Cairns on FF points

[MikeG]

Hi, the wife is pressuring me to take the family on one last visit to the Great Barrier Reef before it explodes, so just wondering if anyone has any advice about how to get there on the least $$$...

I have nearly 25,000 points of AA FF points, and 12,500 QF FF points - not alot I know. I've also got a fair few points tied up in American Express and Commonwealth Diamond Rewards.

Mike

 

[opusman]

Probably depends where you're coming from?

 

[Ausbt]

On the least $$$$ when we are talking a reef trip might be difficult, as it's going to be circa $150 per head to get out there on a day trip to begin with. But worth it? Hell yes. Had a great weekend away in Port Douglas a few months back, I love the place. Snorkeling trip, Harrisons & Salsa restaurants, crocs, Daintree & Cape Trib and of course Cane Toad racing at the Iron Bar ...truly worth every cent. Sounds like you need to free up a few points though or track down a 'free' Amex flight if you have a card that offers it.

 

[UP4014]

Unless you have a very small family you'll not have enough points.

Lucky the tourist routes often have some good discounts.

 

[Muppet501st]

Biggest tip, visit in the off season ( wet season, from October-April ) Flights/hotels so much cheaper. I travel there from Brisbane a couple of times a month, and booking my travel for next week, my usual hotels are all booked out, or wanting $400 plus (Accor Plat room guarantee)
Green Island is probably the cheapest option to get out to the reef, and its a pretty reasonable $ from Cairns. All snorkelling is straight of the beach. Does get busy.

 

[andye]

Hi, the wife is pressuring me to take the family on one last visit to the Great Barrier Reef before it explodes, so just wondering if anyone has any advice about how to get there on the least $$$...

I have nearly 25,000 points of AA FF points, and 12,500 QF FF points - not alot I know. I've also got a fair few points tied up in American Express and Commonwealth Diamond Rewards.

Mike

Flybuys or Amex MR transferring to Etihad is good for SYD-CNS. 7600 EY points each way

Edit:doing from memory, mattg is right 6900 points

 

[Mattg]

If you happen to have any Flybuys points that can be transferred to Etihad Guest, there is a sweet spot on flights to Cairns. Sydney-Cairns on VA (but unfortunately not Canberra-Cairns though as there are no direct flights) costs 6,900 Etihad miles. That's equivalent to 17,250 Flybuys points.

Edit: I see andye already mentioned this before I got around to posting!

 

[MikeG]

Probably depends where you're coming from?

From Sydney - we can probably car it to Sydney from Canberra (as that flight is poor value for money anyway) and fly direct from Sydney or via Brisbane.

I can get Qantas flights from Sydney fairly cheaply (direct) and use FF points for some of those. Tiger return... Cheap! But will need to get to the airport extra early to avoid missing the flight... Rental Cars and Accommodation may be able to be claimed through CC points. Not bad.

Yep obviously its not going to be a free trip, I just want to take advantage of points on this occasion...

Should be able to get away with <$5k for a family of 5 which is pretty damned good methinks.

Ironically my USA trip (just me) last week was way less than that, including flights, hotels, taxis, rental cars and food. :S

 

[MikeG]

Flybuys or Amex MR transferring to Etihad is good for SYD-CNS. 7600 EY points each way

American wanted 10,000 AA Miles each way... QF are probably 10,000 each way too.

 

[Mattg]

QF are probably 10,000 each way too.

Not quite... Qantas want 18,000 points each way! (But at least it would be the same price for CBR-CNS as SYD-CNS.)

 

[medhead]

American wanted 10,000 AA Miles each way... QF are probably 10,000 each way too.

I typed up a long reply but the forum lost all that.. Need to make sure I Ctrl+C

Short reply: they are saying to transfer the AMEX points to a partner airline, not purchase direct with amex. If 1:1 transfer to etihad then the award can be had for 7600. VA might also be an option for the amex points, awards are fairly cheap with VA. AA award on Qantas should be something like 10000 points, I think.

Look at hilton on government rate if you're eligible. For my school reunion a couple of weeks ago it was $150 per night.

I'd suggest Green Island as last option. Try to find the extra money for outer reef or something like Michaelmas Cay. If the kids are good swimmers I'd also suggest Fitzroy Island over Green Island. There was pretty good coral to be found there when I was at school (yes a long time ago), it also had ok rainforest. Downside is it's not a coral atoll, but a continental island.

 

[MikeG]

Thanks for the advice, its really appreciated.

 

[andye]

I'd agree that the extra $ to go to outer reef over Green Island well worth it

 

[medhead]

Going to the outer reef also requires good swimming ability, it's all off a pontoon. So there can be a bit of a swim to get to the surrounding reef. It is also a bit more open to the ocean.

but thousands of people do it every year

 

[andye]

Going to the outer reef also requires good swimming ability, it's all off a pontoon. So there can be a bit of a swim to get to the surrounding reef. It is also a bit more open to the ocean.

but thousands of people do it every year

The operation I went with a few months ago had the possibility of lifejackets for non-swimmers-my 4 year-old who is not quite swimming solo was able to see 'Nemo' and a (small) reef shark

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Look at hilton on government rate if you're eligible. For my school reunion a couple of weeks ago it was $150 per night.

Family of five might rule that out even on a Gov't rate. DT is $115 or caravan park cabins can be quite good value for a larger family.

Try to find the extra money for outer reef or something like Michaelmas Cay.

Agree totally with Michaelmas Cay. Pretty good snorkelling and a beach to swim off and rest on!

 

[andye]

Family of five might rule that out even on a Gov't rate. DT is $115 or caravan park cabins can be quite good value for a larger family.



Agree totally with Michaelmas Cay. Pretty good snorkelling and a beach to swim off and rest on!

The top rated place on tripadvisor in Cairns is a caravan/chalet park
Its rating is richly deserved for families with littlies

 

[MikeG]

The top rated place on tripadvisor in Cairns is a caravan/chalet park
Its rating is richly deserved for families with littlies

My lot are teen or tween - looking at a 3 bed apartment for around $1500 / 5 nights...

 

[Happy Dude]

Flybuys or Amex MR transferring to Etihad is good for SYD-CNS. 7600 EY points each way

Edit:doing from memory, mattg is right 6900 points

What's the "taxes", co-payment like with etihad?

 

[Happy Dude]

From Sydney - we can probably car it to Sydney from Canberra (as that flight is poor value for money anyway) and fly direct from Sydney or via Brisbane.

I can get Qantas flights from Sydney fairly cheaply (direct) and use FF points for some of those. Tiger return... Cheap! But will need to get to the airport extra early to avoid missing the flight... Rental Cars and Accommodation may be able to be claimed through CC points. Not bad.

Yep obviously its not going to be a free trip, I just want to take advantage of points on this occasion...

Should be able to get away with <$5k for a family of 5 which is pretty damned good methinks.

Ironically my USA trip (just me) last week was way less than that, including flights, hotels, taxis, rental cars and food. :S

I just got back from Heron Is for 5 nights and spent about $5500 all up for the four of us. Flights from CBR to GLT via BNE were $2k of that. Beautiful island/reef but pick your tides carefully.