Best way to currently use points for flights to USA

[dvschem]

Good morning all

I'm an Australian Army officer currently serving in Afghanistan. I'd like to be able to take my family to the US/Canada when I return in June next year and was looking for your help. I have about 611,000 points and need to book 4 seats from Brisbane to Vancouver . We will then look at flying to Boston or New York and then to LA before flying back to Brisbane. I was hoping that someone might be able to help us with the best way to achieve this?? Thanks very much for your help!!

 

[Mattg]

What program are those 611,000 points with? Qantas Frequent Flyer, or is it a different program?

Also, I'm guessing that you're just after economy class?

 

[RooFlyer]

A post in March indicates that it is QFF points; but knowing the class of travel is important.

The watchword, dvschem is flexibility! For instance (these are mainly relevant to much rarer business class seats, but also apply generally, especially when you are looking for 4 seats):

* Be prepared to consider different departure and arrival ports; SYD/MEL bring American and other Qantas flights into play; LAX and SFO similarly;

* Look at routing that isn't direct - Qantas only services YVR in Australian winter and summer; during those times, and other times routing on Cathay Pacific via HKG would come into play;

* Book as soon as you can; booking as two one-way trips might be necessary IF the return journey is outside the booking window (I THINK with Qantas its 353 days before departure - but some-one will confirm or correct, I hope)

When you say 'how to achieve' ... with QFF points, its just a matter of going to the web site, choosing classic award search and seeing what's there (also being flexible with dates) and booking. If you have plat or P1 status (and maybe Gold also??) with QFF you can also call and request the release of an Award seat if there aren't enough showing on the day/flight.

Be aware that if you are looking at economy, Qantas charges substantial cash charges for a points seat. You can see these by making a dummy booking. It may be worthwhile to book the kids with cash on a cheap fare (if available) as this may not be much more than the extra cash costs with a points flight; then, also you wouldn't need 4 seats on the one flight (but again, with Y 4 seats may not be that difficult - I don't know). The charges for business are also substantial, but for the better experience, it doesn't hurt so much .

Booking economy (only certain fare types qualify) and then thinking of applying for upgrades with points is very risky and a low probability thing.

This will take time; get to learn the routes (we can help) and just search combinations on the booking page; but equally do it as soon as you can.

 

[RooFlyer]

Also, do you need to come back via LAX? If you are in NYC, then keep going east with a round-the-word fare becomes a possibility - you might return via the Gulf (Qatar Airways then Qatar or Qantas) or maybe Europe (American, BA, Qantas). Check out this thread on the OneWorld RTW points fare (its a long thread, but there is a wiki and the last 10 pages or so will get you in the groove. Ask questions about that option there, rather than here.

 

[andye]

I would target AA flights across the Pacific if going economy because of the taxes (though it does mean you need to get to SYD). I had little trouble getting 5x Economy redemptions on AA with QF points during Easter holidays LAX-SYD.
If you are happy to stomach QF taxes don't forget SFO or DFW as entry points (I understand HNL is hard for availability)
Within US may be worth hunting around for paid fares-don't forget Delta where Premium Economy may be not much more than Economy with the potential to earn lots of VA SCs
I found it easier to use ba.com than qantas to search for dates (but you would need to register with ba.com with a non-Australian address) then book online with qantas
For premium cabins, Cathay often has 4x seats HKG-US (both coasts) if you book early enough with moderate taxes

 

[deejo77]

I agree 4x140k economy tickets on a oneworld booking is probably best - you do not have to go around the world on options - read the wiki and ask questions.

Also, do you need to come back via LAX? If you are in NYC, then keep going east with a round-the-word fare becomes a possibility - you might return via the Gulf (Emirates then Emirates or Qantas) or maybe Europe/Gulf/home. Check out this thread on the OneWorld RTW points fare (its a long thread, but there is a wiki and the last 10 pages or so will get you in the groove. Ask questions about that option there, rather than here.

 

[drron]

Get in and book the legs to Vancouver and back from LAX now as 4 awards can be difficult.
Have just searched on QF and 4 awards from BNE-YVR available most days until 13/6 but then virtually nothing until 4/7-I presume school holidays.Coming back good availability from ~ 23/6 to 5/7 then little until the end of July when once again good availability.
Once you have got those then work out what you want to do between YVR and LAX then look-may have to get 1-3 awards and buy others but not as expensive as the transpac legs.
Going to YVR it is BNE-LAX on QF and QF codeshare on westjet to YVR.
Coming back most days it is LAX-SYD-BNE on QF.
Total cost 360000 points + taxes.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Cathay Pacific via HKG is your best option for availability and taxes.

 

[drron]

Have looked up my AA account.In June,July there are basically no days that 4 anytime awards are available from YVR or SEA to NYC or BOS.That means you wont find 4 QF awards on those routes.

 

[Dr Ralph]

How did you get on with this dvschem?