Maximising my QFF points Melb to Vegas

[johnstra]

Hi all,
I am going over to the US on the 26th of October returning on the 9th of November.

I have about 400000FF points and am wondering what is the best way to gain the maximum value from them.

I am happy to do a day flight over on economy but would prefer to come home in business if possible.

I have flown business on the 380 once before and it is hard to go back to cattle class.

As I am going Melb - Las Vegas am I better to go Melb - LAX then grab a internal flight from LAX to Vegas?

I am thinking of hiring a car at Vegas on the way home and spending a few days around Los Angeles before coming back to Australia.

Also as far as status credits go, what is the best way to gain the credits. Sorry but I hope this makes some sense to all of the experts out there but I would value your expertise with this before I book flights and Bugger the show up.

Regards
Ross

 

[coriander]

Depending on your status for likelihood of upgrade, upgrading from whY to J may be your best use of points. Perhaps consider flying mid-week to maximise chance of upgrade.

Last month we flew MEL-SYD-LAX (-LAS) return in J. Airfare was same as flying MEL-LAX direct, but was a couple of extra hours "on the road" - the extra 80SC for MEL-SYD was a useful bonus (adhering to the mantra "why fly direct when you can connect").

EDIT: you have 400,000 points; upgrade from whY to J across the Pacific costs 72,000 points (but do check that your Y fare can be upgraded with points). You can fly all the way to LAS on QF (you'll be on a QF flight number but on AA metal from LAX-LAS).

 

[johnstra]

Thanks for your reply,
so I might be better to go Melb - Sydney SC Then Sydney -LAX
Then book an internal flight with. a Qantas partner airline

How do I check out the why to J upgrade?

Anyway, thanks very much for your input, I will check it out

 

[Mattg]

I think that buying a Y ticket (not a "Sale" fare as these cannot be upgraded!) and then requesting a points upgrade seems like a good idea. The dates you've said you'll be travelling are not peak travel times, so I'd say your chances of being successful are pretty reasonable.

From "Saver" to Business the upgrade would cost 72,000 points each way.

By the way, you'll get a few more status credits and points if you fly via Brisbane (compared to Sydney), but the BNE-LAX flights would be on a 747 rather than an A380.

You could also book Premium Economy and then request an upgrade. It would cost a little more, but you'd get double the status credits, thousands more points, and the upgrade from PE to Business is only 45,000 points. You also don't have to fly economy if the upgrade doesn't come through...

 

[coriander]

Then Sydney -LAX
Then book an internal flight with. a Qantas partner airline

Your TA should be able to book you all the way to LAS on the one PNR (useful if QF runs late); irrespective of QF or AA, you'll earn the same SCs for LAX-LAS. Also through fares may be cheaper.

Then Sydney -LAX
How do I check out the why to J upgrade?

Once you've booked your flight, go into your FF account.
Down the left you'll find "Your bookings"
Select your flight by clicking on the radio button, under which are two buttons "Manage" and "Upgrade"
Click on "Upgrade" and follow the prompts.

 

[travelislife]

Thanks for your reply,
so I might be better to go Melb - Sydney SC Then Sydney -LAX
Then book an internal flight with. a Qantas partner airline

How do I check out the why to J upgrade?

Anyway, thanks very much for your input, I will check it out

No, I would book all as one ticket if you can. No reason to split it all up.

 

[johnstra]

Thanks Mattg,
what is a Y ticket, sorry for my limited knowledge.
How do I request a points upgrade? Can I book on the Qantas site a ticket say on premium economy as suggested and then a business flight home, or just book premium economy both ways and request an upgrade?
so on the website look at the saver fare to enable the points upgrade.
sorry for so many questions but this is new to me.
thanks again
Ross

 

[johnstra]

Ok thanks,
this whole thing can be a bit confusing for a novice.
Regards
Ross

 

[RooFlyer]

Don't worry about asking questions - that's what its all about here (mostly) . And rest assured if you ask a 'basic' question, there are 10 silent others who thank you!!

This may help a bit: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ions/abbreviations-and-explanations-5056.html

And have a bit of a trawl around this site. It might take some time, but you'll find all sorts of useful things, some that you never thought of!

 

[Mattg]

Thanks Mattg,
what is a Y ticket, sorry for my limited knowledge.
How do I request a points upgrade? Can I book on the Qantas site a ticket say on premium economy as suggested and then a business flight home, or just book premium economy both ways and request an upgrade?
so on the website look at the saver fare to enable the points upgrade.
sorry for so many questions but this is new to me.
thanks again
Ross

No need to apologise - asking questions is what AFF is all about

Y simply refers to Economy class. And for reference, PE or Y+ = Premium Economy, J = Business and F = First.

You can request a points upgrade to Business (J) from any Economy (Y) ticket except "Sale". An upgrade to Business from a Saver ticket costs 72,000 points, and an upgrade from "Flex economy" costs 45,000 points. From Premium Economy, the upgrade is also 45,000 points. You can request the upgrade through "Manage My Booking" after making the initial booking. You don't have to request an upgrade in both directions if you don't want to.

Does that answer your question?

 

[johnstra]

Thanks for that,
if you don't mind I will have a look at the link and if ok will ask for some advise
Regards
Ross

 

[johnstra]

Yes, thank you,
however if request an upgrade will they give me an upgrade or is hope for the best?
Again thanks for your explanation
Regards
Ross

 

[travelislife]

Yes, thank you,
however if request an upgrade will they give me an upgrade or is hope for the best?
Again thanks for your explanation
Regards
Ross

The upgrade request is a lottery. They won't take your points immediately and you aren't guaranteed an upgrade. It is then determined on available seats and status levels in the couple of days leading up to departure. You can also select a box allowing for an at the gate upgrade. i.e. you will have an economy boarding pass at check in but could still be upgraded (and the points removed from your account) when you go to walk on to the plane. The common things with upgrade request is that you have to be happy to travel in the class you booked if the upgrade doesn't come through.

 

[johnstra]

No worries,
thanks
Regards
Ross

 

[johnstra]

Hi,
it looks like my chances of an upgrade is not good, so would I be better to just book the sale fare Mel - LAX return for $1100?
Regards
Ross

 

[Mattg]

Hi,
it looks like my chances of an upgrade is not good, so would I be better to just book the sale fare Mel - LAX return for $1100?
Regards
Ross

Ultimately it's up to you, but I personally don't rate your chances of an upgrade so poorly. Your flights are on off-peak days, and the flights both currently show as being very lightly loaded. That's no guarantee, but they are good signs.

 

[johnstra]

Thanks Matt,
so if I book just a sale fare, it still is a chance ?

 

[Mattg]

Thanks Matt,
so if I book just a sale fare, it still is a chance ?

No chance, as sale fares are not upgradeable. You'd need at least a "Saver" fare.

 

[johnstra]

Ok,
thanks, will book a saver fare
regards
Ross