Need some help - best way to get points - QUICKLY !

[Brooke01]

Hi everyone,

Apologies if this post is not in the right section - please feel free to move it if needed.

I am in a pickle - and could use some advice.

I have to book an airfare to the US, probably with in the next week - travel is for end of July, returning early August (quick 10 day unexpected trip). I am hoping to use a combination of Velocity points and AmEx points to secure the flight. Currently I am about 12k points short to be able to purchase 2 x PE return tickets from MEL to LAX. (Hubby is coming as well).

I am trying to do this on a budget (cringe !) as we were not expecting to travel to the US this year - but an opportunity has presented itself, and we would like to go.

Obviously, "time is of the essense" to book our flights - I am a Virgin Platinum member, and also an American Express Centurion card holder (not that that really helps me in this situation - apart from the 1:1.5 points earn). Currently there is availablity both ways in PE - I can book the trip over now, but don't want to wait too long to book the return.

So - as I see it - my options for some quick points are as follows (signing up to things like Foxtel for the bonus points etc, I don't think would work as I don't think I would get the points credited quickly enough ?? - also out is another credit card, just for the bonus sign up points) -

* Points plus Pay - looks like that goes to an Any Seat Award - and will cost an additional $3000. Total taxes on our 4 tickets are currently $1500, so I guess I would be looking at a "real" cost of an extra $1500 for the PE seat ?

* Priority Club - I can buy enough points to do what I need to do for about $500 - but am worried how long they will take to transfer across to Velocity. I don't have 4-6 weeks to wait.

* Best solution would be the rumoured AmEx $25 for 1000 points option - but I can't find anything to say this can be done yet, and I don't know if Accent Premium qualifies. (I know I can ring them - but just thought I would ask here first).

* Buying product - not really in the position to spend the amount of money to garner the points at the moment.

Any other suggestions ???

Really appreciate any input.

Thanks in advance,

Brooke

 

[11sjw]

Does the Virgin FF Program allow you to purchase top up points like QF's does? I'm not overly familiar with DJ's offering.

 

[Boris spatsky]

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ity/ways-of-buying-velocity-points-35215.html

Or sign up to a credit card giving you free points? Or transfer from another award scheme like AMEX?

 

[deejo77]

If you are short does changing it from PE to Y make it within your point capacity? fly over or back in the lower class. Sorry I don't know anything about this program as with QFF

 

[Brooke01]

Just thought I would update this thread to "close it off".

As it happens you CAN purchase points through AMEX - it is $25 per 1000 points. I needed 12000 points, and was well prepared to pay the extra $300 for them. When I rang, I spoke to a wonderful gentleman who credited my account 4000 points as a gift, so I only needed to buy 8000 - at a cost of $200. Very happy to say the least !

I was also told this is not something new but has been around for about the last 7 years. He told me as well that there was a new scheme in the "pipeline" where you can borrow against future points - apparently this is already available in the US ??

Sorry - I didn't mean to waste anyone's time. I should have rang AMEX before posting my question.

Best Regards,

Brooke