QF award flight vs. points upgrade vs. full cash payment

[smckay]

My dilemma is (and this may be a WHOLE new thread) is that Her Indoors has planted the seed of doubt that if QF international does go toes up, so will all the points.
So I am now looking for flights SYD-LHR return to use up all said points. Happy with Y+ class but should J happen at roughly the same figures then we'll do it (tell me I'm dreamin' son)

Premliminary research shows that award flights in Y+ are few and far between for the 'good' ones; QF1 & 2 are either non-existant or you go part way in the cheap seats. Looking early 2013 so maybe results are skewed - any advice on this part? I can go via Narita, Melbourne, Johhannesburg but some section will in economy. For that, I just pay the man and go on my choice of flight, thank you very much. An award flight would be preferred as it will cleanse that points tablet just nicely.

Points upgrades are a bit dicey; how does one know what plane to pick which has empty Y+ seats?

Then we have full rack rate. 2 x Y+ is around 13 big ones. Far too expensive for me to receive basically a bigger seat. And for half of that I'd suffer VA again. My cash budget would be about $7,000 all done which I know is limiting but we all start somewhere.

Whats the advice here folks? I am a Qantas Pub member so need to go with whom I can get access. Sorta not fussed on layovers, but not overnight. Cuppla hours is cool. Would be keen on across the US with a stop in New York for a few nights.

I saw Markis post re points + pay but the pricing was still high when I checked (+ I be duma*s so didn't understand it fully)

 

[ozmille]

How many points do you have to spend?

 

[markis10]

have you thought about business to Singapore on a reward then picking up a PE fare ex SIN, works out to be close to 7K!

 

[smckay]

400,000+ for 2 pax. Depending on the month that grows 5-10,000 per month. So possibly another 50,000

I like the bus/pe idea. Just what this forum is renowned for, lateral thinking

 

[simongr]

have you thought about business to Singapore on a reward then picking up a PE fare ex SIN, works out to be close to 7K!

I am certainly going to tap you guys up when it comes to planning next year's trip to the UK...

 

[smckay]

With the change of planes in Singapore, I presume you go out and back into Customs; or can you do like an international transfer? As it's not the same ticket it's not like the normal shuffle off whilst they clean it, shuffle back on to go again? Or is it? Never done that is all.

 

[mannej]

With the change of planes in Singapore, I presume you go out and back into Customs; or can you do like an international transfer? As it's not the same ticket it's not like the normal shuffle off whilst they clean it, shuffle back on to go again? Or is it? Never done that is all.

QF to QF, just bring the two tickets along. They according to their policies should be able to interline your luggage the whole way through.

 

[smckay]

I'm lovin' it; been looking at the options and this might just be a go. Save a few points if we go PE which is fine by me and we can even stay on the same plane.

But why the flip is it cheaper to go this way for basically the same flights that cost ~$12,000 from Sydney? Can we blame the Carbon Tax? :shock:

 

[mannej]

I'm lovin' it; been looking at the options and this might just be a go. Save a few points if we go PE which is fine by me and we can even stay on the same plane.

But why the flip is it cheaper to go this way for basically the same flights that cost ~$12,000 from Sydney? Can we blame the Carbon Tax? :shock:

Most airlines charge a premium for flights from AU.

 

[markis10]

I'm lovin' it; been looking at the options and this might just be a go. Save a few points if we go PE which is fine by me and we can even stay on the same plane.

But why the flip is it cheaper to go this way for basically the same flights that cost ~$12,000 from Sydney? Can we blame the Carbon Tax? :shock:

Because you are using 240000 points which have significant value, but in this context your the one getting value.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

If it was me I would probably purchase two return tickets in whY SYD/SIN/SYD then use the ff points to fly on a JASA SIN/LHR/SIN.

Plenty of cash left over for a night or two in SIN on the way over and/or back.