Advice re: best way to redeem Qantas FF points on flights to the USA

[Queenotisblue]

Hello

My partner and I are planning a trip to the USA at the end of June (flying into and out of LA, sourcing an internal flight for NY to LA separately). Between us we have approx. 500,000 FF points. Would the best way to redeem these points be by:

1. Purchasing economy fares (super saver) and applying for upgrades, particularly on the return flight, which will be a Sunday night?

Or

2. Using the points to purchase premium economy, using points plus pay?

Advice appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Mwenenzi]

The chances of an upgrade are effectively close to zero. You cannot rely on an upgrade, even if you have status. June (2013) is not far away to be looking for a reasonable points & pay.

 

[Queenotisblue]

Sorry, do you mean it is a good time to be looking for a good deal on points plus pay? Or that it's too far away?

 

[cjd600]

Unfortunately a good time to be looking for decent points flights for June 2013 would have been July 2012....

 

[Queenotisblue]

Thanks but we've only recently made the decision to go. I understand that better seats are available if you book further in advance but we didn't have that opportunity.

 

[Princess Fiona]

If you have 560K QFF points then you can use them to book two business class One World Awards. Availability may be a problem this close to departure though.
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ogram/oneworld-award-140k-280k-420k-8228.html

 

[casanovawa]

Yeah i would definitely go the 280k OW award if you can beg, borrow (well maybe not steal) the extra 60,000... Then you wouldn't even need to book the separate flight to NYC as it would all be part of the 35,000 mile redemption...

 

[grussellt]

Hello

My partner and I are planning a trip to the USA at the end of June (flying into and out of LA, sourcing an internal flight for NY to LA separately). Between us we have approx. 500,000 FF points. Would the best way to redeem these points be by:

1. Purchasing economy fares (super saver) and applying for upgrades, particularly on the return flight, which will be a Sunday night?

Or

2. Using the points to purchase premium economy, using points plus pay?

Advice appreciated.

Thanks!

If you can leave as early as June 18 there are 2 J awards on FJ SYD-NAN-LAX. I'm afraid it's still the old 747 but it will get you there (and the taxes/charges are much less than travelling on QF).
Actually they have just loaded some more flights so have a look at other dates.

 

[Limewood]

As said, normally this close you would book 10/12 months out, now you'll be using about double points required, its also peak season. Give thought to using just less points on QF to HNL in Y get second row exit seats 35 J/K (stacks room from seat in front), then use other points on AA flights to mainland cities, if its not really LAX where you want to go to then you can avoid this awful entry point.