it’s possible to fly with the airline without being anywhere near the Middle East. This is because Dubai’s home carrier operates a fifth-freedom flight between Christchurch and Sydney, which continues onto Dubai. This means you can book the Christchurch-Sydney leg on its own. (You can also book Sydney-Christchurch). This gives you a taste of Emirates Airbus A380 First Class for far fewer points and dollars than typically required when flying from Australia to Dubai.
And, as a Qantas partner, Emirates flights can be booked through the Qantas website using Qantas Points. Here’s how many you’ll need.
| Until 4 August 2025 | From 5 August 2025 | |
| Emirates First Class Christchurch↔Sydney | 64,500 | 65,300 |
Single reward seats on this route are quite common and can be booked up to 353 days in advance. However, finding two on the same flight can be a little more challenging. We found that additional seats start to appear around two weeks before departure.
If you’d like to try this flight for yourself and save some time searching, sign up to our reward seat alert newsletter here. Our travel experts will be sharing all the latest available reward flights for this very route in an upcoming email.
Ready to treat that special someone to an unforgettable experience? The fastest way to top up your balance of Qantas Points with a credit card sign-up bonus. See the latest highlights below.
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Photography and video by Victoria Kyriakopoulos and Tobias Venus, who both travelled at Point Hacks’ expense. Additional reporting by Tobias Venus.
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