First international reward flight MEL-BOS help

[Clobu5]

Not sure if this is in the right spot.

My cousin has just arrived in Boston for a year long scholarship to research SIDS. Rivers Gift if your interested in reading about what she is going to do.

I have 2 weeks leave pre purchased for Jan 2015 and think this would as good a time as ever to get over to the USA for my first small holiday there.

ive started looking at reward points on VA (will be plat by then) to see what i would need for 2 pax and start a bit of a saving plan.

But as I have no real international points knowledge not sure if i stay with VA and partners or if i should be looking at USDM or AA or any of those other airlines ive joined in the last few yeards at the advice of this forum.

I think the only other thing keeping me to VA is that i can buy points with SPG and move them over if it will save me in the long run.


Just after a little bit of guidance and a nudge in the right direction so i can focus on one option and run with it.

Cheers!

 

[zainman]

MEL-DXB-BOS all the way on EK using QFF points?

 

[Jack_OC]

I travelled MEL-BOS a few months ago (with work, so not on an award). I went MEL-LAX with QF in Business and then LAX-BOS with JetBlue. JetBlue only has Economy Class, but I purchased an "Even More Space" seat which is a standard seat, but with 38 inch seat pitch, and this option also gets you priority boarding. Although I have become accustomed to flying in J with work, I found the flight fine. Lots of room, I even got some sleep, and good service. Although technically a low cost carrier, JetBlue provide free snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, and alcohol and more substantial food options are available for purchase (but because of that they are eager to serve you any time you like). They also have live TV available to view in flight, and you can pay extra for movies. The best bit was the cost: including the Even More Space option, it only cost USD$220 each way. Also, if you're interested in a stopover in LA, you can also fly with JetBlue from Long Beach direct to Boston. That would allow you to spend a night somewhere near Long Beach and then avoid transiting in LAX.

Overall, I would probably rate JetBlue on a par with some flights I've had in so-called First Class with other airlines when flying domestically within the US (not saying a lot there, I grant you!). Having said that, if you are willing to shell out (or have lots of points with a relevant program), you can get lie flat seats etc now when flying coast to coast in the US, so if you feel that's important (bear in mind the flying time is just over 5 hours), then you might want to look at other options.

So anyway, my suggestion is: get rewards flights with VA from MEL-LAX (94,000 points plus about $100 per person each way for Business Class) and then pay cash for JetBlue on to Boston.

BTW, Boston really is a great place!

 

[drewbles]

If you have the VA points, you're far better off doing MEL-LAX-BOS with VA and VX or DL. VA have excellent award availability in all cabins, and you'll be slugged a *lot* less in taxes/surcharges/fuel fines (typically around $150 or so vs QF's ~$900). Buying points may not be a particularly cost effective way though, and you may be better off just paying for a fare (I've done MEL-BOS on VA/VX before for well under $2k, and if you're feeling game, investigate MEL-AKL-SYD-LAX-BOS on VA, doing MEL-AKL as a standalone ticket, then book the rest in Premium Economy, the AKL-SYD-LAX return part alone is $2500NZD vs $3500AUD for MEL-LAX return).

A lot of options

Agreed about Boston. I spend a lot of time there for work, and I love the place. It's like MEL in a lot of respects.

 

[Barks]

As others have said, there's alot of options. How many of you are travelling? Which cabin?

Boston is one of my favourite US cities! You'll love it

 

[Clobu5]

Will be 4 total but I'm only looking after 2 of us.

I've got a few credit card offers to take up so will see how I go.

Via Auckland also looks a different option so will have to see what they offer..


Seeing as MEL-LAX was in the first happy hour deals at $1139 hopefully that pops up again later on and the points adjust accordingly.