J To Anywhere

[scottff]

Hi AFF'ers

I'm struggling to find 2 x J seats out of Sydney for later this year (say, October) - hoping some of the more seasoned QFF'ers can share their experiences...

My "dilemna" is that I have approx. 260k of QFF points and I'm keen to burn them up (moreso for personal reasons rather than fear of the QFF apocalypse). I'm open to any destinations around North America or Europe, but would prefer to fly J if possible.

Have tried using the Classic Award search tool on the QFF site and whilst it's time consuming, I haven't been able to find anything. Tried signing up to services like ExpertFlyer, which allow searching for rewards tickets (code U?) but only for specific routes on specific dates, give or take 3 days.

I'm working off the Qantas route maps to determine what flights to search for, and it appears that to get to USA or Europe, everything needs to connect via DXB (for Europe) or LAX (for USA). Even considered SIN as a destination at one stage and couldn't find much in J either.

I realise it's possible to buy a flight to HKG or DXB and then redeem a reward from there, but it seems the cost of doing so negates the benefit of redeeming the points in the first place.

Has point redemption really got this bad or am I doing it wrong?

 

[RooFlyer]

Yes, points redemption in J on QF has got that bad.

Points redemption in J on Qantas, this "close" to October will be very scarce, if not totally absent. If you are WP or above, you can call Qantas and ask for a seat or 2 to be opened up for you. Its not uncommon to get one at least. You could do it even if you are SG but the chances are much less.

Are you also looking for QF codeshares and OW flight numbers?

 

[scottff]

Thanks RooFlyer...unfortunately the answer I feared. I really need to start planning out my next few years of travel today!

Unfortunately both pax are only QFF Silver peasants.

QF codeshares and OW flight numbers - I assume these would all come up in the Classic Award search tool, or am I mistaken?

 

[mannej]

October = School Holiday period or there abouts. At this stage (~6 months out), you would probably have better luck at using your points to fly a QF partner to where you are wanting to fly.

Thanks RooFlyer...unfortunately the answer I feared. I really need to start planning out my next few years of travel today!

Unfortunately both pax are only QFF Silver peasants.

QF codeshares and OW flight numbers - I assume these would all come up in the Classic Award search tool, or am I mistaken?

You will need to do some digging around to find award availability on the QF partners. Partners such as CX don't come up online more times than not on the QF site.

 

[scottff]

Thanks maneej. I can be flexible with dates if it means getting to use the points more effectively, I was aiming for post-school hols anyway.

I'm not tied to the idea of flying on QF metal or one of their codeshares. How can I redeem QFF points with one of their partners? I assumed the only place to use the points was via the QFF website, obviously I have a lot to learn...

 

[anna2103]

being Plat, will they/can they open up EK J/F fares as well over the phone for flights that they codeshare with?

 

[mannej]

You may have to call the QFF line. Throw the quote in that you are only calling as you are unable to do what you want online in an attempt to get the phone assistance fee waived.

 

[aikman]

There are at least 2 x J seats from Sydney to Dubai (via Hong Kong or Singapore) on Oct 22, 28 & 29. From there, you should be able to find 2 x J seats on some of EK's connecting flights to Europe. My suggestion is to search availability on single sectors first and then connect them altogether using a multi city search. The three dates above is the availability showing for a QFF Bronze.

I assume you are only looking for a one way ticket as 2 x J seats to Europe on QF or EK will cost you 256,000 points. If you use partner airlines this will increase to 278,000 points which means you may not have enough points.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks RooFlyer...unfortunately the answer I feared. I really need to start planning out my next few years of travel today!

Unfortunately both pax are only QFF Silver peasants.

QF codeshares and OW flight numbers - I assume these would all come up in the Classic Award search tool, or am I mistaken?

Re planning - yes, people do pounce the exact day that seats for a certain day's travel open up 1 year ahead (I think its 350 days ahead on QF? Someone will correct me.)

I haven't done this much, so stand to be corrected, but as mannej mentions, the QF system doesn't always return all the available OW Award Partner Award seats. I believe the BA system is pretty comprehensive but the best way might be to call QF and ask them to search for you. It will cost 5,000 points but I think this is good value to save one from ages scrabbling about various airline sites, never really sure if they have seen all the possibilies. I do admire the experts who have got searching down 'pat' but I can't be bothered to be honest.

Don't forget there will be a fair whack of cash fees and charges on top, but its lower with some carriers.

 

[grussellt]

Have a look at SYD-LAX via NAN on FJ. If you do a multi-city search you should get multiple choices in October. You can then search for your destination in North America.
There are also 2J SYD-CDG via HKG/DXB on Oct 22/23 with an o/night in HKG. Again use multi-city and look for flights on consecutive days.
Be flexible and don't wait too much longer to book!
P.S, On Oct 23 you could also fly on to JFK or LHR from DXB.

Hi AFF'ers

I'm struggling to find 2 x J seats out of Sydney for later this year (say, October) - hoping some of the more seasoned QFF'ers can share their experiences...

My "dilemna" is that I have approx. 260k of QFF points and I'm keen to burn them up (moreso for personal reasons rather than fear of the QFF apocalypse). I'm open to any destinations around North America or Europe, but would prefer to fly J if possible.

Have tried using the Classic Award search tool on the QFF site and whilst it's time consuming, I haven't been able to find anything. Tried signing up to services like ExpertFlyer, which allow searching for rewards tickets (code U?) but only for specific routes on specific dates, give or take 3 days.

I'm working off the Qantas route maps to determine what flights to search for, and it appears that to get to USA or Europe, everything needs to connect via DXB (for Europe) or LAX (for USA). Even considered SIN as a destination at one stage and couldn't find much in J either.

I realise it's possible to buy a flight to HKG or DXB and then redeem a reward from there, but it seems the cost of doing so negates the benefit of redeeming the points in the first place.

Has point redemption really got this bad or am I doing it wrong?