Brisbane to Vancouver Pay or Points or combination of both

[FBS1960]

New to forum.
My wife and I are considering flying from Brisbane to Vancouver in early Dec 2011. Returning late Dec 2011. Have sufficient QFF points for 1 return Business Class Trip.

Am considering a number of options:
Use points for 1 return Business class seat and purchase one business class seat to LAX. (assuming QANTAS is still flying via LAX)
Buy 2 economy class seats and use points to upgrade both seats to business class to LAX

Would prefer to fly out of Brisbane to Vancouver as oppossed to travelling to Sydney, which appears to be the only option as QANTAS do not appear to fly direct from Brisbane. Not sure if QANTAS code share with Air Canada??

Another option would be to fly ex Brisbane to HKG via Cathay and onto Vancouver and return via HKG to Brisbane, however I am not sure if I could use my points with this option.

Appreciate your comments.
FBS

 

[cove]

I was just looking at Vancouver from LAX and the one way flight in Y is about $130AUD and about 2 hours 40 minutes.The points were 38000 plus $5US to go in First thru QF on Alaskan.Just booked Shangri-la in Vancouver now as it is heavily booked at the moment.So your choice is either SYD-YVR or BNE-LAX-YVR unless I am missing something.

 

[cove]

I would not wait long as J seats in QF long haul go off quickly and many seats are gone at the 350 day ahead mark.

 

[cove]

If you are thinking points upgrade it could be wise to pay for Premium Economy and apply for points upgrades. Then if there is no upgrade you will be more comfortable in your long haul seats.

 

[Limewood]

Like others I'd be very surprised if you can find a J seat at reasonable points (like 192K) BNE/LAX/BNE this short time out, need to book 10 months to a year out. Going in Nov I'd go the buy two PE and try and upgrade using points.

 

[notzac]

I would call QF and see if you can get BNE-HKG-YVR on CX or something similar -- CX generally have much better J redemption availability, but you're definitely cutting things pretty fine, trying to get a redemption so close to your travel dates.

 

[FBS1960]

Thanks for the advice. Greatly appreciated. Planning to go skiing. Wife wants Canada, I want Japan. Might save points and do Canada next year. Will keep an eye out for Jetstar specials to Japan.