Asking for help to book flights to USA please

[MackGirl]

I have been following this site for some time, and just joined up finally today. Thank you in advance to members who can help.

Firstly - please could you answer me in simple english - I have read the basic threads on fares etc, but I am quite confused about the best way to go about booking flights and understanding it all.

I am planning a trip to the USA in June/July this year. Am taking my (very newly married) husband too. I have approx 140000 QFF points saved up, he has around 2000 points. We are both bronze members.

We would like to fly Bris to LA return, for approx 4-6 weeks, making our own way around the USA doing a few things.

We would like to fly QF or partner obviously, and prefer Premium Economy.

I have been to a travel agent who didn't actually seem to know too much to be honest so hoping I can get some advice here to be a bit more knowledgable.

1. I can purchase Economy fares for $1500 approx (depending on dates etc), or I can purchase Premium Economy fares for $5000 approx. All per person prices.

2. Can I buy Economy fares and use points to upgrade to Premium? Is there a particular class of fare I would have to buy to ensure I can get an upgrade? (I am worried about buying the cheapest fare and then being told I can't upgrade).

3. Is it better to buy Premium in the first place to guarantee it?

4. Can my new husband use my points (as in can we split the points between us) to use for upgrades from econ to prem?

I'd be very appreciative if members could offer some ideas/advice etc and even more appreciate of easy to understand answers for someone who has never used points before.

Thanks so much to you for taking the time to read my question.

 

[Hvr]

Welcome to AFF MackGirl, as you've already found there is a wealth of information here.

Now to your questions:

2. Can I buy Economy fares and use points to upgrade to Premium? Is there a particular class of fare I would have to buy to ensure I can get an upgrade? (I am worried about buying the cheapest fare and then being told I can't upgrade).

Yes there is a particular class of fare you'll need to buy.
See here for the latest fare classes that are eligible for upgrades.
Frequent Flyer - Using Points - Flight Upgrades - International Flight Upgrades
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....rogram/qf-booking-class-22124.html#post307759

3. Is it better to buy Premium in the first place to guarantee it?

3. Yes, as a bronze member you'll be at the bottom of the list to get an upgrade on this particular route. Wanting two upgrades will make it even harder.

4. Can my new husband use my points (as in can we split the points between us) to use for upgrades from econ to prem?


Thanks so much to you for taking the time to read my question.

You can upgrade your husband with your points. When you log in to your account there is an option to upgrade someone else.

Happy travelling and hope you hang around.

 

[AVC]

Using points to upgrade is a lottery. They will only do it if there are seats in the premium cabin, and you won't find out if the request is successful until T-5.

Your husband can transfer his points to you (family transfers are only allowed once per year).

You may be able to book 2 award flights using points plus pay for the trip over (or back), but at face value you don't have sufficient for both ways in Y+.

If you're both on the same booking a points upgrade request will be both parties or none.

Obviously QF fly direct, for about $3300 per leg (thats to DFW, where we are flying to in Dec), but Cathay or JAL have fares for around $1700 per leg. I'm not convinced on the JAL Y+ product though. Those alternatives not direct though. Depends if you want a stopover in an exotic foreign airport.

Don't forget to get your ESTAs before you travel.

You don't have criminal records do you? (they don't call it the Land Of The Free And PARANOID for nothing) (that's LOTFAP around here)

 

[tuapekastar]

.
Don't forget to get your ESTAs before you travel.

And an ESTA should cost you USD14 (on today's rates). There are plenty of sites out there that look official but ask for amounts like USD75, and all they are doing is taking your info and applying via the official site (which is here)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

rather than flying premium economy for $5000 you can fly business class for a few dollars more, or if you want to try something different, you can fly Air Pacific business class for around $3000 return (you need to stop in Fiji for a few hours, and you need to buy three separate tickets, but this can all be done on line, with an aussie credit card, and the process is very quick and simple). Air Pacific will give you points, lounge access, priority baggage, and a nice big reclining seat (a bit like the Qantas First class seats of 20 years ago). Air Pacific service is not up to QF, but I can't really see much point in spending $5000 when you can do it for $3000

 

[AVC]

rather than flying premium economy for $5000 you can fly business class for a few dollars more, or if you want to try something different, you can fly Air Pacific business class for around $3000 return (you need to stop in Fiji for a few hours, and you need to buy three separate tickets, but this can all be done on line, with an aussie credit card, and the process is very quick and simple). Air Pacific will give you points, lounge access, priority baggage, and a nice big reclining seat (a bit like the Qantas First class seats of 20 years ago). Air Pacific service is not up to QF, but I can't really see much point in spending $5000 when you can do it for $3000

I cant find a AP price to USA for that, is that through AP's website?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I cant find a AP price to USA for that, is that through AP's website?

to get that price you need to take advantage of the Fiji dollar. so ticket A au to Fiji, then ticket B is Fiji-USA return, then ticket C is Fiji au.

make your own way to Fiji on any booking site, then use fj's site to book the rest.