Best way to use points (new to QFF, please be gentle...)

[yc0137]

Hi all,

I have about 625,000 points that I would like to use for flights overseas.

I would like to do a bit of travelling starting next year, mainly SE Asia, Europe and Central America.

I see that an economy return flight to Europe is 128,000 points plus taxes.

My question as a newbie - is there a better way to use points for flights?

For instance, a round-the-world booking, or using other associated flight companies, or converting points to something else?

Any and all helpful suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[marki]

Friday night there maybe no a lot of responses. Excellent thread thou I will be keeping tabs on this one. I have burned a few points to Europe in First for the TOWMBO.(the one who must be obeyed)
Used classic awards and successfully i might add. Also when there were none classics awards to choose from? I have rung the awards team for help finding one. This seems to be more successful the higher status one has.

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF yc0137!

Don't waste 128,000 QFF points on a point to point award flight.

In my opinion the best value flights are the Oneworld awards. There are separate threads explaining all the details.

Quick summary is it costs 140,000 QFF points in economy, 280,000 QFF points in business and 420,000 QFF points in First class. Up to 16 sectors allowed with 5 stopovers and a maximum of 35,000 miles.

 

[whatmeworry]

No just use your points on toasters...

 

[marki]

No just use your points on toasters...

What really is the cost effectiveness that good?

 

[casanovawa]

If you can resist the toasters ( ) yeah i definitely vouch for what JohnK says, used one of those 140,000 OW awards in 2011 as a backbone of a RTW award flight SYD-EZE (stop) GIG-MIA-ORF (stop) ORD-LHR-ARN (stop) TXL-LHR-FCO (stop) NAP-MAD-BCN-MAD-JNB (stop) JNB-SYD... About $800 in taxes as well, but beat using point to point award flights hands down...

625,000 QFF points should get you 2 x RTWs in Business...

 

[yc0137]

Thanks to everyone for advice (even the toaster guy).

I will probably stick to economy, so might stretch my points to 3 or even 4 flights...

I will start looking into OneWorld.

BTW, what are the advantages of OneWorld explorer vs Global explorer?

Keep those suggestions comming!

 

[TonyHancock]

Thanks to everyone for advice (even the toaster guy).

I will probably stick to economy, so might stretch my points to 3 or even 4 flights...

I will start looking into OneWorld.

BTW, what are the advantages of OneWorld explorer vs Global explorer?

Keep those suggestions comming!

If you are booking QF flight using points my suggestion would be to have a look at (Marginal) Any Seat Awards or MASA's (Not sure if there is a definition in the abbreviations section) If you search the site you will see several threads on recent "enhancements", but basically if there is classic award availability you can call the dedicated number and book an any seat award at the same rate as a classic with a bit of extra cost in cash. The MASA will earn you SC's and points. Not sure if you have any status or not with QF but the points haul has definitely been worth it to me.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi all,

I have about 625,000 points that I would like to use for flights overseas.

I would like to do a bit of travelling starting next year, mainly SE Asia, Europe and Central America.

I see that an economy return flight to Europe is 128,000 points plus taxes.

My question as a newbie - is there a better way to use points for flights?

For instance, a round-the-world booking, or using other associated flight companies, or converting points to something else?

Any and all helpful suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

the major issue with your return flight to Europe is that it might end up costing hundreds of dollars in fuel surcharges... I just priced out a qantas return economy award London next year and the surcharges were $863.

at that level of surcharge, buying an economy ticket outright on another airline might be a better option, and save your points for another time (or alternatively spring for the extra to fly premium classes which offer much better value)

 

[Mwenenzi]

I will start looking into OneWorld.
BTW, what are the advantages of OneWorld explorer vs Global explorer?

A Qantas OneWorld award is not the same as the OneWorld Explorer *ONE* vs Global Explorer GLOB** paid fares. Very different terms & conditions.

Most here consider long haul economy award very poor value. You need to pay a lot of cash for the QF fuel surcharges & real taxes in addition the QF points. Do a dummy classic award booking. [Not points & pay] The extra cash $$ needed after the points will surprise you, compared to the cash only fare. Long haul business / first award is better value.

 

[yc0137]

Thanks again everyone,

I am learning something with every post (or rather learning how much I don't know yet)

I have also been rummaging through my other cards and have found that I have about 40,000 Amex points and 160,000 Wespac Altitude points, so might start thinking how use them as well...

Oh, and apparently I had NorthWest/KLM Worldperks points, but seems they have been taken over by Delta airlines and now I am not sure how I can find out whether I still have points or not...

 

[cove]

Altitude points can go across to Kris Flyer with Singapore Air. The points halve as they transfer so have a look at your Amex points that are warehoused to see if they can get to Kris. You need 91375 to go from Singapore to London or Los Angeles one way in Suites Saver. That might be a bit better than a toaster or two.
Watch out for the three year points expiry with Kris.
The Qantas points have been nicely covered already but unless the toaster is coated in Gold I would pass on that option when the world can be your oyster.

 

[scheps]

where are your desired destinations? and how far in advance are you able to book these? that will play a big part.

 

[Mwenenzi]

I have also been rummaging through my other cards and have found that I have about 40,000 Amex points and 160,000 Wespac Altitude points, so might start thinking how use them as well...

Oh, and apparently I had NorthWest/KLM Worldperks points, but seems they have been taken over by Delta airlines and now I am not sure how I can find out whether I still have points or not...

Amex points can be convertered to SPG hotel points which can be converted to a range of airline miles [be aware of the conversion rate]

I have some Delta miles ex NW. They do not seem to expire(die). You should have received an email dated about 08/10/09 with your new number from Delta when they took over NW. Try logging on to Delta freq flyer program

 

[JohnK]

Most here consider long haul economy award very poor value.

Most? Did we ever conduct a poll? I know who is going to flood the poll anyway.

 

[Limewood]

I build mine up for long haul J book way out for 2 and usually do well. Next year doing Y plus+ to HKG then off to Europe on points either J or F.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Here's the link to the One World redemption thread:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ogram/oneworld-award-140k-280k-420k-8228.html

 

[RooFlyer]

Most? Did we ever conduct a poll? I know who is going to flood the poll anyway.

G'won. Tell us.

 

[JohnK]

G'won. Tell us.

The premium travellers of course. Those travelling economy couldn't care less about the results of a poll.

 

[yc0137]

If you are booking QF flight using points my suggestion would be to have a look at (Marginal) Any Seat Awards or MASA's (Not sure if there is a definition in the abbreviations section) If you search the site you will see several threads on recent "enhancements", but basically if there is classic award availability you can call the dedicated number and book an any seat award at the same rate as a classic with a bit of extra cost in cash. The MASA will earn you SC's and points. Not sure if you have any status or not with QF but the points haul has definitely been worth it to me.

Thanks, but I am trying to figure out what you mean.
I think I saw somewhere an explanation of abbreviations, but can't seem to find it now.