Need help using QFF & KF points for flights Europe>NYC>SYD

[Pollywaffle]

Hi all.

I need some help in making sure I get the best use out of the frequent flyer points I have. I am defining "best" as
- using my available points to get the most bang for buck (so to speak) - especially since my points are split bw Oneworld and Star Alliance
- travelling on direct flights
- travelling on an airline that provides a good business class product

I currently have approx. 73K QFF points and 110K KrisFlyer points.

I am looking to travel in June 2011. Currently, there is availability, and I am somewhat flexible in my plans.

Any tips/hints/things to avoid when choosing these flights is appreciated.

I need to book the following flights:
1. UK/Europe to NYC
2. NYC to SYD

1. UK/Europe to NYC
Ideally, I would like to depart either from London or Paris, however, Singapore also fly the FRA-NYC route.

The Qantas site is offering me
- London-NYC for 53K points (a BA or AA flight) or
- Paris-NYC for 60K points (flying AA)

The Singapore site os offering me
- FRA-JFK for 40K points
- Star Alliance partner for 47 500 points

2. NYC to SYD
Given I don't have enough QFF points, it looks like I need to look for a Star Alliance partner reward, which will cost me approx. 70K KrisFlyer points.

It looks like my options are either Continental or United to ensure the shortest flight time and number of stops.

I flew to/from the US on my last trip on United in economy class, and it wasn't the nicest of trips. Is business class any better?


Thank you,
pollywaffle.

 

[grussellt]

You can certainly travel NYC-SYD on QF FF for 64000pts, but it would have to be economy.

 

[MAX_1]

Paris - NY with Singapore 48,000
JFK - SYD with Qanatas 64,000

Business is better, but you don't have enough points. Maybe consider a points + pay deal with Qantas for the long JFK-SYD leg.

 

[futaris]

Fly FRA-JFK on SQ with the 744. It used to be very cheap if you bought it using cash...

17k KF + 103.77 EUR + 72.64 EUR in Economy.
34k KF + 103.77 EUR + 79.90 EUR in Business.
46.75k KF + 103.77 EUR + 83.54 EUR in First.

Flying a Star Alliance partner, means you don't get the 15% online discount, plus you'll have to pay more (probably in points and cash).

Compare the cost versus a Star Alliance award, or a QANTAS Partner award.

JFK-AKL is only ~56k + $$$, if you book it using an Any Seat Award, and there is classic award availability. Otherwise, JFK-SYD is 64k + $$$.

Otherwise, your other options for JFK-SYD are United, Air New Zealand. Via NRT is another reasonable option, that is around 2k miles longer.