Making use of double SC and going to Fiji - where to stay/what to do??

[markis10]

I agree. Also, the JASA's that everyone keeps talking about: having tried for 6 months to match what others are able to get, I'm now convinced that you have to have some status (Gold?) to be able to get the low JASA's. Me (Bronze) - no matter how I try, I would loose most of my carefully hoarded points to get a JASA. Recently one that I was going to book (Hobart / Sydney / Canberra return) was going to cost 227,000 points (and I have the proof). Classic awards were available on each leg, so that wasn't the problem.

What dates were you seeing the problem, I would be interested to see if its possible to replicate it to confirm your theory?

 

[fjc]

What dates were you seeing the problem, I would be interested to see if its possible to replicate it to confirm your theory?

Markis10 and I have now sorted this problem out. I was using the wrong steps to get to the JASA screen that gave the correct answers (not that Q warned me that there was a problem and it could be done for far less points).

When I have some free time tonight, I'll document my exact steps, then post.

Many thanks markis10. I might stay with Q after all (and that's a serious comment).

 

[fjc]

Thanks to markis10, I now realise that I've been having "blonde" (my term!) moments trying to look for JASAs during the past 6 months - and I'm not even blonde!

Correct method to find a JASA:
Quickest way to check for low JASAs is to go to the Awards area, choose Classic - Business, and look for dates that suit you. Then, go back to the Awards area, switch to JASA, plug in the same dates then look at the points for each flight.

My "blonde" method
What I was doing, was seeing the flights on the Classic awards, then going to the Flight Booking page (not the awards page), selecting the flights, and then going to the Points + Pay area.

By choosing the first method, you can see the points for each flight. Obviously, by using my "blonde" method, I was choosing flights that had high points.

I've just confirmed this by looking at a flight SYD/WLG return in September. Lots of options, but only a couple had the low points of about 45,000 each way - the rest were very high. As an interesting side issue, it appeared that points were less if not making a return trip ie booking 2 one ways. However, I've not explored this issue too far - perhaps another blonde moment.

Sorry everyone, and my apologies to Q for making a negative comment about them. However, it has been sorted out and perhaps others can learn from my mistakes.

 

[geoffl]

Indeed.

I love Denarau - it's a great place to go relax. I usually stay at the Sheraton.

Granted it's not the "true Fiji experience", but it's still a nice resort.

If you want to get out, you can do what I do - hire a 4WD and go exploring. So far I've made it up to Tavua in the North, Suva in the East and inland as well.

I agree, nothing wrong with Denaru, it is a good base, and close to the Denaru Marina and Port for any boating activities. I have been visiting Fiji since 1969, (no Denaru then !!) but when Denaru first sprung up, I stayed at the regent, which is now the Westin, and, they still actually have quite a number of staff from the Regent days still there. If it is an Island you are after, Liku Liku charges in F$, so it is a great deal, Namale (all inclusive) charges in A$ and taveuni are all fantastic.
If you want a real Fiji experience, do a day tour from Denaru to Navala Village, where all the Villagers still live in original Bures, there is no power, it has it's own schoool you can visit, and have lunch with the Elders, it is a very rewarding day.

 

[Fifa]

I now realise that I've been having "blonde" (my term!) moments trying to look for JASAs during the past 6 months - and I'm not even blonde!

Well, I'm blonde and I haven't had any problems booking JASAs (and I've booked quite a few)!

 

[Hermes]

Too much chat about the SCs, when what you want is where to stay and what to do.
It depends what you are looking for. Denarau -- Westin, Sheraton(s) etc -- is fine if you play golf, like nightclubbing and lazing around the pool. Not "the real Fiji", of course. They're the sort of resorts you find anywhere in the world.
If money is not a big concern, go to the Mamanuca islands, west of Nadi. Ferries leave from the Denarau marina. Our favourite is Castaway (the "father" of the island resorts, having been established in 1964). Lazy, snorkelling, parasailing ... Food good, including a weekly lovo and fine island curries. The best bures are beachfront, but they cost an arm and a leg. The "garden view" bures are fine, though you have no ocean view.
But also worth a thought are Malololailai and others in that island group. The Yasawa chain, farther north, is more expensive and takes longer to get to.
The Coral Coast -- the Fijian Resort etc -- offers good resorts, some excellent, but there is little by way of beaches and snorkelling.
Whatever you do, do NOT stay in Suva or Nadi.

 

[kpc]

Too much chat about the SCs, when what you want is where to stay and what to do.

I'm staying at the Hilton (award stay), and have one free day in March (Sunday)...do you have any suggestions as to which islands (and cruise) I should be considering for a day trip? :idea::idea:Thanks

 

[Fifa]

And I'm not staying at all!
Arriving from MEL and returning to SYD a few hours later.
Unfortunately I just couldn't swing any more hols. As it is I'm having to eat into my long service leave this year - but I'm taking double the time at half pay to give me more travel time

 

[Hermes]

To kpc -- the best day cruises I know of are to Castaway, Treasure and Beachcomber islands. Each a bit different, but will give you the feel of island life.

 

[fjc]

The Qantas Visa holiday brochure for Fiji lists all the hotels / Islands available and various options, extras etc. It can be downloaded from the Qantas site. Hotels can be booked without flights.

 

[kpc]

The Qantas Visa holiday brochure for Fiji lists all the hotels / Islands available and various options, extras etc. It can be downloaded from the Qantas site. Hotels can be booked without flights.

Thanks!! Just downloaded it...has all the info I need:idea:
Here it is: Fiji Brochure

 

[hayden]

Just went to book this, thought I'd double check my girlfriend had registered for the promo (she got the email too) and it said the promotion has closed! Even though it says book by the 21st... which I would think ended at midnight.

Spoke to someone at QFF who said it was still valid, however they can't do anything about it other than wait until the morning and ring the service centre. Should be an interesting call

So I ended up speaking to Qantas on Wednesday about it - they said the promo shouldnt have finished early but basically too bad. Explained that I didnt book the flights because we were waiting on confirmation that we could in fact get the double status credits.. again, just too bad for us.

So as a result I was pretty ticked off given we were told otherwise, and decided not to book anything (I was going to do a NAN run regardless of double SC or not)

 

[samh004]

Out of interest, why are people saying to stay away from Denarau Island?

I'd like to hear why, as well. I'm looking at staying at the Hilton.

Granted it's not the "true Fiji experience", but it's still a nice resort.

I can’t really fault the Hilton, though I was a little disappointed in some of the construction and what not, then again it IS Fiji.

As Ewing says though, it’s not the true Fiji experience, and when we were there we tried oh so very hard to get a good recommendation for somewhere 'local' to eat and pretty much fell flat on our face every night.

I can’t recommend anywhere to stay, other than I’ve heard the Intercon is very good.

I can recommend a great seafood restaurant called The Outer Reef, that has many dishes cooked in a fijian style and a chef who used to work in a 5-star resort on an outer island but got bored so came back to work there instead. Food was great, staff great - even going so far as to get some Kava for us to have with our meal (I quite like it)!