advice on maximising benefits sought

[jenib]

Hi,

I'm pretty much a complete novice at maximising ff value. I've been RTW 4 times (3 for business) but I am not allowed to use points from business flying for personal use and almost all my ff points are business related. I am allowed to use points from personal flying.

My partner, child and I are planning a (personal) rtw business class trip later this year (before child turns 12). I am QFF gold/ow sapphire member. partner and child are not currently ff members.

Partner and I had a fantastic experience flying RTW business class Singapore Airlines (not business related) more than 15 years ago using a route that left and returned via singapore and a fare that was excellent value.

I am trying to chose between singapore airlines and oneworld options - looking for a good business class rtw fare.
Some of the factors I have identified so far are:
- fare cost (there seems to be internet based offers ranging from about $6200 leaving Sydney) and we are fairly open about route
- lounge access (business class seems to get you access but not necessarily for domestic US)
- earning points for future use (joining up partner and child who are not current members)
- credit card schemes which benefit ff points (noticed that earth cc gives free ff membership - should partner get a card just for this and save the joining fee). I have ccs but have not ever joined a loyalty scheme for ccs and now realised I probably should have!
- whether the trip might tip me over into platinum (gold for next review in August already reached and planning rtw trip before then - need about 800 status points for platinum) and push partner towards gold ff (and free QC access)
- can child's points be sent to partner and could my (personal) points be sent to partner?
- my parent is a cl member/presumably platinum and has previously traded points to send family members on flights - we are planning to meet parent in US - any benefit that might be worth exploring with them?

My main questions are:
- are there other factors I should consider?
- does anyone have tips on how to work all of this out?

Sorry about the complicated post - that is how it feels! Thanks for any advice!

 

[JohnK]

I am trying to chose between singapore airlines and oneworld options - looking for a good business class rtw fare.
Some of the factors I have identified so far are:
- fare cost (there seems to be internet based offers ranging from about $6200 leaving Sydney) and we are fairly open about route

I don't know much about *Alliance but a Oneworld Explorer airfare is currently around ~$11,000. Another option for cheaper airfares is to look at starting the RTW in NZ, Japan, Thailand, Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore or Mauritius. It will add on additional time but the savings may well be worth it. There are a few threads on AFF explaining the process.

- lounge access (business class seems to get you access but not necessarily for domestic US)

As a QF Gold/Oneworld Sapphire you will have domestic lounge access in the USA if flying Oneworld airlines eg AA. It should be OK to get both your partner and child into the lounges but this may vary from lounge to lounge due to the one guest policy.

- earning points for future use (joining up partner and child who are not current members)
- credit card schemes which benefit ff points (noticed that earth cc gives free ff membership - should partner get a card just for this and save the joining fee). I have ccs but have not ever joined a loyalty scheme for ccs and now realised I probably should have!

Again there are many threads on AFF explaining all the deals on offer from credit card companies. Look at some these as they also offer FF points when applying and being accepted for the credit card.

Yes earth offers free QFF membership but not sure if your child will be able to get a credit card. It is only $82.50 to join the QFF program anyway.

Credit card schemes are a good way to collect FF points. Also car hire and hotel stays are another way of earning FF points. You would be surprised how quickly FF points start to add up.

- whether the trip might tip me over into platinum (gold for next review in August already reached and planning rtw trip before then - need about 800 status points for platinum) and push partner towards gold ff (and free QC access)

A basic RTW in business class, SYD-LAX-JFK-LHR-SIN-SYD would earn you 680 SCs. If you include some sectors in the USA, choose the right flights and you will earn First class SCs on 2 class flights, Europe, SE Asia and Australia then you will easily earn over 1400 SCs and would not add much to the cost other than taxes and surcharges. Booking through AA will reduce the taxes and surcharges.

- can child's points be sent to partner and could my (personal) points be sent to partner?

Yes. From QF website

Family Transfers

Enjoy greater choice and flexibility in the way you use your points. Family transfers enable you to transfer a portion of your points to one eligible family member, who is also a Frequent Flyer member, once every 12 months.

It's ideal for the times when you have enough points between you, but not enough individually, for an Award flight.

How Family transfers work

• minimum 5,000 to maximum 100,000 points per transfer
• maximum one transfer every 12 months

- my parent is a cl member/presumably platinum and has previously traded points to send family members on flights - we are planning to meet parent in US - any benefit that might be worth exploring with them?

Not sure of any benefits other than the CL member booking award flights for non status members. They were able to see extra econony award availability but not sure what is happening since QF introduced premium economy.

My main questions are:
- are there other factors I should consider?
- does anyone have tips on how to work all of this out?

Sorry about the complicated post - that is how it feels! Thanks for any advice!

Planning is half the fun. There are many threads on AFF which include the planning that many members have gone through for their own RTW. I recommend you read as many of these threads as possible as it is almost impossible for one person to give you all the advice you seek.

Good luck!

 

[jenib]

Thanks JohnK for your great advice!
It gives me some things to think about and I will spend some time searching the threads. I was just discussing options with partner so your advice is very timely.

Thank you