Help with new booking MEL - AMS

[nhobes]

Hi guys,

I'm new to this forum and still trying to get my head around how best to spend those hard earned points. I've recently obtained Silver membership and I have 130,000 points and would like to upgrade to something better than economy on my next trip to Europe, at least for one leg of the trip.

I had a question as i'm heading over to europe in early December. I wish to fly Mel - Dubai (because all flights seem to go through here now) Then to Amsterdam.

I've been told that the best way to use your points (over say classic awards) is to buy a seat in Y class economy and then upgrade that fare. Since i'm such a newbie I actually don't know how to specifically book a fare in this class... Is it simply a matter of finding a 'fully flexible' economy fare and booking that to get a seat in Y class? How do I then upgrade that to say premium economy/business and how many points might that use? Do you also accrue points and SC's if you choose this method?

Also, is Classic Awards the same as Any seat awards?

If anybody could clear up these questions that would be fantastic.

Cheers

 

[Limewood]

You can by a Y seat and go in the upgrade lottery, if little status your changes are not good, keep in mind all Y seats are not all the same, some are upgradable others not.

Classic awards get no points at all. ASA do but you have to book them online now and know what to say when calling, see thread http://www.australianfrequentflyer....t-flyer-program/asa-change-summary-52004.html

Another option is you get a cheap Y seat to HK then do classic in J out of there on CX or EK to Europe via Dubai (DXB).

 

[grussellt]

If you're travelling December, 2013 I think you have left it a bit late for J awards. The last available looks like NOV 27/28 via PER.

 

[nhobes]

Thanks grussellt and Limewood.

I'm not too phased by whether I were to go in J or Premium economy, just anything over the Economy.

I just saw that British Airways are doing a Premium Economy flight out of SYD for $3500 vs $2000 for same dates on Qantas from MEL. I could get a free flight from MEL to SYD through points...

Would it be worth spending the money the P.E flight with BA and getting points and SC's transferred over to Qantas or would you guys still suggest trying to get something on Qantas upgraded?

 

[grussellt]

I really think the chance of an upgrade in early December is slight, particularly for both legs. It might be worth a call to QFF re ASA at classic award price (see other threads). There may be routes via HKG (CX) to AMS. You could splurge 128000pts on J on your outbound (if you can find something appropriate) and slum it on the way back. Alternatively for your return, if there are awards, you could buy AA miles (see AAdvantage threads) and use those. There may also be availability on MH via KUL which you won't see online.

 

[Limewood]

Try a QF or EK flight to AKL or to Fiji.

A good one in Y is SYD / HNL older refurbed 767's but second row Exit 35/JK seats are great, tons of room.