Hello,
I posted 18 months ago asking about suggestions on spending a whack of Velocity points.
Thankyou to all those who helped me with suggestions on spending the 275k. I don’t know that anything quite grabbed my imagination, until recently I developed a bit of a wild plan and would appreciate your thought/comments.
(Since my earlier post I’ve not redeemed apart from a trip Sydney - Launceston for the National penny farthing championships earlier this year! And on reflection it was a good use of them as I didn’t particularly feel like stumping up cash for those flights). Anyway :
Currently 215k Velocity points in the bank and no status. 50k QFF points, also no status. I mostly travel domestically and tend to fly Virgin but not currently feeling firm loyalty to any carrier. I do have QF Business Rewards so could shift the flight balance a bit... anyways:
I’m also self employed, and currently run the business without a credit card - but thinking about picking up a credit card (or even an Amex charge card) and start to run my ATO payments and other business expenses through it.
What pointers do you, wonderful brains trust have for me on this idea:
1. Set up a CC with major sign on bonus (likely AMEX. All suggestions welcome.) Something that will maximise KF miles. I expect, points aside, the improved cashflow will actually be quite helpful.
2. At the right point in time- transfer Velocity points to Krisflyer.
3. Redeem a one way SYD-SIN-FRA-JFK award in business class for both myself and my exceptionally fortunate 4 year old who may not remember a thing. However he does appreciate in flight entertainment so I think he will be v well behaved now he’s a bit more articulate and easily occupied!
4. Pay for stopovers in both SIN and FRA @ $100 per stopover. If I book over the phone, can I do this on the “saver” award, or do I need to book the Advantage award? Is this possible?
5. Slowish travel round the world over the course of 6-12 months, depending on departure date and my son’s schooling requirements (he is, in theory, to commence Kindergarten in 2021). We’ll likely spend a few months in Asia, a few months in Western Europe and a month or two in New York. I can potentially also dabble in a bit of business development and work on the way around, but I do not anticipate this as the primary purpose of the trip just yet.
6. Likely travel overland on Amtrak from New York back to the west coast via New Orleans before a flight (points, or paid) from a west coast airport or Honolulu back to Sydney.
The only way I could improve upon this type of intinerary, for me personally, would be to add a year in South America and perhaps a South African safari. But given timing, it is probably prudent to save these fun adventure for later as something to look towards.
I have come to realise the Velocity travel redemptions are by and large, not of interest as I have already travelled at length through most of their available destinations in the South Pacific which is where I see the most value. So I anticipate that moving forward I will potentially either focus on a QF oriented points (or focus on Amex miles and redeem via KF).
I do feel quite energised by the prospect of a trip like this, which makes me think I am on the right path. But if I have overlooked a major stumbling block please let me know.
Thanks!
Lis
I posted 18 months ago asking about suggestions on spending a whack of Velocity points.
Thankyou to all those who helped me with suggestions on spending the 275k. I don’t know that anything quite grabbed my imagination, until recently I developed a bit of a wild plan and would appreciate your thought/comments.
(Since my earlier post I’ve not redeemed apart from a trip Sydney - Launceston for the National penny farthing championships earlier this year! And on reflection it was a good use of them as I didn’t particularly feel like stumping up cash for those flights). Anyway :
Currently 215k Velocity points in the bank and no status. 50k QFF points, also no status. I mostly travel domestically and tend to fly Virgin but not currently feeling firm loyalty to any carrier. I do have QF Business Rewards so could shift the flight balance a bit... anyways:
I’m also self employed, and currently run the business without a credit card - but thinking about picking up a credit card (or even an Amex charge card) and start to run my ATO payments and other business expenses through it.
What pointers do you, wonderful brains trust have for me on this idea:
1. Set up a CC with major sign on bonus (likely AMEX. All suggestions welcome.) Something that will maximise KF miles. I expect, points aside, the improved cashflow will actually be quite helpful.
2. At the right point in time- transfer Velocity points to Krisflyer.
3. Redeem a one way SYD-SIN-FRA-JFK award in business class for both myself and my exceptionally fortunate 4 year old who may not remember a thing. However he does appreciate in flight entertainment so I think he will be v well behaved now he’s a bit more articulate and easily occupied!
4. Pay for stopovers in both SIN and FRA @ $100 per stopover. If I book over the phone, can I do this on the “saver” award, or do I need to book the Advantage award? Is this possible?
5. Slowish travel round the world over the course of 6-12 months, depending on departure date and my son’s schooling requirements (he is, in theory, to commence Kindergarten in 2021). We’ll likely spend a few months in Asia, a few months in Western Europe and a month or two in New York. I can potentially also dabble in a bit of business development and work on the way around, but I do not anticipate this as the primary purpose of the trip just yet.
6. Likely travel overland on Amtrak from New York back to the west coast via New Orleans before a flight (points, or paid) from a west coast airport or Honolulu back to Sydney.
The only way I could improve upon this type of intinerary, for me personally, would be to add a year in South America and perhaps a South African safari. But given timing, it is probably prudent to save these fun adventure for later as something to look towards.
I have come to realise the Velocity travel redemptions are by and large, not of interest as I have already travelled at length through most of their available destinations in the South Pacific which is where I see the most value. So I anticipate that moving forward I will potentially either focus on a QF oriented points (or focus on Amex miles and redeem via KF).
I do feel quite energised by the prospect of a trip like this, which makes me think I am on the right path. But if I have overlooked a major stumbling block please let me know.
Thanks!
Lis
