Looking for advice and help [to book Award around the new year]

[TweedleB]

Hello to everyone,
I am must admit that I am more of a reader and looker than a poster and I think hardly a week has gone by without a quick browse on the AFF site. I find it very interesting and informative. This time though I am online asking for any assistance that I can receive. I have accumulated around 470K points with QFF and with my 60th birthday coming up, Jan 4th, followed by my 38th wedding anniversary a few months later I was trying to fly somewhere with my wife in business class for a week or two. Ideally on the A380 but if not a 747, then again I suppose any business seat would be lovely. Have only flown it once and for some reason we really liked it. So far I have been unable to find any award seats available departing after 28th Dec. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Regards
TweedleB

 

[kevrosmith]

Re: Looking for advice and help.

Being School holidays/Xmas time, it will be very hard to find Reward seats, especially if you haven't searched for them a year in advance.

Do you have Platinum status with QF perchance? If so, you could possibly ring up to request release of reward seats, but this is variable and dependent on yield management etc. so being holiday time again may make it difficult.

 

[robd]

Re: Looking for advice and help.

Some flights don't show on the QF site (MH for example). Having said that, depending on where you are hoping to go, many reward flights are snapped up as soon as they are released 353 days out.

If you can give details of where you hope to go and suggested dates, someone here will very likely be able to give you further suggestions.

 

[TweedleB]

Re: Looking for advice and help.

Alas kevrosmith no status and robd will fly anywhere from Dec 28 through all Jan 2106 as this is a last minute thought. If not will wait for another year or maybe even the 40th anvsry. Thanks for your help

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Looking for advice and help.

Alas kevrosmith no status and robd will fly anywhere from Dec 28 through all Jan 2106 as this is a last minute thought. If not will wait for another year or maybe even the 40th anvsry. Thanks for your help

There are lots of partners airlines out there, and not all of them show up on line. If you have a rough idea where you'd like to go... Asia/Africa/Europe or USA - you can ring the Qantas call centre and see what they can find for you - will potentially save you hours of looking yourself. This type of assistance is free, it's only if you have them book the awards (rather than search for availability) for you that you will incur a booking fee (which might actually not be such bad value depending whatthey find).

Some good options to consider might be Japan Airlines First class from Sydney to Tokyo - one of the best first class options in the world, and within your 470K budget. I would avoid Malaysia Airlines because they probably have the most outdated business class product in terms of seating.

 

[Mattg]

Re: Looking for advice and help.

Which city are you looking at flying from?

Award availability around New Year/summer holidays will be difficult without booking 353 days in advance, but something will probably come up. Are there any particular destinations you'd be interested in? Asia, USA or NZ, perhaps?

I suspect your best bet might be Emirates to Asia or NZ. Otherwise, perhaps try calling QF and asking about Malaysia Airlines or Japan Airlines, as suggested, which don't appear on the QF website.

FWIW I can see a reasonable amount of business class availability on the Emirates A380 flights between SYD, MEL, BNE and AKL.

 

[trixydoza]

Re: Looking for advice and help.

Some good options to consider might be Japan Airlines First class from Sydney to Tokyo - one of the best first class options in the world

Seconded.

SYD-NRT has two seats on December 28, for example. Coming back, there are two seats on January 5, 6, and 12. Probably other options later on in the month, too, but just for starters...

You would call Qantas to book them, at 456,000 for the two of you return in F.

 

[TweedleB]

Re: Looking for advice and help.

Thanks to you all. I will follow up on all advice and comments. Sorry for late answer but been away. Appreciate all comments.
Regards TweedleB

 

[sergeyvzn]

Re: Looking for advice and help.

Wait a bit, get another 90K and book yourself and your wife 2 round the world One World tickets, each is 280K Qantas FF points, the total of 560K. You can easily get a credit card with a 50k or 60K sign-up bonus, like ANZ FF Platinum of Black cards, for example and then it's just a matter of another 30-40K which is fairly easy to achieve in a few months (or open two cards, one for yourself and one for your wife )

There is a long thread here on the forum about the OW RTW awards, they are a very good value. You will have to plan well in advance and book 11 months out but this is very much achievable