Help a travel agent with FF flights

[Bikinikitty]

Please help a travel agent with FF flights

Hello all,

I have been lurking on this site on and off for several years and am now in need of advice on using my QF FF points.
I am a travel agent and whilst I have extensive knowledge on flight routings, I am not at all savvy on the ways of using frequent flyer points.
In fact I think me knowing all the different ways to get from A to B is what is becoming my worst enemy at the moment!

I have 298,000 QF FF points

I am wanting to use these points to my best advantage (and save as much money as possible) to fly myself and my family to the states and back this June - Aug (2015)

I have been on the website and done several scenario, and THINK I have come up with the best option, but was hoping to run it by some of you FF experts.

2x adults
1x child
1x infant

My origins and destinations:

PER - SFO (depart between 18 and 20 June)
SEA (or YVR) - PER (depart between 27 and 30 July)
Economy

Now, I don't have enough points to book this as a return, so I am looking at using an industry rate for a sector of the flights.

Here is what I have so far:

(QF) PER-BNE - 54,000 PTS ($111 in tax)

(HA) BNE-HNL-SFO - This is a fare I will need to purchase (appox $2645 TTL)

(EK) SEA - DXB - PER - 192,000 ($1085 in tax)

TTL Points : 246,000
Cost: $3841

A few things I am not keen about this one,

-I prefer NOT to fly the long way back with EK, it's 32.5 hours! There is a better connecting flight in Dubai, but that isn't coming up as a FF option.
I would prefer to fly back YVR to PER with CX , but the system keeps saying that no flights exists between YVR and PER

-using almost all my FF points and still paying almost $4k.

-Obviously flying all the sectors with a infant in my lap! :shock: At the moment it is tempting because well, she is basically free. I am just short the points to get her a seat on the EK flight. Doh!


As far as alternatives, I don't' have to fly the above routings, I just need to arrive in SFO and depart SEA or YVR. For example, I could get to SFO with CX (but again CX not coming up as a FF award option)
I tried breaking sectors up to try and get the points/price down, and that's when it started to get messy and I threw my hands up

Oh, and if this is too much work and I am posting on the wrong thread, please let me know. I see there is a "Request help" forum where you can pay a fee to have a FF expert help you, but according to the rules I need min of 5 post to put anything on there. So if it's best to post this there, I just need to make one more post after this

Do any alternative stick out to anyone for the above?

Thanks in advance!

 

[markis10]

Re: Please help a travel agent with FF flights

Keep in mind not all options are online, calling the FF centre will often reveal alternatives. One of the most commonly overlooked routing sis via NAN with FJ, their NAN - LAX service is often very cheap in J, using points for positioning flights around that might make sense.

 

[Anna]

Re: Please help a travel agent with FF flights

I would prefer to fly back YVR to PER with CX , but the system keeps saying that no flights exists between YVR and PER

Try the multicity tool with YVR x HKG x PER to see if it comes up with CX options.

 

[Bikinikitty]

Re: Please help a travel agent with FF flights

One of the most commonly overlooked routing sis via NAN with FJ, their NAN - LAX service is often very cheap in J, using points for positioning flights around that might make sense.

Thanks for this option, but I should have stipulated in my OP that I want to keep the flights to two xfers max, only because traveling with young kids. I will try an give QF a call again. When I did early on in my planning, the person I got was pretty unhelpful. I actually found more options then they said there was.

Try the multicity tool with YVR x HKG x PER to see if it comes up with CX options.

Tried this and still nothing, might have to call QF and be specific?

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Re: Please help a travel agent with FF flights

Hello all,
I have 298,000 QF FF points

I am wanting to use these points to my best advantage (and save as much money as possible) to fly myself and my family to the states and back this June - Aug (2015)

I have been on the website and done several scenario, and THINK I have come up with the best option, but was hoping to run it by some of you FF experts.

2x adults
1x child
1x infant

My origins and destinations:

PER - SFO (depart between 18 and 20 June)
SEA (or YVR) - PER (depart between 27 and 30 July)
Economy

Now, I don't have enough points to book this as a return, so I am looking at using an industry rate for a sector of the flights.

Here is what I have so far:

(QF) PER-BNE - 54,000 PTS ($111 in tax)

(HA) BNE-HNL-SFO - This is a fare I will need to purchase (appox $2645 TTL)

(EK) SEA - DXB - PER - 192,000 ($1085 in tax)

TTL Points : 246,000
Cost: $3841

Those AUD3,800.00 in taxes could go along way towards the purchase of commercial airfares. Do you get domestic industry fares at your TA & if so, are they space available only? If so and you would rather have a confirmed seat you could always do PER/BNE on points then purchase a BNE/HNL fare on JQ then use 25,000 QF points on AA HNL/SFO as taxes are only about USD5.00 pp.

If the points ex YVR to HNL were the same you could do that again or get the train YVR/SEA & fly SEA/HNL for anothe 25,000 QF points then purchase another JQ fare ex HNL to BNE/SYD/MEL then a sector back to PER from there. Always compare the PER/HNL vv fare with one ex BNE/SYD/MEL to HNL as it could be cheaper to purchase a sector PER to the East Coast.

Another option would be to buy a JQ cheapie PER/SIN/PER & check out sites like expedia.com or skyscanner.net for return fares ex SIN to the USA/Canada.

Being school holidays as well it's always going to be busy for commercial tickets but particularly for award flights so I imagine you're looking to lock flights in very soon.

 

[Bikinikitty]

Re: Please help a travel agent with FF flights

Those AUD3,800.00 in taxes could go along way towards the purchase of commercial airfares. Do you get domestic industry fares at your TA & if so, are they space available only?

only $1196 of this total is taxes paid on FF points. The HA fare is a TA one way excursion fare, with guaranteed seats.
I can get TA fares on most routes, but these days they are 90% sub load, so that won't work with two kids in tow. We could get booted at the last sec:shock:

Thanks for the rest of your advice, I am gonna look into in now!

 

[Canada]

Re: Please help a travel agent with FF flights

bikinni kitty I have a similar question in 'your questions' 'PLease help...pth to canada...coordiating withothers' or something like that, not important but basically I've been running around in circules also trying to find best option. I've run Qantas twice, on person just agreed with everything I said and another was very proactive in offering options and even giving travel advice on the particular locations (i.e. need more time there, see this, see that etc) so it may be pot luck who you get.

I have gone around and around and ended up trying my hardest to ONLY book Qantas flights on way home Toronto - Perth with one stopover somewhere so that I would use the least amount of points but there's so much to consider. AS previous posters note, lots of taxes and maybe paying for the flight ends up the better option.

Plus I was hoping for premium economy on points but they're nearly all gone already for August 2015.

This board has been the most helpful. Someone suggested I buy AA frequent flyers . I am coming around to the idea of paying now because I always end up with an option that's all my points gone and over $1000 in taxes. I'm trying to get home from Niagra, can leave on 24 August 2015 and go to one stopover, preferably on way to Perth and not in wrong direction, then need to arrive home on/before the following sunday. I always thought I would use points to upgrade to business but apparently there's no guarantee you'll get the upgrade?

Actually can I ask yo something? ONe of the other travellers says my travel agent can book my ff flights for me but I said I didn't think that was allowed?

Cheers, good luck, let me know if you come across any brilliant options to get back to Perth whilst you're in there searching, I know that LA Brisbane flight often comes up in my search. My problems is I'm ending up with way too many stops if all Qantas.

 

[Bikinikitty]

Re: Please help a travel agent with FF flights

bikinni kitty I have a similar question in 'your questions' 'PLease help...pth to canada...coordiating withothers' or something like that, not important but basically I've been running around in circules also trying to find best option. I've run Qantas twice, on person just agreed with everything I said and another was very proactive in offering options and even giving travel advice on the particular locations (i.e. need more time there, see this, see that etc) so it may be pot luck who you get.

I have gone around and around and ended up trying my hardest to ONLY book Qantas flights on way home Toronto - Perth with one stopover somewhere so that I would use the least amount of points but there's so much to consider. AS previous posters note, lots of taxes and maybe paying for the flight ends up the better option.

Plus I was hoping for premium economy on points but they're nearly all gone already for August 2015.

This board has been the most helpful. Someone suggested I buy AA frequent flyers . I am coming around to the idea of paying now because I always end up with an option that's all my points gone and over $1000 in taxes. I'm trying to get home from Niagra, can leave on 24 August 2015 and go to one stopover, preferably on way to Perth and not in wrong direction, then need to arrive home on/before the following sunday. I always thought I would use points to upgrade to business but apparently there's no guarantee you'll get the upgrade?

Actually can I ask yo something? ONe of the other travellers says my travel agent can book my ff flights for me but I said I didn't think that was allowed?

Cheers, good luck, let me know if you come across any brilliant options to get back to Perth whilst you're in there searching, I know that LA Brisbane flight often comes up in my search. My problems is I'm ending up with way too many stops if all Qantas.

Hi Canada,

Thanks for your feedback. I will try and call QF again to see if I get someone more helpful.

Have you tried Toronto to Perth with Emirates (via Dubai)?
I am looking at that from Seattle - Perth and is 64,000 pts plus about $370 in tax per person. It's one stop in Dubai and would be a shorter flight from Toronto. Unlike from Seattle...that's the LOOOOng way around (32 hours!)

Qantas will allow a TA to book on their clients behalf IF the FF holder gives Qantas permission. I have done this for a few of my clients. Some have gotten away with simply phoning and adding the permission over the phone, however another had to send in written permission. Again, it's potluck with who you get on the phone!

 

[Canada]

Re: Please help a travel agent with FF flights

Hi Canada,

Thanks for your feedback. I will try and call QF again to see if I get someone more helpful.

Have you tried Toronto to Perth with Emirates (via Dubai)?
I am looking at that from Seattle - Perth and is 64,000 pts plus about $370 in tax per person. It's one stop in Dubai and would be a shorter flight from Toronto. Unlike from Seattle...that's the LOOOOng way around (32 hours!)

Qantas will allow a TA to book on their clients behalf IF the FF holder gives Qantas permission. I have done this for a few of my clients. Some have gotten away with simply phoning and adding the permission over the phone, however another had to send in written permission. Again, it's potluck with who you get on the phone!

Oh thanks. I've just had a look at that. cheap points and taxes! I think I wasn't entertaining that thought because I wanted to stopover somewhere on way home and Dubai wasn't really one of my choices to stop over. However I see it cuts flying time almost exactly in half whereas the hong kong route is about 15 hrs then 9 hours. It's a hard decision because I'd love to see Dubai but don't really want to stop there with just my daughter and I.

 

[Bikinikitty]

Re: Please help a travel agent with FF flights

It's a hard decision because I'd love to see Dubai but don't really want to stop there with just my daughter and I.

Can I ask why you don't' want to stop with just you and your daughter? I have been to Dubai a couple of times, one with just myself and an girlfriend and again with family and had a lovely time!

 

[Canada]

Re: Please help a travel agent with FF flights

Can I ask why you don't' want to stop with just you and your daughter? I have been to Dubai a couple of times, one with just myself and an girlfriend and again with family and had a lovely time!

I thought it would be very expensive. Also, I'm fascinated by the place but wasn't sure if my daughter (14) would get that much out of it? Although having said that, I don't know what the touristy things are there. I guess I was always looking at the LA Disneyland or HK Disneyland route or NY stopover route. I hadn't really entertained Dubai.

 

[Bikinikitty]

Re: Please help a travel agent with FF flights

I thought it would be very expensive. Also, I'm fascinated by the place but wasn't sure if my daughter (14) would get that much out of it? Although having said that, I don't know what the touristy things are there. I guess I was always looking at the LA Disneyland or HK Disneyland route or NY stopover route. I hadn't really entertained Dubai.

Yes, DL would be nice, we are going there with our kids (LA Disney). But Dubai doesn't have to be expensive, there are very affordable accommodation options there. For example, yesterday I booked a stopover holiday for two people for 3 nights in a 4 star hotel including breakfast, return airport transfers and a desert and dune night safari for $695 TOTAL. Dubai has a couple of really good water parks (one has the steapest waterside in the world!) I saw lots of teeny boppers enjoying the desert 4WD dune and dinner safari. Anyway, TONS of options for things to do in Dubai, so don't write it off because of that reason

 

[Canada]

Re: Please help a travel agent with FF flights

Yes, DL would be nice, we are going there with our kids (LA Disney). But Dubai doesn't have to be expensive, there are very affordable accommodation options there. For example, yesterday I booked a stopover holiday for two people for 3 nights in a 4 star hotel including breakfast, return airport transfers and a desert and dune night safari for $695 TOTAL. Dubai has a couple of really good water parks (one has the steapest waterside in the world!) I saw lots of teeny boppers enjoying the desert 4WD dune and dinner safari. Anyway, TONS of options for things to do in Dubai, so don't write it off because of that reason

thanks. sorry if i've hihjacked your thread. what will you do/stay in LA? I can only work about 3-4 days if I go there.

 

[Bikinikitty]

Re: Please help a travel agent with FF flights

Yes, I am hoping to get more alternatives for my trip to the states, but got sidetracked on this haven't we!

Well, my kids are very young so am gonna spend 3 days at Disneyland/California Adventure as mid days will be going back to the hotel to rest for a couple of hours. If just you and a 14 year old, you could get away with just 2 days. The other day maybe Knotts Berry farm or Universal Studios. Haven't booked anything in yet, but will most likely stay at a hotel across from the main entrance, like the Candy Cane Inn so we can just walk back and forth easily


Ok, back to my original question

 

[Anna]

Re: Please help a travel agent with FF flights

Tried this and still nothing, might have to call QF and be specific?

I guess so. (I am assuming you have previously checked whether CX actually fly to YVR.)

 

[Oxy]

Re: Please help a travel agent with FF flights

Hello all,

I have been lurking on this site on and off for several years and am now in need of advice on using my QF FF points.
I am a travel agent and whilst I have extensive knowledge on flight routings, I am not at all savvy on the ways of using frequent flyer points.
In fact I think me knowing all the different ways to get from A to B is what is becoming my worst enemy at the moment!

I have 298,000 QF FF points

I am wanting to use these points to my best advantage (and save as much money as possible) to fly myself and my family to the states and back this June - Aug (2015)

I have been on the website and done several scenario, and THINK I have come up with the best option, but was hoping to run it by some of you FF experts.

2x adults
1x child
1x infant

My origins and destinations:

PER - SFO (depart between 18 and 20 June)
SEA (or YVR) - PER (depart between 27 and 30 July)
Economy

Now, I don't have enough points to book this as a return, so I am looking at using an industry rate for a sector of the flights.

Here is what I have so far:

(QF) PER-BNE - 54,000 PTS ($111 in tax)

(HA) BNE-HNL-SFO - This is a fare I will need to purchase (appox $2645 TTL)

(EK) SEA - DXB - PER - 192,000 ($1085 in tax)

TTL Points : 246,000
Cost: $3841

A few things I am not keen about this one,

-I prefer NOT to fly the long way back with EK, it's 32.5 hours! There is a better connecting flight in Dubai, but that isn't coming up as a FF option.
I would prefer to fly back YVR to PER with CX , but the system keeps saying that no flights exists between YVR and PER

-using almost all my FF points and still paying almost $4k.

-Obviously flying all the sectors with a infant in my lap! :shock: At the moment it is tempting because well, she is basically free. I am just short the points to get her a seat on the EK flight. Doh!


As far as alternatives, I don't' have to fly the above routings, I just need to arrive in SFO and depart SEA or YVR. For example, I could get to SFO with CX (but again CX not coming up as a FF award option)
I tried breaking sectors up to try and get the points/price down, and that's when it started to get messy and I threw my hands up

Oh, and if this is too much work and I am posting on the wrong thread, please let me know. I see there is a "Request help" forum where you can pay a fee to have a FF expert help you, but according to the rules I need min of 5 post to put anything on there. So if it's best to post this there, I just need to make one more post after this

Do any alternative stick out to anyone for the above?

Thanks in advance!

AS a QFF BRONZE there are still some options available to me via HKG



Was 291K points for 3 seats, I don't have enough points to see $$$. That would not leave you enough for PER/BNE though, you may have to buy seats.

 

[Oxy]

Re: Please help a travel agent with FF flights

Also options SEA-SFO-HKG

 

[Bikinikitty]

Re: Please help a travel agent with FF flights

Thanks deeskick, I didn't see this option, although with all the stops and transits, it comes to the same amount of time coming home as the SEA PER flight with EK. Would do it no problems if on my own, but having young kids with you changes the ball game. In fact if I wasn't travelling with kids, I would be using the 298000 points to fly business class myself!