Best way to get velocity points for AUS-US J Award

[slodki]

Hi All,

I'm planning a trip to west coast USA in mid 2014. I was going to use some US dividend miles I've had on hand to book a J return ticket. Problem was on the way home, I have a tight schedule and wasn't able to make anything work.

I've been doing some research and there seems to be VA availability to the west coast during the times I want to travel. Now the question is, is it realistic to quickly earn the points through signup bonus and spending? There aren't any bonus purchases like the American carriers tend to have.

Is the option of cash payment for Y + points upgrade to J possible? Is that a viable option to consider?

Interested to hear your thoughts.

slodki

 

[williamsf1]

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Is the option of cash payment for Y + points upgrade to J possible? Is that a viable option to consider?

They do have this option , however only for GOLD and Platnium members.

 

[bcworld]

Is the option of cash payment for Y + points upgrade to J possible? Is that a viable option to consider?

They do have this option , however only for GOLD and Platnium members.

...and only from a flexi economy fare so perhaps expensive.

 

[slodki]

Any creative methods available? Seems there is a 30k bonus for new foxtel signup, and 50k bonus for a new Velocity Amex card.

 

[sergeyvzn]

USDM is about to leave Star Alliance and become One World as of 1 November (the rumour has it) so you can wait till then and try to redeem your newly minted AA points (that's what USDM will become) on either QF or CX or MH etc to the US WestCoast

another thing I would consider is to sign up to Avianca's LifeMiles now and buy points, they've got a 50% off sale during August, you can buy up to 150K miles. This will take you to the US West Coast in class with either United, Thai or Asiana...availability on United is often not good until 2-3 weeks prior to your flight though. Thai and Asiana have availability all year round, I'm sure you'll be able to easily get your preferred dates for mid-2014 now

 

[markis10]

USDM is about to leave Star Alliance and become One World as of 1 November (the rumour has it) so you can wait till then and try to redeem your newly minted AA points (that's what USDM will become) on either QF or CX or MH etc to the US WestCoast

another thing I would consider is to sign up to Avianca's LifeMiles now and buy points, they've got a 50% off sale during August, you can buy up to 150K miles. This will take you to the US West Coast in class with either United, Thai or Asiana...availability on United is often not good until 2-3 weeks prior to your flight though. Thai and Asiana have availability all year round, I'm sure you'll be able to easily get your preferred dates for mid-2014 now

Keep in mind:

1. USDM has 12 day incuabtion period before being able to buy
2. Avianca promo not on offer to members signing up after it starts.

 

[bcworld]

Keep in mind:

1. USDM has 12 day incuabtion period before being able to buy
2. Avianca promo not on offer to members signing up after it starts.

... And good luck getting an itinerary on LM for Aus-US that doesn't involve UA!

 

[smit0847]

... And good luck getting an itinerary on LM for Aus-US that doesn't involve UA!

I think OZ SYD-ICN-xx_ would be about the only possible option!

 

[bcworld]

I think OZ SYD-ICN-xx_ would be about the only possible option!

Don't think so...all overnight connections.

 

[sergeyvzn]

Keep in mind:

1. USDM has 12 day incuabtion period before being able to buy
2. Avianca promo not on offer to members signing up after it starts.

1 would not apply as the member already has some miles in his USDM bank (at least this is my understanding)
2 - I did not think about it, thanks for reminding

 

[slodki]

Thanks for all the input everyone. Much appreciated.

I've looked into the US/Avianca miles, problem is arranging flights from USA back home. On the way up there is availability SYD-ICN-LAX with a stopover in ICN, however on the way back my schedule is very tight and there really isn't anything available that involves 3-5 legs on the way home, plus the second half would just rather come straight home vs multiple transits in Asia.

I was thinking of purchasing US miles and waiting until they morph into AA miles, however Qantas availability is non existent as it is and CX available is limited currently for my dates. The other fact is who knows when US miles turn into AA miles.

I do have 75,000 Emirates Skywards, which I'm trying to figure out if I can transfer across to Delta or to Velocity via one of the hotel programs. I also have 50,000 US miles (which I was going to use towards a J award via *A) until I hit a dead end with flights on the way home.

 

[bcworld]

I was thinking of purchasing US miles and waiting until they morph into AA miles, however Qantas availability is non existent as it is and CX available is limited currently for my dates. The other fact is who knows when US miles turn into AA miles.

I don't think AA rules permit awards for US-Australia via Asia at the same rate as US-Australia direct. So for example, LAX-HKG-SYD does not price the same as LAX-SYD...I think it would be substantially more.

 

[slodki]

Sorry, was thinking Alaska Airlines, where they allow you to fly through HKG if redeeming through CX.

 

[Hammando]

100 000 Velocity Virgin Frequent Flyer Points FOR Sale NOT Qantas in Sydney, NSW | eBay

A quick way to get the points.

Cheap way to get business class too if there is reward availability.

Not my auction btw.

 

[sergeyvzn]

100 000 Velocity Virgin Frequent Flyer Points FOR Sale NOT Qantas in Sydney, NSW | eBay

A quick way to get the points.

Cheap way to get business class too if there is reward availability.

Not my auction btw.

Not sure how legal it is. I remember reading about buying points on eBay and later the airline found out and the points (and the money) were lost

 

[get me outta here]

Not sure how legal it is. I remember reading about buying points on eBay and later the airline found out and the points (and the money) were lost

I could imagine Velocity cancelling the ebay listing, - however they get ebay to do that, but how on earth would they know the actual people involved, aren't people transferring points to family members all the time?

 

[get me outta here]

Any creative methods available? Seems there is a 30k bonus for new foxtel signup, and 50k bonus for a new Velocity Amex card.

I got the 50K points, it didn't take very long for them to post > the 1st eligible spend on the card. And, I got 2 lounge passes etc.