Smartest way to utilise my points

[Longrass]

Few questions guys,

I am currently getting done over by comm bank and the stupid diamond card they have given me.

Generally speaking, my CC spend is about $80-$100K per month and I am getting about 20% of that through the linked AMEX.

Rolling over to NAB and the AMEX direct on the first day of the new financial.

So currently I have 130'000 ff points to use up.

I have always booked my flights on CC and never really bothered with the whole points thing until the last 12 months or so.

Ive booked up about 200'000 points lately which I think have been wasted. I did however take up the offer on discount economy to business upgrades a few times.

My preference is Business class for travel and I now have a QC bronze card.

Can anyone point me in the direction of previous threads or advice on what the best use for my points are.

Should I be booking Qantas super saver flights and trying for online upgades or asking at the QC desk for on departure upgrades?

Should I be booking QJASA and paying the extra cash?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Sprucegoose]

It's a personal preference thing. I prefer upgrades on int legs over Domestic. What do you value the most?I know people that cash their ponts in for gift vouchers at Coles /Big W etc, which in my opinion is a total waste.

 

[Longrass]

I don't do international often, about the extent of my international is DWN - BALI or DWN - HCMC which cost me less that $300 return on Air Asia or Jetstart.

Darwin is limited in its' INTL business class flights.

I do however travel quite alot domestic and would prefer to utilise my points and cash as a way of upgrading on said flights.

For instance, I have a requirement to travel DWN - ADL on the 29th this month and returning on the 2nd July.

 

[Longrass]

Can I also be learned on how to find out what class I am booking, ie.. N O E Q P X?

 

[Sprucegoose]

I don't do international often, about the extent of my international is DWN - BALI or DWN - HCMC which cost me less that $300 return on Air Asia or Jetstart.Darwin is limited in its' INTL business class flights.I do however travel quite alot domestic and would prefer to utilise my points and cash as a way of upgrading on said flights.For instance, I have a requirement to travel DWN - ADL on the 29th this month and returning on the 2nd July.

QF I take it. You need to buy an upgradeable ticket in order to achieve this. And you can only upgrade on departure from the Club. Are you a QF Club member?

 

[Longrass]

Yes mate, Qantas Club Bronze and member since 1998. All my domestic are QF flights. What must I select when booking a ticket? Flexi Saver? Red E-Deal? Super Saver?

 

[harvyk]

Where are you based from? (I take it that your based in DRW based on your other posts)...

The best use of points IMHO is for long haul upgrades (where there are skybed options) or international classic award in J \ F (if you can find them).

That said I'd never buy an upgradable ticket over a cheapie (if available) in the hope that I win the upgrade lottery... It's a good way to pay 4x the price as the guy sitting next to you to get the exact same level of service...

Also if you want to get the best value from your points, be flexible in the flights \ routing you'll take...


If your flying J, QP won't really do much for you (as you'd have access to the QP anyway and J-Lounge as well)... As a NB, you'd have a long way to go to get to WP (gives same \ better benefits than a simple J ticket would), so unless you know you've got a lot of flying coming up, don't delibrately go for flights which turns points into SC's... You'd need 1400SC's to get better benefits than what a J ticket would normally give you, a DRW to ADL, you'd only be getting 160, you'd need 9 trips like that in a membership year, all in J to get WP, the lower levels as well as QP don't give the benefits that a J ticket give automatically.

 

[cove]

Start looking at Any Seat in business class and if the points are close to the Classic points in business class you will be starting your journey into a bit more comfort. You will get status credits to elevate your chances of getting favorable seats every time you fly.

 

[Longrass]

Bump for some good advice