Newbie wanting to book family trip to US on points...I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO!!!

[monniemoo]

Hi

Would SO appreciate some help.

We (2 adults + 1 x 5 year old child) are hoping to take a 4-5 week trip to the US in January, with a stopover in Hong Kong on the way, departing from Perth.

My husband has 200 000 Qantas points and I have around 164 000, so I'm hoping that at least two of us can use FF to book the tickets and then pay for the third.

Would love to leave Perth after Christmas, be in Hong Kong for New Years and then fly to New York (1 week), Washington DC (1 week), Indianapolis (1 week), Yellowstone National Park (3-4 days) and then home again. Schedule in US is totally flexible, though would love to be in Washington DC around 20 January for presidential inauguration, if possible.

A couple of questions...

1. what's the possibility of booking a trip like this using points? Are we leaving it too late?
2. how on earth do we do it? Open to suggestions to using a travel agent (not even sure if they help with FF bookings) or ringing Qantas...have looked at expertflyer and more than happy to sign up for pro registration, but really have no idea what to do.

Would be incredibly grateful for some direction...thanks!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi

Would SO appreciate some help.

We (2 adults + 1 x 5 year old child) are hoping to take a 4-5 week trip to the US in January, with a stopover in Hong Kong on the way, departing from Perth.

My husband has 200 000 Qantas points and I have around 164 000, so I'm hoping that at least two of us can use FF to book the tickets and then pay for the third.

Would love to leave Perth after Christmas, be in Hong Kong for New Years and then fly to New York (1 week), Washington DC (1 week), Indianapolis (1 week), Yellowstone National Park (3-4 days) and then home again. Schedule in US is totally flexible, though would love to be in Washington DC around 20 January for presidential inauguration, if possible.

A couple of questions...

1. what's the possibility of booking a trip like this using points? Are we leaving it too late?
2. how on earth do we do it? Open to suggestions to using a travel agent (not even sure if they help with FF bookings) or ringing Qantas...have looked at expertflyer and more than happy to sign up for pro registration, but really have no idea what to do.

Would be incredibly grateful for some direction...thanks!

My initial actions would be to log on to you QFFF account and use the award tool to see what flights are available. Break the itinerary down - PER-HKG then say HKG-LAX.

See what comes up and the amount of points required.

You can also call qantas as sometimes partner award availability doesn't always show via QFFF. Or maybe they have a routing which you hadn't thought of.

Once QF gives you options, you may be able to book those yourself to save the assisted booking fee. But if QF finds availability on a partner that doesn't show on QFF then you will need to get them to ticket (and pay the fee).

As a rough guide, PER-HKG-LAX-Washinton will be around 104,000 points, one way, in economy. It might be that you wish to buy some of the internal flights in the USA.

To get an idea of the number of points requried, there is a tool on the QFF site: https://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/do/dyns/InitialPointsRedeemed

 

[Leumas]

Travel agents won't care. They work on commissions, remember?

The suggestion to buy the domestic US legs is an excellent one. I also think the train ride between NY and Washington is quite good to do and doesn't take much more time than flying (all things considered).

Not sure if there will be an inauguration if Obama wins though. If he doesn't and there is an inauguration, it may be worthwhile to book your hotel in DC now (on a cancel-able rate) because everything will be booked out.

 

[serfty]

Welcome to AFF.

It may be a bit late for Dec12/Jan13 - you really needed to be looking 3½ months ago when any seats for that period were released.

Any available award seats during holiday seasons like Christmas get snapped up pretty quickly.

I have had a quick look and do see award economy seats available to HKG on Dec 31 on QF67 but that arrives at 7pm - nothing between Christmas and then; there is also some availability in the first week of Jan.

 

[monniemoo]

Thanks so much guys...yes...wish we had booked earlier, but it's only just come up as a possibility due to some family stuff.

Maybe we might need to change our plans slightly. Would be lovely to be in Hong Kong for NYE but don't have to be.

Any ideas about re-routing? Would we have more luck if we fly to Sydney first?

Yes...I did hear the train to Washington was a good idea...so perhaps will do that instead.

Also...when I try to look up Indiannapolis on the QFF site, it's not listed as a destination...very weird!

Would appreciate any ongoing help. I've looked at the flight search forum and once I get up to 5 posts would look at posting there as I realise this all takes your time!

Cheers.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks so much guys...yes...wish we had booked earlier, but it's only just come up as a possibility due to some family stuff.

Maybe we might need to change our plans slightly. Would be lovely to be in Hong Kong for NYE but don't have to be.

Any ideas about re-routing? Would we have more luck if we fly to Sydney first?

Yes...I did hear the train to Washington was a good idea...so perhaps will do that instead.

Also...when I try to look up Indiannapolis on the QFF site, it's not listed as a destination...very weird!

Would appreciate any ongoing help. I've looked at the flight search forum and once I get up to 5 posts would look at posting there as I realise this all takes your time!

Cheers.

call Qantas! It's free to call them. They will search all the options for you. If you fly via Syd it will cost more miles though. Unlike many other programs, award travel is not based on zone A to zone B - it is distance based. So the detour via SYD may be costly.

 

[monniemoo]

Thanks for that...I'm a little nervous to call Qantas as I don't want to faff them around...but I think it's probably the best way to go. Trying to navigate my way around the booking websites is tricky and I'm worried about booking a flight and then not having a connecting one when we want it.

To be prepared for the call, I'm just guessing I need to have...

FF account numbers
Proposed flight plans
Time!

Anything else? Would it help to have backing up documentation from expertflyer?

I'm thinking going the Oneworld option will be better than purely QF...is that true or does it just come down to whatever is available?

Cheers.

 

[Leumas]

Don't worry about 'faffing' them around. That's what they're there for, plus they'll charge you for the pleasure of talking to them anyway. Make them work for it, ask them for various routings, different dates, different awards, etc.

Of the things you listed, the most important thing is to know what routing options there are - something you can learn here. On top of that, being flexible is the most important thing as you're already short on time.

Are there specific reasons why you want to be in HK for NYE? I don't think there's anything special during that time, maybe except for sales. If you're staying for a few days prior to Chinese New Years, then yes, it'll be interesting to see and experience the local tradition.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks for that...I'm a little nervous to call Qantas as I don't want to faff them around...but I think it's probably the best way to go. Trying to navigate my way around the booking websites is tricky and I'm worried about booking a flight and then not having a connecting one when we want it.

To be prepared for the call, I'm just guessing I need to have...

FF account numbers
Proposed flight plans
Time!

Anything else? Would it help to have backing up documentation from expertflyer?

I'm thinking going the Oneworld option will be better than purely QF...is that true or does it just come down to whatever is available?

Cheers.

you only need your FF number - tell them you are looking for two seats, plus you will have a child and will need to arrange how that will be ticketed.

your options to HKG will be either QF or Cathay pacific. From hong kong to America there will be options on Cathay, or possibly even Japan Airlines. Between Cathay and JAL there are several gateways that might suit you - Los Angeles, San Francisco or even New york. If you could fly into new york then make your own way back to the west coast it will save you having to book your way to and from new york or washinton as a separate trip (for example, instead of HKG-LAX-JFK-LAX-home, you could book HKG-NYC-own arrangements-LAX home.

QF will certainly help you, and there is no need to book right away.

See what they come up with, then we'll be happy to assist you here if there is anything you need clarification about.

 

[Alanslegal]

My husband has 200 000 Qantas points and I have around 164 000, so I'm hoping that at least two of us can use FF to book the tickets and then pay for the third.

You could book a One World Award which is a mileage based award ie. 35k miles and 5 max stopovers (however upto 16 sectors). It's 140,000 points per passenger flying economy though.

 

[BAM1748]

I'd think you're too late for a January award booking, even a year out they are snapped up on the day for seats to the US for Dec and January.

 

[monniemoo]

Thanks so much for all your help!

Rang Qantas today and after a bit of manoeuvring, managed to get the 2 x oneworld 140 000 award flights with Cathay Pacific from PER-HKG-JFK (and back), including our AA flights in America (Chicago, Washington DC and Indianapolis). THRILLED!!! Qantas service operator was lovely. So...guessing we were very lucky to get the flights via redemption. YAY!!!

 

[Shelf]

Enjoy the trip

 

[drron]

Fantastic result.Even if it's beginners luck doesn't it feel good being able to use those points on what you want to do.

 

[zig]

That is great news for you. I hope you and the family enjoy the trip. Did you get the dates you wanted?

 

[monniemoo]

Hi Zig...had to be flexible with dates. Leaving 5th January instead of prior to new year...so no NYE in Hong Kong...my birthday instead! Incredibly excited that we will be in Washington DC for Presidential inauguration - apparently it still happens if Obama is elected for second term - so will be exciting to be part of all the hoo-ha! Trip was cut a few days short as a result of late start, but given we were able to use our awards, really happy! Still had to purchase a ticket for our son...but better than paying for 3!!!

 

[zig]

It is really great to get a 'win' sometimes, without too many compromises on your dates.