Companion Travel

[simongr]

Hi all
Due to some changes in plans mrs sim is now going to be doing some travel with me over the next few months. I am just trying to work out the best approach for for us to maximise the FF program.

I am currently a QF gold and just about to undertake the AA platinum challenge.

We have two return flights planned: SYD-BNE (discounted) and SYD-BKK (possibly world traveller + if I can pursuade her that its worth it).

My options are (I think):

1 - Get mrs sim to join QFF (cost $80) and get her to donate her points to my QFF account. She wont be flying too much and I can use her points for domestic upgrades. I can then use my AA points (generated from International Business travel) for flights for her and I.

2 - Get mrs sim to do the platinum challenge if we do the SYD-BK-SYD flights in world traveller+ - that way at least she will be AA PLatinum until Feb 2008 and then gold until Feb 2009 and will generate points for herself - and again I am not sure what we can do with those points - i.e. can she give them to me to maximise points.

3 - Get mrs sim to simply take AA points if we dont do world traveller+...

Any thoughts/

Cheers
Sim

 

[Dave Noble]

I would def go for the WT+ if possibubble. Much more pleasant (imo) than economy plus completes some candy stealing too and earns approximately 13,505 miles to boot.

She can transfer some miles to you but it isnt that cheap ( costs USD150 for a 15,000 miles transfer ) but can be worth it if just a bit short of an award ( e.g. if you have 105k miles , $150 to get enough for a J r/t to Europe would be worthwhile ) . Alternatively, if she does some more travel at all, she would be earning a min of 1000 miles per sector so wouldnt take much travel to have enough for a trip to somewhere in Australia/New Zealand

With only a small points earning I wouldnt think that paying $80 would be worthwhile tbh; if she really does want QF points, then can u use an address outside AU/NZ to sign up with and avoid the $80?

Dave

 

[Mal]

WT+ is a very nice way to fly economy. I definately recommend it.

If wanting to go down that path, then definately check out Bestflights (eg WT+ specials page ). WT+ to BKK is in their specials section under "Business class fares to Asia" and ranges from $1499 to $2000 ex tax, surcharges etc etc etc.

Compare to BA's website where they normally advertise WT+ for more $ (Of course the BA website would normally provide more flexibility with changes, but not always. Additionally, the BA website could show the same prices depending on the dates etc and depending on their particular sales).

 

[simongr]

Thanks for the nudges re WT+ - on expedia they have the flight I want for A$1797 pp so I am currently comparing the followinfg (all flying at teh sameish time of day):

Thai - $1710
BA - $1974
BA+ - $3594

Given I am going to getting home on the saturday morning and then flying to SIN on business the following tuesday I think I might enjoy the upgrade (flying direct BKK to SIN is not an option for personal reasons).

I will check out those other sites though.

Cheers

S