Sydney to USA returning via London/Manchester. Economy Class. December 2019. 4 Passengers

[MikeG]

I'm not quite ready to book yet, as I don't know the destination in the USA yet, but I was after some advice about the best way to book this generally speaking.

I have ~900,000 QFF points, but I'm projected to increase this by around 20-40,000 per month so unsure if I'll have sufficient to go to Business Class.

2 adults, and two teens (14 & 17). Aiming to be in the USA for Christmas, and then going to visit family/friends in Derby + Northampton in the UK for a week or so afterwards.

Happy to book with non-Qantas airline to reduce fees if possible. I'm fairly new to booking with points, so your help would be appreciated. Not sure if round the world is going to be easy. My wife doesn't want to do too many stopovers, so at most an overnight stay on the way to the USA (maybe in Hawaii or Tokyo) and on the way back from the UK.

Thanks.

Mike

 

[Dr Ralph]

Sorry not clear. Did you have specific questions?

 

[MikeG]

Sorry not clear. Did you have specific questions?

Sorry for not being clear. I guess I just wanted some advice about:

1. The best use my by QFF points (whether to book Qantas or some other airline, via Qantas) to minimize "other fees"
2. Whether its generally best to fly a certain route to the USA (I know this is hard to answer without knowing the USA destination yet)
3. best routes to the UK (again, as above)
4. best routes from the UK to Sydney (or Canberra)

I live in Canberra, hence if its better to fly back via Perth, to Canberra or via some other route. If its going to be to Sydney, then at least we can park the car at Sydney airport and drive back to Canberra if need be.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Apologies I'm currently in the US so not in a position to provide detailed replies to all of your questions (I'm sure other members can assist), but would state:

1) the best use of your QFF points will likely not be with QF. Think Cathay or Emirates. But 900,000 points for 4 people isnt a lot, especially if thinking J for the entire route.

2) Depening on where you intend to fly to in the US you may have limited options. Or expect to pay for internal flight or pay a lot more points.

What ever you plan to do expect to book in the next few weeks to secure flights for next Christmas. Failure to act quickly may severely limit your options and/or mean you miss out entirely.

 

[MikeG]

Thanks for that - given I don't have destinations in the USA yet, would be be best placed to book speculatively, by say SYD-LAX, JFK-MAN, LHR-SYD with points, and then fill in the blanks later?

If I were to take this approach, and given the legs above, can people provide their recommendations? I think its best to book the flights ASAP given its just under 12 mths away now.

I'm flexible with the flights into/out of the UK, but have found MAN to have less fees and is closer to my destination in Derby than London airports.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

 

[Dr Ralph]

Thanks for that - given I don't have destinations in the USA yet, would be be best placed to book speculatively, by say SYD-LAX, JFK-MAN, LHR-SYD with points, and then fill in the blanks later?

I would be doing this. Even if you get it wrong there's minimal penalties to cancel.

 

[MikeG]

I would be doing this. Even if you get it wrong there's minimal penalties to cancel.

OK and to book non QF flights, I gather I just search for flights on the Qantas site for points, that are code share, with non QF metal and book them?

 

[Dr Ralph]

OK and to book non QF flights, I gather I just search for flights on the Qantas site for points, that are code share, with non QF metal and book them?

Yep. Some airlines wont show online though. For these you need to call QF direct. May be a fraction early though for Christmas 2019. But should be available very soon.