Half a million points ...

[Bagpuss]

So I have half a million points at the moment and kinda have a dilemma using them. If I don't use any I expect I will have near 600,000 by years end. (The other half I think has around 400,000)

I'll be making platinum in about 6 months time. Though for the following year I doubt I will do much flying. Annual leave limitations and a drop off of work flights.
Whilst living in Perth, I don't really see huge reasons for using points to get into business class on the a330. Yes it's great and all that, but it's not really a long flight. To be honest I normally use premium upgrade me bid.
I was looking at maybe in 1.5 years time to use the points on a Europe / USA trip. Was more thinking of an anytime seat so I still get points /status credits (IE in a year I drop back to Gold and would like to maintain with minimum paid flights). That said, it's a huge amount of points and with flights actually being pretty cheap currently I think I'd sooner pay for the flights.
Part of me says, I've never directly paid for my points (IE credit card annual fees), use them on a new iPhone and iPad which I do need .... But I know this also isn't a great use of points.

I sit here thinking maybe I am being precious over them and finding any excuse not to use them.

Suggestions????

 

[Princess Fiona]

So I have half a million points at the moment and kinda have a dilemma using them. If I don't use any I expect I will have near 600,000 by years end. (The other half I think has around 400,000)

I'll be making platinum in about 6 months time. Though for the following year I doubt I will do much flying. Annual leave limitations and a drop off of work flights.
Whilst living in Perth, I don't really see huge reasons for using points to get into business class on the a330. Yes it's great and all that, but it's not really a long flight. To be honest I normally use premium upgrade me bid.
I was looking at maybe in 1.5 years time to use the points on a Europe / USA trip. Was more thinking of an anytime seat so I still get points /status credits (IE in a year I drop back to Gold and would like to maintain with minimum paid flights). That said, it's a huge amount of points and with flights actually being pretty cheap currently I think I'd sooner pay for the flights.
Part of me says, I've never directly paid for my points (IE credit card annual fees), use them on a new iPhone and iPad which I do need .... But I know this also isn't a great use of points.

I sit here thinking maybe I am being precious over them and finding any excuse not to use them.

Suggestions????

Set up a Krisflyer account and transfer them to book SQ suites to Europe.

If you do want to use them for iPads I cannot think of a single good thing to say about that

 

[VulpesVulpes]

To hell with using them to keep status, that's an expensive way to use points.

500k would get you redemption seats to both LHR return and JFK return in J, on EY.

¿por qué no los dos?

(That's just my thoughts though)

 

[Denali]

I'll be making platinum in about 6 months time. ..... I don't really see huge reasons for using points to get into business class on the a330. Yes it's great and all that, but it's not really a long flight. To be honest I normally use premium upgrade me bid.

As a WP, you will get 4 complementary upgrades on a flexi fare so something to remember for the A330 flights.

 

[smit0847]

As a WP, you will get 4 complementary upgrades on a flexi fare so something to remember for the A330 flights.

Flexi fares are such a ware of money though. What's a return flexi fare transcon these days? $1200?

 

[rtyuiop]

One other thing to consider (whether or not it's important depends on your travel patterns) - status doesn't really matter if you're happily ensconced in a J or F seat on a normal points redemption, and you can probably get 3 of them for each 1 anytime redemption...

 

[deva22]

I would *definitely* be using 500k points for 2x pax J return to Europe (Frankfurt for me, but anywhere) on EY. They fly 787 out of BNE (my home port) as well as PER and as I haven't flown on one yet, I'd love to
110K points each way per pax... you'll have 60k left for use locally

You're saying you've got 1M points between you both? I'd be doing the same trip in F

 

[drewbles]

Set up a Krisflyer account and transfer them to book SQ suites to Europe.

If you do want to use them for iPads I cannot think of a single good thing to say about that

Or use 187,500 and do EY to LHR in F Can't wait for mine later this year!

 

[drewbles]

Flexi fares are such a ware of money though. What's a return flexi fare transcon these days? $1200?

With some planning and discount codes, $1k. I do this quite often, it's a great use of the upgrades. Considering PER-MEL can often be $250-300 when not on sale, I consider the $200-250 extra totally worth it. When i've used my upgrades, I still book flexis and use 10k to upgrade. Still think this is the best domestic J anywhere in the world.

 

[Bagpuss]

Or use 187,500 and do EY to LHR in F Can't wait for mine later this year!

See this is the issue. How do I get this?
I go to Velocity and select to do a reward booking (PER to LHR) and select "Premium/Business" 459,000 one way is the lowest amount of points required.

 

[rtyuiop]

That's an any time award. Unfortunately the recent website changes don't make it clear. The 187500 normal points redemption are more limited in availability.

First awards don't show on the website anyway, you need to call. Generally easiest to find availability via the etihad web site (you'll have to find availability in the cheapest Etihad rewards category, the others won't work) and then see if VA can book that - that may take a few tries, the call centre often doesn't seem to know how to book these.

 

[deva22]

Yes, and you can't book F on EY through the website.

Check here for details on how to do it:
Redeem Velocity Points for Etihad’s A380 Business or First Class

 

[casanovawa]

If you desperately have your heart set on an iPad, maybe someone can buy you one and you can transfer or book a flight for them using your points, your happy and someone else is happy...

But yes out of Perth even flying over to Sydney/Melbourne to get on the EY A380 is only about 125k points and a few bucks for a J redemption...

 

[Dr Ralph]

Sit on them. Worry about it when you have 1,000,000 points.

 

[drewbles]

See this is the issue. How do I get this?
I go to Velocity and select to do a reward booking (PER to LHR) and select "Premium/Business" 459,000 one way is the lowest amount of points required.

Quite simple, actually (but does require a phone call).

To start with, look here, (the Etihad search for award space, no EY Guest account required):

Book flights with Etihad Guest Miles - Etihad Airways

Search for your dates, and make sure you see 'Guest First' availability.



Note you'll see a bar up the top with dates/miles. If you look for the lower number (in this case, 211,564) you'll find the 'Guest First' seats.

When you find one, call up VA and ask for it. Keep a few dates available though just in case. The points displayed there are obviously EY points, not VA. VA should be 187500 each way plus taxes.

 

[deepblerg]

If you desperately have your heart set on an iPad, maybe someone can buy you one

Or you could buy the iPad yourself via the eStore and get 2 points per $1: Apple Store Australia - Earn Velocity Points you can redeem on Everyday Items

 

[Moindardt]

I would suggest Syd-Auh-Jfk in EY apartments. 2 x long haul to enjoy it.

 

[casanovawa]

Might have to try one of those OZ-AUH-JFK F redemptions sometime...

Never knew the point total for them...

 

[Ben6]

How about I buy you an iPhone and you transfer 90% of the points normally charged in the Velocity Store to me in return - great deal

 

[Bagpuss]

I'll see what the options are when I get round to using them. I didnt know about EY not showing up probably on the Velocity site so that's a handy good to know