Seeking advice re best use of QF & VA points

[Maisy33]

Hey everyone
i have approx 550,000 QF and 457,000 VA points. I’m wanting to book for end March or early April from Perth to LAX in business and from ORD to Perth return early May also business. There are 2 of us. If we need to fly separately (hubby may not like), I’m happy to do.

I’m not sure if there’s likely to be availability of flights and the best use of points.

As a lowly bronze novice I would really appreciate your guidance.

Thank you

 

[Maisy33]

guess no advice or I’ve put this in the wrong place

 

[Mwenenzi]

For "end March or early April" do you mean now. Or 2023?
Just keep looking. From PER hard with QF & VA.
For LAX/ORD look at any USA port instead. LAX/SFO/DFW (no direct SFO on QF now)
And from any AU port: BNE/SYD/MEL.
When the VA-UA agreement starts may have more options.

 

[jase05]

You also have SQ that is a pretty good option

 

[Maisy33]

For "end March or early April" do you mean now. Or 2023?
Just keep looking. From PER hard with QF & VA.
For LAX/ORD look at any USA port instead. LAX/SFO/DFW (no direct SFO on QF now)
And from any AU port: BNE/SYD/MEL.
When the VA-UA agreement starts may have more options.

Mwenenzi, yes, looking for next year

 

[Scr77]

Plenty of options here. I’d use VA points to book SQ flights to Tokyo. And QF points on JL to LAX and back from ORD (Both direct)

There’s plenty of availability showing and will be achievable with the points you have. But hurry up, those dates are already up for the taking.

 

[Matt_01]

I have not looked at availability but with your points balance you should be able to get PER-LAX on the same flight with QR or EK, I have read that QR have recently brought back x2 J availability from AU. This would burn 318 QF points to get to the US. It is most likely that you can use QF points with AA or AS to get you around the US internally. As for coming back the VA/SQ relationship has been around for a while and booking SQ using VA points was reinstated in the last week or so, the VA/UA details have not yet been announced. If it was me, I would be looking for the way over with QR now as they release 360 days in advance and when booking on partner airlines status does not come into play also any bookings made using QF Points can be cancelled or changed free of charge to the end of Dec this year. I would look to use one set of points in each direction.

@Scr77 has made a very good suggestion as both of these carriers normally have excellent availability however if transiting in Tokyo check that you are arriving and departing from the same airport, transferring HND to NRT can be several hours as you need to enter Japan and catch the bus or train between airports.

Do a few dummy bookings and get in quick as the seats will dry up very quickly.